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Lyrics & meaning

Naan Erikkarai Melirunthu

From Chinna Thayee · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chinna Thayee
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
12 Apr 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naan erikara melirundhu
Ettu dhisai paarthirundhu
Yenthizhaiku kaathirundhen kaanala
Mani ezhu ettu aana pinnum
Ooradangi pona pinnum
Soru thanni venumunnu thonala
En themmaangu paata ketu
Then kaathu odi vandhu
Thoodhaaga poga venum akaraiyila
Naan undaana aasaigala
Ullaara pooti vachi
Othaiyila vaadurenae ikaraiyila
{ Naan maamarathin keezhirundhu
Munnum pinnum paarthirundhu
Maamanuku kaathirundhen kaanala
Ada saayungaalam aana pinnum
Sandha moodi pona pinnum
Veedu poyi sernthidathaan thonala } (2)
En themmaangu paata ketu
Then kaathu odi vandhu
Thoodhaaga poga venum akaraiyila
Naan undaana aasaigala
Ullaara pooti vachi
Thindaadi nikirenae ikaraiyila
Naan erikara melirundhu
Ettu dhisai paarthirundhu
Yenthizhaiku kaathirundhen kaanala
Mani ezhu ettu aana pinnum
Ooradangi pona pinnum
Soru thanni venumunnu thonala
Thoora kizhaku
Karai oramthaan
Thaazha parandhu
Varum megamthaan
Un kita seraatho
En paata kooraatho
Onnaaga naam koodum
Santharpam vaaratho
Un kooda naanum sera
Otha kaalil ninnenae
Sennaarai kootathodu
Sedhi onnu sonnenae
Kannaalam kaatchi eppodhu
Ennaalum en nesam thapaadhu
Naan maamarathin keezhirundhu
Munnum pinnum paarthirundhu
Maamanuku kaathirundhen kaanala
Mani ezhu ettu aana pinnum
Ooradangi pona pinnum
Soru thanni venumunnu thonala
Maman nenapil
Chinna thaayithaan
Maasa kanakil
Konda noyithaan
Machan kai pattaaka
Mutchoodum theeradho
Akkalin ponnukor
Porkaalam vaaraadho
Kai yendhum aatukutti
Kanni pennaai maaradho
Mai yendhum kannai kaati
Maiyal theera pesadho
Unnaalae thookam poyaachu
Ullaara yedhedho aayaachu
Naan erikara melirundhu
Ettu dhisai paarthirundhu
Yenthizhaiku kaathirundhen kaanala
Mani ezhu ettu aana pinnum
Ooradangi pona pinnum
Soru thanni venumunnu thonala
En themmaangu paata ketu
Then kaathu odi vandhu
Thoodhaaga poga venum akaraiyila
Naan undaana aasaigala
Ullaara pooti vachi
Thindaadi nikirenae ikaraiyila
Naan erikara melirundhu
Ettu dhisai paarthirundhu
Yenthizhaiku kaathirundhen kaanala
Ada saayungaalam aana pinnum
Sandha moodi pona pinnum
Veedu poyi sernthidathaan thonala
Sitting atop the lake bank,
Looking out in all eight directions,
I waited for my beloved, but she is nowhere to be seen.
Even after it was seven or eight at night,
Even after the village fell silent,
I didn't feel like having food or water.
Hearing my folk song,
The southern breeze should come rushing
And go as a messenger to the other shore.
Locking up all the desires
That were born deep inside me,
I am languishing all alone on this shore.
Sitting beneath the mango tree,
Looking back and forth,
I waited for my sweetheart, but he is nowhere to be seen.
Ah, even after the evening has set in,
Even after the market closed down,
I don't feel like returning home.
Hearing my folk song,
The southern breeze should come rushing
And go as a messenger to the other shore.
Locking up all the desires
That were born deep inside me,
I stand here struggling on this shore.
Sitting atop the lake bank,
Looking out in all eight directions,
I waited for my beloved, but she is nowhere to be seen.
Even after it was seven or eight at night,
Even after the village fell silent,
I didn't feel like having food or water.
Towards the distant east,
Along the edge of the shore,
Flying low,
The drifting clouds—
Won't they reach you?
Won't they sing my song to you?
Won't a chance come
For the two of us to unite?
To be together with you,
I waited eagerly on one foot.
Through the flock of storks,
I sent you a message.
When will our wedding day arrive?
My love for you will never fail, ever.
Sitting beneath the mango tree,
Looking back and forth,
I waited for my sweetheart, but he is nowhere to be seen.
Even after it was seven or eight at night,
Even after the village fell silent,
I didn't feel like having food or water.
Lost in thoughts of her sweetheart,
Chinna Thayee has been suffering
For months on end
From this lovesickness.
If my sweetheart's hand touches me,
Won't it all be healed completely?
For your sister's daughter,
Won't a golden time arrive?
The little lamb you carried in your arms,
Won't she blossom into your woman?
Looking with kohl-lined eyes,
Won't she talk to ease your longing?
Because of you, I have lost my sleep,
And strange feelings have stirred inside me.
Sitting atop the lake bank,
Looking out in all eight directions,
I waited for my beloved, but she is nowhere to be seen.
Even after it was seven or eight at night,
Even after the village fell silent,
I didn't feel like having food or water.
Hearing my folk song,
The southern breeze should come rushing
And go as a messenger to the other shore.
Locking up all the desires
That were born deep inside me,
I stand here struggling on this shore.
Sitting atop the lake bank,
Looking out in all eight directions,
I waited for my beloved, but she is nowhere to be seen.
Ah, even after the evening has set in,
Even after the market closed down,
I don't feel like returning home.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This folk duet from Chinna Thaayi (1992) portrays two lovers separated by a body of water, expressing their intense longing and sleepless devotion. The male protagonist sits on the lake bank looking across, while the female protagonist waits under a mango tree. Both lose their desire for food, water, and returning home as dusk falls and the village grows quiet. To bridge the gap between them, they appeal to natural elements like the southern breeze, low clouds, and passing storks to carry their feelings as messengers. Written in traditional folk rhythms, the lyrics capture the ache of unfulfilled love and the hopeful anticipation of marriage and reunion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Then kaathu odi vandhu / Thoodhaaga poga venum akaraiyila

The southern breeze (Then kaathu) is personified as a messenger that can run and convey feelings across the river.

Monai (Initial Assonance / Rhyme)

Naan undaana aasaigala / Ullaara pooti vachi

The use of matching initial vowel sounds in 'Naan' and 'Ullaara' creates rhythmic harmony across lines.

Hyperbole

Un kooda naanum sera / Otha kaalil ninnenae

Standing on one leg ('Otha kaalil ninnenae') metaphorically exaggerates penance and dedicated waiting for a loved one.

Imagery

Thoora kizhaku / Karai oramthaan / Thaazha parandhu / Varum megamthaan

Creates vivid rural landscapes with lake banks, closing village markets, mango trees, and flying clouds.

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