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Poonthalir album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Gnaan Gnaan Paadanum

From Poonthalir · 1979

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singer
Jency
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Poonthalir
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
23 Jan 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nyaan nyaan paadanum
Oonjaal aadanum
Raakkili aaganum raappagal koovanum
Pon nellin poo manam
Then thengil thoranam
Pani neer thennalae idhilae idhilae
Nyaan nyaan paadanum
Oonjaal aadanum
Raakkili aaganum raappagal koovanum
Pon nellin poo manam
Then thengil thoranam
Pani neer thennalae idhilae idhilae
Nyaan nyaan paadanum
Oonjaal aadanum
Maanguyil jodigal
Mella koovum ragasiyam
Poovamban raagangal
Puriyaatha adhisayam
Poonthennal kaatrilae pushpa baana abinayam
Maanoda praemaiyae manadhaaril sugamayam
Aanandha raathiri kaanaa punjiri
Nyaan nyaan paadanum
Oonjaal aadanum
Raakkili aaganum raappagal koovanum
Pon nellin poo manam
Then thengil thoranam
Pani neer thennalae idhilae idhilae
Nyaan nyaan paadanum
Oonjaal aadanum
Poonthalir aadum pol
Thaliridum kaazhchagal
Paingili paadum pol
Paravasa thaalangal
Pragruthiyil kavidhagal ezhudhiya eeswaran
Pala murai paadidum ilavaenil kaalangal
Aanandha raathiri kaanaa punjiri
Nyaan nyaan paadanum
Oonjaal aadanum
Raakkili aaganum raappagal koovanum
Pon nellin poo manam
Then thengil thoranam
Pani neer thennalae idhilae idhilae
Nyaan nyaan paadanum
Oonjaal aadanum
Laa laa laallalaa laa laa laallalaa
I want to sing, I want to sing
I want to ride on the swing
I want to become a night bird and sing day and night
The sweet scent of golden paddy blossoms
Festive garlands decorating the coconut palms
O dewy gentle breeze, blow right through here
I want to sing, I want to sing
I want to ride on the swing
I want to become a night bird and sing day and night
The sweet scent of golden paddy blossoms
Festive garlands decorating the coconut palms
O dewy gentle breeze, blow right through here
I want to sing, I want to sing
I want to ride on the swing
A pair of cuckoos in the mango grove
Softly chirping their secrets
The sweet tunes of the god of love
Are a mysterious wonder
In the flower-scented breeze, love's floral arrows dance
Love gentle as a deer fills the heart with pure delight
A night of joy, bringing a quiet, gentle smile
I want to sing, I want to sing
I want to ride on the swing
I want to become a night bird and sing day and night
The sweet scent of golden paddy blossoms
Festive garlands decorating the coconut palms
O dewy gentle breeze, blow right through here
I want to sing, I want to sing
I want to ride on the swing
Just as tender blossoms sway gently
Fresh and lovely sights unfold
Just as green parrots sing sweet songs
Rhythms of pure bliss awaken
God, who wrote poetry throughout nature
Sings it again and again through spring
A night of joy, bringing a quiet, gentle smile
I want to sing, I want to sing
I want to ride on the swing
I want to become a night bird and sing day and night
The sweet scent of golden paddy blossoms
Festive garlands decorating the coconut palms
O dewy gentle breeze, blow right through here
I want to sing, I want to sing
I want to ride on the swing
La la laa-la-la, la la laa-la-la
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a joyful, carefree celebration of nature, innocence, and freedom, featuring a distinct Malayalam linguistic touch (such as using 'Nyaan' for 'I') to reflect a border/rural backdrop. The protagonist expresses a childlike desire to sing without stopping, swing freely, and blend into nature like a night bird calling endlessly. The poetic imagery vividly evokes lush countryside elements—fragrant golden paddy fields, coconut trees adorned like festival garlands, and gentle breezes laden with cool mist. As the song unfolds, nature becomes a divine canvas filled with wonder and romance. From the secrets whispered by pairs of cuckoos to the ecstatic melodies of green parrots, creation is depicted as poetry written directly by the Divine. The narrative captures a sublime state of happiness where human emotion, divine creation, and natural beauty exist in absolute harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (Rhyming Refrain)

Nyaan nyaan paadanum / Oonjaal aadanum

The repetitive ending '-anum' creates a rhythmic, musical cadence across opening lines.

Simile (Upamai)

Poonthalir aadum pol

Compares new visual sights blossoming to the gentle swaying of young floral shoots ('pol' meaning 'like').

Metaphor (Urvakam)

Pragruthiyil kavidhagal ezhudhiya eeswaran

Metaphorically describes God as a poet who has written verses across the entire expanse of Nature.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Poonthalir aadum pol / Paingili paadum pol

Repetition of the initial sound 'P' in consecutive lines enhances the poetic rhythm.

Keep listening

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