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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thottu Thottu

From Vallavan Oruvan · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Vallavan Oruvan1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thottu thottu paadvaShall I sing touching you gently?
Thodarnthu vanthu paadavaShall I follow you and sing?
Katti kondu paadavaShall I sing while embracing you?
Kannm paarthu paadavaShall I sing gazing into your cheeks?
Thottu thottu paadvaShall I sing touching you gently?
Female
Thathi thathi aadvaShall I dance stepping lightly?
Thavi thavai aadavaShall I dance leaping and bounds?
Kotti vaitha thaenileIn the honey that has been poured out,
Kulithu vanthu aadavaShall I bathe and come to dance?
Thathi thathi aadvaShall I dance stepping lightly?
Male
Adiyedutha kaalgalinOf the feet that took steps,
Adhisayathai paadvaShall I sing the miracle?
Nadanamaadum PenmaiyinOf womanhood that dances,
Ragasiyathai paadavaShall I sing the secret?
Adiyeduthha kaalgalinOf the feet that took steps,
Adhisaiyathai paadvaShall I sing the miracle?
Nadanamaadum pennmaiyinOf womanhood that dances,
Ragasiyathai paadavaShall I sing the secret?
Female
Iravu nerak kaatrileIn the night breeze,
Innainthu vanthu aadavaShall I come and dance united with you?
Iravu nerakaatrileIn the night breeze,
Inainthu vantha aadavaShall I come and dance united with you?
Uravu thnatha therileIn the chariot granted by our relationship,
ullirunthu aadavaShall I dance sitting inside?
Female
Thathi thathi aadvaShall I dance stepping lightly?
Thavi thavai aadavaShall I dance leaping and bounds?
Kotti vaitha thaenileIn the honey that has been poured out,
Kulithu vanthu aadavaShall I bathe and come to dance?
Thathi thathi aadvaShall I dance stepping lightly?
Female
paadal mattum podhumaIs a song alone enough?
Paruvaraagam vendumaDo you need the melody of youth?
Aadavantha kanniyinOf the maiden who came to dance,
Anbu nenjam vendumaDo you need her loving heart?
Paadal mattum podhumaIs a song alone enough?
Paruvaragam vendumaDo you need the melody of youth?
Aadavantha kanniyinOf the maiden who came to dance,
Anbu nenjam vendumaDo you need her loving heart?
Male
Aadai kattum pothileWhen wrapping her garments,
Aalai kattum pennmaiyeOh womanhood that captivates a person!
Aadai kattum pothileWhen wrapping her garments,
Aalai kattum pennmaiyeOh womanhood that captivates a person!
Jaadai kandu paadavaShall I sing seeing your subtle signals?
Sarasam kandu paaava…Shall I sing seeing your romance?
Male
Thottu thottu paadvaShall I sing touching you gently?
Thodarnthu vanthu paadavaShall I follow you and sing?
Katti kondu paadavaShall I sing while embracing you?
kannam paarthu paadavaShall I sing gazing into your cheeks?
Female
Thathi thathi aadvaShall I dance stepping lightly?
Thavi thavai aadavaShall I dance leaping and bounds?
Kotti vaitha thaenileIn the honey that has been poured out,
Kulithu vanthu aadavaShall I bathe and come to dance?
Thathi thathi aadvaShall I dance stepping lightly?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thottu Thottu Paadava' is a playful and sultry duet from the 1966 Tamil spy film 'Vallavan Oruvan'. Featuring lyrics by Kannadasan and music by S. Vedhachalam (Vedha), the song captures a romantic interplay between lovers who express their affection, fascination, and intimacy through song and dance metaphors. The lyrics portray a delicate balance of teasing passion and deep emotional connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaaphora (Repetition)

Thottu thottu paadva / Thathi thathi aadva

The repetition of playful rhythmic words at the start of consecutive lines creates a musical cadence.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thottu thottu paadva / Thodarnthu vanthu paadava

Matching initial consonants across words in a line for lyrical harmony.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Adiyedutha kaalgalin / Nadanamaadum Penmaiyin

Rhyming the second letter of words across adjacent lines (e.g., 'dd' / 'dd' in Adiyedutha / Nadanamaadum).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kotti vaitha thaenile / Kulithu vanthu aadava

Comparing the sweetness of love and passion to bathing in spilled honey.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vallavan Oruvan' was a major hit inspired by Western James Bond cinema, starring Jaishankar (often called the Bond of Tamil cinema). Composer Vedha was renowned for integrating catchy Western modern beats and rhythms into classic 1960s Tamil film scores.

Keep listening

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