Thottathu Pole Kanavu
From Gowri Kalyanam · 1966
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Gowri Kalyanam1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thottadhu polae kanavu kanden | I saw a dream as if being touched |
| Thooka kalakama | Is it the confusion of sleep? |
| En tholai thazhuvum kaalaiyai kanden | I saw a young man embracing my shoulders |
| Thunaivan mayakkama | Is it the intoxication of a husband? |
| Female | |
| Thottadhu polae kanavu kanden | I saw a dream as if being touched |
| Thooka kalakama | Is it the confusion of sleep? |
| En tholai thazhuvum kaalaiyai kanden | I saw a young man embracing my shoulders |
| Thunaivan mayakkama | Is it the intoxication of a husband? |
| Female | |
| Kattiya poovil vandu vilundhu | A bee fell upon a bound flower |
| Aadida kandenae | And I saw it dancing |
| Kattiya poovil vandu vilundhu | A bee fell upon a bound flower |
| Aadida kandenae | And I saw it dancing |
| Kaanniyin nenjam mangaiyin idhazhil | A maiden's heart on a young woman's lips |
| Odida kandenae | I saw it running |
| Female | |
| Thottadhu polae kanavu kanden | I saw a dream as if being touched |
| Thooka kalakama | Is it the confusion of sleep? |
| En tholai thazhuvum kaalaiyai kanden | I saw a young man embracing my shoulders |
| Thunaivan mayakkama | Is it the intoxication of a husband? |
| Male | |
| ………………… | ................... |
| Male | |
| Maaman magalae manikiliyae | Oh uncle's daughter, my precious parrot |
| Mannar kulathu ilangodiyae | Oh young vine of the royal line |
| Maaman magalae manikiliyae | Oh uncle's daughter, my precious parrot |
| Mannar kulathu ilangodiyae | Oh young vine of the royal line |
| Yaarena ennai arivaaiyoo | Will you recognize who I am? |
| Arindha pinnavadhu arulvaayoo | Will you grace me after knowing? |
| Yaarena ennai arivaaiyoo | Will you recognize who I am? |
| Arindha pinnavadhu arulvaayoo | Will you grace me after knowing? |
| Female | |
| Kallanai pola theriyuthaiyaa | You look like a thief, sir |
| Kaamugam polavum thonuthaiyaa | You also appear like a lustful man, sir |
| Male :Aahaa enna vaarthai koorinaai | Male: Aha, what words did you speak! |
| Female :Kallanai pola theriyuthaiyaa | Female: You look like a thief, sir |
| Kaamugam polavum thonuthaiyaa | You also appear like a lustful man, sir |
| Palli araikkul mella nuzhaindhu | Entering softly into the bedchamber |
| Paarthu rasikindra kaariyamenna | What is this act of watching and relishing? |
| Aiyaiya kaariyam enna | Oh my, what is this act? |
| Aiyaiya kaariyam enna | Oh my, what is this act? |
| Male | |
| Aindhu pergal paandavaraam | Five persons are the Pandavas |
| Avaril oruvar paarthibanaam | One among them is Parthiban (Arjuna) |
| Kaadhal mannan paarthibanin | Of Parthiban, the king of love |
| Kaadhal mannan paarthibanin | Of Parthiban, the king of love |
| Kaalaiyadiyo naanadiyoo | Am I his young son/noble youth? |
| Female | |
| Arjunan magam needhaana | Are you Arjuna's son? |
| Avan artha rathiriyil varuvaana | Would he come in the middle of the night? |
| Female | |
| Arjunan magam needhaana | Are you Arjuna's son? |
| Avan artha rathiriyil varuvaana | Would he come in the middle of the night? |
| Ennai mana muditha mannan pulandhiran | King Pulandhiran who married me |
| Kalvanai pola vandhu thoduvaana | Would he come like a thief and touch me? |
| Kalvanai pola vandhu thoduvaana | Would he come like a thief and touch me? |
| Male | |
| Uravinan pol ennai theriyavillaiyoo | Do I not look like a relative to you? |
| Indha uruvathil yaarendru puriyavillaiyoo | Do you not understand who I am in this form? |
| Ammaa | Oh mother! |
| Uravinan pol ennai theriyavillaiyoo | Do I not look like a relative to you? |
| Indha uruvathil yaarendru puriyavillaiyoo | Do you not understand who I am in this form? |
| Ennai kattupudi sattapadi katukodi muthukiliyae | Embrace me legally, my wild creeper, my pearl parrot! |
| Mangaiyae | Oh young woman! |
| Male | |
| Ennai kattupudi sattapadi katukodi muthukiliyae | Embrace me legally, my wild creeper, my pearl parrot! |
| Mangaiyae | Oh young woman! |
| Unnai andharathil kondu sellum | Which will carry you into the skies |
| Mandharathai kandu kollum ennaiyae | Know me, who holds that secret chant! |
| Unnai andharathil kondu sellum | Which will carry you into the skies |
| Mandharathai kandu kollum ennaiyae | Know me, who holds that secret chant! |
| Female | |
| Undhan manam ethanai | What is your heart like, what is your character? |
| Gunamethanai vayathenthanai | What is your age, how many companions do you have? |
| Thunaiethanai sollalaiyaaa | Won't you tell me, sir? |
| Female | |
| Undhan manam ethanai | What is your heart like, what is your character? |
| Gunamethanai vayathenthanai | What is your age, how many companions do you have? |
| Thunaiethanai sollalaiyaaa | Won't you tell me, sir? |
| Andha arjunanukku pilliyendu | Calling yourself the son of that Arjuna |
| Archanaigal seiya vandhedhennayaa | Why have you come to perform worshipping rites? |
| Andha arjunanukku pilliyendu | Calling yourself the son of that Arjuna |
| Archanaigal seiya vandhedhennayaa | Why have you come to perform worshipping rites? |
| Female | |
| Dharma thirumagan thaan | He is indeed the righteous son |
| Thaarar karum kuyilae | Oh dark cuckoo wearing garlands |
| Koodi maruvidungal | Unite and embrace together |
| Deviyarum devanumaai | As goddess and god |
| Chorus | |
| Haaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa… | Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
தொட்டது போலக் கனவு கண்டேன்
தூக்கக் கலக்கமா
என் தோளைக் தழுவும் காளையைக் கண்டேன்
துணைவன் மயக்கமா
I saw a dream as if being touched
Is it the confusion of sleep?
I saw a young man embracing my shoulders
Is it the intoxication of a husband?
தொட்டது போலக் கனவு கண்டேன்
தூக்கக் கலக்கமா
என் தோளைக் தழுவும் காளையைக் கண்டேன்
துணைவன் மயக்கமா
I saw a dream as if being touched
Is it the confusion of sleep?
I saw a young man embracing my shoulders
Is it the intoxication of a husband?
கட்டிய பூவில் வண்டு விழுந்து
ஆடிடக் கண்டேனே
கட்டிய பூவில் வண்டு விழுந்து
ஆடிடக் கண்டேனே
கங்கையின் வெள்ளம் மங்கையின் அழகில்
ஓடிடக் கண்டேனே
A bee fell upon a bound flower
And I saw it dancing
A bee fell upon a bound flower
And I saw it dancing
A maiden's heart on a young woman's lips
I saw it running
தொட்டது போலக் கனவு கண்டேன்
தூக்கக் கலக்கமா
என் தோளைக் தழுவும் காளையைக் கண்டேன்
துணைவன் மயக்கமா
I saw a dream as if being touched
Is it the confusion of sleep?
I saw a young man embracing my shoulders
Is it the intoxication of a husband?
......................
...................
மாமன் மகளே மணிக்கிளியே
மன்னர் குலத்து இளங்கொடியே
மாமன் மகளே மணிக்கிளியே
மன்னர் குலத்து இளங்கொடியே
யாரென என்னை அறிவாயோ
அறிந்த பின்னாவது தருவாயோ
யாரென என்னை அறிவாயோ
அறிந்த பின்னாவது தருவாயோ
Oh uncle's daughter, my precious parrot
Oh young vine of the royal line
Oh uncle's daughter, my precious parrot
Oh young vine of the royal line
Will you recognize who I am?
Will you grace me after knowing?
Will you recognize who I am?
Will you grace me after knowing?
கள்ளனைப் போலத் தெரியுதய்யா
காமுகன் போலவும் தோணுதய்யா
ஆஹா என்ன வார்த்தை ககூறினாய்
கள்ளனைப் போலத் தெரியுதய்யா
காமுகன் போலவும் தோணுதய்யா
பள்ளியறைக்குள் மெல்ல நுழைந்து
பாதம் தழுவிய காரியமென்ன
அய்யய்ய காரியமென்ன
அய்யய்ய காரியமென்ன
You look like a thief, sir
You also appear like a lustful man, sir
Male: Aha, what words did you speak!
Female: You look like a thief, sir
You also appear like a lustful man, sir
Entering softly into the bedchamber
What is this act of watching and relishing?
Oh my, what is this act?
Oh my, what is this act?
ஐந்து பேர்கள் பாண்டவராம்
அவரில் ஒருவர் பார்த்திபனாம்
காதல் மன்னன் பார்த்திபனின்
காதல் மன்னன் பார்த்திபனின்
காளையடியோ நானடியோ
Five persons are the Pandavas
One among them is Parthiban (Arjuna)
Of Parthiban, the king of love
Of Parthiban, the king of love
Am I his young son/noble youth?
அர்ஜுனன் மகன் நீதானா
அவன் அர்த்த ராத்திரியில் வருவானா
Are you Arjuna's son?
Would he come in the middle of the night?
அர்ஜுனன் மகன் நீதானா
அவன் அர்த்த ராத்திரியில் வருவானா
என்னை மணமுடித்த மன்னன் புலந்திரன்
கள்வனை போல் வந்து தொடுவானா
கள்வனை போல் வந்து தொடுவானா
Are you Arjuna's son?
Would he come in the middle of the night?
King Pulandhiran who married me
Would he come like a thief and touch me?
Would he come like a thief and touch me?
உறவினன் போல எ னைத் தெரியவில்லையோ
அந்த உருவத்தில் யாரென்று புரியவில்லையோ
அம்மா உறவினன் போல எ னைத் தெரியவில்லையோ
அந்த உருவத்தில் யாரென்று புரியவில்லையோ
எனைக் கட்டிப்பிடி சட்டப்படி கட்டுக்கொடி
முத்துக்கிளியே மங்கையே
Do I not look like a relative to you?
Do you not understand who I am in this form?
Oh mother!
Do I not look like a relative to you?
Do you not understand who I am in this form?
Embrace me legally, my wild creeper, my pearl parrot!
Oh young woman!
எனைக் கட்டிப்பிடி சட்டப்படி கட்டுக்கொடி
முத்துக்கிளியே மங்கையே
உனை அந்திரத்தில் கொண்டு செல்லும்
மந்திரத்தில் கண்டு கொள்ளு என்னையே
உனை அந்திரத்தில் கொண்டு செல்லும்
மந்திரத்தில் கண்டு கொள்ளு என்னையே
Embrace me legally, my wild creeper, my pearl parrot!
Oh young woman!
Which will carry you into the skies
Know me, who holds that secret chant!
Which will carry you into the skies
Know me, who holds that secret chant!
உந்தன் மனமெத்தனை குணமெத்தனை
வயதெத்தனை துணை எத்தனை சொல்லலையா
அந்த அர்ஜுனனுக்கு பிள்ளையென்று
அர்ச்சனைகள் செய்ய வந்ததென்னையா
அந்த அர்ஜுனனுக்கு பிள்ளையென்று
அர்ச்சனைகள் செய்ய வந்ததென்னையா
What is your heart like, what is your character?
What is your age, how many companions do you have?
Won't you tell me, sir?
தர்மம் திருமுகம் தான்
தாரார் கருங்குயிலே
கூடி மறுவிடுங்கள்
தேவியாயிரும் தேவனுமாய்
What is your heart like, what is your character?
What is your age, how many companions do you have?
Won't you tell me, sir?
Calling yourself the son of that Arjuna
Why have you come to perform worshipping rites?
Calling yourself the son of that Arjuna
Why have you come to perform worshipping rites?
........................
He is indeed the righteous son
Oh dark cuckoo wearing garlands
Unite and embrace together
As goddess and god
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Thottadhu polae kanavu kanden
I saw a dream as if being touched
Thooka kalakama
Is it the confusion of sleep?
En tholai thazhuvum kaalaiyai kanden
I saw a young man embracing my shoulders
Thunaivan mayakkama
Is it the intoxication of a husband?
Thottadhu polae kanavu kanden
I saw a dream as if being touched
Thooka kalakama
Is it the confusion of sleep?
En tholai thazhuvum kaalaiyai kanden
I saw a young man embracing my shoulders
Thunaivan mayakkama
Is it the intoxication of a husband?
Kattiya poovil vandu vilundhu
A bee fell upon a bound flower
Aadida kandenae
And I saw it dancing
Kattiya poovil vandu vilundhu
A bee fell upon a bound flower
Aadida kandenae
And I saw it dancing
Kaanniyin nenjam mangaiyin idhazhil
A maiden's heart on a young woman's lips
Odida kandenae
I saw it running
Thottadhu polae kanavu kanden
I saw a dream as if being touched
Thooka kalakama
Is it the confusion of sleep?
En tholai thazhuvum kaalaiyai kanden
I saw a young man embracing my shoulders
Thunaivan mayakkama
Is it the intoxication of a husband?
…………………
...................
Maaman magalae manikiliyae
Oh uncle's daughter, my precious parrot
Mannar kulathu ilangodiyae
Oh young vine of the royal line
Maaman magalae manikiliyae
Oh uncle's daughter, my precious parrot
Mannar kulathu ilangodiyae
Oh young vine of the royal line
Yaarena ennai arivaaiyoo
Will you recognize who I am?
Arindha pinnavadhu arulvaayoo
Will you grace me after knowing?
Yaarena ennai arivaaiyoo
Will you recognize who I am?
Arindha pinnavadhu arulvaayoo
Will you grace me after knowing?
Kallanai pola theriyuthaiyaa
You look like a thief, sir
Kaamugam polavum thonuthaiyaa
You also appear like a lustful man, sir
Male :Aahaa enna vaarthai koorinaai
Male: Aha, what words did you speak!
Female :Kallanai pola theriyuthaiyaa
Female: You look like a thief, sir
Kaamugam polavum thonuthaiyaa
You also appear like a lustful man, sir
Palli araikkul mella nuzhaindhu
Entering softly into the bedchamber
Paarthu rasikindra kaariyamenna
What is this act of watching and relishing?
Aiyaiya kaariyam enna
Oh my, what is this act?
Aiyaiya kaariyam enna
Oh my, what is this act?
Aindhu pergal paandavaraam
Five persons are the Pandavas
Avaril oruvar paarthibanaam
One among them is Parthiban (Arjuna)
Kaadhal mannan paarthibanin
Of Parthiban, the king of love
Kaadhal mannan paarthibanin
Of Parthiban, the king of love
Kaalaiyadiyo naanadiyoo
Am I his young son/noble youth?
Arjunan magam needhaana
Are you Arjuna's son?
Avan artha rathiriyil varuvaana
Would he come in the middle of the night?
Arjunan magam needhaana
Are you Arjuna's son?
Avan artha rathiriyil varuvaana
Would he come in the middle of the night?
Ennai mana muditha mannan pulandhiran
King Pulandhiran who married me
Kalvanai pola vandhu thoduvaana
Would he come like a thief and touch me?
Kalvanai pola vandhu thoduvaana
Would he come like a thief and touch me?
Uravinan pol ennai theriyavillaiyoo
Do I not look like a relative to you?
Indha uruvathil yaarendru puriyavillaiyoo
Do you not understand who I am in this form?
Ammaa
Oh mother!
Uravinan pol ennai theriyavillaiyoo
Do I not look like a relative to you?
Indha uruvathil yaarendru puriyavillaiyoo
Do you not understand who I am in this form?
Ennai kattupudi sattapadi katukodi muthukiliyae
Embrace me legally, my wild creeper, my pearl parrot!
Mangaiyae
Oh young woman!
Ennai kattupudi sattapadi katukodi muthukiliyae
Embrace me legally, my wild creeper, my pearl parrot!
Mangaiyae
Oh young woman!
Unnai andharathil kondu sellum
Which will carry you into the skies
Mandharathai kandu kollum ennaiyae
Know me, who holds that secret chant!
Unnai andharathil kondu sellum
Which will carry you into the skies
Mandharathai kandu kollum ennaiyae
Know me, who holds that secret chant!
Undhan manam ethanai
What is your heart like, what is your character?
Gunamethanai vayathenthanai
What is your age, how many companions do you have?
Thunaiethanai sollalaiyaaa
Won't you tell me, sir?
Undhan manam ethanai
What is your heart like, what is your character?
Gunamethanai vayathenthanai
What is your age, how many companions do you have?
Thunaiethanai sollalaiyaaa
Won't you tell me, sir?
Andha arjunanukku pilliyendu
Calling yourself the son of that Arjuna
Archanaigal seiya vandhedhennayaa
Why have you come to perform worshipping rites?
Andha arjunanukku pilliyendu
Calling yourself the son of that Arjuna
Archanaigal seiya vandhedhennayaa
Why have you come to perform worshipping rites?
Dharma thirumagan thaan
He is indeed the righteous son
Thaarar karum kuyilae
Oh dark cuckoo wearing garlands
Koodi maruvidungal
Unite and embrace together
Deviyarum devanumaai
As goddess and god
Haaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful romantic duet from Gowri Kalyanam (1966) features a teasing dialogue between lovers disguised in theatrical and mythological imagery. The song opens with the heroine recounting a surreal dream where she feels the embrace of her beloved, questioning if it was real or a sleepy hallucination. When her lover sneaks into her bedchamber in secret, she playfully accuses him of behaving like a thief and an intruder while teasingly questioning his identity, lineage, and motives. In response, he affectionately claims his rightful love for her, invoking romanticized comparisons to mythological figures like Arjuna and Pulandhiran. He urges her to embrace him legitimately as his rightful wife, leading to a joyful resolution where they unite like a divine couple.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thottadhu polae kanavu kanden / Thooka kalakama”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' in consecutive words.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Kattiya poovil vandu vilundhu / Aadida kandenae”
Comparing a lover's romantic arrival and interaction to a bee alighting and dancing upon a blooming flower.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Maaman magalae manikiliyae / Mannar kulathu ilangodiyae”
Matching end sounds across consecutive lines ('manikiliyae' and 'ilangodiyae').
Edhukai (Second Letter Agreement)
“Kallanai pola theriyuthaiyaa ... Palli araikkul mella nuzhaindhu”
Matching second letter 'll' in adjacent lines ('Kallanai' and 'Palli').
Did you know?
Trivia
Gowri Kalyanam (1966) features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by the legendary Kannadasan. The song cleverly weaves classical Tamil theatre tropes and Mahabharata mythology (referencing Arjuna/Parthiban and Pulandhiran) into a lighthearted contemporary romantic dialogue.
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