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Lyrics & meaning

Thulli Odum Pulli Maanae

From Thulli Odum Pulliman · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thulli Odum Pulliman1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thulli odum pulli maanae nilluStop, oh leaping spotted deer!
Nee thunaiyillaamae pogalaamo sollu solluCan you go without a companion? Tell me, tell me!
Thulli odum pulli maanae nilluStop, oh leaping spotted deer!
Nee thunaiyillaamae pogalaamo sollu solluCan you go without a companion? Tell me, tell me!
Male
Kanni pennum kaasu panam ponnumA young maiden, money, wealth, and gold,
Endrum kaval indri vaazhalaamo kannu kannuCan they live forever without any protection, my dear?
Nillu nillu sollu solluStop, stop! Tell me, tell me!
Nillu nillu sollu solluStop, stop! Tell me, tell me!
Male
Manitharukkellaam kangal unduAll human beings have eyes,
Mayakkam kollum manathum unduAnd they also have minds that get entranced.
Manitharukkellaam kangal unduAll human beings have eyes,
Mayakkam kollum manathum unduAnd they also have minds that get entranced.
Thanimaiyaaga pogum pengalaiFor women walking all alone,
Thanimaiyaaga pogum pengalaiFor women walking all alone,
Thazhuva sollum kaigal unduThere are hands waiting to embrace them.
Male
Visiladikkum rasigarunduThere are admirers who whistle,
Veethi kaadhal mainarunduThere are street-side romantic flirts,
Isainthidaatha pennaikkoodaAnd even for a woman who does not consent,
Izhuththu sellum muradarunduThere are rowdies who drag her away.
Male
Thulli odum pulli maanae nilluStop, oh leaping spotted deer!
Nee thunaiyillaamae pogalaamo sollu solluCan you go without a companion? Tell me, tell me!
Nillu nillu sollu solluStop, stop! Tell me, tell me!
Ada nillu nillu sollu solluHey, stop, stop! Tell me, tell me!
Male
Veli potta payiraikkoodaEven a crop that is fenced around,
Meya pogum kandrukkutti kuttiA young calf tries to graze upon it, little one.
Veli potta payiraikkoodaEven a crop that is fenced around,
Meya pogum kandrukkutti kuttiA young calf tries to graze upon it, little one.
Thaaliyillaa unnai kandaalIf they see you without a mangalsutra,
Thaaliyillaa unnai kandaalIf they see you without a mangalsutra,
Thaangumodi chinnakkuttiWill they restrain themselves, little girl?
Male
Aabaththilae thunaikku vanthaalIf someone comes to help you in times of danger,
Aduththa kadhai kadhal endruAnd the next chapter turns into love,
Padangalilae paarththathundaaHave you seen that happen in movies?
Paruva pennae manasai kondaaOh youthful maiden, understand this heart!
Male
Thulli odum pulli maanae nilluStop, oh leaping spotted deer!
Nee thunaiyillaamae pogalaamo sollu solluCan you go without a companion? Tell me, tell me!
Kanni pennum kaasu panam ponnumA young maiden, money, wealth, and gold,
Endrum kaval indri vaazhalaamo kannu kannuCan they live forever without any protection, my dear?
Male
Nillu nillu sollu solluStop, stop! Tell me, tell me!
Ada Nillu nillu sollu solluHey, stop, stop! Tell me, tell me!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thulli Odum Pulliman' serves as a playful yet protective warning addressed to a young woman traveling alone. The protagonist compares a young maiden to precious valuables like gold and money, emphasizing that just as unguarded treasure invites theft, an unescorted woman in society faces various risks from street flirts, rogues, and opportunistic men.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thulli odum pulli maanae nillu

Compares the innocent young woman to a 'pulli maan' (spotted deer) and precious gold ('pon'), highlighting both her grace and her vulnerability.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Nillu nillu sollu sollu

Repeated use of words like 'Nillu nillu' and 'Sollu sollu' creates rhythm and emphasizes urgency in addressing the maiden.

Assonance / Rhyme (Edhugai)

Thulli odum pulli maanae nillu

Matching second consonants in words like 'Thulli' and 'Pulli' creates melodic harmony across the opening verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this iconic T. M. Soundararajan track showcases Kannadasan's signature style of embedding practical social advice within lighthearted cinema storytelling.

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