Mella Mella
From Panama Pasama · 1968
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Panama Pasama1968
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Mella.. mella mella | Slowly.. slowly, slowly |
| Endhan maeni nadunguthu mella | My body trembles slowly |
| Male :Solla…solla solla | Male: To tell... to tell, to tell |
| Nenjam thulludhu thulludhu solla | My heart leaps and bounds to tell |
| Female | |
| Mella..mella mella | Slowly.. slowly, slowly |
| Endhan maeni nadunguthu mella | My body trembles slowly |
| Male :Solla…solla solla | Male: To tell... to tell, to tell |
| Nenjam thulludhu thulludhu solla | My heart leaps and bounds to tell |
| Female | |
| Uchi mudhar kondu paadham varai | From the crown of my head down to my feet |
| Indru minnalai enna solla | How can I describe this lightning today? |
| Uchi mudhar kondu paadham varai | From the crown of my head down to my feet |
| Indru minnalai enna solla | How can I describe this lightning today? |
| Male :Micham iruppadhai naalai endru | Male: Saving what remains for tomorrow |
| Micham iruppadhai naalai endru | Saving what remains for tomorrow |
| Nenjil minnidum aasaiyai enna solla | How can I describe the desire gleaming in my heart? |
| Female :Mella…mella mella | Female: Slowly... slowly, slowly |
| Male | |
| Athipazhathirkku mael azhagu | A fig fruit has beauty on the outside |
| Undhan aasai pazhathirkku ullazhagu | Your fruit of desire has beauty within |
| Athipazhathirkku mael azhagu | A fig fruit has beauty on the outside |
| Undhan aasai pazhathirkku ullazhagu | Your fruit of desire has beauty within |
| Female :Thathi thavikindra ponnazhagu | Female: Golden beauty hopping in anticipation |
| Thathi thavikindra ponnazhagu | Golden beauty hopping in anticipation |
| Unnai thazhuva thudikkindra pennazhagu | A woman's beauty eager to embrace you |
| Female | |
| Mella… mella mella | Slowly... slowly, slowly |
| Endhan maeni nadunguthu mella | My body trembles slowly |
| Male :Solla…solla solla | Male: To tell... to tell, to tell |
| Nenjam thulludhu thulludhu solla | My heart leaps and bounds to tell |
| Female | |
| Thaamarai poovinil vandu vandhu | When a bee visits the lotus flower |
| Thaen arundha malar moodi kolla | To drink nectar, the flower closes up |
| Thaamarai poovinil vandu vandhu | When a bee visits the lotus flower |
| Thaen arundha malar moodi kolla | To drink nectar, the flower closes up |
| Ullirundhae vandu aadudhal pol | As if the bee dances from within |
| Ullirundhae vandu aadudhal pol | As if the bee dances from within |
| Ullathil nee nindru aadugindraai | You stand inside my heart and dance |
| Aadugindraai ..aadugindraai… mella | You dance... you dance... slowly |
| Male | |
| Melai dhisaiyinil poi urangum | Sleeping in the western direction |
| Kadhir meendum varum varai mann ulagam | Until the sun returns, the earth endures |
| Melai dhisaiyinil poi urangum | Sleeping in the western direction |
| Kadhir meendum varum varai mann ulagam | Until the sun returns, the earth endures |
| Kaalai poludhinil sindhanaigal | Thoughts during the morning hours |
| Kaalai poludhinil sindhanaigal | Thoughts during the morning hours |
| Maru maalai varum varai karpanaigal | Fantasies until the next evening arrives |
| Female :Mella | Female: Slowly |
| Male :Solla solla | Male: To tell, to tell |
| Female | |
| Ondrilirundhu ondru varum | One originates from another |
| Andha ondrukkul ondru urangi vidum | And within that one, another sleeps |
| Ondrilirundhu ondru varum | One originates from another |
| Andha ondrukkul ondru urangi vidum | And within that one, another sleeps |
| Male :Ondru pirindha pin ondrum illai | Male: Once separated, nothing remains |
| Ondru pirindha pin ondrum illai | Once separated, nothing remains |
| Naam ondru irandenbadhu endrum illai | There is no concept of us being two, we are one |
| Female | |
| Mella.. mella mella | Slowly.. slowly, slowly |
| Endhan maeni nadunguthu mella | My body trembles slowly |
| Male :Solla.. solla solla | Male: To tell.. to tell, to tell |
| Nenjam thulludhu thulludhu solla | My heart leaps and bounds to tell |
மெல்ல மெல்ல மெல்ல
எந்தன் மேனி நடுங்குது மெல்ல
சொல்ல சொல்ல சொல்ல
நெஞ்சம் துள்ளுது துள்ளுது சொல்ல..
Slowly.. slowly, slowly
My body trembles slowly
Male: To tell... to tell, to tell
My heart leaps and bounds to tell
மெல்ல மெல்ல மெல்ல
எந்தன் மேனி நடுங்குது மெல்ல
சொல்ல சொல்ல சொல்ல
நெஞ்சம் துள்ளுது துள்ளுது சொல்ல..
Slowly.. slowly, slowly
My body trembles slowly
Male: To tell... to tell, to tell
My heart leaps and bounds to tell
உச்சி முதல் கொண்டு பாதம் வரை
இன்று ஓடிடும் மின்னலை என்ன சொல்ல
உச்சி முதல் கொண்டு பாதம் வரை
இன்று ஓடிடும் மின்னலை என்ன சொல்ல
மிச்சம் இருப்பதை நாளை என்று
மிச்சம் இருப்பதை நாளை என்று
நெஞ்சில் மின்னிடும் ஆசையை என்ன சொல்ல
மெல்ல மெல்ல மெல்ல...
From the crown of my head down to my feet
How can I describe this lightning today?
From the crown of my head down to my feet
How can I describe this lightning today?
Male: Saving what remains for tomorrow
Saving what remains for tomorrow
How can I describe the desire gleaming in my heart?
Female: Slowly... slowly, slowly
அத்திப்பழத்திற்கு மேல் அழகு
உந்தன் ஆசை பழத்திற்கு உள்ளழகு
அத்திப்பழத்திற்கு மேல் அழகு
உந்தன் ஆசை பழத்திற்கு உள்ளழகு
தத்தி தவிக்கின்ற பொன்னழகு
தத்தி தவிக்கின்ற பொன்னழகு
உன்னை தழுவ துடிக்கின்ற பெண்ணழகு
A fig fruit has beauty on the outside
Your fruit of desire has beauty within
A fig fruit has beauty on the outside
Your fruit of desire has beauty within
Female: Golden beauty hopping in anticipation
Golden beauty hopping in anticipation
A woman's beauty eager to embrace you
மெல்ல மெல்ல மெல்ல
எந்தன் மேனி நடுங்குது மெல்ல
சொல்ல சொல்ல சொல்ல
நெஞ்சம் துள்ளுது துள்ளுது சொல்ல
Slowly... slowly, slowly
My body trembles slowly
Male: To tell... to tell, to tell
My heart leaps and bounds to tell
தாமரைப் பூவினில் வண்டு வந்து
தேன் அருந்த மலர் மூடிக் கொள்ள
தாமரைப் பூவினில் வண்டு வந்து
தேன் அருந்த மலர் மூடிக் கொள்ள
உள்ளிருந்தே வண்டு ஆடுதல் போல்
உள்ளிருந்தே வண்டு ஆடுதல் போல்
உள்ளத்தில் நீ நின்று ஆடுகின்றாய்
ஆடுகின்றாய்.........ஆடுகின்றாய்..மெல்ல
When a bee visits the lotus flower
To drink nectar, the flower closes up
When a bee visits the lotus flower
To drink nectar, the flower closes up
As if the bee dances from within
As if the bee dances from within
You stand inside my heart and dance
You dance... you dance... slowly
மேலை திசையினில் போய் உறங்கும்
கதிர் மீண்டும் வரும் வரை நம் உலகம்
மேலை திசையினில் போய் உறங்கும்
கதிர் மீண்டும் வரும் வரை நம் உலகம்
காலை பொழுதினில் சிந்தனைகள்
காலை பொழுதினில் சிந்தனைகள்
மறு மாலை வரும் வரை கற்பனைகள்
மெல்ல ஆண் :
சொல்ல சொல்ல
Sleeping in the western direction
Until the sun returns, the earth endures
Sleeping in the western direction
Until the sun returns, the earth endures
Thoughts during the morning hours
Thoughts during the morning hours
Fantasies until the next evening arrives
Female: Slowly
Male: To tell, to tell
ஒன்றிலிருந்தே ஒன்று வரும்
அந்த ஒன்றுக்குள் ஒன்று உறங்கி விடும்
ஒன்றிலிருந்தே ஒன்று வரும்
அந்த ஒன்றுக்குள் ஒன்று உறங்கி விடும்
ஒன்று பிரிந்த பின் ஒன்றுமில்லை
ஒன்று பிரிந்த பின் ஒன்றுமில்லை
நாம் ஒன்று இரண்டென்பது என்றுமில்லை
One originates from another
And within that one, another sleeps
One originates from another
And within that one, another sleeps
Male: Once separated, nothing remains
Once separated, nothing remains
There is no concept of us being two, we are one
மெல்ல மெல்ல மெல்ல
எந்தன் மேனி நடுங்குது மெல்ல
சொல்ல சொல்ல சொல்ல
நெஞ்சம் துள்ளுது துள்ளுது சொல்ல...
Slowly.. slowly, slowly
My body trembles slowly
Male: To tell.. to tell, to tell
My heart leaps and bounds to tell
Mella.. mella mella
Slowly.. slowly, slowly
Endhan maeni nadunguthu mella
My body trembles slowly
Male :Solla…solla solla
Male: To tell... to tell, to tell
Nenjam thulludhu thulludhu solla
My heart leaps and bounds to tell
Mella..mella mella
Slowly.. slowly, slowly
Endhan maeni nadunguthu mella
My body trembles slowly
Male :Solla…solla solla
Male: To tell... to tell, to tell
Nenjam thulludhu thulludhu solla
My heart leaps and bounds to tell
Uchi mudhar kondu paadham varai
From the crown of my head down to my feet
Indru minnalai enna solla
How can I describe this lightning today?
Uchi mudhar kondu paadham varai
From the crown of my head down to my feet
Indru minnalai enna solla
How can I describe this lightning today?
Male :Micham iruppadhai naalai endru
Male: Saving what remains for tomorrow
Micham iruppadhai naalai endru
Saving what remains for tomorrow
Nenjil minnidum aasaiyai enna solla
How can I describe the desire gleaming in my heart?
Female :Mella…mella mella
Female: Slowly... slowly, slowly
Athipazhathirkku mael azhagu
A fig fruit has beauty on the outside
Undhan aasai pazhathirkku ullazhagu
Your fruit of desire has beauty within
Athipazhathirkku mael azhagu
A fig fruit has beauty on the outside
Undhan aasai pazhathirkku ullazhagu
Your fruit of desire has beauty within
Female :Thathi thavikindra ponnazhagu
Female: Golden beauty hopping in anticipation
Thathi thavikindra ponnazhagu
Golden beauty hopping in anticipation
Unnai thazhuva thudikkindra pennazhagu
A woman's beauty eager to embrace you
Mella… mella mella
Slowly... slowly, slowly
Endhan maeni nadunguthu mella
My body trembles slowly
Male :Solla…solla solla
Male: To tell... to tell, to tell
Nenjam thulludhu thulludhu solla
My heart leaps and bounds to tell
Thaamarai poovinil vandu vandhu
When a bee visits the lotus flower
Thaen arundha malar moodi kolla
To drink nectar, the flower closes up
Thaamarai poovinil vandu vandhu
When a bee visits the lotus flower
Thaen arundha malar moodi kolla
To drink nectar, the flower closes up
Ullirundhae vandu aadudhal pol
As if the bee dances from within
Ullirundhae vandu aadudhal pol
As if the bee dances from within
Ullathil nee nindru aadugindraai
You stand inside my heart and dance
Aadugindraai ..aadugindraai… mella
You dance... you dance... slowly
Melai dhisaiyinil poi urangum
Sleeping in the western direction
Kadhir meendum varum varai mann ulagam
Until the sun returns, the earth endures
Melai dhisaiyinil poi urangum
Sleeping in the western direction
Kadhir meendum varum varai mann ulagam
Until the sun returns, the earth endures
Kaalai poludhinil sindhanaigal
Thoughts during the morning hours
Kaalai poludhinil sindhanaigal
Thoughts during the morning hours
Maru maalai varum varai karpanaigal
Fantasies until the next evening arrives
Female :Mella
Female: Slowly
Male :Solla solla
Male: To tell, to tell
Ondrilirundhu ondru varum
One originates from another
Andha ondrukkul ondru urangi vidum
And within that one, another sleeps
Ondrilirundhu ondru varum
One originates from another
Andha ondrukkul ondru urangi vidum
And within that one, another sleeps
Male :Ondru pirindha pin ondrum illai
Male: Once separated, nothing remains
Ondru pirindha pin ondrum illai
Once separated, nothing remains
Naam ondru irandenbadhu endrum illai
There is no concept of us being two, we are one
Mella.. mella mella
Slowly.. slowly, slowly
Endhan maeni nadunguthu mella
My body trembles slowly
Male :Solla.. solla solla
Male: To tell.. to tell, to tell
Nenjam thulludhu thulludhu solla
My heart leaps and bounds to tell
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Mella Mella' from the 1968 film 'Panama Pasama' is a classic romantic duet featuring lyrics by Kannadasan and music by K. V. Mahadevan. The song captures a sweet and poetic exchange between two lovers expressing their deep emotional and physical affection. The heroine describes her trembling sensation and anticipation, while the hero expresses his overwhelming joy and eager desire to convey his love. Kannadasan uses rich natural imagery—such as the fig fruit, the lotus closing over a nectar-drinking bee, and the natural cycle of the sun setting and rising—to symbolize intimate closeness and unity. Ultimately, the song emphasizes that the two lovers are inextricably linked, asserting that there is no separation between them, as they form a single soul in two bodies.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Athipazhathirkku mael azhagu”
'Athipazhathirkku mael azhagu / Undhan aasai pazhathirkku ullazhagu' compares superficial external beauty to a fig fruit, while highlighting that true romantic beauty lies within inner feelings and desire.
Imagery (Uvamai)
“Thaamarai poovinil vandu vandhu”
'Thaamarai poovinil vandu vandhu / Thaen arundha malar moodi kolla' uses vivid natural imagery of a lotus closing around a bee as it sips nectar to symbolize intimate lovers lost in union.
Alliteration (Edhugai / Moonaai)
“Mella.. mella mella”
Repetition of sounds in 'Mella mella mella' and 'Solla solla solla' creates a rhythmic, musical bounce echoing the emotion of a beating heart.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Panama Pasama' (1968), directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan, starred Geminii Ganesan and Saroja Devi. The track 'Mella Mella' is widely celebrated for the magical vocal combination of T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela, set to K. V. Mahadevan's lush orchestration and Kannadasan's timeless lyrics.
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