Gangai Nadhi Meeno
From Niyayam · 1984
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- S. Janaki, K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Niyayam1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aa… aaa…aa…aa… | Ah… aaa…ah…ah… |
| Aa… aaa…aaa…aaa….aa… | Ah… aaa…aaa…aaa….ah… |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa.. | Ahh…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa.. |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa.. | Ahh…aaa…aaa…aaa.. |
| Male | |
| Gangai nadhi meeno | Is it a fish in the River Ganges? |
| Mangai vizhi thaano | Or is it a young woman's eyes? |
| Gangai nadhi meeno | Is it a fish in the River Ganges? |
| Mangai vizhi thaano | Or is it a young woman's eyes? |
| Female | |
| Angam yaavum | Her entire body |
| Thanga paalam | Is a golden bridge |
| Pongi paayum | Surging and flowing forth |
| Aasai vegam thananana | With the swift speed of desire, thananana |
| Male | |
| Gangai nadhi meeno | Is it a fish in the River Ganges? |
| Mangai vizhi thaano | Or is it a young woman's eyes? |
| Male | |
| Paavai unai thazhuva | To embrace you, young maiden |
| Nenjil paadal malarudhadi | A song blossoms in my heart |
| Paavai unai thazhuva | To embrace you, young maiden |
| Nenjil paadal malarudhadi | A song blossoms in my heart |
| Kaadhal ulagil maalai mayakkam | Evening intoxication in the world of love |
| Kaniyae yenadi thayakkam | My sweet fruit, why this hesitation? |
| Kaadhal ulagil maalai mayakkam | Evening intoxication in the world of love |
| Kaniyae yenadi thayakkam | My sweet fruit, why this hesitation? |
| Male | |
| Vekkatthukku | For shyness... |
| Female :Velai illai | Female: There is no place! |
| Male :Pakkam vandhaal | Male: If you come close... |
| Female :Paavam illai | Female: It is no sin! |
| Male :Vaalibathin sandhaiyil | Male: In the marketplace of youth |
| Vetkam vilai pogaadhu | Shyness holds no value |
| Female | |
| Gangai nadhi meeno | Is it a fish in the River Ganges? |
| Mangai vizhi thaano | Or is it a young woman's eyes? |
| Male | |
| Angam yaavum | Her entire body |
| Thanga paalam | Is a golden bridge |
| Pongi paayum | Surging and flowing forth |
| Aasai vegam aahaahaahaa | With the swift speed of desire, ahahaha |
| Female | |
| Gangai nadhi meeno | Is it a fish in the River Ganges? |
| Mangai vizhi thaano | Or is it a young woman's eyes? |
| Female | |
| Paari vallal thaer koduthaal | If the benevolent King Paari offers his chariot |
| Pachai kodiyum padaraadho | Won't the green vine spread over it? |
| Andha kodiyum idam koduthaal | And if that vine gives space |
| Micha kadhaiyum thodaraadho | Won't the rest of our story unfold? |
| Female | |
| Kai irandil idai kodiyaai thuvala | As your vine-like waist droops into my arms |
| Kani idhazh thaen thanai paruga | To drink the honey from your fruity lips |
| Kai irandil idai kodiyaai thuvala | As your vine-like waist droops into my arms |
| Kani idhazh thaen thanai paruga | To drink the honey from your fruity lips |
| Female | |
| Kodi sugam | Countless pleasures... |
| Male :Konjattumae | Male: Let them fondle and cherish |
| Female :Kollai inbam | Female: Abundant bliss... |
| Male :Allattumae | Male: Let us gather it all |
| Female :Ullam konjam kenjattum | Female: Let the heart plead a little |
| Manmadha kalaigal | In the delicate arts of Lord Manmadha |
| Male | |
| Gangai nadhi meeno | Is it a fish in the River Ganges? |
| Mangai vizhi thaano | Or is it a young woman's eyes? |
| Female | |
| Angam yaavum | Her entire body |
| Thanga paalam | Is a golden bridge |
| Pongi paayum | Surging and flowing forth |
| Aasai vegam thananana | With the swift speed of desire, thananana |
| Male | |
| Gangai nadhi meeno | Is it a fish in the River Ganges? |
| Mangai vizhi thaano | Or is it a young woman's eyes? |
ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆஅ...
ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆஅ...
ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆஅ...
Ah… aaa…ah…ah…
Ah… aaa…aaa…aaa….ah…
Ahh…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa..
Ahh…aaa…aaa…aaa..
கங்கை நதி மீனோ
மங்கை விழிதானோ
கங்கை நதி மீனோ
மங்கை விழிதானோ
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
அங்கம் யாவும்
தங்கப் பாலம்
பொங்கிப் பாயும்
ஆசை வேகம் தனனன
Her entire body
Is a golden bridge
Surging and flowing forth
With the swift speed of desire, thananana
கங்கை நதி மீனோ
மங்கை விழிதானோ
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
பாவை உனைத் தழுவ
நெஞ்சில் பாடல் மலருதடி
பாவை உனைத் தழுவ
நெஞ்சில் பாடல் மலருதடி
To embrace you, young maiden
A song blossoms in my heart
To embrace you, young maiden
A song blossoms in my heart
Evening intoxication in the world of love
My sweet fruit, why this hesitation?
Evening intoxication in the world of love
My sweet fruit, why this hesitation?
காதல் உலகில்
மாலை மயக்கம்
கனியே ஏனடி தயக்கம்
காதல் உலகில்
மாலை மயக்கம்
கனியே ஏனடி தயக்கம்
For shyness...
Female: There is no place!
Male: If you come close...
Female: It is no sin!
Male: In the marketplace of youth
Shyness holds no value
வெக்கத்துக்கு......
வேலை இல்லை
பக்கம் வந்தால்....
பாவம் இல்லை
வாலிபத்தின் சந்தையில்
வெட்கம் விலை போகாது
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
கங்கை நதி மீனோ
மங்கை விழிதானோ
Her entire body
Is a golden bridge
Surging and flowing forth
With the swift speed of desire, ahahaha
அங்கம் யாவும்
தங்கப் பாலம்
பொங்கிப் பாயும்
ஆசை வேகம் ஆஹாஹா
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
கங்கை நதி மீனோ
மங்கை விழிதானோ
If the benevolent King Paari offers his chariot
Won't the green vine spread over it?
And if that vine gives space
Won't the rest of our story unfold?
பாரி வள்ளல் தேர் கொடுத்தால்
பச்சைக் கொடியும் படராதோ
அந்தக் கொடியும் இடம் கொடுத்தால்
மிச்சக் கதையும் தொடராதோ
As your vine-like waist droops into my arms
To drink the honey from your fruity lips
As your vine-like waist droops into my arms
To drink the honey from your fruity lips
கை இரண்டில் இடை
கொடியாய் துவள
கனி இதழ் தேன் தனைப் பருக
கை இரண்டில் இடை
கொடியாய் துவள
கனி இதழ் தேன் தனைப் பருக
Countless pleasures...
Male: Let them fondle and cherish
Female: Abundant bliss...
Male: Let us gather it all
Female: Let the heart plead a little
In the delicate arts of Lord Manmadha
கோடி சுகம்......
கொஞ்சட்டுமே
கொள்ளை இன்பம்.....
அள்ளட்டுமே
உள்ளம் கொஞ்சம் கெஞ்சட்டும்
மன்மதக் கலைகள்
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
கங்கை நதி மீனோ
மங்கை விழிதானோ
Her entire body
Is a golden bridge
Surging and flowing forth
With the swift speed of desire, thananana
அங்கம் யாவும்
தங்கப் பாலம்
பொங்கிப் பாயும்
ஆசை வேகம் தனனன
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
கங்கை நதி மீனோ
மங்கை விழிதானோ
Aa… aaa…aa…aa…
Ah… aaa…ah…ah…
Aa… aaa…aaa…aaa….aa…
Ah… aaa…aaa…aaa….ah…
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa..
Ahh…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa..
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..
Ahh…aaa…aaa…aaa..
Gangai nadhi meeno
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Mangai vizhi thaano
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
Gangai nadhi meeno
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Mangai vizhi thaano
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
Angam yaavum
Her entire body
Thanga paalam
Is a golden bridge
Pongi paayum
Surging and flowing forth
Aasai vegam thananana
With the swift speed of desire, thananana
Gangai nadhi meeno
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Mangai vizhi thaano
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
Paavai unai thazhuva
To embrace you, young maiden
Nenjil paadal malarudhadi
A song blossoms in my heart
Paavai unai thazhuva
To embrace you, young maiden
Nenjil paadal malarudhadi
A song blossoms in my heart
Kaadhal ulagil maalai mayakkam
Evening intoxication in the world of love
Kaniyae yenadi thayakkam
My sweet fruit, why this hesitation?
Kaadhal ulagil maalai mayakkam
Evening intoxication in the world of love
Kaniyae yenadi thayakkam
My sweet fruit, why this hesitation?
Vekkatthukku
For shyness...
Female :Velai illai
Female: There is no place!
Male :Pakkam vandhaal
Male: If you come close...
Female :Paavam illai
Female: It is no sin!
Male :Vaalibathin sandhaiyil
Male: In the marketplace of youth
Vetkam vilai pogaadhu
Shyness holds no value
Gangai nadhi meeno
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Mangai vizhi thaano
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
Angam yaavum
Her entire body
Thanga paalam
Is a golden bridge
Pongi paayum
Surging and flowing forth
Aasai vegam aahaahaahaa
With the swift speed of desire, ahahaha
Gangai nadhi meeno
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Mangai vizhi thaano
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
Paari vallal thaer koduthaal
If the benevolent King Paari offers his chariot
Pachai kodiyum padaraadho
Won't the green vine spread over it?
Andha kodiyum idam koduthaal
And if that vine gives space
Micha kadhaiyum thodaraadho
Won't the rest of our story unfold?
Kai irandil idai kodiyaai thuvala
As your vine-like waist droops into my arms
Kani idhazh thaen thanai paruga
To drink the honey from your fruity lips
Kai irandil idai kodiyaai thuvala
As your vine-like waist droops into my arms
Kani idhazh thaen thanai paruga
To drink the honey from your fruity lips
Kodi sugam
Countless pleasures...
Male :Konjattumae
Male: Let them fondle and cherish
Female :Kollai inbam
Female: Abundant bliss...
Male :Allattumae
Male: Let us gather it all
Female :Ullam konjam kenjattum
Female: Let the heart plead a little
Manmadha kalaigal
In the delicate arts of Lord Manmadha
Gangai nadhi meeno
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Mangai vizhi thaano
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
Angam yaavum
Her entire body
Thanga paalam
Is a golden bridge
Pongi paayum
Surging and flowing forth
Aasai vegam thananana
With the swift speed of desire, thananana
Gangai nadhi meeno
Is it a fish in the River Ganges?
Mangai vizhi thaano
Or is it a young woman's eyes?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Gangai Nadhi Meeno' from the movie 'Niyayam' (1984) is a romantic duct expressing passionate love and intimate yearning between two lovers. The lyrics written by Pulamaipithan use classic Tamil poetic imagery, comparing the heroine's expressive eyes to fish swimming in the holy river Ganges, and her golden physical presence to a bridge connecting their desires. Throughout the track, the male protagonist woos his beloved, urging her to cast aside her shyness in the 'marketplace of youth.' The female lover playfully responds, inviting him into the world of intimacy and romance. References to King Paari's legend—where a vine climbs a chariot—serve as a metaphor for the union of the two lovers, culminating in a celebration of affection, beauty, and love's delicate arts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai Ani (Simile / Metaphor)
“Gangai nadhi meeno / Mangai vizhi thaano”
Compares the wide, gleaming eyes of the woman to fish in the holy Ganges river.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Gangai nadhi meeno / Mangai vizhi thaano”
The second letter 'ng' ('ங்') in 'Gangai' and 'Mangai' matches, creating classical Tamil acoustic harmony.
Metaphor
“Angam yaavum / Thanga paalam”
Directly compares the heroine's radiant body to a golden bridge ('Thanga paalam').
Allusion / Cultural Reference
“Paari vallal thaer koduthaal / Pachai kodiyum padaraadho”
Refers to King Paari, famous in Sangam literature for giving his chariot to a Jasmine vine ('Mullai'), used here as a metaphor for yielding to love.
Did you know?
Trivia
The movie 'Niyayam' released in 1984 featured lyrics penned by the veteran Sangam-trained poet Pulamaipithan. The song's romantic metaphors draw heavily on classic Sangam literature tropes, such as comparing a woman's eyes to fish ('Kayalvizhi') and referencing King Paari's famous act of benevolence towards a vine.
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