Meenuku
From Neer Paravai · 2012
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Vijay Prakash, Harini
- Music director
- N. R. Raghunanthan
- Details
- Neer Paravai2012
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Meenuku siru meenuku | For the fish, small fish |
| Naan meen valai virithen | I spread out a fishing net |
| Devathai kadal devathai | An angel, a sea angel |
| Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen | Fell into it, and so I woke up |
| Male | |
| Kichu kichu pannum | You who tickles me |
| Christhava pennae | Oh Christian girl |
| Pachai mutham thara manamillaiyaa | Don't you have the heart to give a sweet kiss? |
| Oru kannam thara maru kannam kattu | If one cheek is given, show the other cheek |
| Thirumurai vari ninaivillaiya | Don't you remember the holy scripture line? |
| Female | |
| Adada mutham parikiravazhi | Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss |
| Ithuthaan kurukkuvazhi | This is a shortcut method |
| Athuthaan ennai kedukura vazhi | That is the path that spoils me |
| Sikkuma paditha kili | Will an educated parrot get caught? |
| Male | |
| Meenuku siru meenuku | For the fish, small fish |
| Naan meen valai virithen | I spread out a fishing net |
| Devathai kadal devathai | An angel, a sea angel |
| Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen | Fell into it, and so I woke up |
| Male | |
| Pen kadalgalil alaigal illai | In female seas, there are no waves |
| Athu pol mounam kaakkirai | Likewise, you maintain silence |
| Aan kadalgalil alaigal undu | In male seas, there are waves |
| Athu pol unnai theendinen | Just like that, I touched you |
| Female | |
| Alai enum karam neeti neeti | Extending hands in the form of waves |
| Adi varudiyae pogirai | Oh girl, you caress and go away |
| Vetkam vanthu vizhi moodum neram | When shyness comes and closes my eyes |
| Mutham kollaiyida paarkiraai | You look to rob a kiss |
| Male | |
| Anbai thanthu anbai thanthu | Giving love, giving love |
| Aalakinaai appothu | You ruled over me then |
| Alli thanthu alli thanthu | Gathering and giving, gathering and giving |
| Aanakuthal eppothu | When will we become one? |
| Female | |
| Adada mutham parikiravazhi | Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss |
| Ithuthaan kurukkuvazhi | This is a shortcut method |
| Athuthaan ennai kedukura vazhi | That is the path that spoils me |
| Sikkuma paditha kili | Will an educated parrot get caught? |
| Male | |
| Meenuku siru meenuku | For the fish, small fish |
| Naan meen valai virithen | I spread out a fishing net |
| Devathai kadal devathai | An angel, a sea angel |
| Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen | Fell into it, and so I woke up |
| Female | |
| Vizhi neeyum solli | Even if you speak with your eyes |
| Vaazhum pennal | For a woman who lives modestly |
| Vetkam ennai vittu poguma | Will shyness ever leave me? |
| Akkam pakkam ingu aatkal undu | There are people all around here |
| Anjugindra manam konjuma | Will a fearful heart indulge in romance? |
| Male | |
| Kadarkaraigalil solai illai | There are no groves on the beaches |
| Paravaikku enna panjama | Is there any shortage of birds? |
| Thanimaiku ingu vaipu illai | There is no chance for solitude here |
| Thavikindra manam anjuma | Will a yearning heart feel afraid? |
| Female | |
| Pengal mattum aanaiyittaal | If women command it |
| Pesum kadal pesathu | Even the speaking sea will stay silent |
| Aangal konda aasai mattum | The desire possessed by men |
| Aanaiyittaal nirkaathu | Will not stop even if commanded |
| Male | |
| Adada ennai thavirkira vazhi | Oh my, the way you avoid me |
| Ithuthaan kurukkuvazhi | This is a shortcut method |
| Ethuthaan unnai pidikira vazhi | Which is the way to catch you? |
| Sikkuma paditha kili | Will an educated parrot get caught? |
| Female | |
| Meenuku siru meenuku | For the fish, small fish |
| Nee meen valai virithaai | You spread out a fishing net |
| Devathai kadal devathai | An angel, a sea angel |
| Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithaai | Fell into it, and so you woke up |
| Male | |
| Kichu kichu pannum | You who tickles me |
| Christhava pennae | Oh Christian girl |
| Pachai mutham thara manamillaiyaa | Don't you have the heart to give a sweet kiss? |
| Oru kannam thara maru kannam kattu | If one cheek is given, show the other cheek |
| Thirumurai vari ninaivillaiya | Don't you remember the holy scripture line? |
| Female | |
| Adada mutham parikiravazhi | Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss |
| Ithuthaan kurukkuvazhi | This is a shortcut method |
| Athuthaan ennai kedukura vazhi | That is the path that spoils me |
| Sikkuma paditha kili | Will an educated parrot get caught? |
| Male | |
| Meenuku siru meenuku | For the fish, small fish |
| Naan meen valai virithen | I spread out a fishing net |
| Devathai kadal devathai | An angel, a sea angel |
| Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen | Fell into it, and so I woke up |
மீனுக்கு சிறு மீனுக்கு
நான் மீன் வலை விரித்தேன்
தேவதை கடல் தேவதை
வந்து விழுந்ததால் விழித்தேன்
For the fish, small fish
I spread out a fishing net
An angel, a sea angel
Fell into it, and so I woke up
கிச்சு கிச்சு பண்ணும்
கிறிஸ்தவ பெண்ணே
பச்சை முத்தம் தர மனம் இல்லையா
ஒரு கன்னம் தர மறு கன்னம் காட்டு
திருமுறை வரி நினைவில்லையா
You who tickles me
Oh Christian girl
Don't you have the heart to give a sweet kiss?
If one cheek is given, show the other cheek
Don't you remember the holy scripture line?
அடடா முத்தம் பறிக்கிறவழி
இதுதான் குறுக்குவழி
அதுதான் என்னை கெடுக்குற வழி
சிக்குமா படித்த கிளி
Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss
This is a shortcut method
That is the path that spoils me
Will an educated parrot get caught?
மீனுக்கு சிறு மீனுக்கு
நான் மீன் வலை விரித்தேன்
தேவதை கடல் தேவதை
வந்து விழுந்ததால் விழித்தேன்
For the fish, small fish
I spread out a fishing net
An angel, a sea angel
Fell into it, and so I woke up
பெண் கடல்களில் அலைகள் இல்லை
அது போல் மெளனம் காக்கிறாய்
ஆண் கடல்களில் அலைகள் உண்டு
அது போல் உன்னை தீண்டினேன்
In female seas, there are no waves
Likewise, you maintain silence
In male seas, there are waves
Just like that, I touched you
அலை என்னும் கரம் நீட்டி நீட்டி
அடி வருடியே போகிறாய்
வெட்கம் வந்து விழி மூடும் நேரம்
முத்தம் கொள்ளையிட பார்க்கிறாய்
Extending hands in the form of waves
Oh girl, you caress and go away
When shyness comes and closes my eyes
You look to rob a kiss
அன்பை தந்து அன்பை தந்து
ஆளாக்கினாய் அப்போது
அள்ளிதந்து அள்ளிதந்து
ஆணாக்குதல் எப்போது
Giving love, giving love
You ruled over me then
Gathering and giving, gathering and giving
When will we become one?
அடடா முத்தம் பறிக்கிறவழி
இதுதான் குறுக்குவழி
அதுதான் என்னை கெடுக்குற வழி
சிக்குமா படித்த கிளி
Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss
This is a shortcut method
That is the path that spoils me
Will an educated parrot get caught?
மீனுக்கு சிறு மீனுக்கு
நான் மீன் வலை விரித்தேன்
தேவதை கடல் தேவதை
வந்து விழுந்ததால் விழித்தேன்
For the fish, small fish
I spread out a fishing net
An angel, a sea angel
Fell into it, and so I woke up
விழி நீயும் சொல்லி
வாழும் பெண்ணால்
வெட்கம் என்னை விட்டு போகுமா
அக்கம் பக்கம் இங்கு ஆட்கள் உண்டு
அஞ்சுகின்ற மனம் கொஞ்சுமா
Even if you speak with your eyes
For a woman who lives modestly
Will shyness ever leave me?
There are people all around here
Will a fearful heart indulge in romance?
கடற்கரைகளில் சோலை இல்லை
பறவைக்கு என்ன பஞ்சமா
தனிமைக்கு இங்கு வாய்ப்பு இல்லை
தவிக்கின்ற மனம் அஞ்சுமா
There are no groves on the beaches
Is there any shortage of birds?
There is no chance for solitude here
Will a yearning heart feel afraid?
பெண்கள் மட்டும் ஆணையிட்டால்
பேசும் கடல் பேசாது
ஆண்கள் கொண்ட ஆசை மட்டும்
ஆணையிட்டால் நிற்காது
If women command it
Even the speaking sea will stay silent
The desire possessed by men
Will not stop even if commanded
அடடா என்னை தவிர்க்கிற வழி
இதுதான் குறுக்குவழி
எதுதான் உன்னை பிடிக்கிற வழி
சிக்குமா படித்த கிளி
Oh my, the way you avoid me
This is a shortcut method
Which is the way to catch you?
Will an educated parrot get caught?
மீனுக்கு சிறு மீனுக்கு
நீ மீன் வலை விரித்தாய்
தேவதை கடல் தேவதை
வந்து விழுந்ததால் விழித்தாய்
For the fish, small fish
You spread out a fishing net
An angel, a sea angel
Fell into it, and so you woke up
கிச்சு கிச்சு பண்ணும்
கிறிஸ்தவ பெண்ணே
பச்சை முத்தம் தர மனம் இல்லையா
ஒரு கன்னம் தர மறு கன்னம் காட்டு
திருமுறை வரி நினைவில்லையா
You who tickles me
Oh Christian girl
Don't you have the heart to give a sweet kiss?
If one cheek is given, show the other cheek
Don't you remember the holy scripture line?
அடடா முத்தம் பறிக்கிறவழி
இதுதான் குறுக்குவழி
அதுதான் என்னை கெடுக்குற வழி
சிக்குமா படித்த கிளி
Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss
This is a shortcut method
That is the path that spoils me
Will an educated parrot get caught?
மீனுக்கு சிறு மீனுக்கு
நான் மீன் வலை விரித்தேன்
தேவதை கடல் தேவதை
வந்து விழுந்ததால் விழித்தேன்
For the fish, small fish
I spread out a fishing net
An angel, a sea angel
Fell into it, and so I woke up
Meenuku siru meenuku
For the fish, small fish
Naan meen valai virithen
I spread out a fishing net
Devathai kadal devathai
An angel, a sea angel
Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen
Fell into it, and so I woke up
Kichu kichu pannum
You who tickles me
Christhava pennae
Oh Christian girl
Pachai mutham thara manamillaiyaa
Don't you have the heart to give a sweet kiss?
Oru kannam thara maru kannam kattu
If one cheek is given, show the other cheek
Thirumurai vari ninaivillaiya
Don't you remember the holy scripture line?
Adada mutham parikiravazhi
Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss
Ithuthaan kurukkuvazhi
This is a shortcut method
Athuthaan ennai kedukura vazhi
That is the path that spoils me
Sikkuma paditha kili
Will an educated parrot get caught?
Meenuku siru meenuku
For the fish, small fish
Naan meen valai virithen
I spread out a fishing net
Devathai kadal devathai
An angel, a sea angel
Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen
Fell into it, and so I woke up
Pen kadalgalil alaigal illai
In female seas, there are no waves
Athu pol mounam kaakkirai
Likewise, you maintain silence
Aan kadalgalil alaigal undu
In male seas, there are waves
Athu pol unnai theendinen
Just like that, I touched you
Alai enum karam neeti neeti
Extending hands in the form of waves
Adi varudiyae pogirai
Oh girl, you caress and go away
Vetkam vanthu vizhi moodum neram
When shyness comes and closes my eyes
Mutham kollaiyida paarkiraai
You look to rob a kiss
Anbai thanthu anbai thanthu
Giving love, giving love
Aalakinaai appothu
You ruled over me then
Alli thanthu alli thanthu
Gathering and giving, gathering and giving
Aanakuthal eppothu
When will we become one?
Adada mutham parikiravazhi
Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss
Ithuthaan kurukkuvazhi
This is a shortcut method
Athuthaan ennai kedukura vazhi
That is the path that spoils me
Sikkuma paditha kili
Will an educated parrot get caught?
Meenuku siru meenuku
For the fish, small fish
Naan meen valai virithen
I spread out a fishing net
Devathai kadal devathai
An angel, a sea angel
Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen
Fell into it, and so I woke up
Vizhi neeyum solli
Even if you speak with your eyes
Vaazhum pennal
For a woman who lives modestly
Vetkam ennai vittu poguma
Will shyness ever leave me?
Akkam pakkam ingu aatkal undu
There are people all around here
Anjugindra manam konjuma
Will a fearful heart indulge in romance?
Kadarkaraigalil solai illai
There are no groves on the beaches
Paravaikku enna panjama
Is there any shortage of birds?
Thanimaiku ingu vaipu illai
There is no chance for solitude here
Thavikindra manam anjuma
Will a yearning heart feel afraid?
Pengal mattum aanaiyittaal
If women command it
Pesum kadal pesathu
Even the speaking sea will stay silent
Aangal konda aasai mattum
The desire possessed by men
Aanaiyittaal nirkaathu
Will not stop even if commanded
Adada ennai thavirkira vazhi
Oh my, the way you avoid me
Ithuthaan kurukkuvazhi
This is a shortcut method
Ethuthaan unnai pidikira vazhi
Which is the way to catch you?
Sikkuma paditha kili
Will an educated parrot get caught?
Meenuku siru meenuku
For the fish, small fish
Nee meen valai virithaai
You spread out a fishing net
Devathai kadal devathai
An angel, a sea angel
Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithaai
Fell into it, and so you woke up
Kichu kichu pannum
You who tickles me
Christhava pennae
Oh Christian girl
Pachai mutham thara manamillaiyaa
Don't you have the heart to give a sweet kiss?
Oru kannam thara maru kannam kattu
If one cheek is given, show the other cheek
Thirumurai vari ninaivillaiya
Don't you remember the holy scripture line?
Adada mutham parikiravazhi
Oh my, the way you snatch a kiss
Ithuthaan kurukkuvazhi
This is a shortcut method
Athuthaan ennai kedukura vazhi
That is the path that spoils me
Sikkuma paditha kili
Will an educated parrot get caught?
Meenuku siru meenuku
For the fish, small fish
Naan meen valai virithen
I spread out a fishing net
Devathai kadal devathai
An angel, a sea angel
Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen
Fell into it, and so I woke up
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful romantic song from 'Neerparavai' depicts a lighthearted banter between a fisherman and a Christian coastal girl. The male protagonist uses ocean and fishing metaphors, describing how he cast a net for small fish but caught an angelic maiden instead. He humorously quotes biblical scripture ('turn the other cheek') to tease her for a kiss, while she playfully resists, citing her modesty, shyness, and the presence of onlookers nearby.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagathil)
“Devathai kadal devathai / Vanthu vizhunthathaal vizhithen”
Comparing the heroine to a 'kadal devathai' (sea angel) caught in a fishing net.
Allusion / Religious Imagery
“Oru kannam thara maru kannam kattu / Thirumurai vari ninaivillaiya”
Playfully referencing Jesus Christ's sermon on the mount ('turn the other cheek') to ask for a kiss.
Ethukai (Second-letter rhyming)
“Pen kadalgalil alaigal illai / Aan kadalgalil alaigal undu”
Rhyming of the second consonants in Tamil poetic meter ('Pen kadalgalil' and 'Aan kadalgalil').
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by N. R. Raghunanthan with lyrics by Vairamuthu, sung by Haricharan and Shreya Ghoshal. 'Neerparavai' (2012) is a critically acclaimed drama depicting the lives and struggles of the coastal fisherman community in Tamil Nadu.
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