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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thookkam Un Kangalai

From Aalayamani · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Aalayamani1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thookkam un kangalaiMay sleep embrace
Thazhuvattumaeyour eyes.
Thookkam un kangalaiMay sleep embrace
Thazhuvattumaeyour eyes.
Amaidhi un nenjil nilavattumaeMay peace prevail in your heart.
Female
Thookkam un kangalaiMay sleep embrace
Thazhuvattumaeyour eyes.
Amaidhi un nenjil nilavattumaeMay peace prevail in your heart.
Andha thookkamum amaidhiyumIf that sleep and peace
Naanaanaal unnaiwere to become me,
Thodarndhiruppen endrumI would follow you always
Thunai iruppenand be your companion.
Female
Thookkam un kangalaiMay sleep embrace
Thazhuvattumaeyour eyes.
Amaidhi un nenjil nilavattumaeMay peace prevail in your heart.
Female
Kaalaiyil naan oruIn the morning, I saw a
Kanavu kandendream,
Adhai kangalil ingaeand bringing that in my eyes
Eduthu vandhenhere,
Eduthadhil yedhumwithout letting anything
Kuraindhu vidaamaldiminish from it,
Koduthu vitten undhan kangalilaeI bestowed it into your eyes.
Kangalilae kangalilaeInto your eyes, into your eyes.
Female
Thookkam un kangalaiMay sleep embrace
Thazhuvattumaeyour eyes.
Amaidhi un nenjil nilavattumaeMay peace prevail in your heart.
Female
Manamennum maaligaiWhile the palace called the heart
Thirandhirukkaremains open,
Maiyitta kangal sivandhirukkawhile kohl-adorned eyes turn red,
Iru karam neettistretching out both hands
Thirumugam kaattiand showing my face,
Thavazhndhu vandhenI came crawling
Naan unnidamaeto you,
Thavazhndhu vandhaenI came crawling
Naan unnidamaeto you.
Female
Thookkam un kangalaiMay sleep embrace
Thazhuvattumaeyour eyes.
Amaidhi un nenjil nilavattumaeMay peace prevail in your heart.
Andha thookkamum amaidhiyumIf that sleep and peace
Naanaanaal unnaiwere to become me,
Thodarndhiruppen endrumI would follow you always
Thunai iruppenand be your companion.
Female
Aahahaa haa haahaaAahahaa haa haahaa
Aahahaa haa…Aahahaa haa...
Aahaahahaa haahaaAahaahahaa haahaa
Aahahaa haa…Aahahaa haa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thookkam Un Kangalai from the film Aalayamani (1962) is a tender, serene lullaby-style romantic song. The singer tenderly wishes for deep sleep and absolute tranquility to embrace her beloved's eyes and heart. She expresses a profound desire to embody sleep and peace herself, so she can forever remain close as his eternal companion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Manamennum maaligai

Comparing the human heart/mind to a grand palace in the line 'Manamennum maaligai'.

Alliteration (Monai)

Thookkam un kangalai / Thazhuvattumae

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Th' across consecutive lines.

Personification / Wishful Metamorphosis

Andha thookkamum amaidhiyum / Naanaanaal unnai

The speaker longs to personify abstract feelings like sleep and peace to stay perpetually beside the lover.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt leaves Music and Singers as unknown, 'Thookkam Un Kangalai' from Aalayamani (1962) was composed by the iconic music director duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and sung beautifully by P. Susheela, with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The film starring Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi is celebrated for its soundtrack.

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