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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thookkathile Un Nenappu

From Mayil · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Mayil1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thookkaththilae un nenappuThinking of you in my sleep
Ennennavo pannuthaiyyaaDoes all sorts of strange things to me, my lord
Yae hae yae haeYae hae yae hae
Thoppukkullae raakkuruiInside the grove, the night bird
Konji konji pesuthaiyaaSpeaks in affectionate coos, my lord
Raaththiri neram kaaththirukkaathuThe night time will not wait
Seekkiram vanthaa ennaiyyaaWhat if you come quickly, my lord?
Female
Thookkaththilae un nenappuThinking of you in my sleep
Ennennavo pannuthaiyyaaDoes all sorts of strange things to me, my lord
Aahaan aahaan aahaan…..Aahaan aahaan aahaan...
Female
Nenjukkullae vegam pongi varum neramWhen passion surges inside my heart
Konjuthaiyyaa en manasu kaalai unthan kai thodavaeMy heart pleads with you, my lord, for your hand to touch me
Thottu thazhuvida vaa unthan tholil idam peravaaCome to touch and embrace me, shall I find a place on your shoulders?
Intha kattazhagan pidiyil naan kannam sivanthidavaaIn the embrace of this handsome man, shall my cheeks turn red with blushes?
Nee mella mella tharum inba sugam oru pudhumaiThe sweet pleasure you offer so slowly is a charming novelty
Nee mella mella tharum inba sugam oru pudhumaiThe sweet pleasure you offer so slowly is a charming novelty
Female
Thookkaththilae un nenaippuThinking of you in my sleep
Ennennavo pannuthaiyyaaDoes all sorts of strange things to me, my lord
Aahaan aahaan aahaan…..Aahaan aahaan aahaan...
Female
Malliya poo vaasam manjaththilae pesumThe fragrance of jasmine flowers speaks upon the bed
Santhanamum panneerum saernthaathaanae santhosanTrue joy happens when sandalwood and rosewater blend together
Chiththirai maasaththilae nalla sethiyai solliiduAnnounce the good news in the auspicious month of Chithirai
Muththirai thangaththilae oru thaaliya kattividuTie the sacred thread made of stamped gold around my neck
Ada innumenna bayam kanni ival thunai seraOh, what fear is left now for this maiden to become your companion?
Ada innumenna bayam kanni ival thunai seraOh, what fear is left now for this maiden to become your companion?
Female
Thookkaththilae un nenappuThinking of you in my sleep
Ennennavo pannuthaiyyaaDoes all sorts of strange things to me, my lord
Yae hae yae haeYae hae yae hae
Thoppukkullae raakkuruiInside the grove, the night bird
Konji konji pesuthaiyaaSpeaks in affectionate coos, my lord
Raaththiri neram kaaththirukkaathuThe night time will not wait
Seekkiram vanthaa ennaiyyaaWhat if you come quickly, my lord?
Female
Thookkaththilae un nenappuThinking of you in my sleep
Ennennavo pannuthaiyyaaDoes all sorts of strange things to me, my lord
Ennennavo pannuthaiyyaaDoes all sorts of strange things to me, my lord
Ennennavo pannuthaiyyaaDoes all sorts of strange things to me, my lord
Aahaan aahaan aahaan……Aahaan aahaan aahaan...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic folk-pop track sung by Vani Jairam expresses the deep yearning and romantic desires of a young woman longing for her lover. She describes how thoughts of him haunt her even in her sleep, keeping her restless through the night as nature around her—symbolized by the night bird in the grove—echoes her romantic mood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thookkaththilae un nenappu / Seekkiram vanthaa ennaiyyaa

The second consonant sound 'k' (க/க்) rhymes across consecutive lines.

Monaai (First-letter Alliteration)

Malliya poo vaasam manjaththilae pesum

The repetition of the 'M' sound across words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Nee mella mella tharum inba sugam oru pudhumai

The word 'mella' is repeated for emotional emphasis on softness and tenderness.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Santhanamum panneerum saernthaathaanae santhosan

The blending of sandalwood and rosewater is used as a metaphor for the union of two lovers.

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Trivia

The film 'Mayil' (1981) features music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh. Kannadasan's lyrics in this song blend traditional Tamil romantic imagery with accessible folk phrasing, brilliantly rendered by Vani Jairam.

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