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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naalai Muthal Unakkagave

From Nenjamellam Neeye · 1983

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nenjamellam Neeye1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa…..aa….aaa….aah…Aaa... vocal melody...
Aa…..aa…..aaahhAa... vocal melody...
Aaa…..aa….aaa….aah…Aaa... vocal melody...
Aa…..aa…..aaahhAa... vocal melody...
Female
Naalai mudhal unakkaagaveyFrom tomorrow onwards, purely for you,
Naan paaduven en kannanaeI will sing, my dear Krishna.
Naalai mudhal unakkaagaveyFrom tomorrow onwards, purely for you,
Naan paaduven en kannanaeI will sing, my dear Krishna.
Oru naal mattum oru naal mattuJust for one day, only for one day,
Pirarkagavae ival paada koodaatho…oo…oo….Is this girl not allowed to sing for others?
Female
Naalai mudhal unakkaagaveyFrom tomorrow onwards, purely for you,
Naan paaduven en kannanaeI will sing, my dear Krishna.
Female
Viralgalil naanaeIn your fingers, I am,
Kannaa un vaenguzhalthaanaeOh Krishna, I am your bamboo flute.
Viralgalil naanaeIn your fingers, I am,
Kannaa un vaenguzhalthaanaeOh Krishna, I am your bamboo flute.
Isai mazhaiyaai pozhivatharkkumFor showering as a rainfall of music,
Dhisaigalellam pugazhvatharkkumAnd for earning fame across all directions,
Needhaanae kaaranamYou alone are the reason.
Female
Valaenthida thanneerai vaarththavanThe one who poured water so that I could grow,
Valaenthida thanneerai vaarththavanThe one who poured water so that I could grow,
Vaerai paripathazhagaeIs it fair for you to now pull me out by the roots?
Female
Naalai mudhal unakkaagaveyFrom tomorrow onwards, purely for you,
Naan paaduven en kannanaeI will sing, my dear Krishna.
Oru naal mattum oru naal mattuJust for one day, only for one day,
Pirarkagavae ival paada koodaatho…oo…oo….Is this girl not allowed to sing for others?
Female
Naalai mudhal unakkaagaveyFrom tomorrow onwards, purely for you,
Naan paaduven en kannanae….oo….I will sing, my dear Krishna...
Aa…..aa….aa….en kannanaeAa... my dear Krishna.
Female
Mazhai tharum maegamThe cloud that brings rain,
Neengaamal marakkindra naeramIs forgetting its duty without departing.
Mazhai tharum maegamThe cloud that brings rain,
Neengaamal marakkindra naeramIs forgetting its duty without departing.
Nilavu mugam siripathillaiThe moon-like face does not smile anymore,
Ninaivugalum inipathillaiEven memories no longer feel sweet,
Ariyaayo kannanaeDo you not realize this, my Krishna?
Female
Unnakkithil santhosam thevaiyoDo you derive joy from this sorrow?
Unnakkithil santhosam thevaiyoDo you derive joy from this sorrow?
Ullam urugavillaiyoDoes your heart not melt at all?
Female
Naalai mudhal unakkaagaveyFrom tomorrow onwards, purely for you,
Naan paaduven en kannanae….I will sing, my dear Krishna...
Aa…..aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…Aa... vocal vocalization...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song 'Naalai Mudhal Unakkaagavey' from the 1983 movie Nenjamellam Neeye depicts a singer addressing her possessive lover/husband (referred to affectionately as Krishna). She devotionally promises that from tomorrow onwards her art and voice will belong exclusively to him. However, she pleads for permission to perform for others just for a single day. She uses poignant metaphors—comparing herself to a bamboo flute played by his fingers and a plant nurtured by him that is now being uprooted. She questions his willingness to let her suffer, asking if his heart does not melt seeing her joyless state.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kannaa un vaenguzhalthaanae

The singer compares herself to Krishna's bamboo flute ('Kannaa un vaenguzhalthaanae'), symbolizing her total surrender and reliance on him for her music.

Extended Metaphor / Imagery

Valaenthida thanneerai vaarththavan... Vaerai paripathazhagae

The singer compares her growth under his love to a plant nurtured with water, contrasting it with the pain of being uprooted by the roots ('Vaerai paripathazhagae').

Ethirai (Second letter rhyming) & Monaai (Alliteration)

Nilavu mugam siripathillai / Ninaivugalum inipathillai

The lines use matching letter rhythms ('Nilavu' and 'Ninaivugalum') to accentuate the melancholy tone.

Rhetorical Question

Unnakkithil santhosam thevaiyo / Ullam urugavillaiyo

The lyricist uses poignant rhetorical questions to challenge the lover's stubborn possessiveness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and rendered expressively by S. Janaki, this song showcases M.G. Vallabhan's skill in writing deeply passionate and classical-touch lyrics that merge classical imagery of Lord Krishna's flute with personal heartbreak.

Keep listening

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