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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vellikizhamai Raathiri

From Thangaikaga · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thangaikaga1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vellikkizhamai raththiri neramOn a Friday night time
Kolkatavil nadanthathu ondruSomething happened in Kolkata
Ooraengum per pettra thirudan pidipattaanA thief famous all over town was caught
Thirudan pidipattaanThe thief was caught
Female
Vellikkizhamai raththiri neramOn a Friday night time
Kolkatavil nadanthathu ondruSomething happened in Kolkata
Ooraengum per pettra thirudan pidipattaanA thief famous all over town was caught
Thirudan pidipattaanThe thief was caught
Female
Maanikka maaligal kollai adiththaanHe looted ruby-adorned palaces
Maangani pol oru pennai pidiththaanHe captured a girl who was like a sweet mango
Maanikka maaligal kollai adiththaanHe looted ruby-adorned palaces
Maangani pol oru pennai pidiththaanHe captured a girl who was like a sweet mango
Female
Vellam polae selvam kanduSeeing wealth overflowing like a flood
Ullam kaliththaanHis heart rejoiced
Kannam thottum kinnam thottumTouching cheeks and touching wine cups
Innum vaazhgindraanHe still continues to live on
Female
Vellikkizhamai raththiri neramOn a Friday night time
Kolkatavil nadanthathu ondruSomething happened in Kolkata
Ooraengum per pettra thirudan pidipattaanA thief famous all over town was caught
Thirudan pidipattaanThe thief was caught
Female
Kaaththiruntha oruththi kannadichathaalaeBecause a waiting woman winked her eye
Vesham ittu veeran vanthu neram paarththaanaamThe hero arrived in disguise and bided his time
Kaaththiruntha oruththi kannadichathaalaeBecause a waiting woman winked her eye
Vesham ittu veeran vanthu neram paarththaanaamThe hero arrived in disguise and bided his time
Female
Kaaththiruntha neram pakkam vanthathendruRealizing the waited opportunity had arrived close
Kalvar thammai kaithu seithu kaval vaiththaanaamHe arrested the thief and placed him under guard
Female
Vellikkizhamai raththiri neramOn a Friday night time
Kolkatavil nadanthathu ondruSomething happened in Kolkata
Ooraengum per pettra thirudan pidipattaanA thief famous all over town was caught
Thirudan pidipattaanThe thief was caught
Female
Kanmani veettinil kaaththu kidanthaalThe beloved woman lay waiting at home
Kadhalan vanthathum katti pidiththaalAs soon as her lover arrived, she embraced him tightly
Kanmani veettinil kaaththu kidanthaalThe beloved woman lay waiting at home
Kadhalan vanthathum katti pidiththaalAs soon as her lover arrived, she embraced him tightly
Female
Kannam thannai killi killiPinching his cheeks playfully again and again
Kaayam padaiththaalShe left love marks on him
Kaalai kozhi koovum mattumUntil the morning rooster crowed
Kadhal koduththaalShe showered him with love
Female
Vellikkizhamai raththiri neramOn a Friday night time
Kolkatavil nadanthathu ondruSomething happened in Kolkata
Ooraengum per pettra thirudan pidipattaanA thief famous all over town was caught
Thirudan pidipattaanThe thief was caught

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vellikkizhamai Raththiri Neram is a famous cabaret-style song from the 1971 movie Thangaikaga, featuring music by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics by Kannadasan. Set against a playful story narrated in Kolkata on a Friday night, the lyrics use a thief as a metaphor for a lover who steals hearts and loots luxury, only to be captured by the affection of a beautiful woman. The song follows the playful nocturnal encounter of lovers, where the thief of hearts is willingly imprisoned by love throughout the night until dawn. L. R. Eswari's energetic vocals add a thrilling and seductive charm to Kannadasan's clever storytelling.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Maangani pol oru pennai pidiththaan / Vellam polae selvam kandu

Compares the girl to a sweet mango ('Maangani pol') and wealth overflowing like a flood ('Vellam polae').

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Maanikka maaligal... Maangani pol... / Kannam thottum kinnam thottum

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'M' in 'Maanikka' and 'Maangani', or 'K' in 'Kannam' and 'Kinnam'.

Repetition (Anaphora/Epanalepsis)

Kannam thannai killi killi

Repetition of words like 'killi killi' for rhythmic emphasis and playfulness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thangaikaga (1971) stars Sivaji Ganesan. L. R. Eswari's energetic vocal style combined with M. S. Viswanathan's brass-heavy Western cabaret composition made this track one of the most famous club dance numbers in Tamil cinema during the 1970s.

Keep listening

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