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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Hey Goodbye Nanba

From Aaytha Ezhuthu · 2004

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Sunitha Sarathy, Shankar Mahadevan
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Aaytha Ezhuthu2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hey goodbye nanbaHey goodbye friend
Hey goodbye nanbaHey goodbye friend
Kannilae kalmishamImpurity in the eyes
Pothumae silmishamEnough of this mischief
Sparisamo thuli vishamIs this touch a drop of poison?
Sparisamo thuli vishamIs this touch a drop of poison?
Naanillai en vasamI am no longer in my own control
Male
Neeyaaro naanyaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Kannthondri kannkaano kanniroAre you a tear that appears in the eye but remains unseen?
Kannthondri kannkaano kanniroAre you a tear that appears in the eye but remains unseen?
Neeyaaro naanyaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Female
Ohooo…ooo..oooOhooo…ooo..ooo
Ohooo…ooo..ooOhooo…ooo..oo
Male :Ohooo…ooo..ooOhooo…ooo..oo
Male & Female :Ohooo…ooo..ooOhooo…ooo..oo
Ooo…ooo…ooo…ooo..Ooo…ooo…ooo…ooo..
Ooo…ooo…ooo..ooo….oooOoo…ooo…ooo..ooo….ooo
Ooo…ooo…ooo..ooo….oooOoo…ooo…ooo..ooo….ooo
Male
Kalla vizhigalilWith your mischievous eyes
Kankothi chenraayaeYou pecked like a bird and left
Kanna kuzhigalilIn the dimples of your cheek
Uyir moodi vaithaaiyaeYou buried my life/soul
Pinbu yaroo pol thalli nindraaiThen you stood far away like a stranger
Natpu uravillai yendraaiYou declared there is no bond of friendship
Neeyaaro naanyaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Female
Hey goodbye nanbaHey goodbye friend
Kannilae kalmishamImpurity in the eyes
Pothumae silmishamEnough of this mischief
Sparisamo thuli vishamIs this touch a drop of poison?
Sparisamo thuli vishamIs this touch a drop of poison?
Naanillai en vasamI am no longer in my own control
Male
Neeyaaro naanyaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Kannthondri kannkaano kanniroAre you a tear that appears in the eye but remains unseen?
Kannthondri kannkaano kanniroAre you a tear that appears in the eye but remains unseen?
Neeyaaro naanyaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Female
Hey goodbyeHey goodbye
Male
Antha chaalayilOn that road
Nee vanthu seraamalWithout you coming to join me
Aaru degreeyilAt a six-degree angle
En paarvai saayamalWithout my gaze tilting toward you
Vilagi poirunthaal thollai illaiIf we had just parted ways, there would be no trouble
Ithu vendatha velaiThis was an unwanted affair
neeyaaro naanyaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Female
Hey goodbye nanbaHey goodbye friend
Hey goodbye nanbaHey goodbye friend
Kannilae kalmishamImpurity in the eyes
Pothumae silmishamEnough of this mischief
Sparisamo thuli visham…mm..Is this touch a drop of poison? Mmm...
Sparisamo thuli vishamIs this touch a drop of poison?
Naanillai en vasamI am no longer in my own control
Male
Neeyaaro naanyaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Kannthondri kannkaano kanniroAre you a tear that appears in the eye but remains unseen?
Kannthondri kannkaano kanniroAre you a tear that appears in the eye but remains unseen?
Neeyaaro naanyaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Female :Hey goodbyeHey goodbye
Male :Kannthondri kannkaano kanniroAre you a tear that appears in the eye but remains unseen?
Kannthondri kannkaano kanniroAre you a tear that appears in the eye but remains unseen?
Female :Hey goodbye nanbaHey goodbye friend

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Hey Goodbye Nanba' from the movie 'Aaytha Ezhuthu' captures the conflicting emotions of intense physical attraction, confusion, and the painful attempt to break emotional ties. The protagonists navigate a complex relationship where boundaries between friendship, passion, and strangerhood blur. They question their connection ('Neeyaaro naanyaaro') while acknowledging the irresistible pull they feel, comparing physical touch to a potent, bittersweet poison. Narratively, the lyrics express regret over ever letting their paths cross ('Antha chaalayil nee vanthu seraamal...'), as the attachment has led to loss of self-control. Despite saying goodbye and trying to walk away, the deep emotional imprint left by sly glances and cheek dimples makes true detachment nearly impossible.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kannilae kalmisham / Pothumae silmisham

The second consonant sound 'l-m' in 'kalmisham' and 'silmisham' rhymes across consecutive lines, creating musical harmony.

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

Kannthondri kannkaano kanniro

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of words in the line creates a pleasing rhythmic and alliterative effect.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sparisamo thuli visham

Physical touch is metaphorically described as a drop of poison ('thuli visham'), representing its dangerous yet intoxicating nature.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Neeyaaro naanyaaro

The repeating end suffix '-aaro' emphasizes the sense of alienation, detachment, and questioning identity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman for Mani Ratnam's 2004 multi-starrer youth political drama 'Aaytha Ezhuthu', this song features vocal performances by Sunitha Sarathy, Shankar Mahadevan, and Lucky Ali. Lyricist Vairamuthu infuses trendy English colloquialisms like 'Hey goodbye' alongside classic Tamil poetic metaphors to capture urban youth relationships.

Keep listening

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