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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanum Neeyum

From Chavukkadi Chandrakantha · 1960

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, P. Leela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Chavukkadi Chandrakantha1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naanum neeyum yaaro evaroYou and I, who were strangers to each other,
Evvitham saernthom idhu enna puthiroHow did we come together? What a mystery this is!
Female :Neerum naanum yaaro evaroYou and I, who were strangers to each other,
Evvitham saernthom idhu enna pudhiroHow did we come together? What a mystery this is!
Neerum naanum yaaro evaroYou and I, who were strangers to each other,
Male
Neela vaan meethae nilavathu polaeLike the bright moon in the vast blue sky,
Neela vaan meethae nilavathu polaeLike the bright moon in the vast blue sky,
Female :Neerin meal naan allaiyai polaeI am like the gentle wave upon the water,
Neerin meal naan allaiyai polaeI am like the gentle wave upon the water,
Male
Ninaivae un mael maariyathaalaeBecause all my thoughts have now turned to focus on you,
Female :Iththarai meethae naam iru kann polaeOn this earth, we exist together like a pair of eyes,
Neerum naanum yaaro evaroYou and I, who were strangers to each other.
Male
Chandhiranai killi siritheduththuPinching a piece of the bright moon and catching its smile,
Senjaanthu neerilae adhai kuzhaiththuMixing it into water scented with red sandalwood paste,
Female :Anthamigum silaiA statue of breathtaking beauty,
Ondru vadiththu paarththaalIf one shapes and looks closely at it,
Anbe un mugam theriyumaiyaaMy beloved, it is your handsome face that appears!
Neerum naanum yaaro evaroYou and I, who were strangers to each other.
Male
Thaenil paal saerntha suvaiyathu polaeLike the rich taste when honey blends with milk,
Thaenil paal saerntha suvaiyathu polaeLike the rich taste when honey blends with milk,
Female :Theenthamizh mozhiyum kavithaiyum polaeLike sweet Tamil language paired with soulful poetry,
Theenthamizh mozhiyum kavithaiyum polaeLike sweet Tamil language paired with soulful poetry,
Male :Ulagae neeyaai kaanuvathaalaeBecause I see the entire universe inside you,
Female :Ooruyir aanom mann melaeWe have transformed into a single soul living on this earth.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This melodious romantic duet from 'Chavukkadi Chandrakantha' expresses the wonder of two strangers uniting in love. The lovers marvel at how destiny brought them together and describe their deep emotional connection through evocative nature metaphors, comparing themselves to the moon in the sky, waves on the water, milk combined with honey, and the sweet Tamil language intertwined with poetry. Ultimately, they realize that their love has merged them into one single soul sharing a life on earth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Thaenil paal saerntha suvaiyathu polae

The lyrics frequently use 'polae' (meaning 'like' or 'as') to compare their union to divine pairs such as milk mixed with honey, water and waves, and Tamil language with poetry.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Chandhiranai killi siritheduththu senjaanthu neerilae adhai kuzhaiththu

An exaggerated, poetic imagery describing carving a face by taking a piece of the moon, its smile, and mixing red sandalwood paste water.

Rhyme & Assonance (Edhukai and Monai)

Theenthamizh mozhiyum kavithaiyum polae

Tamil poetic rhyme patterns evident in repeating second letters ('Neerum' / 'Evvitham' / 'Neela') and initial sounds across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the veteran maestro G. Ramanathan, this song features lyrics by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam. Delivered in the silky vocals of P. B. Sreenivas and P. Leela, the track stands out for its rich Tamil literary analogies, comparing love to 'Theenthamizh' (sweet Tamil) and poetry.

Keep listening

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