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Lyrics & meaning

Meenodu Meen Vandhu (Female)

From Alai Payum Nenjangal · 1983

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Shoba Chandrasekar
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Alai Payum Nenjangal
Movie release year
1983
Lyrics added on
25 Oct 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Meenodu meen vanthu pesuthu
Adhu thannikku theriyavillaiyae
Meenodu meen vanthu pesuthu
Adhu thannikku theriyavillaiyae
Kadal thodum karaiyai
Karai thodum padagai
Idhai paarththaal sirikkum kaattru
Meenodu meen vanthu pesuthu
Adhu thannikku theriyavillaiyae
Rendu kannula onnu maraikkuthu
Paarvai korainju vittatho
Sendu poovellaam vandu azhaichchatho
Sidhari mannai thottatho
Rendu kannula onnu maraikkuthu
Paarvai korainju vittatho
Sendu poovellaam vandu azhaichchatho
Sidhari mannai thottatho
Rosavin kaaval mulluthaan
Mullukku kaaval edhuthaan
Rosavin kaaval mulluthaan
Mullukku kaaval edhuthaan
Meenodu meen vanthu pesuthu
Adhu thannikku theriyavillaiyae
Meenodu meen vanthu pesuthu
Adhu thannikku theriyavillaiyae
One fish comes to talk to another,
but the water knows nothing of it.
One fish comes to talk to another,
but the water knows nothing of it.
The sea touches the shore,
the shore touches the boat,
and the wind smiles watching this.
One fish comes to talk to another,
but the water knows nothing of it.
One of the two eyes is hidden,
has the vision grown weak?
Did the bee call out to the bunch of flowers,
or did they scatter and touch the ground?
One of the two eyes is hidden,
has the vision grown weak?
Did the bee call out to the bunch of flowers,
or did they scatter and touch the ground?
The thorn is the protector of the rose,
but what is there to protect the thorn...?
The thorn is the protector of the rose,
but what is there to protect the thorn...?
One fish comes to talk to another,
but the water knows nothing of it.
One fish comes to talk to another,
but the water knows nothing of it.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song uses rich nature imagery to describe secret love, unseen intimacy, and deep emotional bonds. The opening metaphor of fish conversing silently without the water noticing illustrates how two lovers communicate subtle emotions beyond the awareness of the surrounding world. The lyrics further evoke natural interactions like the ocean touching the shore and the wind observing quietly, weaving a romantic atmosphere. Lyrically, it reflects on themes of protection, beauty, and longing, using nature as a canvas to paint human feelings with poetic delicacy. Written by Pulamaipithan, the song balances philosophical inquiry with romantic warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Meenodu meen vanthu pesuthu / Adhu thannikku theriyavillaiyae

Compares silent, subtle communication between lovers to fish conversing underwater without the water realizing it.

Personification (Tharkurippettra Ani)

Idhai paarththaal sirikkum kaattru

Personifies the wind as an observer who laughs upon seeing the connection between the sea, shore, and boat.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Mullukku kaaval edhuthaan

Asks a poetic question about who protects the thorn that guards the rose, creating deep philosophical resonance.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features lyrics by veteran Tamil lyricist Pulamaipithan for the 1983 movie Alai Payum Nenjangal. Known for his imagery rooted in classical Tamil poetic traditions, Pulamaipithan frequently employed natural elements like fish, flowers, and sea breeze to convey subtle romantic nuances.

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