Thoothu Sella Oru Thozhi
From Pachhai Vilakku · 1964
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Pachhai Vilakku1964
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna | Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message, |
| Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi | Oh heroine? |
| Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda | As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree, |
| Sugam kandaayo thalaivi | Did you find pleasure, oh heroine? |
| Female | |
| Thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna | Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message, |
| Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi | Oh heroine? |
| Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda | As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree, |
| Sugam kandaayo thalaivi | Did you find pleasure, oh heroine? |
| Female | |
| Andru sendravanai innum kanavillai | The one who left that day has still not returned, |
| Enna seivathadi thozhi | What shall I do, my friend? |
| Andru sendravanai innum kanavillai | The one who left that day has still not returned, |
| Enna seivathadi thozhi | What shall I do, my friend? |
| Female | |
| Thendral thotadhadi thingal suttathadi | The breeze touched me, but the moon scorched me, |
| Kangal vaaduthadi thozhi | My eyes are wilting, my friend. |
| Aaha thendral thottadhadi thingal suttathadi | Aha, the breeze touched me, but the moon scorched me, |
| Kangal vaaduthadi thozhi | My eyes are wilting, my friend. |
| Female | |
| Aha thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna | Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message, |
| Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi | Oh heroine? |
| Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda | As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree, |
| Sugam kandaayo thalaivi | Did you find pleasure, oh heroine? |
| Female | |
| Panner nadhiyil kulithu vanthaalum | Even after bathing in a river of rosewater, |
| Paruvam thoongumae thalaivi | Youthfulness still slumbers, oh heroine. |
| Female | |
| Venneer nadhiyai paneer enavae | Would anyone call a river of hot water rosewater, |
| Pesalagumo thozhi | Is it right to speak so, my friend? |
| Female | |
| Idayani megalai vizhundhidum vannam | So much that the waist girdle slips down, |
| Yengalaagumo thalaivi | Should one pine in longing, oh heroine? |
| Female | |
| Kadairunthum porul kolvorillayae | Even though the shop is open, there are no buyers, |
| Kalakkam varadho thozhi | Wouldn't distress arise, my friend? |
| Female | |
| Aha thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna | Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message, |
| Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi | Oh heroine? |
| Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda | As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree, |
| Sugam kandaayo thalaivi | Did you find pleasure, oh heroine? |
| Female | |
| Muthum maniyum karugidum vannam | So deeply that pearls and jewels darken, |
| Mogathil aazhndhaal thalaivi | The heroine sank into intense longing. |
| Female | |
| Muthathai marandhaval sithathil | Though she forgot the kiss, what was in her heart, |
| Irunthathai mounathil arindhaal thozhi | The friend understood through her silence. |
| Female | |
| Kaaviri karaiyin orathil evvidham | How on the banks of the Cauvery river, |
| Kaathirundhaal andha thalaivi | Did that heroine wait? |
| Female | |
| Kaaviya naayagan kaadhalan vanigan | The hero of the epic, the lover and merchant, |
| Kovalan enbaal manaivi | His wife refers to him as Kovalan. |
| Female | |
| Aha thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna | Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message, |
| Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi | Oh heroine? |
| Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda | As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree, |
| Sugam kandaayo thalaivi | Did you find pleasure, oh heroine? |
| Female | |
| Thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna | Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message, |
| Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi | Oh heroine? |
| Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda | As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree, |
| Sugam kandaayo thalaivi | Did you find pleasure, oh heroine? |
தூது செல்ல ஒரு தோழி இல்லையெனத்
துயர் கொண்டாயோ தலைவி?
துள்ளும் காற்று வந்து மெல்ல சேலை தொட
சுகம் கண்டாயோ தலைவி?
Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Oh heroine?
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
தூது செல்ல ஒரு தோழி இல்லையெனத்
துயர் கொண்டாயோ தலைவி?
துள்ளும் காற்று வந்து மெல்ல சேலை தொட
சுகம் கண்டாயோ தலைவி?
Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Oh heroine?
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
அன்று சென்றவனை இன்னும் காணவில்லை
என்ன செய்வதடி தோழி?
அன்று சென்றவனை இன்னும் காணவில்லை
என்ன செய்வதடி தோழி?
The one who left that day has still not returned,
What shall I do, my friend?
The one who left that day has still not returned,
What shall I do, my friend?
தென்றல் தொட்டதடி திங்கள் சுட்டதடி
கண்கள் வாடுதடி தோழி
ஆஹா தென்றல் தொட்டதடி திங்கள் சுட்டதடி
கண்கள் வாடுதடி தோழி
The breeze touched me, but the moon scorched me,
My eyes are wilting, my friend.
Aha, the breeze touched me, but the moon scorched me,
My eyes are wilting, my friend.
ஆஹா தூது செல்ல ஒரு தோழி இல்லையெனத்
துயர் கொண்டாயோ தலைவி?
துள்ளும் காற்று வந்து மெல்ல சேலை தொட
சுகம் கண்டாயோ தலைவி?
Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Oh heroine?
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
பன்னீர் நதியில் குளித்து வந்தாலும்
பருவம் தூங்குமே தலைவி
Even after bathing in a river of rosewater,
Youthfulness still slumbers, oh heroine.
வெந்நீர் நதியைப் பன்னீர் எனவே
பேசலாகுமோ தோழி
Would anyone call a river of hot water rosewater,
Is it right to speak so, my friend?
இடையணி மேகலை விழுந்திடும் வண்ணம்
ஏங்கலாகுமோ தலைவி
So much that the waist girdle slips down,
Should one pine in longing, oh heroine?
கடையிருந்தும் பொருள் கொள்வோரில்லையே
கலக்கம் வராதோ தோழி
Even though the shop is open, there are no buyers,
Wouldn't distress arise, my friend?
ஆஹா தூது செல்ல ஒரு தோழி இல்லையெனத்
துயர் கொண்டாயோ தலைவி?
துள்ளும் காற்று வந்து மெல்ல சேலை தொட
சுகம் கண்டாயோ தலைவி?
Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Oh heroine?
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
முத்தும் மணியும் கருகிடும் வண்ணம்
மோகத்தில் ஆழ்ந்தாள் தலைவி
So deeply that pearls and jewels darken,
The heroine sank into intense longing.
முத்தத்தை மறந்தவள் சித்தத்தில் இருந்ததை
மௌனத்தில் அறிந்தாள் தோழி
Though she forgot the kiss, what was in her heart,
The friend understood through her silence.
காவிரிக் கரையின் ஓரத்தில் எவ்விதம்
காத்திருந்தாள் அந்தத் தலைவி
How on the banks of the Cauvery river,
Did that heroine wait?
காவிய நாயகன் காதலன் வணிகன்
கோவலன் என்பான் மனைவி
The hero of the epic, the lover and merchant,
His wife refers to him as Kovalan.
ஆஹா தூது செல்ல ஒரு தோழி இல்லையெனத்
துயர் கொண்டாயோ தலைவி?
துள்ளும் காற்று வந்து மெல்ல சேலை தொட
சுகம் கண்டாயோ தலைவி?
Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Oh heroine?
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
தூது செல்ல ஒரு தோழி இல்லையெனத்
துயர் கொண்டாயோ தலைவி?
துள்ளும் காற்று வந்து மெல்ல சேலை தொட
சுகம் கண்டாயோ தலைவி?
Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Oh heroine?
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
Thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna
Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi
Oh heroine?
Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Sugam kandaayo thalaivi
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
Thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna
Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi
Oh heroine?
Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Sugam kandaayo thalaivi
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
Andru sendravanai innum kanavillai
The one who left that day has still not returned,
Enna seivathadi thozhi
What shall I do, my friend?
Andru sendravanai innum kanavillai
The one who left that day has still not returned,
Enna seivathadi thozhi
What shall I do, my friend?
Thendral thotadhadi thingal suttathadi
The breeze touched me, but the moon scorched me,
Kangal vaaduthadi thozhi
My eyes are wilting, my friend.
Aaha thendral thottadhadi thingal suttathadi
Aha, the breeze touched me, but the moon scorched me,
Kangal vaaduthadi thozhi
My eyes are wilting, my friend.
Aha thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna
Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi
Oh heroine?
Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Sugam kandaayo thalaivi
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
Panner nadhiyil kulithu vanthaalum
Even after bathing in a river of rosewater,
Paruvam thoongumae thalaivi
Youthfulness still slumbers, oh heroine.
Venneer nadhiyai paneer enavae
Would anyone call a river of hot water rosewater,
Pesalagumo thozhi
Is it right to speak so, my friend?
Idayani megalai vizhundhidum vannam
So much that the waist girdle slips down,
Yengalaagumo thalaivi
Should one pine in longing, oh heroine?
Kadairunthum porul kolvorillayae
Even though the shop is open, there are no buyers,
Kalakkam varadho thozhi
Wouldn't distress arise, my friend?
Aha thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna
Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi
Oh heroine?
Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Sugam kandaayo thalaivi
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
Muthum maniyum karugidum vannam
So deeply that pearls and jewels darken,
Mogathil aazhndhaal thalaivi
The heroine sank into intense longing.
Muthathai marandhaval sithathil
Though she forgot the kiss, what was in her heart,
Irunthathai mounathil arindhaal thozhi
The friend understood through her silence.
Kaaviri karaiyin orathil evvidham
How on the banks of the Cauvery river,
Kaathirundhaal andha thalaivi
Did that heroine wait?
Kaaviya naayagan kaadhalan vanigan
The hero of the epic, the lover and merchant,
Kovalan enbaal manaivi
His wife refers to him as Kovalan.
Aha thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna
Aha, did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi
Oh heroine?
Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Sugam kandaayo thalaivi
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
Thoothu sella oru thozhi illaiyenna
Did you grieve because there is no female friend to carry your message,
Thuyar kondaayo thalaivi
Oh heroine?
Thullum kaatru vanthu mella selai thoda
As the bouncing breeze came and gently touched your saree,
Sugam kandaayo thalaivi
Did you find pleasure, oh heroine?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song from Pachhai Vilakku (1964) is structured as a poignant musical dialogue between a young woman (the heroine) suffering from the agony of separation from her lover, and her close confidante (thozhi). The friend gently teases her about her romantic restlessness and physical yearning, while the heroine confides her deep distress—expressing how soothing elements like the cool breeze and moonlight feel paradoxically scorching to her longing heart. Kannadasan elevates this emotional dialogue by invoking classical Sangam literary traditions of 'Thozhi-Thalaivi' discourse and referencing the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, comparing the heroine's patient waiting on the banks of the Cauvery river to Kannagi waiting for Kovalan.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Oxymoron / Paradox
“Thendral thotadhadi thingal suttathadi”
The line contrasts the cooling touch of the southern breeze ('thendral thottadhadi') with the scorching sensation of the cool moon ('thingal suttathadi'), vividly portraying the paradox of passion in separation.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thendral thotadhadi thingal suttathadi”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Th' in 'Thendral' and 'Thingal' creates a natural rhythm standard in classical Tamil prosody.
Literary Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)
“Kaaviya naayagan kaadhalan vanigan Kovalan enbaal manaivi”
Kannadasan references Kovalan and Kannagi from the epic Silappatikaram, drawing a classical parallel to the heroine's devotion and waiting.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Kadairunthum porul kolvorillayae Kalakkam varadho thozhi”
The metaphor of an open shop with no buyers symbolizes unfulfilled youth and affection waiting for a lover.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pachhai Vilakku (1964) featured iconic music by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kannadasan. This song was sung by P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari, perfectly capturing the playful yet emotional dynamic between the heroine and her friend.
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