Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Nee

From Madras · 2014

Lyricist
Uma Devi
Singers
Dheekshitha, Shakthisree Gopalan
Music director
M. Ghibran
Details
Madras2014

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naan nee naam vaazhavae uravaeYou, I, and we came together to live, my relation.
Nee naan naam thondrinom uyiraeYou and I, we were born as one, my soul.
Thaaba poovum naanthaanaeI am the longing flower.
Poovin thaagam neethaanaeYou are the thirst of that flower.
Female
Naan paravaiyin vaaanamI am the sky for the bird.
Pazhagida vaa vaa neeyumCome, come to get acquainted with me.
Naan analidum vegamI am the intensity of the raging fire.
Anaithida vaa vaa neeyumCome, come to embrace and extinguish me.
Thaaba poovum naanthaanaeI am the longing flower.
Poovin thaagam neethaanaeYou are the thirst of that flower.
Female
Uyir vaazha mulkoodaTo sustain life, even a thorn.
Oru paravaiyin veedaai maaridumaeWill transform into a nest for a bird.
Uyirae un paadhai malaraagumMy soul, your path will blossom into flowers.
Nadhi vaazhum meen koodaEven the fish living in the river.
Oru naalil kadalai serndhidumaeWill reach the ocean one day.
Meenae kadalaaga azhaikindrenOh fish, I call out to you as the ocean.
Thaaba poovum naanthaaneI am the longing flower.
Poovin thaagam neethaaneYou are the thirst of that flower.
Female
Anal kaayum parayosaiThe sound of the Parai drum in the scorching heat.
Oru vaazhvin geedham aagidumaeWill become the anthem of a life.
Anbe malaraatha nenjam engaeMy love, where is a heart that does not bloom?
Pazhi theerkum un kannilIn your eyes that seek vengeance.
Oru kaadhal azhagaai thondridumaeA beautiful love will arise.
Anbe nee vaaraayoMy love, won't you come to me?
Thaaba poovum naanthaaneI am the longing flower.
Poovin thaagam neethaaneYou are the thirst of that flower.
Female
Naan nee naam vaazhavae uravaeYou, I, and we came together to live, my relation.
Nee naan naam thondrinom uyiraeYou and I, we were born as one, my soul.
Thaaba poovum naanthaanaeI am the longing flower.
Poovin thaagam neethaanaeYou are the thirst of that flower.
Female
Naan paravaiyin vaaanamI am the sky for the bird.
Pazhagida vaa vaa neeyumCome, come to get acquainted with me.
Naan analidum vegamI am the intensity of the raging fire.
Anaithida vaa vaa neeyumCome, come to embrace and extinguish me.
Thaaba poovum naanthaanaeI am the longing flower.
Poovin thaagam neethaanaeYou are the thirst of that flower.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan Nee is a romantic and poetic song from the movie Madras, portraying the profound bond between two lovers. Through metaphors of nature—such as a flower and its thirst, a river finding the ocean, and a bird finding its sky—the lyrics express how true love completes a person and provides solace even amid hardship, anger, and revenge. The song highlights love's power to soothe inner turmoil and transform a harsh reality into a melodious life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thaaba poovum naanthaanae / Poovin thaagam neethaanae

The singer equates herself to a longing flower and her lover to the thirst that sustains it, symbolizing mutual dependency.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Pazhagida vaa vaa neeyum

The repetition of 'vaa vaa' adds melodic rhythm and emotional urgency to the invitation.

Contrast (Uvamai / Porundhumai)

Pazhi theerkum un kannil / Oru kaadhal azhagaai thondridumae

Contrasts the harshness of vengeance ('Pazhi theerkum un kannil') with the gentleness of love ('Oru kaadhal azhagaai thondridumae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Dr. Uma Devi, a Tamil professor and prominent poet, this song marked a breakthrough for female lyricists in mainstream Tamil cinema. It features vocals by Dhee and Shakthisree Gopalan under Santhosh Narayanan's composition.

Keep listening

More from Madras