Kaatru Nadanthathu Mella
From Thunai · 1982
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Thunai1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella | The breeze walked very softly, |
| Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla | As love poems were spoken continuously, |
| Kangal sivanthathu enna enna | Why did the eyes turn red? |
| Kannam rendum minna minna | As both cheeks glisten and shine, |
| Female | |
| Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella | The breeze walked very softly, |
| Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla | As love poems were spoken continuously, |
| Kangal sivanthathu enna enna | Why did the eyes turn red? |
| Kannam rendum minna minna | As both cheeks glisten and shine, |
| Female | |
| Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella | The breeze walked very softly, |
| Male | |
| Minnal nee pennalla | You are lightning, not just a woman, |
| Ennai paar kannalla megam poo sumakka | Look at me, my darling, for the cloud to bear flowers, |
| Female :Innumthaan ennenna | Female: What else is there still? |
| Indraikkae sollungal kettu naan rasikka | Tell me today itself so I can listen and enjoy, |
| Male | |
| Minnal nee pennalla | You are lightning, not just a woman, |
| Ennai paar kannalla megam poo sumakka | Look at me, my darling, for the cloud to bear flowers, |
| Female :Innumthaan ennenna | Female: What else is there still? |
| Indrakkae sollungal kettu naan rasikka | Tell me today itself so I can listen and enjoy, |
| Male | |
| Udal thangamallavo | Isn't the body made of pure gold? |
| Female :Adhil thanga ennamo | Female: Is there a wish to stay inside it? |
| Male :Udal thangamallavo | Male: Isn't the body made of pure gold? |
| Female :Adhil thanga ennamo | Female: Is there a wish to stay inside it? |
| Male :Maragatha maanikka medai engae | Male: Where is the stage made of emeralds and rubies? |
| Female | |
| Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella | The breeze walked very softly, |
| Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla | As love poems were spoken continuously, |
| Male :Kangal sivanthathu enna enna | Male: Why did the eyes turn red? |
| Kannam rendum minna minna | As both cheeks glisten and shine, |
| Female | |
| Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella | The breeze walked very softly, |
| Female | |
| Veyyil kaalam varum neram | When the hot summer season arrives, |
| Kulir oottum vaaganamaa | Are you a cool breeze-bearing vehicle? |
| Male :Thalir thegam kulir kaalam | Male: In the cold season, can this tender body |
| Oru poravai aagattumaa | Become a warm blanket? |
| Female | |
| Ilavenil varum malar thoovi vidum | Springtime arrives and scatters fresh flowers, |
| Ilavenil varum malar thoovi vidum | Springtime arrives and scatters fresh flowers, |
| Male :Ilamaigal arangam yaeralaam… | Male: Youthful hearts can now step onto the stage... |
| Female | |
| Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella | The breeze walked very softly, |
| Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla | As love poems were spoken continuously, |
| Male :Kangal sivanthathu enna enna | Male: Why did the eyes turn red? |
| Kannam rendum minna minna | As both cheeks glisten and shine, |
| Female | |
| Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella | The breeze walked very softly, |
| Female | |
| Sonthaththil unnaiththaa | Surrender yourself to me as my own, |
| Santhangal solliththaa naanum paadugiraen | Teach me the rhythmic meters so I can sing too, |
| Male :Muththamthaan santhangal niththam nee kattrukkol | Male: Kisses are the musical meter, learn them daily, |
| Ketkum adhisaya raagam | It creates a wondrous melody to hear, |
| Female | |
| Sonthaththil unnaiththaa | Surrender yourself to me as my own, |
| Santhangal solliththaa naanum paadugiraen | Teach me the rhythmic meters so I can sing too, |
| Male :Muththamthaan santhangal niththam nee kattrukkol | Male: Kisses are the rhythmic meter, learn them daily, |
| Ketkum adhisaya raagam | It creates a wondrous melody to hear, |
| Female | |
| Indru paattin pallavi | Today is just the song's opening prelude (pallavi), |
| Male :Adhu pothum kanmani | Male: That is enough for now, my darling, |
| Female :Indru paattin pallavi | Female: Today is just the song's opening prelude (pallavi), |
| Male :Adhu pothum kanmani | Male: That is enough for now, my darling, |
| Female :Saranagal naalaikku paarpom kannaa | Female: We shall explore the remaining stanzas (charanams) tomorrow, my love! |
| Male | |
| Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella | The breeze walked very softly, |
| Female :Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla | Female: As love poems were spoken continuously, |
| Male :Kangal sivanthathu enna enna | Male: Why did the eyes turn red? |
| Female :Kannam rendum minna minna | Female: As both cheeks glisten and shine. |
காற்று நடந்தது மெல்ல மெல்ல
காதல் கவிதைகள் சொல்ல சொல்ல
கண்கள் சிவந்தது என்ன என்ன
கன்னம் ரெண்டும் மின்ன மின்ன....
The breeze walked very softly,
As love poems were spoken continuously,
Why did the eyes turn red?
As both cheeks glisten and shine,
காற்று நடந்தது மெல்ல மெல்ல
காதல் கவிதைகள் சொல்ல சொல்ல
கண்கள் சிவந்தது என்ன என்ன
கன்னம் ரெண்டும் மின்ன மின்ன....
The breeze walked very softly,
As love poems were spoken continuously,
Why did the eyes turn red?
As both cheeks glisten and shine,
காற்று நடந்தது மெல்ல மெல்ல
The breeze walked very softly,
மின்னல் நீ பெண்ணல்ல
என்னைப் பார் கண்ணல்ல மேகம் பூ சுமக்க
இன்னும்தான் என்னென்ன
இன்றைக்கே சொல்லுங்கள் கேட்டு நான் ரசிக்க
You are lightning, not just a woman,
Look at me, my darling, for the cloud to bear flowers,
Female: What else is there still?
Tell me today itself so I can listen and enjoy,
மின்னல் நீ பெண்ணல்ல
என்னைப் பார் கண்ணல்ல மேகம் பூ சுமக்க
இன்னும்தான் என்னென்ன
இன்றைக்கே சொல்லுங்கள் கேட்டு நான் ரசிக்க
You are lightning, not just a woman,
Look at me, my darling, for the cloud to bear flowers,
Female: What else is there still?
Tell me today itself so I can listen and enjoy,
உடல் தங்கமல்லவோ...
அதில் தங்க எண்ணமோ
உடல் தங்கமல்லவோ...
அதில் தங்க எண்ணமோ
மரகத மாணிக்க மேடை எங்கே......
Isn't the body made of pure gold?
Female: Is there a wish to stay inside it?
Male: Isn't the body made of pure gold?
Female: Is there a wish to stay inside it?
Male: Where is the stage made of emeralds and rubies?
காற்று நடந்தது மெல்ல மெல்ல
காதல் கவிதைகள் சொல்ல சொல்ல
கண்கள் சிவந்தது என்ன என்ன
கன்னம் ரெண்டும் மின்ன மின்ன....
The breeze walked very softly,
As love poems were spoken continuously,
Male: Why did the eyes turn red?
As both cheeks glisten and shine,
காற்று நடந்தது மெல்ல மெல்ல
The breeze walked very softly,
வெய்யில் காலம் வரும் நேரம்
குளிர் ஊட்டும் வாகனமா
தளிர் தேகம் குளிர் காலம்
ஒரு போர்வை ஆகட்டுமா
When the hot summer season arrives,
Are you a cool breeze-bearing vehicle?
Male: In the cold season, can this tender body
Become a warm blanket?
இளவேனில் வரும் மலர் தூவி விடும்
இளவேனில் வரும் மலர் தூவி விடும்
இளமைகள் அரங்கம் ஏறலாம்........
Springtime arrives and scatters fresh flowers,
Springtime arrives and scatters fresh flowers,
Male: Youthful hearts can now step onto the stage...
காற்று நடந்தது மெல்ல மெல்ல
காதல் கவிதைகள் சொல்ல சொல்ல
கண்கள் சிவந்தது என்ன என்ன
கன்னம் ரெண்டும் மின்ன மின்ன....
The breeze walked very softly,
As love poems were spoken continuously,
Male: Why did the eyes turn red?
As both cheeks glisten and shine,
காற்று நடந்தது மெல்ல மெல்ல
The breeze walked very softly,
சொந்தத்தில் உன்னைத்தா
சந்தங்கள் சொல்லித்தா நானும் பாடுகிறேன்
முத்தம்தான் சந்தங்கள் நித்தம் நீ கற்றுக் கொள்
கேட்கும் அதிசய ராகம்
Surrender yourself to me as my own,
Teach me the rhythmic meters so I can sing too,
Male: Kisses are the musical meter, learn them daily,
It creates a wondrous melody to hear,
சொந்தத்தில் உன்னைத்தா
சந்தங்கள் சொல்லித்தா நானும் பாடுகிறேன்
முத்தம்தான் சந்தங்கள் நித்தம் நீ கற்றுக் கொள்
கேட்கும் அதிசய ராகம்
Surrender yourself to me as my own,
Teach me the rhythmic meters so I can sing too,
Male: Kisses are the rhythmic meter, learn them daily,
It creates a wondrous melody to hear,
இன்று பாட்டின் பல்லவி...
அது போதும் கண்மணி
இன்று பாட்டின் பல்லவி...
அது போதும் கண்மணி
சரணங்கள் நாளைக்கு பார்ப்போம் கண்ணா
Today is just the song's opening prelude (pallavi),
Male: That is enough for now, my darling,
Female: Today is just the song's opening prelude (pallavi),
Male: That is enough for now, my darling,
Female: We shall explore the remaining stanzas (charanams) tomorrow, my love!
காற்று நடந்தது மெல்ல மெல்ல
காதல் கவிதைகள் சொல்ல சொல்ல
கண்கள் சிவந்தது என்ன என்ன
கன்னம் ரெண்டும் மின்ன மின்ன....
The breeze walked very softly,
Female: As love poems were spoken continuously,
Male: Why did the eyes turn red?
Female: As both cheeks glisten and shine.
...........................
Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella
The breeze walked very softly,
Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla
As love poems were spoken continuously,
Kangal sivanthathu enna enna
Why did the eyes turn red?
Kannam rendum minna minna
As both cheeks glisten and shine,
Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella
The breeze walked very softly,
Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla
As love poems were spoken continuously,
Kangal sivanthathu enna enna
Why did the eyes turn red?
Kannam rendum minna minna
As both cheeks glisten and shine,
Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella
The breeze walked very softly,
Minnal nee pennalla
You are lightning, not just a woman,
Ennai paar kannalla megam poo sumakka
Look at me, my darling, for the cloud to bear flowers,
Female :Innumthaan ennenna
Female: What else is there still?
Indraikkae sollungal kettu naan rasikka
Tell me today itself so I can listen and enjoy,
Minnal nee pennalla
You are lightning, not just a woman,
Ennai paar kannalla megam poo sumakka
Look at me, my darling, for the cloud to bear flowers,
Female :Innumthaan ennenna
Female: What else is there still?
Indrakkae sollungal kettu naan rasikka
Tell me today itself so I can listen and enjoy,
Udal thangamallavo
Isn't the body made of pure gold?
Female :Adhil thanga ennamo
Female: Is there a wish to stay inside it?
Male :Udal thangamallavo
Male: Isn't the body made of pure gold?
Female :Adhil thanga ennamo
Female: Is there a wish to stay inside it?
Male :Maragatha maanikka medai engae
Male: Where is the stage made of emeralds and rubies?
Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella
The breeze walked very softly,
Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla
As love poems were spoken continuously,
Male :Kangal sivanthathu enna enna
Male: Why did the eyes turn red?
Kannam rendum minna minna
As both cheeks glisten and shine,
Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella
The breeze walked very softly,
Veyyil kaalam varum neram
When the hot summer season arrives,
Kulir oottum vaaganamaa
Are you a cool breeze-bearing vehicle?
Male :Thalir thegam kulir kaalam
Male: In the cold season, can this tender body
Oru poravai aagattumaa
Become a warm blanket?
Ilavenil varum malar thoovi vidum
Springtime arrives and scatters fresh flowers,
Ilavenil varum malar thoovi vidum
Springtime arrives and scatters fresh flowers,
Male :Ilamaigal arangam yaeralaam…
Male: Youthful hearts can now step onto the stage...
Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella
The breeze walked very softly,
Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla
As love poems were spoken continuously,
Male :Kangal sivanthathu enna enna
Male: Why did the eyes turn red?
Kannam rendum minna minna
As both cheeks glisten and shine,
Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella
The breeze walked very softly,
Sonthaththil unnaiththaa
Surrender yourself to me as my own,
Santhangal solliththaa naanum paadugiraen
Teach me the rhythmic meters so I can sing too,
Male :Muththamthaan santhangal niththam nee kattrukkol
Male: Kisses are the musical meter, learn them daily,
Ketkum adhisaya raagam
It creates a wondrous melody to hear,
Sonthaththil unnaiththaa
Surrender yourself to me as my own,
Santhangal solliththaa naanum paadugiraen
Teach me the rhythmic meters so I can sing too,
Male :Muththamthaan santhangal niththam nee kattrukkol
Male: Kisses are the rhythmic meter, learn them daily,
Ketkum adhisaya raagam
It creates a wondrous melody to hear,
Indru paattin pallavi
Today is just the song's opening prelude (pallavi),
Male :Adhu pothum kanmani
Male: That is enough for now, my darling,
Female :Indru paattin pallavi
Female: Today is just the song's opening prelude (pallavi),
Male :Adhu pothum kanmani
Male: That is enough for now, my darling,
Female :Saranagal naalaikku paarpom kannaa
Female: We shall explore the remaining stanzas (charanams) tomorrow, my love!
Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella
The breeze walked very softly,
Female :Kadhal kavithaigal solla solla
Female: As love poems were spoken continuously,
Male :Kangal sivanthathu enna enna
Male: Why did the eyes turn red?
Female :Kannam rendum minna minna
Female: As both cheeks glisten and shine.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic Tamil romantic duet from the film 'Thunai' (1982) captures an intimate, playful exchange between two lovers. The lyrics utilize rich imagery of nature—comparing the gentle wind to a walking companion, the beloved woman to lightning, and intimate warmth to a blanket during winter. The lovers converse using musical terms, playfully comparing their unfolding romance to a song where today marks only the 'pallavi' (prelude) and tomorrow will bring the 'charanams' (stanzas). Written by Pulamaipithan and set to tune by Shankar-Ganesh, the song uses rhythm, internal rhymes, and gentle imagery to portray deep romantic affection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification (Uruvagam)
“Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella”
Attributes human movement to nature by describing the breeze as 'walking' gently.
Adukkuthodar (Repetition for poetic emphasis)
“mella mella / solla solla / enna enna / minna minna”
Rhythmic repetition of words like 'mella mella', 'solla solla', 'enna enna', and 'minna minna' creates an agreeable auditory cadence.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Minnal nee pennalla”
Comparing the heroine's dazzling beauty directly to lightning ('Minnal nee pennalla').
Extended Musical Metaphor
“Indru paattin pallavi... Saranagal naalaikku paarpom kannaa”
Framing the stages of intimacy and love as parts of a Carnatic composition (Pallavi and Charanam), and kisses as rhythmic structures ('Santhangal').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary composer duo Shankar-Ganesh, 'Kaattru nadanthathu mella mella' is a popular vintage Tamil romantic song sung by P. Jayachandran and Vani Jairam. Lyricist Pulamaipithan, known for his deep Tamil literary phrasing, cleverly infused musical terminology (pallavi, charanam, santhangal, raagam) into a sensual romantic context.
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