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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Hey Paadal Ondru

From Priya · 1978

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Priya1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaaaa….aaaaa…aaaaaaAaaaa….aaaaa…aaaaaa
Male : Haaa….aaaaa….aaaa….Male: Haaa….aaaaa….aaaa….
Female
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondruHey, when a song and a melody
Serum podhu andha geethamCome together, that music
Adhai meendum meendumMakes one want to listen to it
ketka thondrumAgain and again
Female
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondruHey, when a song and a melody
Male
{Minnal undhan penmaiYour womanhood is lightning
Ennai thaakkum aayudham} (2)A weapon that strikes me
Megam undhan koondhalYour hair is a cloud
Malar aadum oonjalaam hoi hoiA swing adorned with flowers, hoi hoi
Megam undhan koondhalYour hair is a cloud
Malar aadum oonjalaamA swing adorned with flowers
Male
En jodi kiliyae kannal thamizhaeMy partner parrot, sweet Tamil as sweet as sugar
Thaenil aadum thiratchai neeyaeYou are a grape soaked in honey
Female
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondruHey, when a song and a melody
Female
{Deepam konda kangalEyes holding a lamp's light
Ennai nokkum kaadhalil} (2)Looking at me with love
Thaagam konda nenjamA thirsty heart
Ennai paarkkum jaadaiyil hoi hoiLooking at me through glance and gestures, hoi hoi
Thaagam konda nenjamA thirsty heart
Ennai paarkkum jaadaiyilLooking at me through glance and gestures
Female
Ilam kaadhal raajaa kannaa undhanOh young king of love, my dear,
Nenjil aadum devi naanaeI am the goddess residing in your heart
Male
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondruHey, when a song and a melody
Female
{Neram inba neramTime is a joyful time
Vizhi podum oviyam} (2)A visual painting drawn by the eyes
Male :Oram nenjin oramMale: In the quiet corner of the heart
Suvai aagum kaaviyam hoi hoiIt becomes a sweet, delicious poem, hoi hoi
Oram nenjin oramIn the quiet corner of the heart
Suvai aagum kaaviyamIt becomes a sweet, delicious poem
Female
Oru maalai neram mannaa undhanIn the evening hour, my king,
Maarbil aadum maalai naanaeI am the garland resting upon your chest
Female
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondruHey, when a song and a melody
Male :Serum podhu andha geethamMale: When they come together, that music
Adhai meendum meendumMakes one want to listen to it
ketka thondrumAgain and again
Hey paadal ondru raagam ondruHey, when a song and a melody

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the context prompt, this iconic duet was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas along with S. Janaki. The movie 'Priya' (1978), starring Rajinikanth and Sridevi, was adapted from a novel by Sujatha and was notably one of the earliest Tamil films shot in international locations like Singapore and Malaysia using stereophonic sound recording.

Keep listening

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