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Lyrics & meaning

Devi Neeyindri Naanethamma

From Niraparaadhi · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Vani Jairam, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Niraparaadhi1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa…aa….aahaa…aa….Aa…aa….aahaa…aa….
Male :Oho…ohho…oho…..Male: Oho…ohho…oho…..
Male
Devi neeyindri naanethammaaGoddess, without you, what am I?
Oho….ennuyir needhaanammaaOho… you are indeed my life!
Nee paarkkaiyil jananamWhen you look at me, it is birth
Paarkkaatha velaiyil maranamWhen you don't look, it is death
En uyirin uyiraeO life of my life
Naanendrum vaazhvathu unakkaeI live forever only for you
Female
Deva neeyindri naanaethaiyyaaLord, without you, what am I?
Oho….ennuyir neethaanaiyyaaOho… you are indeed my life, my lord!
Nee paarkkaiyil jananamWhen you look at me, it is birth
Parkkaatha velaiyil maranamWhen you don't look, it is death
En uyirin uyiraeO life of my life
Naanendrum vaazhvathu unakkaeI live forever only for you
Chorus
…………..
Male
Kodi jenmam eduppaen unnai ninaiththuI will take ten million births thinking of you
Thaedi vanthu manappaenI will search for you and marry you
Female :Yaengi thavam iruppaen ganam ganamumFemale: I will yearn and meditate every second
Unnai enni thudippaenI will throb thinking of you
Male
Devarathi mangai thendralukku thangaiShe is a divine maiden, sister to the gentle breeze
Enakko inba gangaiTo me, she is a Ganges of bliss
Female :Engal ullam engum inba vellamFemale: A flood of joy overflows everywhere in our hearts
Karaiyai kadanthu sellumCrossing over all boundaries and shores
Male
Devi neeyindri naanethammaaGoddess, without you, what am I?
Female :Oho….ennuyir neethaanaiyyaaFemale: Oho… you are indeed my life, my lord!
Male :Nee paarkkaiyil jananamMale: When you look at me, it is birth
Paarkkaatha velaiyil maranamWhen you don't look, it is death
Female :En uyirin uyiraeFemale: O life of my life
Naanendrum vaazhvathu unakkaeNaanendrum vaazhvathu unakkae
Chorus
…………….
Female
Gangai nadhi sudumaa endrum pirivuWill the river Ganges ever burn? Will separation...
Engalukkul varumaa...ever come between us?
Male :Sangamaththil inainthom nenjam kalanthuMale: We joined in union, blending our hearts
Saasanangal varainthomWe inscribed eternal decrees of love
Female
Engal anbu raagam intha inba naathamOur melody of love, this joyful musical sound
Yugangal thorum ketkkumWill echo across all eras
Male :Kaalam maarum intha kolam maarumMale: Time will change, this world's form will change
Uravo nilaiththu vaazhumYet our bond will permanently endure
Female
Deva neeyindri naanaethaiyyaaLord, without you, what am I?
Male :Oho….ennuyir needhaanammaaMale: Oho… you are indeed my life!
Female :Nee paarkkaiyil jananamFemale: When you look at me, it is birth
Parkkaatha velaiyil maranamWhen you don't look, it is death
Male :En uyirin uyiraeMale: O life of my life
Naanendrum vaazhvathu unakkaeI live forever only for you
Female
Aa…aa….aahaa….aa…Aa…aa….aahaa….aa…
Male :Ohho…..ohho…..ohho….Male: Ohho…..ohho…..ohho….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Devi Neeyindri Naanethammaa is a passionate romantic duet from the film Niraparaadhi (1984), set to music by Shankar Ganesh and penned by lyricist Pulamaipithan. The song portrays two lovers declaring that they hold no identity or life without each other, addressing one another as divine beings (Devi and Deva). Their passion is so profound that a simple glance from the beloved feels like rebirth, while indifference feels like death.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Contrast (Ethir-todar)

Nee paarkkaiyil jananam / Paarkkaatha velaiyil maranam

Contrasting birth and death based on the gaze of the beloved.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Devarathi mangai thendralukku thangai / Enakko inba gangai

Comparing the beloved to the comforting cool Ganges of joy and a sister to the gentle southern breeze.

Hyperbole (Uvarchi)

Kodi jenmam eduppaen unnai ninaiththu / Thaedi vanthu manappaen

Exaggerating devotion by expressing the willingness to take ten million births to seek and marry the beloved.

Rhetorical Question

Gangai nadhi sudumaa endrum pirivu / Engalukkul varumaa

Comparing an impossible phenomenon (the cool river Ganges burning) to the impossibility of separation between lovers.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaalam maarum intha kolam maarum

Repetition of consonant initial sound 'K' for rhythmic elegance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Niraparaadhi (1984) featured music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and showcased exquisite duet vocal chemistry between SPB and Vani Jairam. Poet Pulamaipithan used elevated Tamil imagery such as 'Saasanangal varainthom' (inscribing royal decrees) to elevate the cinematic love song to classical poetic standards.

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