Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadiya Nadiya

From Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
R. D. Burman
Details
Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nadhiya nadhiyaNadhiya, Nadhiya!
Nile nadhiyaNile River!
Nadhi pol neliyum nadayaaIs that a walk curving like a river?
Idaithaan kodiyaaIs your waist a vine?
Kodimel kaniyaaAre you the fruit on that vine?
Kondaada naan illaiyaaAm I not here to celebrate you?
Female
Nadhiya nadhiyaNadhiya, Nadhiya!
Nile nadhiyaNile River!
Nadhi pol neliyum nadayaaIs that a walk curving like a river?
Idaithaan kodiyaaIs your waist a vine?
Kodimel kaniyaaAre you the fruit on that vine?
Kondaada nee illaiyaaAre you not here to celebrate?
Hoo ho oooHoo ho ooo
Male
Hoo oo hooHoo oo hoo
Male
Oru poomazhaithaanA shower of flowers
Ingu pozhiyuthu paarSee it falling here
Nee punnagai purigaiyilaeWhen you smile!
Thaen mazhai thaanA rain of honey
Kannil valiyuthu paarSee it flowing in your eyes
Nee dharisanam tharugaiyilaeWhen you grant me a glimpse of you!
Female
Mazhai thooralilumEven in the light rain drizzle
Mani saaralilumAnd in the glistening spray of drops
Udal kulir kondu thavippathennaWhy does the body shiver and ache with cold?
Kan padavumAs eyes gaze
Nee kai thodavumAnd as your hand touches
Konjam kulirvittu povathennaWhy does the chill melt away a little?
Male
Raathiriyil nam raajiyathilIn the night, within our kingdom
Oru neerodai paaivathennaWhy does a stream flow?
Female :Adhuthaan adhuthaanFemale: That is it, that is it!
Unakkum enakkumFor you and for me
Kondaattam kummaalamIt is celebration and joy!
Male
Nadhiya nadhiyaNadhiya, Nadhiya!
Nile nadhiyaNile River!
Nadhi pol neliyum nadayaaIs that a walk curving like a river?
Female
Idaithaan kodiyaaIs your waist a vine?
Kodimel kaniyaaAre you the fruit on that vine?
Male
Kondaada naan illaiyaaAm I not here to celebrate you?
Aahaa haaaAahaa haaa
Female :Oh hoo oooFemale: Oh hoo ooo
Male
………………………..[Music Interlude]
Female
Oru yaedirukkuThere is a page written
Kadhai ezhuthivaithuWith a story ready
Nee iravinil padippatharkkuFor you to read in the night!
Yenguthaiyaa siru thamarai pooThe little lotus flower yearns, my dear
Nee thaenalli kudippatharkkuFor you to scoop up and drink its honey!
Male
Oru koodirukkuThere is a nest
Ilam kuruvi vandhuFor the young bird to come
Mazhai kaalathil paduppatharkuAnd rest during the rainy season!
Paal irukku malai palamirukkuThere is milk and there are mountain fruits
Konda pasiyinai thanippathrakkuTo quench the hunger that takes hold!
Female
Kaal thodangiStarting from the feet
Malar koonthal varaiAll the way to the flower-adorned hair
Un kai vannam kandaal ennaWhy not witness the artistry of your hand?
Male
Medhuva medhuvaSlowly, slowly
Varavaa varavaaShall I come, shall I come
Onnodu onnaaga….To become one with you...
Female
Nadhiya nadhiyaNadhiya, Nadhiya!
Nile nadhiyaNile River!
Nadhi pol neliyum nadayaaIs that a walk curving like a river?
Idaithaan kodiyaaIs your waist a vine?
Kodimel kaniyaaAre you the fruit on that vine?
Kondaada nee illaiyaaAre you not here to celebrate?
Male
Nadhiya nadhiyaNadhiya, Nadhiya!
Nile nadhiyaNile River!
Nadhi pol neliyum nadayaaIs that a walk curving like a river?
Idaithaan kodiyaaIs your waist a vine?
Kodimel kaniyaaAre you the fruit on that vine?
Kondaada naan illaiyaaAm I not here to celebrate you?
Hey hey eyyHey hey eyy
Female :Hoo ho oooFemale: Hoo ho ooo
Male :Haan haan aanMale: Haan haan aan
Female :Hoo ho oooFemale: Hoo ho ooo
Male :Hmm mm m mmMale: Hmm mm m mm
Female :Hoo ho oooFemale: Hoo ho ooo
Male :Hoo hoFemale :Ho hooooMale: Hoo ho Female: Ho hoooo
Male :Hoo ooo……………Male: Hoo ooo...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet expresses the playful yet deep intimacy between two lovers. The male protagonist compares his beloved's grace and beauty to the flowing Nile River, describing her posture, smile, and touch through evocative metaphors of flowers, rain, and honey. In turn, the female protagonist responds with eager affection, painting a picture of cozy togetherness, metaphorical shelter, and passionate union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Nadhi pol neliyum nadayaa

Compares the heroine's graceful walk directly to the winding path of a river ('Nadhi pol neliyum nadayaa').

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Idaithaan kodiyaa

Metaphorically describes her slender waist as a creeper vine ('Idaithaan kodiyaa') and her grace as the fruit upon it ('Kodimel kaniyaa').

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Nadhiya nadhiya / Nile nadhiya

Repetition of consonant sounds like 'Nadhiya', 'Nile', 'Nadhi' creating musical cadence in Tamil poetry.

Hyperbole (Uuyarvunavchi)

Oru poomazhaithaan / Ingu pozhiyuthu paar

Poetically exaggerates her smile as a shower of flowers ('poomazhai') and her eyes as flowing honey ('thaen mazhai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu' (1987) features a rare Tamil film soundtrack composed by legendary Bollywood music director R. D. Burman. The song 'Nadhiya Nadhiya' became particularly popular for its lush arrangement, combining Pancham's signature western instrumentation with classic Tamil lyricism by Vaali.

Keep listening

More from Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu