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Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Etho Oru Paatu

From Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen · 1998

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Hariharan
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Movie name
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
Movie release year
1998
Lyrics added on
17 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Etho oru paatu en kaadhil ketkum
Ketkum pothellam un niyabagam thaalaatum } (2)
En kangalin imaigalilae
Un niyabagam siragadikum
Naan suvaasikum moochinilae
Un niyabagam kalanthirukum
Niyabagangal mazhai aagum
Niyabagangal kudai aagum
Niyabagangal thee mootum
Niyabagangal neerootrum
Etho oru paatu en kaadhil ketkum
Ketkum pothellam un niyabagam thaalaatum
Kavithai endralae un peyarin niyabagamae
Ketkum isai ellam nee pesum niyabagamae
Pookalin melae pani thuli paarthaal muga paru niyabagamae
Athirstam endrathum unthan macham niybagam
Azhagu endrathum unthan motham niyabagam
Etho oru paatu en kaadhil ketkum
Ketkum pothellam un niyabagam thaalaatum
Thendral endralae un vaasal niyabagamae
Vasantham endralae un varugai niyabagamae
Thottal churungi paarthaal unthan vetkam niyabagamae
Alaigal polaeve mothum unthan niyabagam
Maranthu ponadhae enaku enthan niyabagam
Etho oru paatu en kaadhil ketkum
Ketkum pothellam un niyabagam thaalaatum
En kangalin imaigalilae
Un niyabagam siragadikum
Naan suvaasikum moochinilae
Un niyabagam kalanthirukum
Niyabagangal mazhai aagum
Niyabagangal kudai aagum
Niyabagangal thee mootum
Niyabagangal neerootrum
Etho oru paatu en kaadhil ketkum
Ketkum pothellam un niyabagam thaalaatum
A song plays in my ears,
and whenever I hear it, your memory lulls me.
Upon my eyelids,
your memory flutters its wings.
In the breath I breathe,
your memory is blended in.
Memories turn into rain,
memories turn into an umbrella.
Memories kindle a fire,
memories pour soothing water.
A song plays in my ears,
and whenever I hear it, your memory lulls me.
The word "poetry" reminds me of your name,
every melody I hear reminds me of your voice.
Seeing a dewdrop on a flower reminds me of the pimple on your face.
The thought of good luck reminds me of your mole,
the thought of beauty reminds me of all of you.
A song plays in my ears,
and whenever I hear it, your memory lulls me.
The gentle breeze reminds me of your doorstep,
springtime reminds me of your arrival.
Seeing a touch-me-not plant reminds me of your shyness.
Your memories crash over me like waves,
and I have forgotten all about myself.
A song plays in my ears,
and whenever I hear it, your memory lulls me.
Upon my eyelids,
your memory flutters its wings.
In the breath I breathe,
your memory is blended in.
Memories turn into rain,
memories turn into an umbrella.
Memories kindle a fire,
memories pour soothing water.
A song plays in my ears,
and whenever I hear it, your memory lulls me.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song expresses the overwhelming and all-encompassing nature of love and remembrance. Every random sound, sight, or sensation in the protagonist's surroundings constantly triggers vivid memories of their beloved. Whether it is music, a soft breeze, spring, a dewdrop, or a shy plant, everything reminds them of the loved one's presence and beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

“Niyabagangal thee mootum / Niyabagangal neerootrum”

Contrasting pairs like rain/umbrella and fire/water illustrate how memories act as both the cause of longing and its solace.

Metaphor / Personification

“En kangalin imaigalilae / Un niyabagam siragadikum”

Attributing bird-like traits (wings fluttering) to abstract memories on eyelids.

Simile (Upamai)

“Alaigal polaeve mothum unthan niyabagam”

Comparing the relentless surge of memories to crashing ocean waves using the marker 'polaeve'.

Anaphora (Emoni / Repetition)

“Niyabagangal mazhai aagum / Niyabagangal kudai aagum”

Repeated use of 'Niyabagangal' at the beginning of consecutive lines to emphasize total obsession.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by S. A. Rajkumar with lyrics by Vairamuthu, 'Etho Oru Paatu' was recorded in both male (Hariharan) and female (Sujatha Mohan) versions. The track was a massive chartbuster in 1998, contributing heavily to the blockbuster success of 'Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen' starring Karthik and Roja.

Keep listening

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Ovvoru Padalilum2001
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Indha Vilaiyattu Ennodu1976
Oh ManjuLongingNature
Maane Nee Oru Mani1986
Rasigan Oru RasigaiDevotionNature

From the same album

More songs from Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen

View album
Etho Oru Paatu Female1998
Unnidathil Ennai KoduthenNostalgic
Vaanam Paadiyen1998
Unnidathil Ennai KoduthenCelebratory
Malligai Poovae1998
Unnidathil Ennai KoduthenJoyful

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