Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Aathankarai

From Raagam Thedum Pallavi · 1982

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singers
S. Janaki, Chorus
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Raagam Thedum Pallavi1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
La la la la la la la la la la la la laVocalization
La la la la la la la la la la la la laVocalization
La la la la la la la laVocalization
Female
Naan aathaankarai ponenI went to the riverbank
En rosaapoova kaanaenI could not find my rose flower
Naan aathaankarai ponenI went to the riverbank
En rosaapoova kaanaenI could not find my rose flower
Manam engum nizhalaanaenShadows filled my mind
Maharaasan ninaivaagumMemories of my kingly beloved resurfaced
Aaa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…aa…aa…Vocalization
Chorus
La la la la la la la la la la la la laVocalization
La la la la la la la la la la la la laVocalization
La la la la la la la laVocalization
Chorus
Nannaana thaththaatha nannaana thaththaaRhythmic vocalizations
Nannaana thaththaatha nannaana thaththaaRhythmic vocalizations
Female
Pirivennum mullai konduWith the thorn called separation
Idhaiyathil ullae thechchaaScraping inside my heart
Naragathin thuyaram alli paadum ullamThe heart sings bearing the agony of hell
Aaa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…aa…aa…Vocalization
Pirivennum mullai konduWith the thorn called separation
Chorus
La la la laVocalization
Female
Idhaiyathil ullae thechchaaScraping inside my heart
Chorus
La la la laVocalization
Female
Naragathin thuyaram alli paadum ullamThe heart sings bearing the agony of hell
Neelamani vizhiyai paarthuLooking into my sapphire-blue eyes
Neeyum sonna kadhaiyum nooruYou told a hundred stories
Neelamani vizhiyai paarthuLooking into my sapphire-blue eyes
Neeyum sonna kadhaiyum nooruYou told a hundred stories
Nizhalil kooda neeyaa therinjaaYou appeared even in the shadows
Naa paduthaa thookkam varalaWhen I lie down, sleep does not come
Paai virichchaa thookkam illaeEven when I spread the mat, there is no sleep
Naan aathaankarai ponenI went to the riverbank
En rosaapoova kaanaenI could not find my rose flower
Chorus
Ma ma ma pa pa pa ma ma ma pa paSwaras (musical notes)
Ma ma ma pa pa pa ma ma ma pa paSwaras (musical notes)
Female
Kaattukkul kedakkum sarugu kDry leaves lying inside the forest
Kaal pattaa saththam tharudhuMake a sound when stepped on
Nenjukkul nadandhaai aiyaa yaedho naadhamWhen you walked inside my heart, my lord, it created a sound
Aaa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…aa…aa…Vocalization
Kaattukkul kedakkum saruguDry leaves lying inside the forest
Chorus
La la la laVocalization
Female
Kaal pattaa saththam tharudhuMake a sound when stepped on
Chorus
La la la laVocalization
Female
Nenjukkul nadandhaai aiyaa yaedho naadhamWhen you walked inside my heart, my lord, it created a sound
Paadhatha engo vechaenI placed my feet somewhere
Paasatha ingae vechaenI placed my affection right here
Paadhatha engo vechaenI placed my feet somewhere
Paasatha ingae vechaenI placed my affection right here
Poovaththaan veikka marandhaenI forgot to wear flowers
Poovaai naan vaadi ponenLike a flower, I have withered away
Poovaai naan vaadi ponenLike a flower, I have withered away
Female
Naan aathaankarai ponenI went to the riverbank
En rosaapoova kaanaenI could not find my rose flower
Manam engum nizhal aadumShadows dance across my mind
Maharaasan ninaivaagumMemories of my kingly beloved resurfaced
Manam engum nizhal aadumShadows dance across my mind
Maharaasan ninaivaagumMemories of my kingly beloved resurfaced

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Raagam Thedum Pallavi (1982) features this poignant track centered around pain, nostalgia, and yearning caused by separation from a beloved. The singer wanders to the riverbank where she used to meet her lover, only to find him absent. His memories haunt her every thought, leaving her sleepless and restless as his absence feels like a thorn relentlessly scraping her heart. Through rich imagery of nature, such as dry leaves crunching underfoot and flowers withering away, the song captures the inner anguish of a heartbroken woman whose affection remains anchored to her lover even as she wanders aimlessly. T. Rajendar's characteristic lyrical style weaves classical motifs with deep emotional distress to emphasize the tragedy of lost love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uragavam)

Pirivennum mullai kondu Idhaiyathil ullae thechchaa

Separation is directly compared to a thorn scraping inside the heart ('Pirivennum mullai').

Simile (Uvamai)

Poovaai naan vaadi ponen

The protagonist compares her emotional state to a withered flower ('Poovaai naan vaadi ponen').

Ethirai / Monai (Rhyme & Alliteration)

Paadhatha engo vechaen / Paasatha ingae vechaen

Symmetrical structure and initial sound matching between 'Paadhatha' and 'Paasatha' create strong lyrical rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Raagam Thedum Pallavi (1982) was entirely written, composed, directed, and produced by T. Rajendar. The soundtrack was immensely popular, with vocals sung by S. Janaki.

Keep listening

More from Raagam Thedum Pallavi