Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethukkum Oru Neram

From Rendum Rendum Anju · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Rendum Rendum Anju1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Edhukkum oru neram irukku maamaThere is a right time for everything, my man.
Idhukkum adhu vendirukku aamaYes, even for this, patience and timing are required.
Pozhudhaagi thaan ulai veikkanumOnly after evening sets in should one boil water for cooking.
Soraakki thaan ilai podanum….hooOnly after cooking the rice should the leaf be laid out... hoo.
Female
Edhukkum oru neram irukku maamaThere is a right time for everything, my man.
Idhukkum adhu vendirukku aamaYes, even for this, patience and timing are required.
Female
Noolaadaigal melae paadhiyumWith fine silk clothes covering half above,
Kelae padhiyum moodaAnd half covered below,
Naan dhaan oru kaadhal geethamumI will sing a melody of love,
Kaaman vedhamum paadaAnd recite the sacred verses of the God of Love.
Oor aayiram thaagam theeravumTo quench a thousand deep thirsts,
Mogam theeravum koodaAnd to satisfy all passion together.
Vaa vaa ini vaadai naan enaCome, come, as I become the cool breeze,
Oodam neeyena aadaAnd you become the boat, swaying together.
Female
Neengaamal naan iruppen vaazhum varaiI will remain inseparable as long as I live.
Ooyaamal naan padippen kaadhal kadhaiWithout stopping, I will read this love story.
Pesaadha pechellaam jaadai pesumAll unspoken words will be spoken through subtle gestures.
Female
Edhukkum oru neram irukku maamaThere is a right time for everything, my man.
Idhukkum adhu vendirukku aamaYes, even for this, patience and timing are required.
Pozhudhaagi thaan ulai veikkanumOnly after evening sets in should one boil water for cooking.
Soraakki thaan ilai podanum….hooOnly after cooking the rice should the leaf be laid out... hoo.
Female
Edhukkum oru neram irukku maamaThere is a right time for everything, my man.
Idhukkum adhu vendirukku aamaYes, even for this, patience and timing are required.
Female
Neerootrida masam paarkkudhuThe sky looks for the right month to pour rain,
Paruvam paarkkudhu vaanamIt waits for the right season.
Thaaiyaagida neram paarkanumOne must wait for the right time to become a mother,
Naalum paarkanum naanumAnd I too am waiting for the auspicious day.
Raasa unai kobam vattudhuMy king, anger is tormenting you,
Thaabam vaattudhu paavamDesire plagues you, poor thing.
Needhaan enai thaena konjiduYou sweeten me like honey with your caresses,
Thaana koopidum dhegamAnd my body calls out to you on its own.
Female
Thooralum poduthaiyaa kodai megamEven summer clouds are drizzling now, my lord.
Neeroda venum aiyaa neeyum naanumYou and I should flow together like a stream, my lord.
Vaa maama poomaeni engum poduCome, my man, drape yourself over my blossom-like body.
Female
Edhukkum oru neram irukku maamaThere is a right time for everything, my man.
Idhukkum adhu vendirukku aamaYes, even for this, patience and timing are required.
Pozhudhaagi thaan ulai veikkanumOnly after evening sets in should one boil water for cooking.
Soraakki thaan ilai podanum….hooOnly after cooking the rice should the leaf be laid out... hoo.
Female
Edhukkum oru neram irukku maamaThere is a right time for everything, my man.
Idhukkum adhu vendirukku aamaYes, even for this, patience and timing are required.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Edhukkum Oru Neram Irukku Maama' is a playful and sensual Tamil song from the 1988 film 'Rendum Rendum Anju'. Expressed through the expressive vocals of K. S. Chithra, the heroine gently teases her lover while urging him to be patient. She uses simple, traditional household metaphors—such as waiting for water to boil before cooking rice or waiting for the right season for rain—to explain that intimate moments and true fulfillment require proper timing. The emotional progression moves from playful teasing and setting boundaries to passionate surrender. She acknowledges his impatience and longing, reassuring him that once the right moment arrives, she will give herself completely. Vaali's lyrics cleverly intertwine rural colloquialisms with romantic allure, complemented by Gangai Amaran's rhythmic musical composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Edhukkum oru neram irukku maama / Idhukkum adhu vendirukku aama

The second character 'dh' ('ð') rhymes across consecutive lines ('Edhukkum' and 'Idhukkum').

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Pozhudhaagi thaan ulai veikkanum / Soraakki thaan ilai podanum

Domestic cooking practices (boiling water, serving food) are used as metaphors for waiting for the appropriate time for physical intimacy.

Metaphor

Vaa vaa ini vaadai naan ena / Oodam neeyena aada

The singer compares herself to the cool breeze ('vaadai') and her partner to a floating boat ('oodam') swaying together.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Neengaamal naan iruppen vaazhum varai / Ooyaamal naan padippen kaadhal kadhai

Lines end with rhyming sounds 'varai' and 'kadhai', creating a melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Rendum Rendum Anju' (1988) was directed by Gangai Amaran, who also composed the soundtrack for the film. Lyricist Vaali was renowned for taking mundane, daily life analogies—like cooking or seasonal changes—and converting them into highly memorable, sensual Tamil film songs. Playback singer K. S. Chithra delivered a distinct, playful vocal tone for this track, showcasing her versatility in expressive romantic numbers during the late 1980s.

Keep listening

More from Rendum Rendum Anju