- Lyricist
- Ponnadiyan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Singaravelan
- Movie release year
- 1992
- Lyrics added on
- 29 Apr 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classical-style romantic Tamil song captures the profound longing of a woman yearning to reunite with her lover, addressed as her 'Kadhail Velan'. Speaking to her close companion ('saki') and addressing the celestial moon ('mathi'), she asks who will act as a messenger ('thoodhu') to convey her heartfelt affection. She expresses how her heart melts in separation and how her beauty, complete with flowers and 'pottu', exists solely to celebrate her king, while her eyes constantly search for him.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“தூது செல்வதாரடி / போது செய்வதென்னடி”
The second syllable rhyming in 'தூது' (Thoodhu) and 'போது' (Bhodhu) adds a lyrical, classical cadence to the stanza.
Personification
“ஓ வான் மதி மதி மதி மதி கேள் என் சகி சகி”
The protagonist addresses the moon ('வான் மதி') directly as a listening companion to share her romantic despair.
Repetition for Emphasis (Adukkuthodar)
“அவர் என் பாதி பாதி என்”
The word 'பாதி' (half) is repeated to passionately highlight that her soulmate completes her life.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Ponnadiyan, 'Thoodhu Selvadhaaradi' from Singaravelan (1992) utilizes traditional Tamil poetic motifs of sending a message ('thoodhu') to one's beloved.
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