Nadhiye Nadhiye
From Rhythm · 2000
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Unni Menon
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Rhythm2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| { Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | { Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) |
| Male | |
| Nadhiyae nadhiyae kaadhal | O river, O river of love, |
| Nadhiyae neeyum penthaanae | O river, aren't you a woman too? |
| Adi neeyum penthaanae | Hey, aren't you a woman as well? |
| Male | |
| Ondra irandaa kaaranam | Is there just one or two reasons? |
| Nooru ketaal solvenae | If you ask for a hundred, I will tell you. |
| Nee ketaal solvenae | If you ask, I shall tell you. |
| Male | |
| { Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | { Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) |
| Male | |
| Nadanthaal aaru ezhunthaal | When walking, it is a river; when rising, it is a waterfall; |
| Aruvi nindraal kadalallo … | When standing still, it is the ocean... |
| Samainthaal kumari mananthaal | Upon reaching maturity, a maiden; upon marriage, a wife; |
| Manaivi petraal thaayallo | Upon giving birth, she is a mother, isn't she? |
| Male | |
| { Siru nadhigalae | { O little rivers, |
| Nadhiyidum karaigalae | O riverbanks created by the rivers, |
| Karaithodum nuraigalae | O foam touching the banks, |
| Nuraigalil ival mugamae } (2) | Her face shines in those foams } (2) |
| Male | |
| Dhinam mothum karai thorum | Everyday on every bank it crashes, |
| Ada aarum isai paadum | Ah, even the river sings music, |
| Female | |
| Jil jil jil endra sruthiyilae | In a cool, melodic pitch, |
| Female | |
| Jal jal jal endra nadaiyilae | With a jingling, flowing stride. |
| Male | |
| Dhinam mothum karai thorum | Everyday on every bank it crashes, |
| Ada aarum isai paadum | Ah, even the river sings music, |
| Female | |
| Jil jil jil endra sruthiyilae | In a cool, melodic pitch, |
| Male | |
| Gangai varum yamunai varum | Ganges will come, Yamuna will come, |
| Vaigai varum porunai varum | Vaigai will come, Porunai will come, |
| Female | |
| Jal jal jal endra nadaiyilae | With a jingling, flowing stride. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhali arumai pirivil | The worth of a lover is known in separation, |
| Manaiviyin arumai maraivil | The worth of a wife is known after her absence, |
| Neerin arumai arivaai kodaiyilae | You realize the value of water during summer. |
| Male | |
| Vetkam vanthaal uraiyum | When bashful, she freezes; |
| Viralgal thotaal urugum | When touched by fingers, she melts; |
| Neerum pennum ondru vaadaiyilae | Water and woman are one in the chilling breeze. |
| Male | |
| { Thanneer kudathil pirakirom oho | { We are born with a pot of water, oho, |
| Thanneer karaiyil mudikirom oho } (2) | We meet our end on the riverbank, oho } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | { Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) |
| Male | |
| Vanna vanna pennae | O colorful, vibrant woman, |
| Vatta midum nadhiyae | O river that meanders and circles, |
| Valaivugal azhagu | Curves are beautiful, |
| Ungal valaivugal azhagu | The curves of both of you are beautiful. |
| Male | |
| Ho mellisaigal padithal | Ah, composing soft melodies, |
| Medu pallam maraithal | Hiding the highs and lows, |
| Nadhigalin gunamae | Is the nature of rivers, |
| Adhu nangaiyin gunamae | And that is the nature of a woman. |
| Male | |
| { Siru nadhigalae | { O little rivers, |
| Nadhiyidum karaigalae | O riverbanks created by the rivers, |
| Karaithodum nuraigalae | O foam touching the banks, |
| Nuraigalil ival mugamae } (2) | Her face shines in those foams } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | { Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) |
| Male | |
| Thaenkaniyil saaraagi | Becoming juice in sweet fruit, |
| Pookalilae thaenaagi | Becoming honey in flowers, |
| Pasuvinilae paalaagum neerae | O water that turns into milk in a cow! |
| Male | |
| Thaayarugae seyaagi | Becoming a child beside a mother, |
| Thalaivanidam paayaagi | Becoming a bed beside her lover, |
| Seyarugae thaayaagum pennae | O woman who becomes a mother beside her child! |
| Male | |
| Poonguyilae poonguyilae pennum | O sweet cuckoo, both a woman |
| Aarum vadivam maarakoodum | and a river can change their forms. |
| Neer ninaithaal pen ninaithaal karaigal | If water wishes, if a woman wishes, boundaries |
| Yaavum karaindhu poga koodum | and riverbanks can melt away completely. |
| Male | |
| Nadhiyae nadhiyae kaadhal | O river, O river of love, |
| Nadhiyae neeyum penthaanae | O river, aren't you a woman too? |
| Adi neeyum penthaanae | Hey, aren't you a woman as well? |
| Male | |
| Ondra irandaa kaaranam | Is there just one or two reasons? |
| Nooru ketaal solvenae | If you ask for a hundred, I will tell you. |
| Nee ketaal solvenae | If you ask, I shall tell you. |
| Male | |
| { Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | { Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa |
| Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) | Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2) |
{ தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா திரனா } (2)
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
நதியே நதியே
காதல் நதியே நீயும்
பெண்தானே அடி நீயும்
பெண்தானே
O river, O river of love,
O river, aren't you a woman too?
Hey, aren't you a woman as well?
ஒன்றா இரண்டா
காரணம் நூறு கேட்டால்
சொல்வேனே நீ கேட்டால்
சொல்வேனே
Is there just one or two reasons?
If you ask for a hundred, I will tell you.
If you ask, I shall tell you.
{ தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா திரனா } (2)
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
நடந்தால் ஆறு
எழுந்தால் அருவி நின்றால்
கடல் அல்லோ சமைந்தால்
குமரி மணந்தால் மனைவி
பெற்றால் தாய் அல்லோ
When walking, it is a river; when rising, it is a waterfall;
When standing still, it is the ocean...
Upon reaching maturity, a maiden; upon marriage, a wife;
Upon giving birth, she is a mother, isn't she?
{ சிறு நதிகளே
நதியிடும் கரைகளே
கரைதொடும் நுரைகளே
நுரைகளில் இவள் முகமே } (2)
{ O little rivers,
O riverbanks created by the rivers,
O foam touching the banks,
Her face shines in those foams } (2)
தினம் மோதும்
கரை தோறும் அட ஆறும்
இசை பாடும்
Everyday on every bank it crashes,
Ah, even the river sings music,
ஜில் ஜில் ஜில்
என்ற ஸ்ருதியிலே
In a cool, melodic pitch,
ஆண் & பெண் :
கங்கை
வரும் யமுனை வரும்
வைகை வரும் பொருணை
வரும்
With a jingling, flowing stride.
ஜல் ஜல் ஜல்
என்ற நடையிலே
Everyday on every bank it crashes,
Ah, even the river sings music,
தினம் மோதும்
கரை தோறும் அட ஆறும்
இசை பாடும்
In a cool, melodic pitch,
ஜில் ஜில் ஜில்
என்ற ஸ்ருதியிலே
Ganges will come, Yamuna will come,
Vaigai will come, Porunai will come,
கங்கை வரும்
யமுனை வரும் வைகை
வரும் பொருணை வரும்
With a jingling, flowing stride.
ஜல் ஜல் ஜல்
என்ற நடையிலே
The worth of a lover is known in separation,
The worth of a wife is known after her absence,
You realize the value of water during summer.
காதலி அருமை
பிரிவில் மனைவியின்
அருமை மறைவில்
நீரின் அருமை அறிவாய்
கோடையிலே
When bashful, she freezes;
When touched by fingers, she melts;
Water and woman are one in the chilling breeze.
வெட்கம் வந்தால்
உறையும் விரல்கள்
தொட்டால் உருகும்
நீரும் பெண்ணும் ஒன்று
வாடையிலே
{ We are born with a pot of water, oho,
We meet our end on the riverbank, oho } (2)
{ தண்ணீர் குடத்தில்
பிறக்கிறோம் ஓஹோ
தண்ணீர் கரையில்
முடிக்கிறோம் ஓஹோ } (2)
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
{ தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா திரனா } (2)
O colorful, vibrant woman,
O river that meanders and circles,
Curves are beautiful,
The curves of both of you are beautiful.
வண்ண வண்ண
பெண்ணே வட்டமிடும்
நதியே வளைவுகள் அழகு
உங்கள் வளைவுகள் அழகு
Ah, composing soft melodies,
Hiding the highs and lows,
Is the nature of rivers,
And that is the nature of a woman.
ஹோ.. மெல்லிசைகள்
படித்தல் மேடு பள்ளம் மறைத்தல்
நதிகளின் குணமே அது
நங்கையின் குணமே
{ O little rivers,
O riverbanks created by the rivers,
O foam touching the banks,
Her face shines in those foams } (2)
{ சிறு நதிகளே
நதியிடும் கரைகளே
கரைதொடும் நுரைகளே
நுரைகளில் இவள் முகமே } (2)
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
{ தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா திரனா } (2)
Becoming juice in sweet fruit,
Becoming honey in flowers,
O water that turns into milk in a cow!
தேன்கனியில்
சாராகி பூக்களிலே
தேனாகி பசுவினிலே
பாலாகும் நீரே
Becoming a child beside a mother,
Becoming a bed beside her lover,
O woman who becomes a mother beside her child!
தாயருகே சேயாகி
தலைவனிடம் பாயாகி
சேயருகே தாயாகும்
பெண்ணே
O sweet cuckoo, both a woman
and a river can change their forms.
If water wishes, if a woman wishes, boundaries
and riverbanks can melt away completely.
பூங்குயிலே
பூங்குயிலே பெண்ணும்
ஆறும் வடிவம் மாறக்கூடும்
நீர் நினைத்தால் பெண்
நினைத்தால் கரைகள் யாவும்
கரைந்து போக கூடும்
O river, O river of love,
O river, aren't you a woman too?
Hey, aren't you a woman as well?
நதியே நதியே
காதல் நதியே நீயும்
பெண்தானே அடி நீயும்
பெண்தானே
Is there just one or two reasons?
If you ask for a hundred, I will tell you.
If you ask, I shall tell you.
ஒன்றா இரண்டா
காரணம் நூறு கேட்டால்
சொல்வேனே நீ கேட்டால்
சொல்வேனே
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
{ தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா தீம்தனனா
தீம்தனனா திரனா } (2)
{ Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Nadhiyae nadhiyae kaadhal
O river, O river of love,
Nadhiyae neeyum penthaanae
O river, aren't you a woman too?
Adi neeyum penthaanae
Hey, aren't you a woman as well?
Ondra irandaa kaaranam
Is there just one or two reasons?
Nooru ketaal solvenae
If you ask for a hundred, I will tell you.
Nee ketaal solvenae
If you ask, I shall tell you.
{ Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Nadanthaal aaru ezhunthaal
When walking, it is a river; when rising, it is a waterfall;
Aruvi nindraal kadalallo …
When standing still, it is the ocean...
Samainthaal kumari mananthaal
Upon reaching maturity, a maiden; upon marriage, a wife;
Manaivi petraal thaayallo
Upon giving birth, she is a mother, isn't she?
{ Siru nadhigalae
{ O little rivers,
Nadhiyidum karaigalae
O riverbanks created by the rivers,
Karaithodum nuraigalae
O foam touching the banks,
Nuraigalil ival mugamae } (2)
Her face shines in those foams } (2)
Dhinam mothum karai thorum
Everyday on every bank it crashes,
Ada aarum isai paadum
Ah, even the river sings music,
Jil jil jil endra sruthiyilae
In a cool, melodic pitch,
Jal jal jal endra nadaiyilae
With a jingling, flowing stride.
Dhinam mothum karai thorum
Everyday on every bank it crashes,
Ada aarum isai paadum
Ah, even the river sings music,
Jil jil jil endra sruthiyilae
In a cool, melodic pitch,
Gangai varum yamunai varum
Ganges will come, Yamuna will come,
Vaigai varum porunai varum
Vaigai will come, Porunai will come,
Jal jal jal endra nadaiyilae
With a jingling, flowing stride.
Kaadhali arumai pirivil
The worth of a lover is known in separation,
Manaiviyin arumai maraivil
The worth of a wife is known after her absence,
Neerin arumai arivaai kodaiyilae
You realize the value of water during summer.
Vetkam vanthaal uraiyum
When bashful, she freezes;
Viralgal thotaal urugum
When touched by fingers, she melts;
Neerum pennum ondru vaadaiyilae
Water and woman are one in the chilling breeze.
{ Thanneer kudathil pirakirom oho
{ We are born with a pot of water, oho,
Thanneer karaiyil mudikirom oho } (2)
We meet our end on the riverbank, oho } (2)
{ Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Vanna vanna pennae
O colorful, vibrant woman,
Vatta midum nadhiyae
O river that meanders and circles,
Valaivugal azhagu
Curves are beautiful,
Ungal valaivugal azhagu
The curves of both of you are beautiful.
Ho mellisaigal padithal
Ah, composing soft melodies,
Medu pallam maraithal
Hiding the highs and lows,
Nadhigalin gunamae
Is the nature of rivers,
Adhu nangaiyin gunamae
And that is the nature of a woman.
{ Siru nadhigalae
{ O little rivers,
Nadhiyidum karaigalae
O riverbanks created by the rivers,
Karaithodum nuraigalae
O foam touching the banks,
Nuraigalil ival mugamae } (2)
Her face shines in those foams } (2)
{ Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Thaenkaniyil saaraagi
Becoming juice in sweet fruit,
Pookalilae thaenaagi
Becoming honey in flowers,
Pasuvinilae paalaagum neerae
O water that turns into milk in a cow!
Thaayarugae seyaagi
Becoming a child beside a mother,
Thalaivanidam paayaagi
Becoming a bed beside her lover,
Seyarugae thaayaagum pennae
O woman who becomes a mother beside her child!
Poonguyilae poonguyilae pennum
O sweet cuckoo, both a woman
Aarum vadivam maarakoodum
and a river can change their forms.
Neer ninaithaal pen ninaithaal karaigal
If water wishes, if a woman wishes, boundaries
Yaavum karaindhu poga koodum
and riverbanks can melt away completely.
Nadhiyae nadhiyae kaadhal
O river, O river of love,
Nadhiyae neeyum penthaanae
O river, aren't you a woman too?
Adi neeyum penthaanae
Hey, aren't you a woman as well?
Ondra irandaa kaaranam
Is there just one or two reasons?
Nooru ketaal solvenae
If you ask for a hundred, I will tell you.
Nee ketaal solvenae
If you ask, I shall tell you.
{ Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
{ Rhythm beats (Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Dheemthananaa dheemthananaa dhiranaa } (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nadhiye Nadhiye from the movie Rhythm (2000) is a celebrated Tamil song composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by lyricist Vairamuthu. The album Rhythm concept revolves around the five primary elements of nature (Pancha Bhootas), with this song specifically representing the element of Water (Neer). Through rich metaphor and imagery, Vairamuthu crafts an extended allegory comparing the life, traits, fluidity, and transformations of a river to those of a woman.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Extended Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Nadhiyae neeyum penthaanae”
The entire track draws a direct comparison between the life stages and characteristics of a river and a woman.
Onomatopoeia (இரட்டைக்கிளவி / ஒலிக்குறிப்பு)
“Jil jil jil endra sruthiyilae / Jal jal jal endra nadaiyilae”
The rhythmic words 'Jil jil jil' and 'Jal jal jal' mimic the pleasant coolness and jingling movement of running water.
Anaphora & Rhyme Scheme (எதுகை / மோனை)
“Gangai varum yamunai varum / Vaigai varum porunai varum”
Repetition of sound patterns and place names created across lines to establish a liquid flow in pronunciation.
Did you know?
Trivia
The soundtrack album of Rhythm (2000) features five songs, each dedicated to one of the five elements: Water (Nadhiye Nadhiye), Wind (Kaatre En Vasasai), Earth (Anbae Anbae), Fire (Haiyo Pathikichu), and Ether/Sky (Thaniye Thaniye).
Keep listening
More from Rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm