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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thulli Thirintha

From Kaathiruntha Kangal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Kaathiruntha Kangal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Thulli thirintha penn ondruA girl who once pranced about playfully
Thuyil kondathen indru} (2)Why has she fallen asleep today?
Thodarnthu pesum kili ondruA parrot that spoke continuously
Pesa maranthathen indruWhy has it forgotten to speak today?
Male
Thulli thirintha penn ondruA girl who once pranced about playfully
Thuyil kondathen indruWhy has she fallen asleep today?
Male
{Velli vadiva mugam ondruA face shaped like pure silver
Vetkam kondathen indru} (2)Why has it become shy today?
Male
{Velil vaditha vizhi ondruAn eye sculpted like a sharp spear
Moodikondathen indru} (2)Why has it closed itself today?
Male
Thulli thirintha penn ondruA girl who once pranced about playfully
Thuyil kondathen indruWhy has she fallen asleep today?
Male
{Alli pootha mugathinilaeOn a face where lilies bloom
Mullai pootha nagai engae} (2)Where is the smile blooming like jasmine?
Male
Solli vaithu vanthathu polAs if perfectly pre-arranged
Sokka vaikkum mozhi engaeWhere are the enchanting words that spellbind?
Male
Thulli thirintha penn ondruA girl who once pranced about playfully
Thuyil kondathen indruWhy has she fallen asleep today?
Male
{Aasai nenjil irunthalumEven though desire resides in her heart
Amaithikollum gunam yeno} (2)Why this sudden nature of keeping silent?
Male
Annai thantha seethanamoIs it a trait gifted as dowry by her mother?
Ennai vellum nadagamoOr a play staged to conquer me?
Male
Thulli thirintha penn ondruA girl who once pranced about playfully
Thuyil kondathen indruWhy has she fallen asleep today?
Thodarnthu pesum kili ondruA parrot that spoke continuously
Pesa maranthathen indruWhy has it forgotten to speak today?
Male
Thulli thirintha penn ondruA girl who once pranced about playfully
Thuyil kondathen indruWhy has she fallen asleep today?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic song from Kaathiruntha Kangal (1962), written by Kannadasan, the singer poetically reflects upon the sudden change in a young woman's demeanor. Once lively, vibrant, and talkative like a parrot, she has now become quiet, reserved, and still, as if lost in sleep or deep shyness. The protagonist ponders through beautiful metaphors whether this change stems from her blossoming love, maternal influence, or a playful act to captivate his heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Thodarnthu pesum kili ondru

Comparing the girl's continuous chatter to a parrot (pesum kili) and her smile to blooming jasmine (mullai pootha nagai).

Metaphor (Visual Imagery)

Velil vaditha vizhi ondru

Describing her face as crafted like silver (Velli vadiva mugam) and her eyes as sculpted spears (Velil vaditha vizhi).

Emona / Etukai (Assonance / Rhyme)

Thulli thirintha penn ondru / Thuyil kondathen indru

Repetition of sound patterns at line beginnings like 'Thulli' and 'Thuyil' or 'Velli' and 'Vetkam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaathiruntha Kangal (1962) was directed by T. Prakash Rao, starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri in dual roles. The music for the film was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.

Keep listening

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