Yaanai Thandham
From Amarakavi · 1952
- Lyricist
- Suratha
- Singers
- M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar, P. Leela
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Amarakavi1952
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaanai thandham polae pirai nilaa | Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon |
| Yaanai thandham polae pirai nilaa | Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon |
| Vaanilae jodhiyaai veesudhae | Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light |
| Vaanilae jodhiyaai veesudhae | Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light |
| Female | |
| Deva amudham neerae kalai mani | You are divine nectar, oh precious jewel of arts |
| Deva amudham neerae kalai mani | You are divine nectar, oh precious jewel of arts |
| Poovilae asaiyaamalae vandu thoongudhae | The bee sleeps motionless on the flower |
| Poovilae asaiyaamalae vandu thoongudhae | The bee sleeps motionless on the flower |
| Male | |
| Undhan kannam thannil | Upon your cheeks |
| Andhi vaanam minnudhae | The evening sky glows brilliantly |
| Undhan kannam thannil | Upon your cheeks |
| Andhi vaanam minnudhae | The evening sky glows brilliantly |
| Female | |
| Ungal roobam endhan kannil | Your image in my eyes |
| Vandhu konjudhae | Comes and caresses fondly |
| Ungal roobam endhan kannil | Your image in my eyes |
| Vandhu konjudhae | Comes and caresses fondly |
| Female | |
| Haa…aaa…aaa…aa | Ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Male :Yaanai thandham polae pirai nilaa | Male: Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon |
| Vaanilae jodhiyaai veesudhae | Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light |
யானை தந்தம் போலே பிறை நிலா
யானை தந்தம் போலே பிறை நிலா
வானிலே ஜோதியாய் வீசுதே
வானிலே ஜோதியாய் வீசுதே
Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon
Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon
Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light
Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light
தேவ அமுதம் நீரே கலை மணி
தேவ அமுதம் நீரே கலை மணி
பூவிலே அசையாமலே வண்டு தூங்குதே
பூவிலே அசையாமலே வண்டு தூங்குதே
You are divine nectar, oh precious jewel of arts
You are divine nectar, oh precious jewel of arts
The bee sleeps motionless on the flower
The bee sleeps motionless on the flower
உந்தன் கன்னம்தன்னில் அந்தி
வானம் மின்னுதே
உந்தன் கன்னம்தன்னில் அந்தி
வானம் மின்னுதே
Upon your cheeks
The evening sky glows brilliantly
Upon your cheeks
The evening sky glows brilliantly
உங்கள் ரூபம் எந்தன் கண்ணில்
வந்து கொஞ்சுதே
உங்கள் ரூபம் எந்தன் கண்ணில்
வந்து கொஞ்சுதே
Your image in my eyes
Comes and caresses fondly
Your image in my eyes
Comes and caresses fondly
ஹா ஆஆஆ .....
யானை தந்தம் போலே பிறை நிலா
வானிலே ஜோதியாய் வீசுதே
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male: Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon
Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light
Yaanai thandham polae pirai nilaa
Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon
Yaanai thandham polae pirai nilaa
Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon
Vaanilae jodhiyaai veesudhae
Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light
Vaanilae jodhiyaai veesudhae
Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light
Deva amudham neerae kalai mani
You are divine nectar, oh precious jewel of arts
Deva amudham neerae kalai mani
You are divine nectar, oh precious jewel of arts
Poovilae asaiyaamalae vandu thoongudhae
The bee sleeps motionless on the flower
Poovilae asaiyaamalae vandu thoongudhae
The bee sleeps motionless on the flower
Undhan kannam thannil
Upon your cheeks
Andhi vaanam minnudhae
The evening sky glows brilliantly
Undhan kannam thannil
Upon your cheeks
Andhi vaanam minnudhae
The evening sky glows brilliantly
Ungal roobam endhan kannil
Your image in my eyes
Vandhu konjudhae
Comes and caresses fondly
Ungal roobam endhan kannil
Your image in my eyes
Vandhu konjudhae
Comes and caresses fondly
Haa…aaa…aaa…aa
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male :Yaanai thandham polae pirai nilaa
Male: Like an elephant's tusk, the crescent moon
Vaanilae jodhiyaai veesudhae
Shines brightly in the sky as a radiant light
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic duet from Amarakavi (1952) showcases romantic admiration filled with rich imagery of nature. The lovers praise each other's beauty, drawing elegant parallels between celestial phenomena and their profound feelings. The song captures a moment of serene adoration, comparing the moon to an ivory tusk and the beloved's cheeks to the blushing dusk sky.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Yaanai thandham polae pirai nilaa”
The crescent moon is explicitly compared to an elephant's tusk using the comparative word 'polae'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Deva amudham neerae kalai mani”
The beloved is directly identified as divine nectar (Deva amudham) and a jewel of fine arts (kalai mani).
End Rhyme (Iyaipu)
“veesudhae / thoongudhae / minnudhae / konjudhae”
The uniform suffix ending '-udhae' across several lines creates a melodic and rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song was penned by the celebrated poet Suratha, who earned the revered title 'Uvamai Kavagnar' (Poet of Metaphors/Similes) in Tamil literature for his iconic use of vivid imagery, as demonstrated in comparing the crescent moon to an elephant's tusk. The movie 'Amarakavi' (1952) featured legendary singer-actor M. K. Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) with music composed by G. Ramanathan.
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