Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adhikaalai Neram

From Naan Sonnathey Sattam · 1988

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Asha Bhosle
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naan Sonnathey Sattam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Adhi kaalai neramIn the early morning time
Kanavil unnai paarthaenI saw you in a dream
Adhu kalaindhidaamalWithout letting that dream fade away
Kaiyil ennai saerthaenI gathered myself into your hands
Male
Adhi kaalai neramIn the early morning time
Kanavil unnai paarthaenI saw you in a dream
Adhu kalaindhidaamalWithout letting that dream fade away
Kaiyil ennai saerthaenI gathered myself into your hands
Male
Vizhi neengidaamal neendhugindraSwimming without leaving my sight
Thendralae hoiOh gentle breeze!
Unai saerndhidaamal vaadumWithered without joining you
Indha andrilae hoiIs this mythical Andril bird!
Female
Lala laala laala laala laala laalaaLala laala laala laala laala laalaa
Lala laala laala laala laala laalaaLala laala laala laala laala laalaa
Male
Mullai poovai modhumStriking the jasmine flower
Ven sangu pola oodhumBlowing like a white conch shell
Female
Kaadhal vandin paattuThe song of the love-bee
Kaalam thorum kettuHeard across all times
Male
Veenai pola unnaiLike playing a veena, you
Kai meettum indha velaiAt this moment when hands strum
Female
Nooru raagam ketkumA hundred ragas will be heard
Noyai kooda theerkkumIt will even cure diseases
Male
Paadhi paadhiyaagaHalf by half
Sugam baakki ingu yaedhuWhat pleasure is left remaining here?
Meedham indri thandhaalShe gave without leaving any remainder
Enai yaetru konda maadhuThe woman who accepted me
Female
Dheviyae maeviyaOh Goddess, the cherished one
Jeevanae nee thaanYou alone are my life
Nee tharum kaadhalilIn the love that you give
Vaazhbaval naan thaanI am the one living
Male
Nee illaamal naanum illaiyaeWithout you, I do not exist either
Female
Adhi kaalai neramIn the early morning time
Kanavil unnai paarthaenI saw you in a dream
Adhu kalaindhidaamalWithout letting that dream fade away
Kaiyil ennai saerthaenI gathered myself into your hands
Vizhi neengidaamal neendhugindraSwimming without leaving my sight
Thendralae hoiOh gentle breeze!
Unai saerndhidaamal vaadumWithered without joining you
Indha andrilae hoiIs this mythical Andril bird!
Female
Adhi kaalai neramIn the early morning time
Kanavil unnai paarthaenI saw you in a dream
Female
Maalai ondru soodumA garland will be worn
Pon maeni aaram soodumThe golden body will wear a necklace
Male
Maadham thaedhi paarthuChecking the month and date
Manadhu solli kettuListening to what the heart says
Female
Velai vandhu saerumThe time will arrive
Nam viragam andru theerumOur separation will end that day
Male
Neenda kaala dhaagamA long-standing thirst
Nerungum podhu pogumWill go away when getting closer
Female
Kaadu maedu odiRunning through forests and hills
Nadhi kadalil vandhu koodumThe river comes and joins the sea
Aasai nenjam ingaeThe yearning heart here
Dhinam analin vendhu vaadumBurns and wilts daily in fire
Male
Vaadalum koodalumWilting and uniting
Manmadhan velaiIs the work of Manmadhan (God of love)
Vaazhvadhu kaadhal thaanLiving is through love alone
Paarkkalaam naalaiWe shall see tomorrow
Female
Poorva jenma bandham allavoIs this not a bond from a past life?
Male
Adhi kaalai neramIn the early morning time
Kanavil unnai paarthaenI saw you in a dream
Adhu kalaindhidaamalWithout letting that dream fade away
Kaiyil ennai saerthaenI gathered myself into your hands
Female
Vizhi neengidaamal neendhugindraSwimming without leaving my sight
Thendralae hoiOh gentle breeze!
Unai saerndhidaamal vaadumWithered without joining you
Indha andrilae hoiIs this mythical Andril bird!
Male
Lala laala laala laala laala laalaaLala laala laala laala laala laalaa
Female
Lala laala laala laala laala laalaaLala laala laala laala laala laalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet captures the depth of love, longing, and spiritual connection between two lovers. The protagonist recalls seeing their beloved in an early morning dream and clinging to that precious vision, transforming it into physical closeness. The lyrics express how love acts as a healing melody, capable of curing pain, while comparing the lovers' separation to the mythical 'Andril' bird that cannot survive without its mate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Veenai pola unnai / Kai meettum indha velai

Compares playing/touching the lover lovingly to strumming a Veena, which generates beautiful music and cures affliction.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaadu maedu odi / Nadhi kadalil vandhu koodum

Compares the path of lovers to a river running across terrain to merge with the sea.

Allusion (Illakkiya Kurippu)

Unai saerndhidaamal vaadum / Indha andrilae hoi

Refers to 'Andril', a legendary bird in Classical Tamil literature known for dying if separated from its partner.

Rhyme / Assonance (Edhukai)

Vaadalum koodalum / Manmadhan velai

Repetition of second letter consonant harmony ('kaadu' and 'naadu/maedu', 'vaadalum' and 'manmadhan').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naan Sonnathey Sattam' is a 1988 Tamil film starring Sarathkumar and Rekha. The song invokes classic Sangam Tamil romantic motifs such as the early morning dream ('Kanavu') and the mythical 'Andril' bird symbolizing inseparable love.

Keep listening

More from Naan Sonnathey Sattam