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Isaimozhi
Ilaya Raagam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Ondru Kettal

From Ilaya Raagam · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Arun Mozhi, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ilaya Raagam
Movie release year
1995
Lyrics added on
23 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
O… oo… ohoho hoho ho…
Naan ondru kaettaal tharuvaayaa
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
Nilavukku kootti povaayaa
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Anbae kadhai allavo
Anbin kadhai sollavo
Saerndhu oru paadal oo… oo… oo…
Naan ondru kaettaal tharuvaayaa
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
Nilavukku kootti povaayaa
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Kangal ezhudhum oru kadidhathilae
Kannamudha kavidhaigal vilangiyadhaa
Karpanaigalai chollum kavidhaigalil
Solvadhendrum unmai illai purigiradhaa
En paadal sellum idam
Engae yena neeyae solvaai
Un paadal naan sollavo en paadhai vaerallavo
Idhayam tharaiyil irangaadhu
Ilaikku chiragu mulaikkaadhu
Sangeedha mozhi thoodhu
Naan ondru solven ketpaayaa
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
Nee andha nilavai marappaayaa
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Vennilavilae unnai kudiyamartha
Tholil iru siragugal enakkillaiyae
Kudi irukkum chinna kudisaiyilum
Thaen nilavu thendraludan selvadhillaiyaa
Aadhaaram illaamalae koodaaram
Nirkkaadhammaa
Aadhaamin aadhaaram thaan
Yaevaal enum pen thaanaiyaa
Vaanam kaiyil adangaadhu
Mauna alaigal urangaadhu
Sangeedha mozhi thoodhu
Naan ondru kettaal tharuvaayaa
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
Nilavukku kootti povaayaa
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Anbae kadhai allavo
Anbin kadhai sollavo
Saerndhu oru paadal
Oo…oo…oo…
Naan ondru solven ketpaayaa
Mudindhadhendraal adhu mudiyum endraal
Nee andha nilavai marappaayaa
Nadandhidumaa adhu nadandhidumaa
Oh… Oo… Ohoho hoho ho…
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
If it is possible, if it can really be done,
will you take me to the moon?
Can that happen? Will it ever happen?
My love, isn't it all just a story?
Shall we tell love's story,
singing a song together? Oo… oo… oo…
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
If it is possible, if it can really be done,
will you take me to the moon?
Can that happen? Will it ever happen?
In the letter written by the eyes,
did you understand the sweet, nectar-like poems?
In poems born of pure imagination,
what is said is never the reality, do you understand?
The destination where my song goes,
tell me yourself where that is.
How can I tell of your song when my own path is different?
The heart will not come down to earth.
Wings will not sprout on a leaf.
The language of music is our messenger.
If I tell you something, will you listen?
If it is possible, if it can really be done,
will you forget that moon?
Can that happen? Will it ever happen?
To build a home for you on the bright moon,
I don't have wings on my shoulders.
Even in the humble little hut where we live,
doesn't a sweet honeymoon drift along with the breeze?
Without any support, a tent
cannot stand, my dear.
Wasn't the true support of Adam
the woman named Eve?
The sky cannot be held in one's hands.
Silent waves never sleep.
The language of music is our messenger.
If I ask you for something, will you give it to me?
If it is possible, if it can really be done,
will you take me to the moon?
Can that happen? Will it ever happen?
My love, isn't it all just a story?
Shall we tell love's story,
singing a song together?
Oo… oo… oo…
If I tell you something, will you listen?
If it is possible, if it can really be done,
will you forget that moon?
Can that happen? Will it ever happen?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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