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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadhiyoram

From Annai Or Aalayam · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Annai Or Aalayam1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nathiyoram.. mmm..By the riverbank.. mmm..
Nathiyoram..By the riverbank..
Naanal ondru naanam konduA reed, feeling shy,
Naatiyam aaduthu mellaSoftly performs a dance,
Naan antha aanantham en sollaHow can I express that boundless joy!
Nathiyoram..By the riverbank..
Male
Nathiyoram.. mmm..By the riverbank.. mmm..
Nathiyoram..By the riverbank..
Neeyum oru naanal endruSaying that you too are like a reed,
Noolidai ennidam sollaAs your thread-like waist whispers to me,
Naan antha aanantham en sollaHow can I express that boundless joy!
Nathiyoram..By the riverbank..
Female
Vennira megamThe white cloud,
Vaan thottilai vittuLeaving the sky's cradle,
OduvathennaWhy does it run away?
Malayai mooduvathennaWhy does it blanket the mountain?
Female
Mugilthaano thugilthaanoIs it a cloud or a draped garment?
Mugilthaano thugilthaanoIs it a cloud or a draped garment?
Sandhana kaadirukkuThere is a sandalwood forest,
Thaen sinthida koodirukkuThere is a beehive dripping with honey,
Thaen vendumaDo you want honey,
Naan vendumaOr do you want me?
Nee ennai kaigalil allaWhen you gather me into your arms,
Naan antha aanantham en sollaHow can I express that boundless joy!
Male
Nathiyoram.. mmm..By the riverbank.. mmm..
Nathiyoram..By the riverbank..
Male
Theyi ilai thottamIn the tea leaf garden,
Nee devathai aatamYour dance like an angel,
ThulluvathennaWhy is it leaping with joy?
Nenjai alluvathennaWhy is it captivating my heart?
Male
Pani thoongum pasum pullaeO green grass where the dew slumbers,
Pani thoongum pasum pullaeO green grass where the dew slumbers,
Minnuthu un aatamYour dance glistens,
Nalla muthirai pon aatamLike a golden dance of fine stamp,
Kaargaalathil oorgolathilIn the rainy season's procession,
Kaadhalan kaadhali sellaAs the lover and beloved walk together,
Naan antha aanantham en sollaHow can I express that boundless joy!
Female
Nathiyoram.. mmm..By the riverbank.. mmm..
Nathiyoram..By the riverbank..
Male :Neeyum oru naanal endruMale: Saying that you too are like a reed,
Noolidai ennidam sollaAs your thread-like waist whispers to me,
Female :Naan antha aanantham en sollaFemale: How can I express that boundless joy!
Nathiyoram..By the riverbank..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nathiyoram is a romantic duet set amidst serene nature featuring riverbanks, tea plantations, and mist-covered hills. The song paints a vivid picture of two lovers expressing their affection and bliss by comparing each other's beauty and actions to the gentle elements of nature, such as swaying reeds, drifting clouds, sleeping dew drops, and lush sandalwood forests.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal / Alliteration (மோனை)

Naanal ondru naanam kondu

Repetition of the 'Na' sound at the beginning of words in the line creating a melodious rhythm.

Personification (தற்குறிப்பேற்ற அணி)

Naanal ondru naanam kondu naatiyam aaduthu mella

Attributing human emotions of shyness and the art of dancing to an inanimate river reed.

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Noolidai ennidam solla

Comparing a slender waist directly to a thin thread ('Noolidai').

Iyaibu / Rhyme (இயைபு)

Mugilthaano thugilthaano

Internal rhyming of words ending with '-thaano' creating poetic symmetry.

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Trivia

The song 'Nathiyoram' from 'Annai Or Aalayam' (1979) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela. The film starred Rajinikanth and Sripriya, and was produced by Devar Films, famous for featuring trained animals prominently in their movies.

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