Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Pesa Ninaippathellam (Sad)

From Palum Pazhamum · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Palum Pazhamum1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naanpesa ninaipathellamEverything I wish to speak
Nee pesa vendumYou must speak
Male
Naanpesa ninaipathellamEverything I wish to speak
Nee pesa vendumYou must speak
Paadu nila (Dialogue)Sing moon (Dialogue)
Female :Naanpesa ninaipathellamFemale: Everything I wish to speak
Nee pesa vendumYou must speak
Male
Naalodum pozhuthodumWith every passing day and time
Uravada vendumWe must bond in affection
Male & Female :Male & Female:
Uravada vendum mm..mmm…We must bond in affection, mm..mmm...
Female
Naankaanum ulagangalThe worlds that I see
Nee kaana vendumYou must see as well
Male :Naankaanum ulagangalMale: The worlds that I see
Nee kaana vendumYou must see as well
Male & Female :Male & Female:
Nee kaana vendum..mm..mm…You must see as well..mm..mm...
Male
Neekaanum porul yaavumWhatever object you behold
Naanaga vendumI should become
Male & Female :Male & Female:
Naanaga vendum..mmm..mmm…I should become..mmm..mmm...
Female
Mmm mm mmmMmm mm mmm
Female
Paalodu pazham yaavumAll the milk and fruit
Unakaga vendumMust be reserved for you
Unakaga vendum…mm…mm..Must be reserved for you...mm...mm..
Female
Paavai un mugam paarthuLooking at your fair face
Pasiyaara vendumMy hunger should be appeased
Pasiyaara vendumMy hunger should be appeased
Female
Manathaalum ninaivalumIn heart and in memories
Thaayaga vendumYou should become a mother
Naanaga vendum..mm..mm…I should become..mm..mm...
Female
Madimeethu vilaiyaadumPlaying on your lap
Seiyaaga vendumI should become the child
Neeyaga vendum..mm…mm..You should become..mm...mm..
Male
Adithaalum uthaithaalumEven if you beat or kick me
Naan unthan pillaiI am still your child
Naan unthan pillai…mm..I am still your child...mm..
Male
Ammavendru azhaikkaTo call you 'Mother'
Nee inghu illaiYou are not here
Nee inghu illaiYou are not here
Male
Kanmoodi iruloduClosing my eyes, in darkness
Vilaiyaadum pillaiA playing child
Vilaiyaadum pillaiA playing child
Male
Kalyaana thirukolamMy blessed wedding appearance
Nee kaana villaiYou did not live to see
Nee kaana villaiYou did not live to see

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses deep emotional intimacy, soulmate-like understanding, and unconditional romantic love that transforms into maternal/filial affection. The lovers desire complete harmony where one speaks the thoughts of the other, sees the world through each other's eyes, and finds sustenance purely through love. As the lyric progresses, it reflects on deep longing, selflessness, and the pain of lost maternal presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Naanpesa ninaipathellam / Nee pesa vendum

Repetition of second letter consonants across lines, e.g., Naanpesa / Nee pesa, and Paalodu / Paavai.

Anaphora / Repetition

Naanpesa ninaipathellam / Nee pesa vendum

Repetition of key lines for emotional emphasis and musical cadence.

Metaphor

Paavai un mugam paarthu / Pasiyaara vendum

Comparing the beloved's presence and face to spiritual and physical nourishment (Paal, Pazham, Pasiyaara).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy for the 1961 film 'Paalum Pazhamum', this song features lyrics by Kannadasan and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. It remains one of Tamil cinema's most iconic melodies depicting selfless love.

Keep listening

More from Palum Pazhamum