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Lyrics & meaning

Thoda Varavo

From Iru Nilavugal · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Rajan Nagendra
Details
Iru Nilavugal1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thoda varavo……thontharavoShall I come to touch... is it a bother?
Unathulamae sammathmoDoes your heart give consent?
Idaiyo azhago siru noolalavoIs your waist so beautiful, as slender as a single thread?
Aahaa allidavoAaha, shall I embrace it?
Female
Aa…..Thoda varavao……thodarnthidavoAa... Shall I come to touch... shall I continue following?
Unathulamae sammathmoDoes your heart give consent?
Idaiyo idhazho idhuvi adhuvoIs it the waist or the lips, is it this or that?
Kettaal naan tharavoIf you ask, shall I give it to you?
Female
Aa…..Thoda varavao……thodarnthidavoAa... Shall I come to touch... shall I continue following?
Unathulamae sammathmoDoes your heart give consent?
Male
Thoda varavo……thontharavoShall I come to touch... is it a bother?
Unathulamae sammathmoDoes your heart give consent?
Male
Malarae nee enna ilamai arasaalaOh flower, are you the crown princess standing before me
Edhir nindra yuvaraaniyoTo rule over youth?
Madi mael nee vanthu madhuvaal idhazh vaarkkaWhen you sit on my lap to pour wine from your lips,
Idhuthaan pozhuthallavoIsn't this the perfect moment?
Female
Naanthaanae kallu arugae vaa alluI am the wine itself, come close and embrace me,
Enai vaanga nee illaiyoAren't you here to claim me?
Poojai sei endru poovae mun vanthuLike a flower coming forward asking to be worshipped,
Madiyil saaigindrathoIs it leaning gently on my lap?
Male
Neeyo en oonjal naane poonthendralYou are my swing, and I am the gentle southern breeze,
Nenjil nindradathaanJust to keep swaying in the heart!
Female
Aa…..thoda varavao……thodarnthidavoAa... Shall I come to touch... shall I continue following?
Unathulamae sammathmoDoes your heart give consent?
Male :Aa…..idaiyo azhago siru noolalavoMale: Aa... Is your waist so beautiful, as slender as a single thread?
Aahaa allidavoAaha, shall I embrace it?
Male
Thoda varavo……thontharavoShall I come to touch... is it a bother?
Unathulamae sammathmoDoes your heart give consent?
Female :Thoda varavao……thodarnthidavoFemale: Shall I come to touch... shall I continue following?
Unathulamae sammathmoDoes your heart give consent?
Male
…………………....
Female :…………………Female: ...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thoda Varavo Thontharavo is a playful and sensual romantic duet from the 1979 movie Iru Nilavugal, composed by the celebrated duo Rajan-Nagendra and written by Vaali. The song revolves around a romantic dialog between two lovers playfully asking for consent, admiring each other's beauty, and reveling in their intimacy. Through poetic allegories comparing the lovers to a swing and gentle breeze, or describing lips as vessels pouring wine, the song showcases a delicate balance of teasing charm, youthful passion, and mutual devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Idaiyo azhago siru noolalavo

Compares the slender waist of the heroine to a thin thread (siru nool) to emphasize delicacy and beauty.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Edhukai / Monai)

Thoda varavo……thontharavo

Initial sound matching ('Thoda' / 'Thontharavo') creates rhythmic harmony and musicality.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Neeyo en oonjal naane poonthendral

The lovers describe their bond using nature imagery—one as a swing ('oonjal') and the other as the cool breeze ('poonthendral').

Did you know?

Trivia

Iru Nilavugal (1979) featured music composed by the iconic Kannada duo Rajan-Nagendra, who adapted their melodious Kannada compositions for Tamil audiences with legendary lyricist Vaali writing the Tamil lyrics.

Keep listening

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