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Lyrics & meaning

Thottu Vida Thottu Vida

From Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thottuvida thottuvida thodarumIf touched, it will keep pursuing.
Kai pattu vida pattuvida malarumAt the touch of a hand, it blossoms like a flower.
Thottuvida thottuvida thodarumIf touched, it will keep pursuing.
Kai pattu vida pattuvida malarumAt the touch of a hand, it blossoms like a flower.
Male
Pakkam vara pakkam vara mayangumAs one comes closer and closer, it grows mesmerized.
Udan vetkam vandhu vetkam vandhu kulungumImmediately, shyness arrives and sways with coy grace.
Pakkam vara pakkam vara mayangumAs one comes closer and closer, it grows mesmerized.
Udan vetkam vandhu vetkam vandhu kulungumImmediately, shyness arrives and sways with coy grace.
Male
Muthu muthu punnagaiayai serthuGathering pearl-like smiles,
Kanni munnum pinnum anna nadai korthuThe maiden walks back and forth with a swan-like gait.
Muthu muthu punnagaiayai serthuGathering pearl-like smiles,
Kanni munnum pinnum anna nadai korthuThe maiden walks back and forth with a swan-like gait.
Etti etti selluvadhai paarthuWatching her step further and further away,
Nenjai thatti thatti vittadhadi kaathuThe gentle breeze tapped lightly upon the heart.
Female
Thottuvida thottuvida thodarumIf touched, it will keep pursuing.
Kai pattu vida pattuvida malarumAt the touch of a hand, it blossoms like a flower.
Female
Konji konji ennangalai vilakkumCoaxingly, it reveals the inner thoughts,
Sollai kotti kotti varnanaigal alakkumPouring out words, measuring rich descriptions.
Konji konji ennangalai vilakkumCoaxingly, it reveals the inner thoughts,
Sollai kotti kotti varnanaigal alakkumPouring out words, measuring rich descriptions.
Anji anji kanni udal nadakkumHesitantly and fearfully, the young maiden walks,
Idai kenji kenji kaiyirandil thavikkumHer slender waist begs, yearning in two hands.
Male
Pakkam vara pakkam vara mayangumAs one comes closer and closer, it grows mesmerized.
Udan vetkam vandhu vetkam vandhu kulungumImmediately, shyness arrives and sways with coy grace.
Female
Alli alli vaithu kolla thudikkumIt aches to gather and hold tightly in embrace,
Male :Kadhai solli solli paadangal padikkumMale: Telling stories repeatedly, learning romantic lessons.
Female :Alli alli vaithu kolla thudikkumFemale: It aches to gather and hold tightly in embrace,
Male :Kadhai solli solli paadangal padikkumMale: Telling stories repeatedly, learning romantic lessons.
Female
Thulli thulli chinna udal nadikkumLeaping playfully, her small frame enacts charm,
Male :Kannam killi killi mella mella sirikkumMale: Pinching her cheeks gently, smiling softly.
Female
Thottuvida thottuvida thodarumIf touched, it will keep pursuing.
Kai pattu vida pattuvida malarumAt the touch of a hand, it blossoms like a flower.
Male :Pakkam vara pakkam vara mayangumMale: As one comes closer and closer, it grows mesmerized.
Udan vetkam vandhu vetkam vandhu kulungumImmediately, shyness arrives and sways with coy grace.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet captures the joyful playfulness and deep romance between lovers. Using rhythmic doubled words, Kannadasan describes how proximity triggers both intense fascination and tender modesty. The song poetically details the maiden's graceful swan-like gait, her pearl-like smile, and her delicate shyness when her lover draws near.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Thottuvida thottuvida thodarum

Doubling of words like 'thottuvida thottuvida' and 'pakkam vara pakkam vara' creates a musical cadence and emphasizes continuous romantic interaction.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Kanni munnum pinnum anna nadai korthu

Comparing the maiden's delicate gait to 'anna nadai' (swan walk) and her smile to pearls ('Muthu muthu punnagai').

Personification

Nenjai thatti thatti vittadhadi kaathu

The wind ('kaathu') is personified as a soft messenger tapping gently on the heart upon seeing the maiden walk away.

Did you know?

Trivia

This romantic track from the M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi starrer 'Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum' (1963) features the legendary musical pairing of composer K. V. Mahadevan, lyricist Kannadasan, and singers T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela.

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