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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thodatha Thaalam

From Anand · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Anand1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamNo need to play an untouched beat
Varaatha raagam paada vendumOne must sing an uncreated melody
Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamNo need to play an untouched beat
Varaatha raagam paada vendumOne must sing an uncreated melody
Oorengum nam medaithaanEverywhere across town is our stage
Oorkolam unnoduthaanThe grand procession is with you
Female
Oorengum nam medaithaanEverywhere across town is our stage
Oorkolam unnoduthaanThe grand procession is with you
Male
Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamNo need to play an untouched beat
Varaatha raagam paada vendumOne must sing an uncreated melody
Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamNo need to play an untouched beat
Female
KoodavaaCome together
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Female :Aadai polaFemale: Like a garment
Chorus :Ho hoChorus vocalizations
Male :AadavaaMale: Shall I dance?
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Male :MaedaiyilMale: On the stage
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Female
AayiramA thousand
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Female :Aasai koodaFemale: Desires gather
Chorus :Ho hoChorus vocalizations
Male :AnthiyilMale: In the twilight
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Male :SindhuthaanMale: It is a musical tune
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Male
Vaadai endra kaattrukenna vanthathuWhy did the cold northern breeze come?
Vaalipaththai solli solli killuthuIt pinches continuously reminding of youth
Chorus
Hahhaa hahhaa hahhaaLaughter vocalizations
Hahhaa hahhaa hahhaaLaughter vocalizations
Female
Vaasamalli poovukenna aanathuWhat happened to the fragrant jasmine flower?
Vaadai patta nenjam thaeinthu ponathuTouched by the chilly wind, the heart wore away
Chorus
Hahhaa hahhaa hahhaaLaughter vocalizations
Hahhaa hahhaa hahhaaLaughter vocalizations
Male
Kannae en kanni pennaeOh my darling, my young maiden
Kai thaerntha chinna pennaeMy skilled little girl
Female :Pa papaa papap papa pap paaFemale vocalization
Male
Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamNo need to play an untouched beat
Varaatha raagam paada vendumOne must sing an uncreated melody
Female :Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamFemale: No need to play an untouched beat
Varaatha raagam paada vendumOne must sing an uncreated melody
Male
Oorengum nam medaithaanEverywhere across town is our stage
Oorkolam unnoduthaanThe grand procession is with you
Female :Oorengum nam medaithaanFemale: Everywhere across town is our stage
Oorkolam unnoduthaanThe grand procession is with you
Male
Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamNo need to play an untouched beat
Female :Varaatha raagam paada vendumFemale: One must sing an uncreated melody
Male :Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamMale: No need to play an untouched beat
RapparipparapparippaScat vocalizations
Male
MaalaiyumThe evening garland
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Male :MaattravillaiMale: Did not exchange
Chorus :Ho hoChorus vocalizations
Female :MangaiyoFemale: Is the young maiden...
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Male :MaalaithaanMale: It is the garland
Chorus :Lala laalla laaChorus vocalizations
Male
KanniyoIs the maiden...
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Male :Chinna pillaiMale: A young child
Chorus :Ho hoChorus vocalizations
Female :KannanoFemale: Is he Lord Krishna?
Chorus :Lalalaal laaChorus vocalizations
Female :ThangamthaanFemale: Pure gold indeed
Chorus :Lala laalla laaChorus vocalizations
Female
Kadhalukku indru nalla yogameToday is a favorable time for love
Kannil vantha kadhal ambu paayumaeThe arrow of love from the eyes will shoot
Chorus
Hahhaa hahhaa hahhaaLaughter vocalizations
Hahhaa hahhaa hahhaaLaughter vocalizations
Male
Kaaththirunthu kaaththirunthu paaramaeLook at the burden of waiting and waiting
Kai irandil saerntha pinbu maarumaeIt will change once united in two hands
Chorus
Hahhaa hahhaa hahhaaLaughter vocalizations
Hahhaa hahhaa hahhaaLaughter vocalizations
Female
Andraadam aanathamaeEveryday is pure happiness
Allikkol neeyendrumaeGather it for yourself forever
Male :Pa papaa papap papa pap paaMale vocalization
Female
Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamNo need to play an untouched beat
Varaatha raagam paada vendumOne must sing an uncreated melody
Male :Thodaatha thaalam poda vendamMale: No need to play an untouched beat
Varaatha raagam paada vendumOne must sing an uncreated melody
Female
Oorengum nam medaithaanEverywhere across town is our stage
Oorkolam unnoduthaanThe grand procession is with you
Male :Oorengum nam medaithaanMale: Everywhere across town is our stage
Oorkolam unnoduthaanThe grand procession is with you
Female
Lalalaal laalaa laalla laalaaChorus vocalizations
Lalalaal laalaa laalla laalaaChorus vocalizations
Lalalaal laalaa laalla laalaaChorus vocalizations

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and rhythmic duet portrays two lovers celebrating their romance through musical metaphors. They proclaim that the entire world is their stage and every moment spent together feels like a festive procession. They tease each other through bouncy musical calls, comparing love to a divine tune and a blooming flower amidst chilly winds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (First-letter Alliteration)

Vaadai endra kaattrukenna vanthathu / Vaalipaththai solli solli killuthu

Matching initial consonant sounds in consecutive lines ('Vaadai' and 'Vaalipaththai').

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thodaatha thaalam poda vendam / Varaatha raagam paada vendum

Matching second consonants across lines ('Thodaatha' and 'Varaatha').

Uruvagaim (Metaphor)

Oorengum nam medaithaan

Directly equating the entire town to their musical stage.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in some archives, 'Thodaatha thaalam' from Anand (1987) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Gangai Amaran. The film starred Prabhu and Radha in lead roles.

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