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Lyrics & meaning

Naan Alavodu Rasipavan

From Engal Thangam · 1970

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Engal Thangam1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan alavaodu rasippavanI am one who admires in moderation,
Mm mm mmMm mm mm
Edhaiyum alavindri koduppavanBut gives everything without measure.
Anbin azhagodu thazhuviEmbracing with the beauty of love,
Uravodu pazhagiBonding through warmth and affection,
Uyiraaga ninaippavanI cherish you as my very life.
Male
Naan alavaodu rasippavanI am one who admires in moderation,
Mm mm mmMm mm mm
Edhaiyum alavindri koduppavanBut gives everything without measure.
Anbin azhagodu thazhuviEmbracing with the beauty of love,
Uravodu pazhagiBonding through warmth and affection,
Uyiraaga ninaippavanI cherish you as my very life.
Female
Madhuvodu vandhu idhazh thaediArriving with nectar, seeking lips,
Idhamodu thandhu inaiyaagiOffering comfort and becoming one,
Madhuvodu vandhu idhazh thaediArriving with nectar, seeking lips,
Idhamodu thandhu inaiyaagiOffering comfort and becoming one,
Pirindhaalum ullam piriyaamal vaazhaLiving so hearts remain united even when physically apart,
Yaar solli thandhadhoWho taught us this art of love?
Female
Naan unakkaaga pirandhavalI am the woman born only for you,
Undhan nizhal polae thodarndhavalThe one who follows you like your shadow.
Unnai oru podhu thazhuvi maru podhu urugiEmbracing you one moment, melting in love the next,
Thaniyaaga thudippavalI yearn for you in solitude.
Male
Kannam senthaamaraiHer cheeks are like red lotuses,
Sindhum mutham senthaen mazhaiThe kiss she showers is a rain of sweet honey.
Kangal inba kadalHer eyes are an ocean of bliss,
Kural thaam konjum pullaanguzhalHer voice is a sweet, coaxing flute.
Mangai ponnoviyamThe maiden is a golden masterpiece,
Pesum mazhalai solloviyamHer tender speech is a portrait rendered in words.
Female
Kanivaana nenjil uruvaana kavidhaiA poem crafted inside a compassionate heart,
Ennendru sollavoHow can I express its splendor?
Male
Naan alavaodu rasippavanI am one who admires in moderation,
Mm mm mmMm mm mm
Edhaiyum alavindri koduppavanBut gives everything without measure.
Anbin azhagodu thazhuviEmbracing with the beauty of love,
Uravodu pazhagiBonding through warmth and affection,
Uyiraaga ninaippavanI cherish you as my very life.
Female
Thottu theeraadhadhoIs touch something that never satisfies?
Kaigal pattum aaraadhadhoDoes desire remain unquenched even when hands meet?
Vittu chellaadhadhoWill this passion never leave us?
Ilamai vaegam pollaadhadhoIs the urge of youth so untamed?
Kattu padaadhadhoWill it refuse to stay bound?
Ullam kaaval illaadhadhoIs the heart left without any guard?
Male
Nizhalodu vandhu kulir sera innumTo seek cool comfort in the shade,
Naal paarppadhennavoWhy are we still waiting for another day?
Female
Naan unakkaaga pirandhavalI am the woman born only for you,
Undhan nizhal polae thodarndhavalThe one who follows you like your shadow.
Unnai oru podhu thazhuvi maru podhu urugiEmbracing you one moment, melting in love the next,
Thaniyaaga thudippavalI yearn for you in solitude.
Male
Mullai sendaagavaeLike a bouquet of jasmine blossoms,
Unnai mella pandhaadavoShall I gently toss you around like a ball?
Alli thandhaagavaeOffering love in boundless abundance,
Odiyum idaiyai thottaadavoShall I hold and sway with your slender waist?
Thottil neeyaagavaeIf you become the loving cradle,
Aadum pillai naanaagavoShall I become the child rocking in it?
Female
Enadhendra yaavum unadhaana pinbuOnce everything that is mine becomes completely yours,
Naan enna solvadhoWhat more is left for me to say?
Male
Naan alavaodu rasippavanI am one who admires in moderation,
Mm mm mmMm mm mm
Edhaiyum alavindri koduppavanBut gives everything without measure.
Anbin azhagodu thazhuviEmbracing with the beauty of love,
Uravodu pazhagiBonding through warmth and affection,
Uyiraaga ninaippavanI cherish you as my very life.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan Alavaodu Rasippavan is a classic romantic duet from the 1970 movie Engal Thangam, expressing mutual devotion, adoration, and playful romantic banter between two lovers. The male protagonist describes his philosophy of admiring things in moderation while offering unconditional, limitless love to his beloved. The female protagonist responds with deep devotion, describing herself as someone born specifically for him who follows him like a shadow. Throughout the song, the couple trades rich poetic imagery. The hero praises her lotus cheeks, ocean-like eyes, and flute-like voice, while the heroine surrenders her heart completely, delighting in their playful closeness and emotional harmony that transcends physical separation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Kannam senthaamarai / Kangal inba kadal

Directly equates physical features to natural beauties, such as cheeks to red lotus blossoms and eyes to an ocean of happiness.

Simile (Uvamai)

Undhan nizhal polae thodarndhaval

Compares her constant presence and devotion to a shadow following a person.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Thottu theeraadhadho / Vittu chellaadhadho / Kattu padaadhadho

Consonance in the second letter across lines creating rhythmic harmony (e.g., Thottu / Vittu / Kattu).

Anaphora (Pallavi Repetition)

Naan alavaodu rasippavan / Edhaiyum alavindri koduppavan

Refrain line repeated to anchor the theme of moderate appreciation paired with boundless giving.

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Trivia

Engal Thangam (1970) features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vaali. The song is sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela and picturized on M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa.

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