Melliname Melliname
From Shahjahan · 2001
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Harish Raghavendra
- Music director
- Mani Sharma
- Details
- Shahjahan2001
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| { Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum | Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart |
| En kaadhal ondrae miga uyarnthadhadi | My love alone stands supreme, my dear |
| Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum } (2) | Even the sky looks up at it with awe |
| Male | |
| Naan thoora theriyum vaanam nee thupattavil izhuthaai | I was a distant sky, yet you pulled me closer with your scarf |
| En iruvathainthu vayathai oru nodikul eppadi adaithaai | How did you capture my twenty-five years of life in a single second? |
| Oh hoo …. hey …. hey | Oh hoo... hey... hey |
| Male | |
| Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum | Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart |
| En kaadhal ondrae miga uyarnthadhadi | My love alone stands supreme, my dear |
| Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum | Even the sky looks up at it with awe |
| Male | |
| Veesi pona puyalil en vergal saayavillai | My roots did not sway even when a raging storm blew past |
| Oru pattaampoochi modha athu pattendru saainthadhadi | Yet when a soft butterfly bumped into it, it collapsed instantly, my dear |
| Enthan kaadhal solla en idhayam kaiyil vaithen | To express my love, I held my heart in my hand |
| Nee thaandi pona bothu adhu tharaiyil vizhunthadhadi | When you walked past without noticing, it fell to the ground |
| Male | |
| Mannilae semmannilae en idhayam thulluthadi | Upon the red earth, my heart leaps with excitement |
| Ovvoru thudipilum un per solluthadi | With every single beat, it calls out your name |
| Kanavu poovae varuga un kaiyaal idhayam thoduga | Come, flower of my dreams, touch my heart with your hands |
| Enthan idhayam kondu nee unthan idhayam tharuga | Take my heart as yours and give me your heart in return |
| Oh …. hoo …. hey …. hey | Oh... hoo... hey... hey |
| Male | |
| Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum | Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart |
| En kaadhal ondrae miga uyarnthadhadi | My love alone stands supreme, my dear |
| Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum | Even the sky looks up at it with awe |
| Male | |
| Mannai serum munnae adi mazhaiku latchiyam illai | Before reaching the soil, rain has no true goal |
| Mannai serntha pinnae adhan sevai thodangumadi | Only after reaching the earth does its purpose begin |
| Unnai kaanum munnae en ulagam thodangavillai | Before seeing you, my world had not even started |
| Unnai kanda pinnae en ulagam iyangudhadi | After seeing you, my world has finally begun to turn |
| Male | |
| Vaanathil aeriyae minnal pidikiravan | I am one who can climb into the sky and catch lightning |
| Pookalai parikavum kaigal nadungukiren | Yet my hands tremble even to pluck delicate flowers for you |
| Bagavaan pesuvathillai ada bakthiyum kuraivathum illai | God does not speak, yet our devotion never wanes |
| Kaathali pesavum illai en kaathal kuraivathum illai | My beloved does not speak, yet my love never diminishes |
| Oh ….. hoo …… hey ….hey | Oh... hoo... hey... hey |
| Male | |
| Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum | Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart |
| En kaadhal ondrae miga uyarnthadhadi | My love alone stands supreme, my dear |
| Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum | Even the sky looks up at it with awe |
| Male | |
| Naan thoora theriyum vaanam nee thupattavil izhuthaai | I was a distant sky, yet you pulled me closer with your scarf |
| En iruvathainthu vayathai oru nodikul eppadi adaithaai | How did you capture my twenty-five years of life in a single second? |
| Oh hoo …. hey …. hey | Oh hoo... hey... hey |
| Oh hoo ….hmm …hmm | Oh hoo... hmm... hmm |
விஷ்லிங் :
..............................................
Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart
My love alone stands supreme, my dear
Even the sky looks up at it with awe
{ மெல்லினமே மெல்லினமே
நெஞ்சில் மெல்லிய காதல் பூக்கும்
என் காதல் ஒன்றே மிக உயா்ந்ததடி
அதை வானம் அண்ணாந்து பாா்க்கும் } (2)
I was a distant sky, yet you pulled me closer with your scarf
How did you capture my twenty-five years of life in a single second?
Oh hoo... hey... hey
நான் தூரத் தொியும்
வானம் நீ துப்பட்டாவில்
இழுத்தாய் என் இருவத்தைந்து
வயதை ஒரு நொடிக்குள் எப்படி
அடைத்தாய் ஓ ஹோ ஹே ஹே
Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart
My love alone stands supreme, my dear
Even the sky looks up at it with awe
மெல்லினமே மெல்லினமே
நெஞ்சில் மெல்லிய காதல் பூக்கும்
என் காதல் ஒன்றே மிக உயா்ந்ததடி
அதை வானம் அண்ணாந்து பாா்க்கும்
My roots did not sway even when a raging storm blew past
Yet when a soft butterfly bumped into it, it collapsed instantly, my dear
To express my love, I held my heart in my hand
When you walked past without noticing, it fell to the ground
வீசிப்போன புயலில்
என் வோ்கள் சாயவில்லை
ஒரு பட்டாம்பூச்சி மோத
அது பட்டென்று சாய்ந்ததடி
எந்தன் காதல் சொல்ல என்
இதயம் கையில் வைத்தேன்
நீ தாண்டிப்போன போது
அது தரையில் விழுந்ததடி
Upon the red earth, my heart leaps with excitement
With every single beat, it calls out your name
Come, flower of my dreams, touch my heart with your hands
Take my heart as yours and give me your heart in return
Oh... hoo... hey... hey
மண்ணிலே செம்மண்ணிலே
என் இதயம் துள்ளுதடி ஒவ்வொரு
துடிப்பிலும் உன் பெயா் சொல்லுதடி
கனவுப் பூவே வருக உன் கையால்
இதயம் தொடுக எந்தன் இதயம் கொண்டு
நீ உந்தன் இதயம் தருக ஓ ஹோ ஹே ஹே
Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart
My love alone stands supreme, my dear
Even the sky looks up at it with awe
மெல்லினமே மெல்லினமே
நெஞ்சில் மெல்லிய காதல் பூக்கும்
என் காதல் ஒன்றே மிக உயா்ந்ததடி
அதை வானம் அண்ணாந்து பாா்க்கும்
Before reaching the soil, rain has no true goal
Only after reaching the earth does its purpose begin
Before seeing you, my world had not even started
After seeing you, my world has finally begun to turn
விஷ்லிங் :
..............................................
I am one who can climb into the sky and catch lightning
Yet my hands tremble even to pluck delicate flowers for you
God does not speak, yet our devotion never wanes
My beloved does not speak, yet my love never diminishes
Oh... hoo... hey... hey
மண்ணைச்சேரும் முன்னே
அடி மழைக்கு லட்சியம் இல்லை
மண்ணைச் சோ்ந்த பின்னே அதன்
சேவை தொடங்குமடி உன்னைக்
காணும் முன்னே என் உலகம்
தொடங்கவில்லை உன்னைக் கண்ட
பின்னே என் உலகம் இயங்குதடி
Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart
My love alone stands supreme, my dear
Even the sky looks up at it with awe
வானத்தில் ஏறியே
மின்னல் பிடிக்கிறவன் பூக்களை
பறிக்கவும் கைகள் நடுங்குகிறேன்
பகவான் பேசுவதில்லை அட பக்தியும்
குறைவதும் இல்லை காதலி பேசவுமில்லை
என் காதல் குறைவதும் இல்லை
ஓ ஹோ ஹே ஹே
I was a distant sky, yet you pulled me closer with your scarf
How did you capture my twenty-five years of life in a single second?
Oh hoo... hey... hey
Oh hoo... hmm... hmm
மெல்லினமே மெல்லினமே
நெஞ்சில் மெல்லிய காதல் பூக்கும்
என் காதல் ஒன்றே மிக உயா்ந்ததடி
அதை வானம் அண்ணாந்து பாா்க்கும்
நான் தூரத் தொியும்
வானம் நீ துப்பட்டாவில்
இழுத்தாய் என் இருவத்தைந்து
வயதை ஒரு நொடிக்குள் எப்படி
அடைத்தாய் ஓ ஹோ ஹே ஹே
ஓ ஹோ ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
{ Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum
Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart
En kaadhal ondrae miga uyarnthadhadi
My love alone stands supreme, my dear
Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum } (2)
Even the sky looks up at it with awe
Naan thoora theriyum vaanam nee thupattavil izhuthaai
I was a distant sky, yet you pulled me closer with your scarf
En iruvathainthu vayathai oru nodikul eppadi adaithaai
How did you capture my twenty-five years of life in a single second?
Oh hoo …. hey …. hey
Oh hoo... hey... hey
Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum
Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart
En kaadhal ondrae miga uyarnthadhadi
My love alone stands supreme, my dear
Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum
Even the sky looks up at it with awe
Veesi pona puyalil en vergal saayavillai
My roots did not sway even when a raging storm blew past
Oru pattaampoochi modha athu pattendru saainthadhadi
Yet when a soft butterfly bumped into it, it collapsed instantly, my dear
Enthan kaadhal solla en idhayam kaiyil vaithen
To express my love, I held my heart in my hand
Nee thaandi pona bothu adhu tharaiyil vizhunthadhadi
When you walked past without noticing, it fell to the ground
Mannilae semmannilae en idhayam thulluthadi
Upon the red earth, my heart leaps with excitement
Ovvoru thudipilum un per solluthadi
With every single beat, it calls out your name
Kanavu poovae varuga un kaiyaal idhayam thoduga
Come, flower of my dreams, touch my heart with your hands
Enthan idhayam kondu nee unthan idhayam tharuga
Take my heart as yours and give me your heart in return
Oh …. hoo …. hey …. hey
Oh... hoo... hey... hey
Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum
Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart
En kaadhal ondrae miga uyarnthadhadi
My love alone stands supreme, my dear
Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum
Even the sky looks up at it with awe
Mannai serum munnae adi mazhaiku latchiyam illai
Before reaching the soil, rain has no true goal
Mannai serntha pinnae adhan sevai thodangumadi
Only after reaching the earth does its purpose begin
Unnai kaanum munnae en ulagam thodangavillai
Before seeing you, my world had not even started
Unnai kanda pinnae en ulagam iyangudhadi
After seeing you, my world has finally begun to turn
Vaanathil aeriyae minnal pidikiravan
I am one who can climb into the sky and catch lightning
Pookalai parikavum kaigal nadungukiren
Yet my hands tremble even to pluck delicate flowers for you
Bagavaan pesuvathillai ada bakthiyum kuraivathum illai
God does not speak, yet our devotion never wanes
Kaathali pesavum illai en kaathal kuraivathum illai
My beloved does not speak, yet my love never diminishes
Oh ….. hoo …… hey ….hey
Oh... hoo... hey... hey
Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum
Oh gentle rhythm, soft love blossoms in the heart
En kaadhal ondrae miga uyarnthadhadi
My love alone stands supreme, my dear
Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum
Even the sky looks up at it with awe
Naan thoora theriyum vaanam nee thupattavil izhuthaai
I was a distant sky, yet you pulled me closer with your scarf
En iruvathainthu vayathai oru nodikul eppadi adaithaai
How did you capture my twenty-five years of life in a single second?
Oh hoo …. hey …. hey
Oh hoo... hey... hey
Oh hoo ….hmm …hmm
Oh hoo... hmm... hmm
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Mellinamae is an iconic, deeply poetic romantic song from the 2001 Tamil film Shahjahan. The protagonist reflects on the sudden arrival of love in his life, describing how a quarter-century of existence was transformed in a single moment. He uses grand yet soft imagery, declaring that his love is so magnificent that even the infinite sky looks up to it in admiration. Throughout the verses, Vairamuthu's lyrics emphasize vulnerability and profound devotion. The lover contrasts his inner strength against severe adversity with his utter helplessness in the presence of his beloved—noting that while a wild storm couldn't shake his roots, a delicate butterfly of love brought him down. He equates his love to worship, declaring that even if his beloved remains quiet, his love will never diminish, just as unspoken devotion to God remains unwavering.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monae (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Mellinamae mellinamae nenjil melliya kaadhal pookum”
Repetition of soft 'm' sounds in 'Mellinamae' and 'melliya' creates a soothing, gentle rhythmic flow mirroring the word's meaning.
Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
“Athai vaanam annaanthu paarkum”
Exaggerating the greatness of his love by stating that even the vast sky looks up in wonder at it.
Contrast / Antithesis
“Veesi pona puyalil en vergal saayavillai / Oru pattaampoochi modha athu pattendru saainthadhadi”
Contrasting surviving a mighty storm ('puyalil') with succumbing to a gentle butterfly ('pattaampoochi') to illustrate emotional vulnerability.
Analogy / Metaphor
“Bagavaan pesuvathillai ada bakthiyum kuraivathum illai / Kaathali pesavum illai en kaathal kuraivathum illai”
Compares silent love to silent devotion for God ('Bagavaan'), expressing that love does not depend on verbal validation.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Mani Sharma and sung brilliantly by Harish Raghavendra, 'Mellinamae' earned immense critical acclaim and remains one of the defining Tamil romantic melodies of the early 2000s. The song elevated Harish Raghavendra's reputation as a top playback singer in Tamil cinema.
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