Hey Thanni
From Kadavul Amaitha Medai · 1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Haa… paabaa paappaa… | [Vocalizations] |
| Paaba pababa paapaa… paaba pababa paapaa… | [Vocalizations] |
| Pappaaba pappaaba pappaaba pababaa | [Vocalizations] |
| Pappaaba pappaaba pappaaba paba paba paba | [Vocalizations] |
| Pappaaba pappaaba pappaaba pababaa | [Vocalizations] |
| Female | |
| Hey thanni | Hey water! |
| Male | |
| Nee neeraada naan meenaaga | As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish, |
| Female | |
| Hey thanni | Hey water! |
| Male | |
| Nee neeraada naan meenaaga | As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish, |
| Female | |
| Maeni engum theenda | To touch your body all over, |
| Naanum konjam naana | And make me feel a little bashful, |
| Male | |
| Mella mella | Slowly, slowly, |
| Female :Haa | Female: Ah! |
| Male :Killa killa | Male: Pinching and teasing, |
| Female :Haan… | Female: Ah... |
| Male :Kollai inbam | Male: Immense bliss! |
| Both :Hey… | Both: Hey... |
| Female | |
| Thanni | Water! |
| Male | |
| Nee neeraada naan meenaaga | As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish, |
| Female | |
| Hey thanni | Hey water! |
| Male | |
| Thaen kulathilae poo kulikkudhu | In a pond of honey, a flower is bathing, |
| Poo nenappilae vandirukkudhu | Thinking of the flower, a bee has arrived, |
| Male | |
| Thaen kulathilae poo kulikkudhu | In a pond of honey, a flower is bathing, |
| Poo nenappilae vandirukkudhu | Thinking of the flower, a bee has arrived, |
| Female | |
| Eera chela moodum podhum | Even when draped in a wet saree, |
| Enna kandaayo | What did you see in me? |
| Male | |
| Nee soodum maelaadai naanaaga vendum | I wish to become the upper garment you wear, |
| Dhaegam yaavum mogam kondu konja | To caress your entire body filled with desire, |
| Female | |
| Thanni | Water! |
| Male | |
| Nee neeraada naan meenaaga | As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish, |
| Female | |
| Maeni engum theenda | To touch your body all over, |
| Naanum konjam naana | And make me feel a little bashful, |
| Male | |
| Mella mella | Slowly, slowly, |
| Female :Haa | Female: Ah! |
| Male :Killa killa | Male: Pinching and teasing, |
| Female :Haan… | Female: Ah... |
| Male :Kollai inbam | Male: Immense bliss! |
| Both :Hey… | Both: Hey... |
| Female | |
| Thanni | Water! |
| Female | |
| Nee alandhidum poo udambidhu | This flower-like body that you measure, |
| Neer alandhadhum yaen silirkkudhu | Why does it thrill and shiver when water touches it? |
| Female | |
| Nee alandhidum poo udambidhu | This flower-like body that you measure, |
| Neer alandhadhum yaen silirkkudhu | Why does it thrill and shiver when water touches it? |
| Male | |
| Neerai vaangum boomi meedhu | Upon the earth that drinks up the water, |
| Naesam undaaga | As love blossoms, |
| Female | |
| Naan andha aanandham unnodu kaana | For me to experience that bliss together with you, |
| Melum melum vellam vandhu modha | As the surging flood crashes more and more, |
| Female | |
| Hey thanni | Hey water! |
| Male | |
| Nee neeraada naan meenaaga | As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish, |
| Female | |
| Maeni engum theenda | To touch your body all over, |
| Naanum konjam naana | And make me feel a little bashful, |
| Male | |
| Mella mella | Slowly, slowly, |
| Female :Haa | Female: Ah! |
| Male :Killa killa | Male: Pinching and teasing, |
| Female :Haan… | Female: Haan... |
| Male :Kollai inbam | Male: Immense bliss! |
| Both :Hey… | Both: Hey... |
| Female | |
| Thanni | Water! |
| Male | |
| Nee neeraada naan meenaaga | As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish, |
| Female | |
| {Hey laallaa ho laallaa haa laallaa… } | [Humming vocalizations] |
| Male :{Laa laalaalaa laa laalaalaa | Male: [Humming vocalizations] |
| Laa laalaalaa laa laalaalaa laa… } (Overlap) | [Humming vocalizations overlap] |
ஹா... பாபா பாப்பா...
பாப பபப பாப்பா... பாப பபப பாப்பா...
ப்பப்பாப ப்பப்பாப ப்பப்பாப பபபா
ப்பப்பாப ப்பப்பாப ப்பப்பாப பப பப பப
ப்பப்பாப ப்பப்பாப ப்பப்பாப பபபா
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
ஹேய் தண்ணி
Hey water!
நீ நீராட நான் மீனாக
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
ஹேய் தண்ணி
Hey water!
நீ நீராட நான் மீனாக
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
மேனி எங்கும் தீண்ட
நானும் கொஞ்சம் நாண
To touch your body all over,
And make me feel a little bashful,
மெள்ள மெள்ள
ஹா
கிள்ள கிள்ள
ஹான்....
கொள்ளை இன்பம்
இருவர் :
ஹேய்...
Slowly, slowly,
Female: Ah!
Male: Pinching and teasing,
Female: Ah...
Male: Immense bliss!
Both: Hey...
தண்ணி
Water!
நீ நீராட நான் மீனாக
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
ஹேய் தண்ணி
Hey water!
தேன் குளத்திலே பூ குளிக்குது
பூ நெனப்பிலே வண்டிருக்குது
In a pond of honey, a flower is bathing,
Thinking of the flower, a bee has arrived,
தேன் குளத்திலே பூ குளிக்குது
பூ நெனப்பிலே வண்டிருக்குது
In a pond of honey, a flower is bathing,
Thinking of the flower, a bee has arrived,
ஈரச் சேல மூடும் போதும்
என்ன கண்டாயோ
Even when draped in a wet saree,
What did you see in me?
நீ சூடும் மேலாடை
நானாக வேண்டும்
தேகம் யாவும் மோகம் கொண்டு கொஞ்ச
I wish to become the upper garment you wear,
To caress your entire body filled with desire,
ஹேய்...
Water!
தண்ணி
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
நீ நீராட நான் மீனாக
To touch your body all over,
And make me feel a little bashful,
மேனி எங்கும் தீண்ட
நானும் கொஞ்சம் நாண
Slowly, slowly,
Female: Ah!
Male: Pinching and teasing,
Female: Ah...
Male: Immense bliss!
Both: Hey...
மெள்ள மெள்ள
ஹா
கிள்ள கிள்ள
ஹான்....
கொள்ளை இன்பம்
இருவர் :
ஹேய்...
Water!
தண்ணி
This flower-like body that you measure,
Why does it thrill and shiver when water touches it?
நீ அளந்திடும் பூ உடம்பிது
நீர் அளந்ததும் ஏன் சிலிர்க்குது
This flower-like body that you measure,
Why does it thrill and shiver when water touches it?
நீ அளந்திடும் பூ உடம்பிது
நீர் அளந்ததும் ஏன் சிலிர்க்குது
Upon the earth that drinks up the water,
As love blossoms,
நீரை வாங்கும் பூமி மீது
நேசம் உண்டாக
For me to experience that bliss together with you,
As the surging flood crashes more and more,
நான் அந்த ஆனந்தம் உன்னோடு காண
மேலும் மேலும் வெள்ளம் வந்து மோத
Hey water!
ஹேய்......தண்ணி
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
நீ நீராட நான் மீனாக
To touch your body all over,
And make me feel a little bashful,
மேனி எங்கும் தீண்ட
நானும் கொஞ்சம் நாண
Slowly, slowly,
Female: Ah!
Male: Pinching and teasing,
Female: Haan...
Male: Immense bliss!
Both: Hey...
மெள்ள மெள்ள
ஹா
கிள்ள கிள்ள
ஹான்....
கொள்ளை இன்பம்
இருவர் :
ஹேய்...
Water!
தண்ணி
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
நீ நீராட நான் மீனாக
[Humming vocalizations]
Male: [Humming vocalizations]
[Humming vocalizations overlap]
{ஹேய் லால்லா ஹோ லால்லா ஹா லால்லா...}
{லா லாலாலா லா லாலாலா
லா லாலாலா லா லாலாலா லா...}
Haa… paabaa paappaa…
[Vocalizations]
Paaba pababa paapaa… paaba pababa paapaa…
[Vocalizations]
Pappaaba pappaaba pappaaba pababaa
[Vocalizations]
Pappaaba pappaaba pappaaba paba paba paba
[Vocalizations]
Pappaaba pappaaba pappaaba pababaa
[Vocalizations]
Hey thanni
Hey water!
Nee neeraada naan meenaaga
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
Hey thanni
Hey water!
Nee neeraada naan meenaaga
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
Maeni engum theenda
To touch your body all over,
Naanum konjam naana
And make me feel a little bashful,
Mella mella
Slowly, slowly,
Female :Haa
Female: Ah!
Male :Killa killa
Male: Pinching and teasing,
Female :Haan…
Female: Ah...
Male :Kollai inbam
Male: Immense bliss!
Both :Hey…
Both: Hey...
Thanni
Water!
Nee neeraada naan meenaaga
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
Hey thanni
Hey water!
Thaen kulathilae poo kulikkudhu
In a pond of honey, a flower is bathing,
Poo nenappilae vandirukkudhu
Thinking of the flower, a bee has arrived,
Thaen kulathilae poo kulikkudhu
In a pond of honey, a flower is bathing,
Poo nenappilae vandirukkudhu
Thinking of the flower, a bee has arrived,
Eera chela moodum podhum
Even when draped in a wet saree,
Enna kandaayo
What did you see in me?
Nee soodum maelaadai naanaaga vendum
I wish to become the upper garment you wear,
Dhaegam yaavum mogam kondu konja
To caress your entire body filled with desire,
Thanni
Water!
Nee neeraada naan meenaaga
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
Maeni engum theenda
To touch your body all over,
Naanum konjam naana
And make me feel a little bashful,
Mella mella
Slowly, slowly,
Female :Haa
Female: Ah!
Male :Killa killa
Male: Pinching and teasing,
Female :Haan…
Female: Ah...
Male :Kollai inbam
Male: Immense bliss!
Both :Hey…
Both: Hey...
Thanni
Water!
Nee alandhidum poo udambidhu
This flower-like body that you measure,
Neer alandhadhum yaen silirkkudhu
Why does it thrill and shiver when water touches it?
Nee alandhidum poo udambidhu
This flower-like body that you measure,
Neer alandhadhum yaen silirkkudhu
Why does it thrill and shiver when water touches it?
Neerai vaangum boomi meedhu
Upon the earth that drinks up the water,
Naesam undaaga
As love blossoms,
Naan andha aanandham unnodu kaana
For me to experience that bliss together with you,
Melum melum vellam vandhu modha
As the surging flood crashes more and more,
Hey thanni
Hey water!
Nee neeraada naan meenaaga
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
Maeni engum theenda
To touch your body all over,
Naanum konjam naana
And make me feel a little bashful,
Mella mella
Slowly, slowly,
Female :Haa
Female: Ah!
Male :Killa killa
Male: Pinching and teasing,
Female :Haan…
Female: Haan...
Male :Kollai inbam
Male: Immense bliss!
Both :Hey…
Both: Hey...
Thanni
Water!
Nee neeraada naan meenaaga
As you bathe in the water, let me be a fish,
{Hey laallaa ho laallaa haa laallaa… }
[Humming vocalizations]
Male :{Laa laalaalaa laa laalaalaa
Male: [Humming vocalizations]
Laa laalaalaa laa laalaalaa laa… } (Overlap)
[Humming vocalizations overlap]
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and romantic duet from the film 'Kadavul Amaitha Medai' (1979) uses rich water and nature imagery to express sensual desire and romantic union. The hero expresses his wish to become a fish swimming in the water where his beloved bathes, allowing him to gently touch her entire body. He compares her to a flower bathing in a pond of honey, while picturing himself as the bee drawn to her sweetness. The song progresses through a flirtatious dialogue where the heroine reflects on the thrills and shivers brought by the cool water, comparing her awakening passion to dry earth drinking up falling rain. Together, the lovers express how their intimacy surges like a flood, leading to boundless joy and complete emotional fusion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Nee neeraada naan meenaaga”
The male protagonist compares himself to a fish in the water so he can constantly touch his lover's body, creating a vivid metaphor for physical closeness.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thaen kulathilae poo kulikkudhu”
The female lover is metaphorically described as a flower bathing in a pond filled with sweet honey.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Mella mella / Killa killa”
The second consonant 'll' in 'Mella' and 'Killa' repeats, creating a rhythmic and musical rhyming effect.
Personification / Nature Analogy
“Neerai vaangum boomi meedhu naesam undaaga”
The lyricist personifies the earth drinking water to symbolize love and affection naturally springing up between the couple.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nee Neeraada Naan Meenaaga' is a vibrant duettic track from the 1979 Tamil drama film 'Kadavul Amaitha Medai', directed by S. P. Muthuraman and starring Sivakumar and Fatafat Jayalaxmi. The music for the film was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The track features vocals by legendary playback singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, whose playful banter and emotive delivery made it a memorable water-themed romantic song of the late 1970s.
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