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Isaimozhi
Niyayam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Gangai Nadhi Meeno

From Niyayam · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. Janaki, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Niyayam
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
24 Dec 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa… aaa…aa…aa…
Aa… aaa…aaa…aaa….aa…
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa..
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..
Gangai nadhi meeno
Mangai vizhi thaano
Gangai nadhi meeno
Mangai vizhi thaano
Angam yaavum
Thanga paalam
Pongi paayum
Aasai vegam thananana
Gangai nadhi meeno
Mangai vizhi thaano
Paavai unai thazhuva
Nenjil paadal malarudhadi
Paavai unai thazhuva
Nenjil paadal malarudhadi
Kaadhal ulagil maalai mayakkam
Kaniyae yenadi thayakkam
Kaadhal ulagil maalai mayakkam
Kaniyae yenadi thayakkam
Vekkatthukku
Female :Velai illai
Male :Pakkam vandhaal
Female :Paavam illai
Male :Vaalibathin sandhaiyil
Vetkam vilai pogaadhu
Gangai nadhi meeno
Mangai vizhi thaano
Angam yaavum
Thanga paalam
Pongi paayum
Aasai vegam aahaahaahaa
Gangai nadhi meeno
Mangai vizhi thaano
Paari vallal thaer koduthaal
Pachai kodiyum padaraadho
Andha kodiyum idam koduthaal
Micha kadhaiyum thodaraadho
Kai irandil idai kodiyaai thuvala
Kani idhazh thaen thanai paruga
Kai irandil idai kodiyaai thuvala
Kani idhazh thaen thanai paruga
Kodi sugam
Male :Konjattumae
Female :Kollai inbam
Male :Allattumae
Female :Ullam konjam kenjattum
Manmadha kalaigal
Gangai nadhi meeno
Mangai vizhi thaano
Angam yaavum
Thanga paalam
Pongi paayum
Aasai vegam thananana
Gangai nadhi meeno
Mangai vizhi thaano
Ah… aah… ah… ah…
Ah… aah… aah… aah… ah…
Aah… aah… aah… aah… aah… aah…
Aah… aah… aah… aah…
Is it a fish in the river Ganga,
or is it a woman's eyes?
Is it a fish in the river Ganga,
or is it a woman's eyes?
Across her entire body,
like a golden bridge,
surges and flows
the swift rush of desire, thananana...
Is it a fish in the river Ganga,
or is it a woman's eyes?
As I hold you in my embrace,
a song blossoms in my heart.
As I hold you in my embrace,
a song blossoms in my heart.
In the world of love, evening casts its spell,
my sweet one, why do you hesitate?
In the world of love, evening casts its spell,
my sweet one, why do you hesitate?
For shyness...
Female: ...there is no place.
Male: If you come close...
Female: ...there is no wrong.
Male: In the marketplace of youth,
shyness has no value.
Is it a fish in the river Ganga,
or is it a woman's eyes?
Across her entire body,
like a golden bridge,
surges and flows
the swift rush of desire, aahaahaahaa...
Is it a fish in the river Ganga,
or is it a woman's eyes?
When the generous king Paari offered his chariot,
wouldn't the green vine climb upon it?
And if that vine makes room,
won't the rest of the story unfold?
As your vine-like waist sways in both my hands,
and I drink the nectar from your sweet lips,
As your vine-like waist sways in both my hands,
and I drink the nectar from your sweet lips,
Countless pleasures...
Male: ...let them embrace us!
Female: Endless delight...
Male: ...let us gather it all!
Female: Let the heart plead a little
in the art of love!
Is it a fish in the river Ganga,
or is it a woman's eyes?
Across her entire body,
like a golden bridge,
surges and flows
the swift rush of desire, thananana...
Is it a fish in the river Ganga,
or is it a woman's eyes?
Chorus
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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