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Isaimozhi
Priya album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Hey Paadal Ondru

From Priya · 1978

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Priya
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
17 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaaaa….aaaaa…aaaaaa
Male : Haaa….aaaaa….aaaa….
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondru
Serum podhu andha geetham
Adhai meendum meendum
ketka thondrum
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondru
{Minnal undhan penmai
Ennai thaakkum aayudham} (2)
Megam undhan koondhal
Malar aadum oonjalaam hoi hoi
Megam undhan koondhal
Malar aadum oonjalaam
En jodi kiliyae kannal thamizhae
Thaenil aadum thiratchai neeyae
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondru
{Deepam konda kangal
Ennai nokkum kaadhalil} (2)
Thaagam konda nenjam
Ennai paarkkum jaadaiyil hoi hoi
Thaagam konda nenjam
Ennai paarkkum jaadaiyil
Ilam kaadhal raajaa kannaa undhan
Nenjil aadum devi naanae
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondru
{Neram inba neram
Vizhi podum oviyam} (2)
Male :Oram nenjin oram
Suvai aagum kaaviyam hoi hoi
Oram nenjin oram
Suvai aagum kaaviyam
Oru maalai neram mannaa undhan
Maarbil aadum maalai naanae
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondru
Male :Serum podhu andha geetham
Adhai meendum meendum
ketka thondrum
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondru
Aaa... aaa... aaaa...
Male: Haa... aaa... aaa...
Hey, when a song and a melody
come together, that sweet music
makes you want to hear it
again and again.
Hey, when a song and a melody...
Your feminine grace is lightning,
a weapon that strikes me.
The clouds are your hair,
a swing where flowers sway, hoy hoy!
The clouds are your hair,
a swing where flowers sway.
My sweet lovebird, sweet as Tamil,
you are a grape soaked in honey.
Hey, when a song and a melody...
Your lamp-like eyes
look at me with love.
Your longing heart
speaks in subtle glances, hoy hoy!
Your longing heart
speaks in subtle glances.
My young king of love, my dear,
I am the goddess residing in your heart.
Hey, when a song and a melody...
This moment is a time of joy,
a picture painted by the eyes.
Male: In a quiet corner of the heart,
it turns into a sweet poem, hoy hoy!
In a quiet corner of the heart,
it turns into a sweet poem.
In the evening time, my king,
I am the garland swaying on your chest.
Hey, when a song and a melody...
Male: come together, that sweet music
makes you want to hear it
again and again.
Hey, when a song and a melody...
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Paadal Ondru Raagam Ondru' from the movie Priya (1978) is a harmonious romantic duet that draws a metaphor between the union of two lovers and the blending of a song with its ideal melody (raga). The male and female leads exchange poetic admiration for one another, comparing their love to music that one wants to hear repeatedly without ever growing weary.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamy / Metaphor

Minnal undhan penmai / Megam undhan koondhal

Directly equates the woman's femininity to lightning ('Minnal') and her dark tresses to rain clouds ('Megam').

Simile / Metaphor

Thaenil aadum thiratchai neeyae

Compares the female lead to a grape steeped in sweet honey, highlighting her beauty and sweetness.

Adukkuthodar / Repetition (Anaphora)

Adhai meendum meendum ketka thondrum

The word 'meendum' (again) is repeated back-to-back for emphasis, expressing the endless desire to listen to the song/melody.

Monai / Alliteration

Neram inba neram / Vizhi podum oviyam

Rhythmic flow achieved using similar sounding phonetic structures and imagery linking vision with artwork.

Keep listening

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