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Puthiya Paravai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aaha Mella Nada

From Puthiya Paravai · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Puthiya Paravai
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
7 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Aaha mella nada
Mella nada meni ennaagum } (2)
Mullai malar paatham nogum
Unthan chinna idai valainthaadum
Vanna chingaaram kulainthuvidum
Oh oh oh ohoo hoo
Aaha mella nada
Mella nada meni ennaagum
{ Padukaiyai
Iraivan virithaan
Varum panithiraiyaal
Adhai maraithaan } (2)
Paruvathil
Aasaiyai koduthaan
{ Varum naanathinaal
Adhai thaduthaan } (2)
Aaha mella nada
Mella nada meni ennaagum
{ Adikadi
Sirikum siripu
Adhil azhagiya
Meniyin nadipu } (2)
Pada padavena
Varum thudipu
{ Indru pathungiyadhae
Enna ninaipu } (2)
Aaha mella nada
Mella nada meni ennaagum
Mullai malar paatham nogum
Unthan chinna idai valainthaadum
Vanna chingaaram kulainthuvidum
Oh oh oh ohoo hoo
Aaha mella nada
Mella nada meni ennaagum
Thirumanam
Endrathum adakam
Kangal thiranthirunthaalum
Urakam varuvathai
Ninaithaal nadukam
{ Pakkam
Vanthuvittalo mayakam } (2)
Haiyo mella nada
Mella nada meni ennaagum
Mullai malar paatham nogum
Unthan chinna idai valainthaadum
Vanna chingaaram kulainthuvidum
Oh oh oh ohoo hoo
Aaha mella nada
Mella nada meni ennaagum
{ Aha, walk gently,
walk gently, what will happen to your tender body? } (2)
Your jasmine-soft feet will ache,
your slender waist will bend and sway,
and all your lovely adornment will come undone!
Oh oh oh oho ho
Aha, walk gently,
walk gently, what will happen to your tender body?
{ A bed,
God has spread out,
and with a veil of falling mist,
He covered it. } (2)
In the bloom of youth,
He gave you desire,
{ yet with rising shyness,
He held it back. } (2)
Aha, walk gently,
walk gently, what will happen to your tender body?
{ That frequent,
playful laughter,
and in it, the graceful
teasing of your body, } (2)
that rapid, fluttering
heartbeat of yours—
{ why has it hidden away today?
What are you thinking? } (2)
Aha, walk gently,
walk gently, what will happen to your tender body?
Your jasmine-soft feet will ache,
your slender waist will bend and sway,
and all your lovely adornment will come undone!
Oh oh oh oho ho
Aha, walk gently,
walk gently, what will happen to your tender body?
At the mention
of marriage, you become shy and reserved;
even while your eyes are open,
the thought of bedtime
makes you tremble.
{ And if I come
beside you, you swoon! } (2)
Oh dear, walk gently,
walk gently, what will happen to your tender body?
Your jasmine-soft feet will ache,
your slender waist will bend and sway,
and all your lovely adornment will come undone!
Oh oh oh oho ho
Aha, walk gently,
walk gently, what will happen to your tender body?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

"Aaha Mella Nada" is a celebrated romantic track from the classic 1964 Tamil film 'Puthiya Paravai'. Lyricist Kannadasan crafts a poetic and playful interaction where the protagonist gently teases his beloved about her delicate nature, shyness, and graceful movements as she walks. He affectionately warns her that her jasmine-soft feet might ache and her thin waist might sway under strain if she walks hastily. Throughout the song, nature and human emotions are interwoven metaphorically. The lyrics highlight how nature brings mist to veil intimacy and how youth introduces desire balanced by innate bashfulness. Set to a melodious composition by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, the track captures the sweet anticipation, thrill, and innocence of romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Mullai malar paatham nogum”

Compares the beloved's delicate feet to tender jasmine flowers ('Mullai malar').

Imagery & Personification

“Varum panithiraiyaal adhai maraithaan”

Creates a vivid picture of divine creation hiding intimacy behind a blanket of mist.

Repetition / Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)

“Aaha mella nada Mella nada meni ennaagum”

Repetition of 'Mella nada' highlights the emphasis on gentleness and rhythm.

Contrast / Paradox

“Paruvathil aasaiyai koduthaan / Varum naanathinaal adhai thaduthaan”

Juxtaposes the desire granted during youth with the natural modesty that holds it back.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aaha Mella Nada' features performance by Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi in 'Puthiya Paravai' (1964). Sung soulfully by T. M. Soundararajan with music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, the song remains one of the finest examples of Kannadasan's mastery over intimate, romantic Tamil poetry.

Keep listening

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