Naan Ondru Kettal
From Ilaya Raagam · 1995
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Arun Mozhi, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ilaya Raagam1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| O… oo… ohoho hoho ho… | O… oo… ohoho hoho ho… |
| Female | |
| Naan ondru kaettaal tharuvaayaa | If I ask you for something, will you give it to me? |
| Male | |
| Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal | If it is possible, if it can really be done... |
| Female | |
| Nilavukku kootti povaayaa | Will you take me along to the moon? |
| Male | |
| Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa | Will that happen? Will that ever happen? |
| Anbae kadhai allavo | My love, isn't it a story? |
| Female | |
| Anbin kadhai sollavo | Shall I tell you the story of love? |
| Male | |
| Saerndhu oru paadal oo… oo… oo… | Together, a song... oo… oo… oo… |
| Female | |
| Naan ondru kaettaal tharuvaayaa | If I ask you for something, will you give it to me? |
| Male | |
| Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal | If it is possible, if it can really be done... |
| Female | |
| Nilavukku kootti povaayaa | Will you take me along to the moon? |
| Male | |
| Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa | Will that happen? Will that ever happen? |
| Female | |
| Kangal ezhudhum oru kadidhathilae | In a letter written by the eyes... |
| Kannamudha kavidhaigal vilangiyadhaa | Did you understand the poems sweet as nectar? |
| Male | |
| Karpanaigalai chollum kavidhaigalil | In poems that express vivid imaginations... |
| Solvadhendrum unmai illai purigiradhaa | What is expressed is never the literal truth, do you understand? |
| Female | |
| En paadal sellum idam | The place where my song travels... |
| Engae yena neeyae solvaai | You tell me where that is! |
| Male | |
| Un paadal naan sollavo en paadhai vaerallavo | Shall I sing your song? Is my path any different? |
| Female | |
| Idhayam tharaiyil irangaadhu | The heart will not descend to the ground. |
| Male | |
| Ilaikku chiragu mulaikkaadhu | Wings will not sprout on a leaf. |
| Female | |
| Sangeedha mozhi thoodhu | The language of music is our messenger. |
| Male | |
| Naan ondru solven ketpaayaa | If I tell you something, will you listen to me? |
| Female | |
| Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal | If it is possible, if it can really be done... |
| Male | |
| Nee andha nilavai marappaayaa | Will you forget about that moon? |
| Female | |
| Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa | Will that happen? Will that ever happen? |
| Male | |
| Vennilavilae unnai kudiyamartha | To settle you on the silvery moon... |
| Tholil iru siragugal enakkillaiyae | I do not possess two wings on my shoulders. |
| Female | |
| Kudi irukkum chinna kudisaiyilum | Even in the small humble hut where we reside... |
| Thaen nilavu thendraludan selvadhillaiyaa | Doesn't a honeymoon pass by with the gentle breeze? |
| Male | |
| Aadhaaram illaamalae koodaaram | A tent without any foundation or support... |
| Nirkkaadhammaa | Will not stand tall, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Aadhaamin aadhaaram thaan | Indeed, the ultimate support of Adam... |
| Yaevaal enum pen thaanaiyaa | Is the woman named Eve, isn't it? |
| Male | |
| Vaanam kaiyil adangaadhu | The vast sky cannot be contained in one's hand. |
| Female | |
| Mauna alaigal urangaadhu | The silent waves never go to sleep. |
| Male | |
| Sangeedha mozhi thoodhu | The language of music is our messenger. |
| Female | |
| Naan ondru kettaal tharuvaayaa | If I ask you for something, will you give it to me? |
| Male | |
| Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal | If it is possible, if it can really be done... |
| Female | |
| Nilavukku kootti povaayaa | Will you take me along to the moon? |
| Male | |
| Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa | Will that happen? Will that ever happen? |
| Anbae kadhai allavo | My love, isn't it a story? |
| Female | |
| Anbin kadhai sollavo | Shall I tell you the story of love? |
| Male | |
| Saerndhu oru paadal | Together, a song... |
| Female | |
| Oo…oo…oo… | Oo…oo…oo… |
| Male | |
| Naan ondru solven ketpaayaa | If I tell you something, will you listen to me? |
| Female | |
| Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal | If it is possible, if it can really be done... |
| Male | |
| Nee andha nilavai marappaayaa | Will you forget about that moon? |
| Female | |
| Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa | Will that happen? Will that ever happen? |
ஓ... ஓ... ஒஹோஹோ ஹோஹோ ஹோ...
O… oo… ohoho hoho ho…
நான் ஒன்று கேட்டால் தருவாயா
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
முடிந்ததென்றால் அது முடியும் என்றால்
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
நிலவுக்கு கூட்டிப் போவாயா
Will you take me along to the moon?
நடந்திடுமா அது நடந்திடுமா
அன்பே கதை அல்லவோ
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
My love, isn't it a story?
அன்பின் கதை சொல்லவோ
Shall I tell you the story of love?
சேர்ந்து ஒரு பாடல் ஓ... ஓ... ஓ...
Together, a song... oo… oo… oo…
நான் ஒன்று கேட்டால் தருவாயா
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
முடிந்ததென்றால் அது முடியும் என்றால்
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
நிலவுக்கு கூட்டிப் போவாயா
Will you take me along to the moon?
நடந்திடுமா அது நடந்திடுமா
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
கண்கள் எழுதும் ஒரு கடிதத்திலே
கண்ணமுதக் கவிதைகள் விளங்கியதா
In a letter written by the eyes...
Did you understand the poems sweet as nectar?
கற்பனைகளை சொல்லும் கவிதைகளில்
சொல்வதென்றும் உண்மை இல்லை புரிகிறதா
In poems that express vivid imaginations...
What is expressed is never the literal truth, do you understand?
என் பாடல் செல்லும் இடம்
எங்கே என நீயே சொல்வாய்
The place where my song travels...
You tell me where that is!
உன் பாடல் நான் சொல்லவோ
என் பாதை வேறல்லவோ
Shall I sing your song? Is my path any different?
இதயம் தரையில் இறங்காது
The heart will not descend to the ground.
இலைக்குச் சிறகு முளைக்காது
Wings will not sprout on a leaf.
சங்கீத மொழி தூது
The language of music is our messenger.
நான் ஒன்று சொல்வேன் கேட்பாயா
If I tell you something, will you listen to me?
முடிந்ததென்றால் அது முடியும் என்றால்
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
நீ அந்த நிலவை மறப்பாயா
Will you forget about that moon?
நடந்திடுமா அது நடந்திடுமா
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
வெண்ணிலவிலே உன்னை குடியமர்த்த
தோளில் இரு சிறகுகள் எனக்கில்லையே
To settle you on the silvery moon...
I do not possess two wings on my shoulders.
குடியிருக்கும் சின்னக் குடிசையிலும்
தேன் நிலவு தென்றலுடன் செல்வதில்லையா
Even in the small humble hut where we reside...
Doesn't a honeymoon pass by with the gentle breeze?
ஆதாரம் இல்லாமலே கூடாரம்
நிற்காதம்மா
A tent without any foundation or support...
Will not stand tall, my dear.
ஆதாமின் ஆதாரம் தான்
ஏவாள் எனும் பெண்தானய்யா
Indeed, the ultimate support of Adam...
Is the woman named Eve, isn't it?
வானம் கையில் அடங்காது
The vast sky cannot be contained in one's hand.
மௌன அலைகள் உறங்காது
The silent waves never go to sleep.
சங்கீத மொழி தூது
The language of music is our messenger.
நான் ஒன்று கேட்டால் தருவாயா
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
முடிந்ததென்றால் அது முடியும் என்றால்
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
நிலவுக்கு கூட்டிப் போவாயா
Will you take me along to the moon?
நடந்திடுமா அது நடந்திடுமா
அன்பே கதை அல்லவோ
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
My love, isn't it a story?
அன்பின் கதை சொல்லவோ
Shall I tell you the story of love?
சேர்ந்து ஒரு பாடல்
Together, a song...
ஓ... ஓ... ஓ...
Oo…oo…oo…
நான் ஒன்று கேட்டால் தருவாயா
If I tell you something, will you listen to me?
முடிந்ததென்றால் அது முடியும் என்றால்
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
நீ அந்த நிலவை மறப்பாயா
Will you forget about that moon?
நடந்திடுமா அது நடந்திடுமா
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
O… oo… ohoho hoho ho…
O… oo… ohoho hoho ho…
Naan ondru kaettaal tharuvaayaa
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
Nilavukku kootti povaayaa
Will you take me along to the moon?
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
Anbae kadhai allavo
My love, isn't it a story?
Anbin kadhai sollavo
Shall I tell you the story of love?
Saerndhu oru paadal oo… oo… oo…
Together, a song... oo… oo… oo…
Naan ondru kaettaal tharuvaayaa
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
Nilavukku kootti povaayaa
Will you take me along to the moon?
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
Kangal ezhudhum oru kadidhathilae
In a letter written by the eyes...
Kannamudha kavidhaigal vilangiyadhaa
Did you understand the poems sweet as nectar?
Karpanaigalai chollum kavidhaigalil
In poems that express vivid imaginations...
Solvadhendrum unmai illai purigiradhaa
What is expressed is never the literal truth, do you understand?
En paadal sellum idam
The place where my song travels...
Engae yena neeyae solvaai
You tell me where that is!
Un paadal naan sollavo en paadhai vaerallavo
Shall I sing your song? Is my path any different?
Idhayam tharaiyil irangaadhu
The heart will not descend to the ground.
Ilaikku chiragu mulaikkaadhu
Wings will not sprout on a leaf.
Sangeedha mozhi thoodhu
The language of music is our messenger.
Naan ondru solven ketpaayaa
If I tell you something, will you listen to me?
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
Nee andha nilavai marappaayaa
Will you forget about that moon?
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
Vennilavilae unnai kudiyamartha
To settle you on the silvery moon...
Tholil iru siragugal enakkillaiyae
I do not possess two wings on my shoulders.
Kudi irukkum chinna kudisaiyilum
Even in the small humble hut where we reside...
Thaen nilavu thendraludan selvadhillaiyaa
Doesn't a honeymoon pass by with the gentle breeze?
Aadhaaram illaamalae koodaaram
A tent without any foundation or support...
Nirkkaadhammaa
Will not stand tall, my dear.
Aadhaamin aadhaaram thaan
Indeed, the ultimate support of Adam...
Yaevaal enum pen thaanaiyaa
Is the woman named Eve, isn't it?
Vaanam kaiyil adangaadhu
The vast sky cannot be contained in one's hand.
Mauna alaigal urangaadhu
The silent waves never go to sleep.
Sangeedha mozhi thoodhu
The language of music is our messenger.
Naan ondru kettaal tharuvaayaa
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
Nilavukku kootti povaayaa
Will you take me along to the moon?
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
Anbae kadhai allavo
My love, isn't it a story?
Anbin kadhai sollavo
Shall I tell you the story of love?
Saerndhu oru paadal
Together, a song...
Oo…oo…oo…
Oo…oo…oo…
Naan ondru solven ketpaayaa
If I tell you something, will you listen to me?
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
If it is possible, if it can really be done...
Nee andha nilavai marappaayaa
Will you forget about that moon?
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Will that happen? Will that ever happen?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic duet portrays a playful yet profound conversation between two lovers exploring the boundaries of ideal love versus practical reality. The female lover playfully demands impossible romantic gestures, such as taking her to the moon, while the male lover gently grounds her expectations through metaphorical reasoning, reminding her that poetic imaginations aren't literal truths and that true happiness can be experienced even in a humble hut.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Aadhaaram illaamalae koodaaram / Aadhaamin aadhaaram thaan”
The second letters 'dha' in 'Aadhaaram' and 'Aadhaamin' rhyme across consecutive lines, creating a classic Tamil rhythmic flow.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Kangal ezhudhum oru kadidhathilae / Kannamudha kavidhaigal vilangiyadhaa”
Comparing eye contact and subtle expressions to a written letter, and romantic thoughts to sweet nectar.
Allusion
“Aadhaamin aadhaaram thaan / Yaevaal enum pen thaanaiyaa”
Referencing the biblical and Quranic figures Adam and Eve to symbolize the fundamental bond and support between man and woman.
Personification
“Mauna alaigal urangaadhu”
Attributing human traits like 'silence' and 'sleep' to ocean waves, symbolizing restless emotions.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song from 'Ilaya Raagam' (1995) showcases Vaali's signature lyricism where he effortlessly blends modern romantic metaphors with traditional poetic tropes like 'Kannamudha Kavidhaigal' and western philosophical references to Adam and Eve.
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