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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanamo Innum

From Aayirathil Oruvan · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Aayirathil Oruvan1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naanamo innumIs it still shyness?
Naanamo indha jaadaiIs this subtle gesture shyness?
Naadagam enna andhaWhat drama is this,
Paarvai kooruvadhennaAnd what does that glance convey?
Naanamo naanamoIs it shyness, is it shyness?
Female
Oh.. naanamoOh... is it shyness?
Innum naanamo thannaiIs it still shyness before the lover
Naadum kaadhalan munnaeWho comes seeking her,
Thirunaalai thedidum penmaiWhile womanhood longs for the holy wedding day?
Naanumo naanumoShould I feel shy too, should I?
Male
Naanamo innumIs it still shyness?
Naanamo indha jaadaiIs this subtle gesture shyness?
Naadagam enna andhaWhat drama is this,
Paarvai kooruvadhennaAnd what does that glance convey?
Naanamo naanamoIs it shyness, is it shyness?
Male
{ Thottathu poovinilThat which is absent in a garden flower,
Illaadhadhu oru yettilumUnwritten in any book,
Paatilum sollaadhadhu } (2)And untold in any song...
Male
Aadaiyil aadudhuIt sways in the attire,
Vaadaiyil vaadudhu aanandhaIt wilts in the cool breeze, bathing
Vellathil neeraadudhu adhu edhuIn a flood of bliss—what is that?
Female
{ Aadavar kangalilThat which is unseen in the eyes of men,
Kaanadhadhu adhu kaalangalWhich remains unchanged
Maarinum maaraadhadhu } (2)Even as times change...
Female
KaadhalanThat which a lover
Pennidam theduvadhuSeeks in a woman,
Kaadhali kangalaiAnd that which makes the beloved
Mooduvadhu adhu edhuClose her eyes—what is that?
Female
NaanamoIs it shyness?
Innum naanamo thannaiIs it still shyness before the lover
Naadum kaadhalan munnaeWho comes seeking her,
Thirunaalai thedidum penmaiWhile womanhood longs for the holy wedding day?
Naanumo naanumoShould I feel shy too, should I?
Female
{ Maalaiyil kaatrinilThat which is born in the evening breeze,
Undaavadhu adhuWhich creates itself,
Manjathilae malarchendavadhu } (2)And turns into a bouquet of flowers upon the couch...
Female
Kaalaiyil neerinilWhen taking a bath in the morning water,
Aadidum velaiyil kaadhaliWhile the beloved bathes,
Ennathil thenaavadhuIt turns into sweet honey in thoughts—
Adhu edhuWhat is that?
Male
{ Undaal mayakumIt intoxicates like wine when consumed,
Kallaavadhu adhu unnaadhaAnd for the heart that has not tasted it,
Nenjuku mullaavadhu } (2)It becomes a pricking thorn...
Male
Naaluku naalDay after day,
Manam naaduvadhuThat which the heart seeks,
Gnaaniyin kangalumAnd even the eyes of a sage
Theduvadhu adhu edhuSearch for—what is that?
Male
Naanamo innumIs it still shyness?
Naanamo indha jaadaiIs this subtle gesture shyness?
Naadagam enna andhaWhat drama is this,
Paarvai kooruvadhennaAnd what does that glance convey?
Naanamo naanamoIs it shyness, is it shyness?
Female
Oh … naanamoOh... is it shyness?
Innum naanamo thannaiIs it still shyness before the lover
Naadum kaadhalan munnaeWho comes seeking her,
Thirunaalai thedidum penmaiWhile womanhood longs for the holy wedding day?
Naanumo naanumoShould I feel shy too, should I?
Female
………………………………………[Music Outro]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Naanamo Innum Naanamo' is a celebrated romantic riddle-like duet where the lovers engage in a playful verbal exchange. The male protagonist inquisitively questions the heroine's bashfulness, asking whether her evasive glances and subtle gestures are merely acts of shyness or deep affection. Through poetically structured riddles, he describes a mysterious feeling—something unscripted in literature and unexpressed in music—that heightens joy, intoxicates the mind, and captivates everyone from ordinary lovers to enlightened sages.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaivazhi (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Naanamo innum / Naanamo indha jaadai / Naadagam enna

Repetition of initial consonants or vowels across lines creating rhythmic flow.

Edukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Thottathu poovinil / Illaadhadhu oru yettilum

Consonance of the second letter across consecutive lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ennathil thenaavadhu / Nenjuku mullaavadhu

Metaphorical comparison of sweet thoughts to honey and unfulfilled yearning to a sharp thorn.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naanamo Innum Naanamo' is from the 1965 blockbuster swashbuckler film 'Aayirathil Oruvan', starring M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa in her first lead pairing opposite MGR. The song was composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy with lyrics penned by Vaali and performed by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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