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Lyrics & meaning

Thulluvatho Ilamai

From Kudiyirundha Koyil · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kudiyirundha Koyil1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Pattu mugathuSilken-faced,
Chuti pennae kattimischievous girl, these hands
Anaikum indha kaigalthat embrace you,
Chorus
Vattam adikumand these beetle-like eyes that circle around,
Vandu kangal pithamfilled with passion—
Anaithum inba kadhaigalall tell sweet stories of joy.
Chorus
Aaaaa….Aaaaa….
Female
{ Thulluvatho ilamaiIs it youth that leaps with excitement?
Theduvatho thanimai } (2)Is it solitude that it seeks? (2)
Alluvadhae thiramaiTo embrace and capture it is the true skill,
Athanaiyum puthumaiand everything about it is a novel sensation.
Female
{ Mel aadai neenthumThe upper garment floats over
Paal aadai meni } (2)a body smooth like milk cream (2)
{ Neer aada odivaa } (2)Run over and come to bathe in the water (2)
Female
{ Vel aadum paarvaiWhen the spear-like dancing gaze
Thaalaatha pothu } (2)becomes unbearable (2)
{ Nogaamal aadavaa } (2)Shall I dance gently without causing pain? (2)
Female
Thulluvatho ilamaiIs it youth that leaps with excitement?
Theduvatho thanimaiIs it solitude that it seeks?
Alluvadhae thiramaiTo embrace and capture it is the true skill,
Athanaiyum puthumaiand everything about it is a novel sensation.
Male
{ Hoi pappaaHoi papa,
Chorus
Hoi pappaa } (2)hoi papa (2)
Male
{ Thaen oorum paavaiA maiden sweet as drenching honey
Poo medai thevai } (2)requires a bed of blossoms (2)
{ Naanaaga allavaa } (2)Am I not that suitable partner? (2)
Male
{ Theeratha thaagamAn unquenchable thirst,
Paadaatha raagam } (2)an unsung melody (2)
{ Naalellam sollava } (2)Shall I keep expressing it all day long? (2)
Male
Thulluvatho ilamaiIs it youth that leaps with excitement?
Theduvatho thanimaiIs it solitude that it seeks?
Alluvadhae thiramaiTo embrace and capture it is the true skill,
Athanaiyum puthumaiand everything about it is a novel sensation.
Male
Hoi pappaaHoi papa,
Chorus
Hoi pappaahoi papa,
Female
Kaanaatha kolamAn unseen magnificent sight,
Nee kaanum neramthe moment you witness it,
{ Vaai pesa thondrumaa } (2)will you even find the words to speak? (2)
Male
Aanodu penmaiWhen womanhood merges with manhood
Aaraagum pothulike a flowing river,
{ Ver inbam venduma } (2)is any other bliss ever required? (2)
Male
Hoi pappaaHoi papa,
Chorus
Hoi pappaahoi papa.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thulluvatho Ilamai' from the 1968 Tamil classic Kudiyirundha Koyil is an iconic romantic duet celebrating youth, beauty, and intimate passion. The song expresses the exuberant energy of young lovers who seek each other's company, comparing love and romance to poetry, music, and nature's flow. Through playful banter and sensual imagery, the lovers exchange admiration for each other's charm, capturing the spirit of youthful freedom and romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Paal aadai meni

'Paal aadai meni' compares soft, radiant skin to the smooth cream layer on top of milk.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Vel aadum paarvai

'Vel aadum paarvai' compares a sharp, piercing, romantic glance to a sharp spear (Vel).

Metaphor / Imagery

Aanodu penmai Aaraagum pothu

'Aanodu penmai Aaraagum pothu' metaphorically depicts the union of lovers as two streams merging smoothly into a single river.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monaai & Edhukai)

Thulluvatho ilamai / Theduvatho thanimai

'Thulluvatho' and 'Theduvatho' use matching rhythmic cadences and assonance to establish the buoyant rhythm of youth.

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Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, 'Thulluvatho Ilamai' features the lively voices of T. M. Soundararajan and L. R. Eswari. Filmed on M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa, it remains one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated upbeat dance numbers.

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