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Lyrics & meaning

Kelatho Kaadhal Nenjin

From Mella Pesungal · 1983

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
John K
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Mella Pesungal1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?
Engengum poonthoottamEverywhere there is a flower garden,
En nenjil poraattamIn my heart, there is a turmoil.
Nee ennai paarthu orr vaarthai pesuLook at me and speak just one word.
Male
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?
Male
Naan olai kirukkum bodhuWhen I scribble on palm leaves,
Undaana vaedhamA holy Veda was created.
Nee ennai paarkkum bodhuWhen you look at me,
Engaeyo pogumIt strays away somewhere.
Naalaigalai naan nambinenI trusted in the days to come,
Nandhanaar pol naan vembinenLike Nandanar, I withered in agony.
Male
Aagaayam boomi engumAcross the sky and the earth,
Un poomugamOnly your flower-like face appears.
Kan moodi thoongum bothumEven when I sleep with my eyes closed,
Un gnyabagamOnly your memory remains.
Boopaalam kelaathooWon't the morning raga Boopaalam be heard?
Oru kaadhal gangaiWon't a Ganges of love
Ezhai vayalil paayaadhooFlow into a poor man's field?
Male
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?
Engengum poonthoottamEverywhere there is a flower garden,
En nenjil poraattamIn my heart, there is a turmoil.
Nee ennai paarthu orr vaarthai pesuLook at me and speak just one word.
Male
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?
Male
Andraadam kaadhal kollaTo love every single day,
Peraasai unduThere is a great desire.
Endraalum ezhai nenjilEven so, in this poor heart,
Porattam indruThere is a conflict today.
Kodaigalin monsoon idhuThis is the monsoon of summers,
Mounangalo polladhadhuThese silences are cruel.
Male
Sollaamal kaadhal engaeWithout being expressed, how can love
Thaanai varumCome on its own?
Sellaadha kaditham ingaeUnsent letters here
Oor aayiramNumber in the thousands.
Sollaamal theraathuWithout expressing, it won't be resolved,
Nee satham indri yuthamFighting a silent war
Seithaal pothaathuIs not enough.
Male
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?
Engengum poonthoottamEverywhere there is a flower garden,
En nenjil poraattamIn my heart, there is a turmoil.
Nee ennai paarthu orr vaarthai pesuLook at me and speak just one word.
Male
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?
Kelaathoo kaadhal nenjin osaiWon't the sound of the loving heart be heard?
KelaathooWon't it be heard?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kelaathoo Kaadhal Nenjin Osai from Mella Pesungal (1983) is a poignant lyrical expression of unrequited love and silent longing. The protagonist wrestles with internal turmoil while the surrounding world blooms like a flower garden. The song captures the anxiety of waiting for a single word from the beloved to validate the unspoken affection residing within.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Engengum poonthoottam / En nenjil poraattam

Compares the surrounding beauty to a flower garden while contrasting it with internal conflict.

Cultural Allusion (தொன்மக் குறிப்பு)

Nandhanaar pol naan vembinen

Refers to Saint Nandanar to emphasize intense yearning, devotion, and suffering.

Oxymoron (முரண்)

Nee satham indri yutham / Seithaal pothaathu

Juxtaposes silence with warfare through the concept of a 'silent war' (satham indri yutham).

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for Mella Pesungal (1983) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Gangai Amaran. The song features a distinct melancholic mood built upon classical Indian raga influences.

Keep listening

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