Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thodi Raagam Paadava

From Maanagara Kaaval · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Maanagara Kaaval1991

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Chorus
…………………….
Male
Thodi raagam paadavaShall I sing the Thodi ragam?
Female :Mella paaduSing gently
Male
Aadhi thaalam podavaShall I set the Adi tala beat?
Female :Mella poduSet it gently
Male
Maeni ennum veenaiThe lute that is the human body
Meetugindra vaelaiAt the moment when it is strummed
Madiyinil unnai serthuHolding you in my lap
Male
Thodi raagam paadavaShall I sing the Thodi ragam?
Female :Mella paaduSing gently
Male
Aadhi thaalam podavaShall I set the Adi tala beat?
Female :Mella poduSet it gently
Female
…………………….
Male
Idhu varai unai naanumUntil now, I (did not see) you
Female :Aa ..aaaAh... ah...
Male :Ilayavan enai neeyumAnd you (did not see) me, the young man
Female :Aa ..aaaAh... ah...
Male :Kaanamaal koodaamal engaeyo vaazhndhomWithout seeing or meeting each other, we lived somewhere apart
Female :Mudhan mudhal mugam paarthuLooking at each other's face for the very first time
Muzhuvadhum udal verthuWith our entire bodies drenched in sweat
Neerada poraada innaalil sernthomWe came together today to bathe and playfully struggle in passion
Male
Kalyanam kacheriA wedding music concert
Kannaara ennaalil kaanalaamOn which day will we see it to our eyes' content?
Female
Ponoonjal poopandhalA golden swing and a canopy of flowers
Vaibogam thai maadham maalaiyiduPlace the garland in the grand festive month of Thai
Male
Thodi raagam paadavaShall I sing the Thodi ragam?
Female :Mella paaduSing gently
Male
Aadhi thaalam podavaShall I set the Adi tala beat?
Female :Mella poduSet it gently
Chorus
………………….
Female
Iravugal enai vaatumThe nights torment me
Idaiyinil anal mootumKindling a fire around my waist
Nee indri naan ingu paai podum maadhuWithout you, I am a woman who spreads her mat alone
Male
Pirivugal ini yaedhuWhat separations could exist anymore?
Piraviyil kidaiyaadhuThere will be none in this birth
Nee thaanae naan vandhu poochoodum maadhuAren't you the woman whom I come to adorn with flowers?
Female
Andraadam poongaatruEvery day, the gentle breeze
Un perai en kaadhil oodhudhuWhispers your name in my ear
Male
Eppodhu naan vendumWhenever I long for you
Appodhu poongaatrai thoodhu viduSend the gentle breeze as your messenger then
Female
Thodi raagam paadavaShall I sing the Thodi ragam?
Male :Mella paaduSing gently
Female
Aadhi thaalam podavaShall I set the Adi tala beat?
Male :Mella poduSet it gently
Female
Maeni ennum veenaiThe lute that is the human body
Meetugindra vaelaiAt the moment when it is strummed
Madiyinil ennai serthuHolding me in your lap
Male
Thodi raagam paadavaShall I sing the Thodi ragam?
Female :Mella paaduSing gently
Male
Aadhi thaalam podavaShall I set the Adi tala beat?
Female :Mella poduSet it gently

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet, 'Thodi Raagam Paadava', uses classical music motifs like ragas and talas as metaphors for intimacy and deep emotional union. The lovers express how they spent years apart in ignorance of each other, but now that they have met, their desire and yearning have culminated in a passionate bond, looking forward to formalizing their union in marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

“Maeni ennum veenai”

Compares the human body ('Maeni') to a string instrument ('Veenai'), symbolizing sensitive sensory touch and intimacy.

Personification

“Andraadam poongaatru Un perai en kaadhil oodhudhu”

Attributes human behavior to the spring breeze ('Poongaatru'), describing it as whispering a lover's name and serving as a messenger ('thoodhu').

Rhyme / Assonance (Edhugai)

“Thodi raagam paadava / Aadhi thaalam podava”

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines ('Thodi' and 'Aadhi', 'Iravugal' and 'Idaiyinil') creating melodic symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maanagara Kaaval' (1991) was actor Vijayakanth's milestone 100th film, produced by the prestigious banner AVM Productions and directed by M. Thiyagarajan. The music for this hit album was composed by Chandrabose, with vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.

Keep listening

More from Maanagara Kaaval