Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thom Thom Thom Ena

From Oorellam Un Paattu · 1991

Lyricist
Piraisoodan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oorellam Un Paattu1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa…aaa…haa…aaa…aaa…aaa……Vocalization / Alap
Haa…aaa…aa…haa..aa..aa..aa..aa…aa..aa…aa…Vocalization / Alap
Haa….aa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…..Vocalization / Alap
Male
Thom thom thom yena nadam idadi…Dance to the rhythm of 'thom thom thom'...
Male
Thom thom thom yena nadam idadiDance to the rhythm of 'thom thom thom'
Thakadhimi thom thom thom yena nadam idadiDance to the rhythm of 'thakadhimi thom thom thom'
Muzhu nilavae arul vadivaeO full moon, embodiment of grace
Kalai azhagae silai vadivaeO artistic beauty, embodiment of a sculpted statue
Thiruvadi thaandavamDivine dance of the holy feet
Tharikida thakadhimi thakajanu thadhikidaRhythmic solkattu (Tharikida thakadhimi thakajanu thadhikida)
Male
Thom thom thom yena nadam idadiDance to the rhythm of 'thom thom thom'
Thakadhimi thom thom thom yena nadam idadiDance to the rhythm of 'thakadhimi thom thom thom'
Male
Thaai mozhi thamizhaalaeThrough Tamil, my mother tongue
Isai vazhi naan kaanaAs I discover the path of music
Adhisayam thaan yaedhu ariyaadhadhoIs there any miracle that remains unknown?
Vaai mozhi kelaadhaYou who do not hear spoken words
Malar vizhi nee thaanaeAre you the flower-eyed maiden?
Uyir mozhi naan paada theriyaadhadhoIs it unknown to you that I sing the language of the soul?
Male
Dheviyai naan vendiPraying to the Goddess
Ullurugi naan paadaAs I sing with a melting heart
Dhevadhai nee aadaAs you dance like an angel
Kan mayangi naan koodaAs I too become mesmerized
Iru vizhi poothaada naan thaedinenI searched with both eyes blooming in joy
Male
Edhiril nindraadum malai thaenMountain honey dancing right in front of me
Enadhu endraaga malaithaenI stood bewildered thinking it was mine
Edhiril nindraadum malai thaenMountain honey dancing right in front of me
Enadhu endraaga malaithaenI stood bewildered thinking it was mine
Paamaga sarigamapa sarigamapaMusical swaras (Pa-ma-ga, sa-ri-ga-ma-pa, sa-ri-ga-ma-pa)
Gaari saani reesa needha thadhikidaMusical swaras and rhythms (Ga-ri sa-ni ree-sa nee-dha thadhikida)
Male
Thom thom thom yena nadam idadiDance to the rhythm of 'thom thom thom'
Male
Imaiyil nindraadaTo dance upon the eyelids
Idam aval thaedaAs she searches for a space
Idhaymum urugudhu medhuvaagaThe heart slowly melts away
Male
Imaiyil nindraadaTo dance upon the eyelids
Idam aval thaedaAs she searches for a space
Idhaymum urugudhu medhuvaagaThe heart slowly melts away
Male
Jathiyil nindraadi sadhipathiyaagaDancing to the rhythmic beats as husband and wife
Uravil dhinam urugi kalandhaadaMelting and merging daily in affection
Male
Jathiyil nindraadi sadhipathiyaagaDancing to the rhythmic beats as husband and wife
Uravil dhinam urugi kalandhaadaMelting and merging daily in affection
Male
Nilavum vandhaadumEven the moon comes down to dance
Malar mugam kaana…To catch a glimpse of the flower-like face...
Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa…aa…aaa..aaa..haa…Vocalization / Vocal improvisation
Male
Nilavum vandhaadumEven the moon comes down to dance
Malar mugam kaanaTo catch a glimpse of the flower-like face
Ulavum vandodi urugidumaeThe gentle breeze runs toward it and melts away
Male
Azhagu sendaadaAs beauty sways softly
Amudham endraadaAs it dances like divine nectar
Ulagam nindraadaAs the world stands still and dances
Thakadhimi thakajanuRhythmic syllables (Thakadhimi thakajanu)
Male
Thom thom thom yena nadam idadiDance to the rhythm of 'thom thom thom'
Thakadhimi thom thom thom yena nadam idadiDance to the rhythm of 'thakadhimi thom thom thom'
Muzhu nilavae arul vadivaeO full moon, embodiment of grace
Kalai azhagae silai vadivaeO artistic beauty, embodiment of a sculpted statue
Thiruvadi thaandavamDivine dance of the holy feet
Tharikida thakadhimi thakajanu thadhikidaRhythmic solkattu (Tharikida thakadhimi thakajanu thadhikida)
Male
Thom thom thom yena nadam idadiDance to the rhythm of 'thom thom thom'
Thakadhimi thom thom thom yena nadam idadi..ee..Dance to the rhythm of 'thakadhimi thom thom thom'

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Oorellam Un Paattu' is a joyous celebration of music, classical dance, and deep emotional devotion. The singer addresses a dancer whose exquisite grace resembles a divine sculpted statue and the full moon. Through the sacred medium of the Tamil language and Carnatic music, the song captures the soul-stirring communion between singer and dancer, where every rhythm (solkattu) and musical note (swara) merges seamlessly with motion. The lyrics describe how the enchanting performance mesmerizes everyone around—so much so that even nature, the wandering breeze, and the moon itself pause and join in the celebration of love and beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Imaiyil nindraada / Idam aval thaeda

Repetition of the initial letter 'I' across consecutive lines to create poetic rhythm.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Edhiril nindraadum malai thaen / Enadhu endraaga malaithaen

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'dhi' across contrasting lines.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Edhiril nindraadum malai thaen

Comparing the beloved dancer to sweet mountain honey ('malai thaen') and a full moon ('muzhu nilavu').

Solkattu / Rhythm Mnemonics

Tharikida thakadhimi thakajanu thadhikida

Integration of traditional classical dance rhythmic syllables directly into the lyrics to dictate time and movement.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Piraisoodan, 'Oorellam Un Paattu' (1991) features tracks heavily grounded in classical Tamil rhythm and melody. This specific song integrates authentic Bharatanatyam Jathis (solkattu) and Carnatic swara passages seamlessly into film music.

Keep listening

More from Oorellam Un Paattu