Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thulli Thulli Alaigalellaam

From Thalai Koduthaan Thambi · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singers
A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Thalai Koduthaan Thambi1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thulli thulli alaigal ellaam enna solluthuWhat are all these leaping waves saying?
Pala thundu thundaa ezhunthu adhu engae selluthuRising into many fragmented pieces, where are they going?
Thulli thulli alaigal ellaam enna solluthuWhat are all these leaping waves saying?
Pala thundu thundaa ezhunthu adhu engae selluthuRising into many fragmented pieces, where are they going?
Male
Kalla vizhi paarvai thanai kandukolluthuIt notices the mischievous glance of your eyes.
Kobam konde thulluthuIt bounces up in playful anger.
Un kannaththil killi vittu sirikka solluthuIt asks to pinch your cheek and make you smile.
Kalla vizhi paarvai thanai kandukolluthuIt notices the mischievous glance of your eyes.
Kobam konde thulluthuIt bounces up in playful anger.
Un kannaththil killi vittu sirikka solluthuIt asks to pinch your cheek and make you smile.
Female
Thenkadalin oraththilae jilujilukkum eerathilaeOn the shore of the southern sea, in the glistening moisture,
Chinna chinna nandu vanthu enna pannuthuWhat are the tiny little crabs coming and doing?
Thenkadalin oraththilae jilujilukkum eerathilaeOn the shore of the southern sea, in the glistening moisture,
Chinna chinna nandu vanthu enna pannuthuWhat are the tiny little crabs coming and doing?
Male
Adhu nillaatha vegathilaeIn their relentless speed,
Allum pagal mogathilaeIn their day and night infatuation,
Neenda valai thondikkittu kudumbam pannuthuThey dig a long burrow and build a family.
Female
Kandathum malaril vandu kaadhal kolvathenWhy does the beetle fall in love with the flower upon seeing it?
Adhu vanthu vanthu meimaranthu mayangipovathaenWhy does it keep returning, losing itself in swooning ecstasy?
Kandathum malaril vandu kaadhal kolvathenWhy does the beetle fall in love with the flower upon seeing it?
Adhu vanthu vanthu meimaranthu mayangipovathaenWhy does it keep returning, losing itself in swooning ecstasy?
Male
Kandavudan kaadhal kollum kaaranamum kelListen to the reason for falling in love at first sight.
Kandavudan kaadhal kollum kaaranamum kelListen to the reason for falling in love at first sight.
Singgaara malar thaenIt is the sweet nectar of the beautiful flower.
Naam kanni malar naadiyathum vandupolathaan..My seeking you, the youthful blossom, is just like that beetle.
Female
Aa..aa..aa paakku marachcholaiyilae palapalakkum paalaiyilaeAh, in the betel palm grove, in the glistening flower spathe,
Paranthu paranthu kuruvi ellaam enna pinnuthuWhat are all the birds weaving as they fly around?
Paakku marachcholaiyilae palapalakkum paalaiyilaeIn the betel palm grove, in the glistening flower spathe,
Paranthu paranthu kuruvi ellaam enna pinnuthuWhat are all the birds weaving as they fly around?
Male
Adhu vaazhkkai thanai unarnthukittuUnderstanding the true essence of life,
Manasum manasum kalanthukittuBlending their hearts into one another,
Mookkinaalae koththi koththi koodu pinnuthuThey peck and peck with their beaks to weave a nest.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This delightful duet from Thalai Koduthaan Thambi (1959) uses nature as an allegory for human love and companionship. Written by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, the song captures a playful dialogue between two lovers observing the natural world around them—the restless sea waves, busy little crabs, enamored beetles, and nest-building birds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodaru (Reduplication)

Thulli thulli alaigal ellaam enna solluthu

Use of repeated words like 'Thulli thulli', 'chinna chinna', and 'koththi koththi' to create a rhythmic pulse and express continuity of movement.

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Naam kanni malar naadiyathum vandupolathaan..

The male protagonist compares his attraction toward the heroine to a bee drawn irresistibly to a sweet flower's nectar.

Nature Allegory

Mookkinaalae koththi koththi koodu pinnuthu

Everyday actions of animals and elements in nature (crabs digging burrows, birds building nests) are used to symbolize romantic harmony and family life.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and vocal performance by A. M. Rajah alongside P. Susheela. Lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was renowned for seamlessly weaving deep philosophy and natural imagery into simple, accessible romantic songs.

Keep listening

More from Thalai Koduthaan Thambi

No related songs found yet.