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Lyrics & meaning

Thoongatha Vizhigal

From Agni Natchathiram · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Agni Natchathiram1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thoongaatha vizhigal renduTwo eyes that do not sleep
Un thunai thedum nenjam ondruOne heart that searches for your companionship
Sempoo manjam viriththaalumEven if a bed of red flowers is spread
Panneerai thelithaalumEven if rosewater is sprinkled
Aanantham enakkethu anbae nee illaadhuWhere is bliss for me, my love, without you?
Female
Thoongaatha vizhigal renduTwo eyes that do not sleep
Un thunai thedum nenjam ondruOne heart that searches for your companionship
Male
Maamara ilai melae ..aa..aa..aaaaaUpon the mango leaf ..aa..aa..aaaaa
Maamara ilai melae maargazhi pani polaeLike the Margazhi dew upon a mango leaf
Poo magal madi meedhu naan thoongavo…Shall I sleep upon the lap of the flower-like lady...
Male
Maamara ilai melae maargazhi pani polaeLike the Margazhi dew upon a mango leaf
Poo magal madi meedhu naan thoongavo…Shall I sleep upon the lap of the flower-like lady...
Female
Raathiri pagalaaga oru pothum vilagaamalNight turning into day without ever parting
Raajanai kai yendhi thaalaattavo…Shall I hold the king in my arms and sing a lullaby...
Male
Naalum naalum raagam thaalamDay by day, melody and rhythm
Serum neram theerum baaram..As they join, the burden fades away..
Female
Aaaa..aaaa.aaaa…aaaaa..Aaaa..aaaa.aaaa…aaaaa..
Male
Thoongaatha vizhigal renduTwo eyes that do not sleep
Un thunai thedum nenjam ondruOne heart that searches for your companionship
Sempoo manjam viriththaalumEven if a bed of red flowers is spread
Panneerai thelithaalumEven if rosewater is sprinkled
Aanantham enakkethu anbae nee illaadhuWhere is bliss for me, my love, without you?
Male
Thoongaatha vizhigal renduTwo eyes that do not sleep
Un thunai thedum nenjam ondruOne heart that searches for your companionship
Female
Aalilai sivappaaga angamum neruppaagaAs the banyan leaf turns red and the body turns to fire
Noolidai kothipperum nilai ennavoWhat is this state where the thread-thin waist simmers with heat?
Male
Aadhiyum puriyaamal anthamum theriyaamalWithout understanding the beginning, without knowing the end
Kaadhalil arangerum kadhai allavoIs this not the story unfolding in love?
Female
Maadhulam kaniyaada malaraada kodiyaadaAs the pomegranate sways, as flowers sway, as vines sway
Maarudham uravaadum kalai ennavoWhat art is this where the breeze mingles intimately?
Male
Vaalibam thadumaara oru bothai thalaikaeraAs youth falters and an intoxication rises to the head
Vaarthaiyil vilangaatha suvai allavoIs this not a sweetness beyond words?
Female
Melum melum mogam koodumPassion increases more and more
Male :Dhegam yaavum geetham paadumMale: The entire body sings a song
Female
Aaaa..aaaa.aaaa…aaaaa..Aaaa..aaaa.aaaa…aaaaa..
Male :Aaaa..aaaa.aaaa…aaaaa..Male: Aaaa..aaaa.aaaa…aaaaa..
Female
: Thoongaatha vizhigal renduTwo eyes that do not sleep
Male :Un thunai thedum nenjam ondruMale: One heart that searches for your companionship
Female :Sempoo manjam viriththaalumFemale: Even if a bed of red flowers is spread
Panneerai thelithaalumEven if rosewater is sprinkled
Male :Aanantham enakkethu anbae nee illaadhuMale: Where is bliss for me, my love, without you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thoongaatha Vizhigal Rendu is a sensual romantic duet from the film Agni Natchathiram (1988), penned by Vaali and composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song conveys the tender yearning and passion between two lovers. It emphasizes that luxury and comfort—symbolized by beds of soft red flowers and fragrant rosewater—hold no value or joy in the absence of one's beloved. Through imagery of dew drops on mango leaves, swaying vines, and soothing melodies, the lyrics describe an intoxicating love that transcends ordinary words. As night blends into day, the lovers find solace in each other's embrace, where all emotional burdens vanish and their entire existence feels like a harmonious song.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Maamara ilai melae maargazhi pani polae

Compares the delicate, gentle nature of resting on the lover's lap to winter dew drops resting on a mango leaf.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Poo magal madi meedhu naan thoongavo…

Refers to the heroine as a flower-like maiden ('Poo magal') and describes her waist as thin as a thread ('Noolidai').

Alliteration (Monai)

Maamara ilai melae maargazhi pani polae

Repetition of the 'm' sound across words in the same line ('Maamara', 'maargazhi').

Rhyme (Edhukai)

Aadhiyum puriyaamal anthamum theriyaamal

Matching second consonants across consecutive phrases ('Aadhiyum' / 'Kaadhalil').

Personification

Male :Dhegam yaavum geetham paadum

Attributes human musical ability to the physical body, describing the body as singing a song of desire.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja in the Carnatic ragam Saramathi, this track features vocals by K.J. Yesudas and S. Janaki. Set in Mani Ratnam's acclaimed 1988 film Agni Natchathiram, the song is visually famous for P.C. Sreeram's stylish silhouette lighting and aesthetic camera work, making it a landmark in modern Tamil cinema visual storytelling.

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