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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Tholaivinile Vaanam (Male)

From Kodiesvaran · 1999

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Hariharan
Music director
Aghosh
Details
Kodiesvaran1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mmmm….thananananaaMmmm... Humming melodiously.
Male
Tholaivinilae vaanamThe sky is at a distance,
Tharai mael naanumand I am here on the ground;
Thodum aasaigal siraginai virikkuthaedesires to touch it spread their wings.
Male
Mani maniyaath thooral mazhai naal saaralBead-like drizzle, a rainy day's gentle spray,
Pattu poochchigal paarvaiyil parakkuthaebutterflies flutter in my sight.
Nee nadanthu po kooda en nizhal varumEven if you walk away, my shadow will accompany you.
Male
Tholaivinilae….ae….At a distance...
Female
…………….[Music / Instrumental Interlude]
Male
Pon vandu vaasal vanthu paadumpozhuthuWhen a golden beetle comes to the doorstep and sings,
Thaazh pottu vaiththirukkum pookkal yaedhuare there any flowers that remain locked shut?
Nadhiyalai medhuvaaga varudum velaiyilWhen the river wave softly caresses,
Unnaippol naanl odumaa odhungumaawould a reed run away or hide, like you do?
Male
Tholaivinilae…vaanamThe sky at a distance...
Tharaimeal naanumand I on the ground,
Thodum aasaigaldesires to touch it,
Siraginai siraginaitheir wings, their wings,
Virikkuthae virikkuthaeare spreading, spreading.
Male
Neeyindri naanirunthaal nilavum iruttuIf I live without you, even the moon is darkness.
Ennodu neeyirunthaal iruttum nilavuIf you are with me, even darkness becomes the bright moon.
Oru thunai virumpaathu ulagil vaazhvathaaCan anyone live in this world without desiring a companion?
Adadaa paavam vaalipam vaadidumOh, what a pity, youth will merely wither away!
Male
Tholaivinilae…vaanamThe sky at a distance...
Tholaivinilae…vaanamThe sky at a distance...
Tharaimeal naanumand I on the ground,
Tharaimeal naanumand I on the ground,
Thodum aasaigaldesires to touch it,
Thodum aasaigaldesires to touch it,
Siraginai siraginaitheir wings, their wings,
Virikkuthae virikkuthaeare spreading, spreading.
Nee nadanthu po kooda en nizhal varumEven if you walk away, my shadow will accompany you.
Male
Tholaivinilae….ae….hae…..At a distance...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful romantic song captures the protagonist's profound longing and deep affection for his beloved. Standing on the ground while yearning for the distant sky serves as an allegory for his ambitious love. Through vivid natural imagery—such as rain drizzles, golden beetles singing to flowers, and river waves touching reeds—he gently coaxes his lover to accept his affection. He expresses that life without her renders even the moon dark, whereas her presence makes even the darkest night glow like moonlight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor & Antithesis

Neeyindri naanirunthaal nilavum iruttu / Ennodu neeyirunthaal iruttum nilavu

The contrast between light and dark highlights the transformative power of love: without the beloved, the moon turns into darkness, but with her, darkness turns into light.

Personification

Thodum aasaigal siraginai virikkuthae

Abstract human desires are given physical avian traits by describing them as spreading their wings to fly toward the sky.

Rhetorical Question & Nature Imagery

Pon vandu vaasal vanthu paadumpozhuthu / Thaazh pottu vaiththirukkum pookkal yaedhu

The lyricist uses poetic analogies from nature (beetles singing to flowers, river waves touching reeds) to question why she retreats from his love.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Siraginai siraginai / Virikkuthae virikkuthae

Repetition of words like 'siraginai' and 'virikkuthae' emphasizes the rhythmic flutter of wings and heightens the emotional surge.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Tholaivinilae Vaanam' is a celebrated romantic track from the film Kodiesvaran (1999), starring Prashanth. The soundtrack was composed by the music director trio Aghosh (Anand-Gopal-Shaleen). Hariharan's smooth vocal rendition paired with Vairamuthu's rich imagery made the song a timeless favorite among Tamil melody lovers despite the film's delayed release.

Keep listening

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