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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thottu Thottu Ennai

From Kaadhal · 2004

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Haricharan, Harini
Music director
Joshua Sridhar
Details
Kaadhal2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thottu thottu ennai vetrukali mannaiTouching me step by step, who transformed me from empty clay into a beautiful sculpture?
Sirpamaaga yaar seithadhoWho sculpted me, a piece of plain clay?
Female
Thottu thottu ennai pataampoochi pennaiTouching me step by step, who systematically won over this butterfly-like girl?
Thitamitu yaar vendradhoWho planned meticulously and conquered this butterfly-like girl?
Male
Vizhiyil vizhunthu vazhiyinai marakirenFalling into your eyes, I forget the path I was walking on.
Female
Unakul umm tholainthu uyirodu kalakirenLosing myself inside you, I blend into your very soul.
Male
Thottu thottu ennai vetrukali mannaiTouching me step by step, who transformed me from empty clay into a beautiful sculpture?
Sirpamaaga yaar seithadhoWho sculpted me, a piece of plain clay?
Female
Thottu thottu ennai pataampoochi pennaiTouching me step by step, who systematically won over this butterfly-like girl?
Thitamitu yaar vendradhoWho planned meticulously and conquered this butterfly-like girl?
Chorus
…………………………………………....................................
Male
Thaayudan pesum vaarthaigal ellam udanae marakumAll the words spoken with my mother are instantly forgotten,
Unnudan pesum vaarthaigal ellam ullae nilaikumBut all the words spoken with you stay permanently etched inside me.
Chorus
Hmm mmm mmmmHmm mmm mmmm
Female
Mudhal murai unnai paarthadhu engae manathum…mm thedumWhere did I see you for the first time? My heart searches for that place...
Mazhai nindra pinnum marakilai ingae methuvaai thoovumEven after the rain stops, the tree branch gently sprinkles drops here.
Male
Idhayathin ullae imayathai polaeInside the heart, placing loads as heavy as the Himalayas,
Sumaigalai vaithaal kaadhal ….If such burdens are placed, that is love...
Female
Uzhagathil ulla chithravathaikellaamGiving a fond pet name to all the tortures in the world,
Chella peyar vaithaal kaadhalIf someone does that, that is love.
Male
Yengae naan ponaalum en vaazhvil endrumWherever I go, forever in my life,
Un nizhalil ilaipaara varuven kannaeI will come to rest in your shadow, my darling.
Maranam thaan vanthaalum poochendu thanthuEven if death comes, giving a bouquet of flowers,
Un madiyil thali saaithu irapen pennaeI will rest my head on your lap and die, my girl.
Male
Karuvizhi rendum karuvarai thaanoAre your two dark pupils a womb itself?
Meendum piranthenI was born again.
Kangaaroovai polae nenjukullae naanumLike a kangaroo, inside my chest,
Unnai chumanthenI carried you.
Chorus
Hmm mmm mmmmHmm mmm mmmm
Female
Unnai polae yaarum ennaiWhenever anyone resembling you
Thaandi ponaal unnai ninaipenPasses by me, I think of you.
Unthan aasai mugam paarthuJust to see your beloved face,
Kidakathaan uyirai sumapenI hold on to my life while lying down.
Male
Nerungavum illai vilagavum illaiNeither coming close nor drifting away,
Nenjam seiyum thollai kaadhal ….Love is the endless trouble created by the heart...
Female
Thodakamum illai mudivugal illaiIt has no beginning and no end,
Kadavulai polae kaadhalLove is just like God.
Chorus
………………………………………...................................
Female
Thottu thottu unnai vetrukali mannaiTouching step by step, who transformed you, an empty piece of clay, into a sculpture?
Sirpamaaga yaar seithadhoWho sculpted you, a piece of plain clay?
Male
Thottu thottu unnai pataampoochi pennaiTouching step by step, who systematically won over this butterfly-like girl?
Thitamitu yaar vendradhoWho planned meticulously and conquered this butterfly-like girl?
Female
Vizhiyil vizhunthu vazhiyinai marakirenFalling into your eyes, I forget the path I was walking on.
Male
Unakul aa aa tholainthu uyirudan kalakirenLosing myself inside you, I blend into your very life.
Female
Thottu thottu unnai vetrukali mannaiTouching step by step, who transformed you, an empty piece of clay, into a sculpture?
Sirpamaaga yaar seithadhoWho sculpted you, a piece of plain clay?
Male
Thottu thottu unnai pataampoochi pennaiTouching step by step, who systematically won over this butterfly-like girl?
Thitamitu yaar vendradhoWho planned meticulously and conquered this butterfly-like girl?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song from the movie 'Kaadhal' captures the sheer intensity and innocence of young love. The protagonist expresses how love has reshaped her identity, comparing herself to a block of plain clay sculpted into art, and a delicate butterfly won over by a devoted lover. The lyrics highlight how love overshadows every other thought, turning even life's heavy burdens and emotional tortures into sweet, treasured experiences. The song further deepens into philosophical realms, comparing love to God—something without beginning or end that gives rebirth to a person. It beautifully expresses eternal commitment, where even death is embraced peacefully on the lover's lap, illustrating love as a divine force that heals, elevates, and defines human existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thottu thottu ennai vetrukali mannai Sirpamaaga yaar seithadho

Compares the protagonist to 'vetrukali mann' (empty clay) turned into a 'sirpam' (sculpture), symbolizing how love gives shape, purpose, and beauty to an unformed life.

Simile (Uwamai)

Idhayathin ullae imayathai polae

Compares the weight of emotional burdens in love to the 'Imayam' (Himalayas) and love itself to 'Kadavul' (God).

Metaphor & Imagery

Mazhai nindra pinnum marakilai ingae methuvaai thoovum

Uses 'Mazhai nindra pinnum marakilai ingae methuvaai thoovum' (the branch sprinkling water after rain) as a vivid metaphor for how memories of love linger long after the actual moment has passed.

Monai (Alliteration)

Thottu thottu ennai pataampoochi pennai

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Th' in 'Thottu thottu' creates rhythmic musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Joshua Sridhar for the critically acclaimed romantic drama 'Kaadhal' (2004), directed by Balaji Sakthivel and produced by S. Shankar. The soundtrack marked Joshua Sridhar's remarkable debut in Tamil cinema. Lyricist Na. Muthukumar received immense appreciation for capturing youthful passion through evocative natural imagery like rain-soaked branches and kangaroo pouches.

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