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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Meethaatha Oru Veenai

From Poonthottam · 1998

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
Hariharan, Mahalakshmi Iyer
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Poonthottam1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Meettaadha oru veenaiAn unstrummed veena
Enai meettum neramIs playing me at this moment
Pudhiraana oru paadalA mysterious song
Porul sollum naeramIs revealing its meaning now
Aagaaya pookkalFlowers from the sky
Mazhai thoovum neramAre showering like rain at this time
Manadhin raagamThe melody of the heart
Female
Meettaadha oru veenaiAn unstrummed veena
Enai meettum neramIs playing me at this moment
Pudhiraana oru paadalA mysterious song
Porul sollum neramIs revealing its meaning now
Male
Palinginaal oru veeduA house made of crystal
Amaikkavaa pon maanaeShall I build for you, my golden deer?
Female
Vizhiyinaal iru dheebamWith my eyes, two lamps
Yaetravaa adhil thaanaeShall I light inside it?
Male
Marandha andha paadalukkuFor that forgotten song
Adi eduthu kodukkavaaShall I give you the starting line?
Female
Virundhu ennai azhaithadhendruSaying a feast has invited me
Pudhu kavidhai padikkavaaShall I recite a new poem?
Male
Yeri malaiyum pani malai endraeEven a volcano turns into a snowy mountain
Maarudhu yen en paingiliWhy is it changing so, my sweet bird?
Female
Meettaadha oru veenaiAn unstrummed veena
Enai meettum neramIs playing me at this moment
Pudhiraana oru paadalA mysterious song
Porul sollum neramIs revealing its meaning now
Male
Aagaaya pookkalFlowers from the sky
Mazhai thoovum neramAre showering like rain at this time
Manadhin raagamThe melody of the heart
Meettaadha oru veenaiAn unstrummed veena
Enai meettum neramIs playing me at this moment
Female
Kanavilae thuyil neengiWaking up from sleep inside a dream
Thirumbinaal un uruvamWhen I turn around, it is your figure
Male
Muzhu nilaa mugam paarkkaTo behold the full moon face
Malarndhadhae un vadivamYour form has bloomed
Female
Nadandhu sellum vazhi muzhudhumAlong the entire path you walk
En nizhalai anuppavaaShall I send my shadow?
Male
Thunaikku vandha nizhal adharkkuFor that shadow that came as a companion
Kudai eduthu pidikkavaaShall I hold up an umbrella?
Female
Oru kanamum pala yugamEven a single moment feels like many eons
Endrae aagudhu sol paingiliWhy does it become so, tell me my sweet bird?
Male
Meettaadha oru veenaiAn unstrummed veena
Enai meettum neramIs playing me at this moment
Pudhiraana oru paadalA mysterious song
Porul sollum neramIs revealing its meaning now
Female
Aagaaya pookkalFlowers from the sky
Mazhai thoovum neramAre showering like rain at this time
Manadhin raagamThe melody of the heart
Meettaadha oru veenaiAn unstrummed veena
Enai meettum neramIs playing me at this moment
Male
Meettaadha oru veenaiAn unstrummed veena
Enai meettum neramIs playing me at this moment
Both :Pudhiraana oru paadalBoth: A mysterious song
Porul sollum neramIs revealing its meaning now

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Meettaadha Oru Veenai' is a gentle, poetic duet from the 1998 Tamil film 'Poonthottam'. Lyricist Mu. Metha uses exquisite musical and natural metaphors to depict how falling in love awakens dormant emotions in two lovers. The protagonist compares themselves to an unplayed string instrument (veena) that suddenly vibrates with music under the magical touch of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Meettaadha oru veenai / Enai meettum neram

Compares the unawakened human heart/soul to an untouched veena that plays musical notes when love enters.

Hyperbole (Athyokthi)

Yeri malaiyum pani malai endrae / Maarudhu yen en paingili

Exaggerates emotional transformation by stating a burning volcano turns into a cool snow mountain.

Time Hyperbole

Oru kanamum pala yugam / Endrae aagudhu sol paingili

Expresses the intense longing of love where a single fleeting second feels like several eons.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Poonthottam' (1998) features music composed by Deva, with vocals performed by Hariharan and K. S. Chithra, picturized on Murali and Devayani.

Keep listening

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