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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadhi Odum Karaiyoram

From Aavarampoo · 1992

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aavarampoo1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nadhiyodum karaiyoramAlong the banks of the flowing river,
Oru raagam alai paayumA melody wavers like waves.
Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyumIn it, two souls dissolve every day.
Female
Nadhiyodum karaiyoramAlong the banks of the flowing river,
Oru raagam alai paayumA melody wavers like waves.
Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyumIn it, two souls dissolve every day.
Female
Ninaivo verum kanavoIs it a memory or just a dream?
Idhu edhuvoWhatever this may be,
Kaadhal varum yaarkumFor anyone who experiences love,
Indha paadhai podhuvoIs this path common to all?
Female
Nadhiyodum karaiyoramAlong the banks of the flowing river,
Oru raagam alai paayumA melody wavers like waves.
Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyumIn it, two souls dissolve every day.
Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyumIn it, two souls dissolve every day.
Female
Pala kolam podum vaanamThe sky that paints many patterns
Maarum thadumaarumChanges and falters.
Pudhu raagam paadum kaatroThe wind that sang a new melody
Sogam paadumNow sings a song of sorrow.
Female
Pani thoongum poovin thootramThe appearance of the flower resting in dew,
Yeno adhil maatramWhy has it changed?
Pagal kooda iravaai thondrumEven the daytime feels like night,
Paadhai maarumAnd the path changes.
Female
{Kaadhal enbadhu kaalam engilumIs love something that waits endlessly through time?
Kaathu nindridavooShould it stand waiting?
Aasai enbathu aadi kaatrinilDoes desire run away in the strong winds of Aadi?
Odi sendridavoo} (2)Should it flee away?
Female
Uravae verum kanavaIs relationship merely a dream?
Varum ninaivae pazham kadhaiyaeAre returning memories just an old story?
Kanavae ena therindhumEven while knowing it is a dream,
Manam ninaikkum adhaiyaeThe mind longs for that very thing.
Female
Nadhiyodum karaiyoramAlong the banks of the flowing river,
Oru raagam alai paayumA melody wavers like waves.
Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyumIn it, two souls dissolve every day.
Female
Ilam kaadhal aasai nenjilIn the heart filled with youthful love's desire,
Yekkam adhu thaakkumLonging strikes painfully.
Iravenna pagalum ennaWhat is night and what is day?
Thookam pogumSleep vanishes completely.
Female
Pirivedhum ariyaa nenjilIn the heart that knew no separation,
Uruvaanadhu bhaaramA heavy burden has emerged.
Uravennum unarvaal ingaeThrough the emotion called relationship,
Uyirae bhaaramLife itself becomes a burden here.
Female
{Mogam enbadhu vegam ulladhuPassion possesses a restless speed,
Veli pootidavooShould a fence be built to lock it in?
Veli pottoru kaadhal thee ennaiCan the fire of love, behind a fence,
Paadhu kaathidavoo} (2)Protect and safeguard me?
Female
Vidiyal oru sadhiyaalBy a treachery of dawn,
Iru vazhiyaai dhisai pirindhomWe separated into two paths and directions.
Oru naal adhu thirunaalOne day, a sacred day,
Oru unarvaal inaivomWe shall unite through a single feeling.
Female
Nadhiyodum karaiyoramAlong the banks of the flowing river,
Oru raagam alai paayumA melody wavers like waves.
Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyumIn it, two souls dissolve every day.
Female
Ninaivo verum kanavoIs it a memory or just a dream?
Idhu edhuvoWhatever this may be,
Kaadhal varum yaarkumFor anyone who experiences love,
Indha paadhai podhuvoIs this path common to all?
Female
Nadhiyodum karaiyoramAlong the banks of the flowing river,
Oru raagam alai paayumA melody wavers like waves.
Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyumIn it, two souls dissolve every day.
Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyumIn it, two souls dissolve every day.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nadhiyodum Karaiyoram is a poignant track from the 1992 Tamil film Aavarampoo. The song portrays the deep emotional turmoil, aching nostalgia, and heartache of lovers separated by circumstances. Using the imagery of a flowing riverbank, shifting skies, and dew drops on flowers, the lyricist paints a picture of transience and emotional helplessness in the face of fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nadhiyodum karaiyoram / Adhilae iru uyirae dhinam karaiyum

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Nadhiyodum' and 'Adhilae' or 'Pala' and 'Pudhu'.

Moonaal / Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaadhal enbadhu kaalam engilum / Kaathu nindridavoo

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Kaadhal' and 'Kaathu'.

Uruvagamm (Metaphor)

Veli pottoru kaadhal thee ennai

Love is metaphorically equated to a burning fire ('Kaadhal thee').

Anaphora / Refrain

Nadhiyodum karaiyoram / Oru raagam alai paayum

Repetition of the opening refrain 'Nadhiyodum karaiyoram' to anchor the song's thematic atmosphere.

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Trivia

Although the prompt mentions Unknown, this track was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by the legendary Pulamaipithan. The male and female versions of the song feature vocals by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki respectively. The movie Aavarampoo (1992), directed by Santhana Bharathi, featured Vineeth and Nandhini in lead roles.

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