Chandiranai Thottathu Lyrics English Meaning: Ratchagan | A.R. Rahman | Vairamuthu

A.R. Rahman crafts a dreamy melody in ‘Chandiranai Thottathu,’ blending Vairamuthu’s poetic lyrics with the voices of Hariharan and Sujatha Mohan. The song opens with a playful question about the moon, setting a whimsical tone. This track from the album ‘Ratchagan’ mixes romance and metaphor in a way only Rahman can deliver.

Chandiranai Thottathu Lyrics English Meaning: Ratchagan | A.R. Rahman | Vairamuthu
Released: November 10, 2023

Chandiranai Thottathu

A.R. Rahman | Vairamuthu • From “Ratchagan”

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Composer
A.R. Rahman

Chandiranai Thottathu Lyrics Translation (from “Ratchagan”)

Vairamuthu writes vivid lines like, ‘I was like a rough stone, but I’ve become burning camphor,’ showing transformation through love. The poet uses everyday objects like flowers and pillows to describe deep emotions. Hariharan and Sujatha Mohan bring warmth to the lyrics, making the metaphor of the moon and its shadow feel alive.

Ohoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo(Vocalizing melody)
Hoo hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo(Vocalizing melody)
Ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo oo hoo hoo(Vocalizing melody)
Chandhiranai thottadhu yarWho was it that touched the moon?
Armstronga adi armstrongaWas it Armstrong? Hey, was it Armstrong?
Sathiyamai thottadhu yarWho touched it in reality?
Nandhane adi nandhaneIt was me, oh, it was me.
Kanavu devathaiye nilavu needhaneOh dream goddess, the moon is you,
Un nizhalum nandhane 2and I am your shadow.
Chandhiranai thottadhu yarWho was it that touched the moon?
Needhana ada needhanaWas it you? Oh, was it you?
Sathiyamai thottavanumAnd the one who truly touched it,
Needhana adhu needhanawas it you? Is that you?
Nerungi thottavane nilavu nandhanaYou who came close and touched it, am I that moon?
Un nilavu nandhana un nilavu nandhanaAm I your moon? Am I your moon?
Hey pookalai chedikodiyin porulendru ninaithirundhenHey, I thought flowers were just objects found on vines.
Ooh pookalai chedikodiyin porulendru ninaithirundhenOh, I thought flowers were just objects found on vines,
Poovai unnai partha pinne pookalin mozhi arindhenbut after seeing you as a flower, I learned their language.
Ooh thalaiyanai enbadhellam thalaikendru ninaithirundhenOh, I used to think a pillow was just meant for the head.
Thalaivanai pirigaiyile thalaiyanai thunai arindhenWhen parting from my lover, I realized it’s my only companion.
Theepandham pondravan nan dheepamendru agivittenI was like a wild torch, but I’ve become a gentle lamp.
Puyaluku pirandhaval nan thendralendru marivittenBorn of a storm, I’ve transformed into a breeze.
Karungallai pondravan nan karpooram agivittenI was like a rough stone, but I’ve become burning camphor.
ChandhiranaiThe moon…
Chandhiranai thottadhu yarWho was it that touched the moon?
Armstronga adi armstrongaWas it Armstrong? Hey, was it Armstrong?
Sathiyamai thottadhu yarWho touched it in reality?
Nandhane adi nandhaneIt was me, oh, it was me.
Kanavu devathaiye nilavu needhaneOh dream goddess, the moon is you,
Un nizhalum nandhane 2and I am your shadow.
Thamarai malarkondu udal seitha oviyameOh living painting, with a body crafted from lotus flowers,
Ennudal baram mattum endha vidham thangugiraihow do you manage to bear the weight of my body?
Meengalai sumapathondrum neeruku baramillaiThe water feels no burden in carrying the fish.
Kadhalai sumakaiyile kadhalarum baramillaiWhen carrying love, lovers feel no weight at all.
Sorgathirku vandhuvittom dharkathirku neramillaiWe’ve reached paradise, there’s no time for debates.
Muthangalai nee vazhangu idhazhuku neramillaiOffer me your kisses, our lips have no time to spare.
Thodanguthal miga yelidhu mudipathudan periya thollaiStarting is very easy, but finishing is the greatest trouble.
ChandhiraneOh moon…
Chandhiranai thottadhu yarWho was it that touched the moon?
Armstronga adi armstrongaWas it Armstrong? Hey, was it Armstrong?
Sathiyamai thottadhu yarWho touched it in reality?
Nandhane adi nandhaneIt was me, oh, it was me.
Kanavu devathaiye nilavu needhaneOh dream goddess, the moon is you,
Un nizhalum nandhane 2and I am your shadow.

Chandiranai Thottathu Music Video

The meaning behind ‘Chandiranai Thottathu’ is about love’s transformative power. Featuring Hariharan and Sujatha Mohan, this Tamil classic offers a melody that stays with you long after the song ends.