Madurai Nagarinile Meenal
From Nandri · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Raju Jayaram, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Nandri1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Madhurai nagarinilae meenaal ninaivinilae | In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi |
| Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae | Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person |
| Vairakkal mookkuththi kannil minna | As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes |
| Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna | Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month |
| Female | |
| Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha…. | Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha…. |
| Madhurai nagarinilae meenaal ninaivinilae | In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi |
| Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae | Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person |
| Vairakkal mookkuththi kannil minna | As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes |
| Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna | Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month |
| Male | |
| Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha…. | Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha…. |
| Male | |
| Amman koyil theppamthaan | Like the float festival of the Goddess temple |
| Allikkeni pushpamthaan | Like the lotus flower of Triplicane |
| Ellaorum etti paarkkum | That everyone turns their neck to gaze upon |
| Ellora sirpamthaam | Like a grand Ellora sculpture |
| Male | |
| Amman koyil theppamthaan | Like the float festival of the Goddess temple |
| Allikkeni pushpamthaan | Like the lotus flower of Triplicane |
| Ellaorum etti paarkkum | That everyone turns their neck to gaze upon |
| Ellora sirpamthaam | Like a grand Ellora sculpture |
| Female | |
| Mani thamizh santhamthaan | Like the rhythm of beautiful Tamil poetry |
| Valaiyaadum osaigal | The sound of jingling bangles |
| Manatthinil niththamthaan | Every single day in the heart |
| Vilaiyaadum aasaigal | Desires that play playfully |
| Male | |
| Ammammaa nee vanthaal | Oh my, if you come to me |
| Anantham pongaatho | Won't joy overflow? |
| Ammammaa nee vanthaal | Oh my, if you come to me |
| Anantham pongaatho | Won't joy overflow? |
| Female | |
| Madhurai nagarinilae meenaal ninaivinilae | In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi |
| Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae | Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person |
| Male :Vairakkal mookkuththi kannil minna | Male: As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes |
| Female :Aahaan | Female: Aahaan |
| Male :Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna | Male: Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month |
| Female | |
| Madhurai nagarinilae meenaal ninaivinilae | In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi |
| Male :Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae | Male: Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person |
| Female | |
| Thennanjolai ennaiththaan | I am like a coconut grove |
| Thendral neeyum pinnaththaan | You are the southern breeze that intertwines with it |
| Naanenna sollakoodum | What more can I say? |
| Endrum nee en aththaan | You are forever my beloved cousin and partner |
| Male | |
| Eduththathu konjamthaan | What was taken was just a little |
| Enakkettara thevaigal | My needs and desires are far greater |
| Thaduththathu kaiyaiththaan | What held back my hands |
| Alangaara aadaigal | Were these ornate decorative garments |
| Male | |
| Neyendral naanendru | When you say 'You' and 'I' together |
| Arththangal aagaatho | Won't life gain its true meaning? |
| Neyendral naanendru | When you say 'You' and 'I' together |
| Arththangal aagaatho | Won't life gain its true meaning? |
| Female | |
| Madhurai nagarinilae | In the city of Madurai |
| Female :Oho | Female: Oho |
| Male :Meenaal ninaivinilae | Male: In the memory of Goddess Meenakshi |
| Female :Oho | Female: Oho |
| Male :Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae | Male: Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person |
| Female :Vairakkal mookkuththi kannil minna | Female: As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes |
| Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna | Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month |
| Male | |
| Oo….oohho ohho | Oo….oohho ohho |
| Female :Oo….ooho oho | Female: Oo….ooho oho |
| Both :Oo….ooho oho | Both: Oo….ooho oho |
| Oo….ooho oho | Oo….ooho oho |
மதுரை நகரினிலே மீனாள் நினைவினிலே
சொக்கன்தான் பக்கந்தான் வந்தான் நேரிலே
வைரக்கல் மூக்குத்தி கண்ணில் மின்ன
வைகாசி வெய்யில் போல் கன்னம் மின்ன
In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes
Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month
ஓஒஹ்ஹ்ஹ.....ஓஒ....ஓ...ஓஒஹ்ஹ்ஹ....
மதுரை நகரினிலே மீனாள் நினைவினிலே
சொக்கன்தான் பக்கந்தான் வந்தான் நேரிலே
வைரக்கல் மூக்குத்தி கண்ணில் மின்ன
வைகாசி வெய்யில் போல் கன்னம் மின்ன
Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha….
In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes
Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month
ஓஒஹ்ஹ்ஹ.....ஓஒ....ஓ...ஓஒஹ்ஹ்ஹ....
Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha….
அம்மன் கோயில் தெப்பம்தான்
அல்லிக்கேணி புஷ்பம்தான்
எல்லோரும் எட்டிப் பார்க்கும்
எல்லோரா சிற்பம்தான்
Like the float festival of the Goddess temple
Like the lotus flower of Triplicane
That everyone turns their neck to gaze upon
Like a grand Ellora sculpture
அம்மன் கோயில் தெப்பம்தான்
அல்லிக்கேணி புஷ்பம்தான்
எல்லோரும் எட்டிப் பார்க்கும்
எல்லோரா சிற்பம்தான்
Like the float festival of the Goddess temple
Like the lotus flower of Triplicane
That everyone turns their neck to gaze upon
Like a grand Ellora sculpture
மணித் தமிழ் சந்தம்தான்
வளையாடும் ஓசைகள்
மனத்தினில் நித்தம் தான்
விளையாடும் ஆசைகள்
Like the rhythm of beautiful Tamil poetry
The sound of jingling bangles
Every single day in the heart
Desires that play playfully
அம்மம்மா நீ வந்தால்
ஆனந்தம் பொங்காதோ......
அம்மம்மா நீ வந்தால்
ஆனந்தம் பொங்காதோ......
Oh my, if you come to me
Won't joy overflow?
Oh my, if you come to me
Won't joy overflow?
மதுரை நகரினிலே மீனாள் நினைவினிலே
சொக்கன்தான் பக்கந்தான் வந்தான் நேரிலே
வைரக்கல் மூக்குத்தி கண்ணில் மின்ன
ஆஹான்
வைகாசி வெய்யில் போல் கன்னம் மின்ன
In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
Male: As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes
Female: Aahaan
Male: Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month
மதுரை நகரினிலே மீனாள் நினைவினிலே
சொக்கன்தான் பக்கந்தான் வந்தான் நேரிலே
In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Male: Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
தென்னஞ்சோலை என்னைத்தான்
தென்றல் நீயும் பின்னத்தான்
நானென்ன சொல்லக்கூடும்
என்றும் நீ என் அத்தான்
I am like a coconut grove
You are the southern breeze that intertwines with it
What more can I say?
You are forever my beloved cousin and partner
தென்னஞ்சோலை என்னைத்தான்
தென்றல் நீயும் பின்னத்தான்
நானென்ன சொல்லக்கூடும்
என்றும் நீ என் அத்தான்
What was taken was just a little
My needs and desires are far greater
What held back my hands
Were these ornate decorative garments
எடுத்தது கொஞ்சம்தான்
எனக்கேற்ற தேவைகள்
தடுத்தது கையைத்தான்
அலங்கார ஆடைகள்
When you say 'You' and 'I' together
Won't life gain its true meaning?
When you say 'You' and 'I' together
Won't life gain its true meaning?
நீயென்றால் நானென்று
அர்த்தங்கள் ஆகாதோ....
நீயென்றால் நானென்று
அர்த்தங்கள் ஆகாதோ....
In the city of Madurai
Female: Oho
Male: In the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Female: Oho
Male: Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
Female: As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes
Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month
மதுரை நகரினிலே
ஓஹோ
மீனாள் நினைவினிலே
ஓஹோ
சொக்கன்தான் பக்கந்தான் வந்தான் நேரிலே
வைரக்கல் மூக்குத்தி கண்ணில் மின்ன
வைகாசி வெய்யில் போல் கன்னம் மின்ன
Oo….oohho ohho
Female: Oo….ooho oho
Both: Oo….ooho oho
Oo….ooho oho
ஓ......ஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓ......ஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
இருவர் :
ஓ......ஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓ......ஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
Madhurai nagarinilae meenaal ninaivinilae
In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae
Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
Vairakkal mookkuththi kannil minna
As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes
Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna
Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month
Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha….
Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha….
Madhurai nagarinilae meenaal ninaivinilae
In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae
Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
Vairakkal mookkuththi kannil minna
As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes
Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna
Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month
Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha….
Oohhha….ooo….o….oohhha….
Amman koyil theppamthaan
Like the float festival of the Goddess temple
Allikkeni pushpamthaan
Like the lotus flower of Triplicane
Ellaorum etti paarkkum
That everyone turns their neck to gaze upon
Ellora sirpamthaam
Like a grand Ellora sculpture
Amman koyil theppamthaan
Like the float festival of the Goddess temple
Allikkeni pushpamthaan
Like the lotus flower of Triplicane
Ellaorum etti paarkkum
That everyone turns their neck to gaze upon
Ellora sirpamthaam
Like a grand Ellora sculpture
Mani thamizh santhamthaan
Like the rhythm of beautiful Tamil poetry
Valaiyaadum osaigal
The sound of jingling bangles
Manatthinil niththamthaan
Every single day in the heart
Vilaiyaadum aasaigal
Desires that play playfully
Ammammaa nee vanthaal
Oh my, if you come to me
Anantham pongaatho
Won't joy overflow?
Ammammaa nee vanthaal
Oh my, if you come to me
Anantham pongaatho
Won't joy overflow?
Madhurai nagarinilae meenaal ninaivinilae
In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae
Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
Male :Vairakkal mookkuththi kannil minna
Male: As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes
Female :Aahaan
Female: Aahaan
Male :Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna
Male: Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month
Madhurai nagarinilae meenaal ninaivinilae
In the city of Madurai, in the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Male :Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae
Male: Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
Thennanjolai ennaiththaan
I am like a coconut grove
Thendral neeyum pinnaththaan
You are the southern breeze that intertwines with it
Naanenna sollakoodum
What more can I say?
Endrum nee en aththaan
You are forever my beloved cousin and partner
Eduththathu konjamthaan
What was taken was just a little
Enakkettara thevaigal
My needs and desires are far greater
Thaduththathu kaiyaiththaan
What held back my hands
Alangaara aadaigal
Were these ornate decorative garments
Neyendral naanendru
When you say 'You' and 'I' together
Arththangal aagaatho
Won't life gain its true meaning?
Neyendral naanendru
When you say 'You' and 'I' together
Arththangal aagaatho
Won't life gain its true meaning?
Madhurai nagarinilae
In the city of Madurai
Female :Oho
Female: Oho
Male :Meenaal ninaivinilae
Male: In the memory of Goddess Meenakshi
Female :Oho
Female: Oho
Male :Sokkanthaan pakkanthaan vanthaan nerilae
Male: Lord Sundareswarar came right beside in person
Female :Vairakkal mookkuththi kannil minna
Female: As the diamond nose-ring glinted in the eyes
Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna
Oh dear, shining like the bright sun of Vaikaasi month
Oo….oohho ohho
Oo….oohho ohho
Female :Oo….ooho oho
Female: Oo….ooho oho
Both :Oo….ooho oho
Both: Oo….ooho oho
Oo….ooho oho
Oo….ooho oho
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic duet draws vivid divine and cultural metaphors to express deep love and adoration between a couple. Comparing their union to the divine pair of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar (Sokkan) of Madurai, the song weaves imagery of temple float festivals, Ellora sculptures, and pure Tamil poetry to celebrate the beauty of the beloved. The lovers express how their lives attain true harmony and completeness only when they come together as one.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Vaikaasi veyyil pol kanna minna”
Compares the brilliance of the lover's eyes/looks to the bright summer sun of the Tamil month Vaikaasi ('Vaikaasi veyyil pol').
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Ellora sirpamthaam”
Metaphorically compares the heroine to an Ellora sculpture, a temple float, and a lily flower to highlight her classic Indian beauty.
Iyaibu (Rhyming Endings)
“Amman koyil theppamthaan”
Uses matching rhyming suffixes ('theppamthaan', 'pushpamthaan', 'sirpamthaam') across lines to create a rhythmic, melodic structure.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nandri' (1984) is a Tamil drama film directed by Rama Narayanan, featuring music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics authored by the legendary poet Vaali.
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