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Kanmaniye Pesu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nalam Paaduven Nee

From Kanmaniye Pesu · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Raveendran
Movie name
Kanmaniye Pesu
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
27 Dec 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaa…..aa….aaa….aa…aa….aa….
Aaa…..aa….aaa….aa…aa….aa….
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan
Dhinam thorumae naan thozhum dheivamae
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan….
Naan solla ninaiththathai vizhiththaan solla
Naanangal thiraiyidum nee mella
Valaikkaram thoda naan thulla
Aasaigal thulirvidum
Uravugal valarpiraiyo
Kaalangal valarnthidum thodarkadhaiyo
Naalellaam iniyoru pirivillaiyo
Neeyendraal naanendru porulillaiyo
Ammammaa maalai manjalodu manjam vantha kodi
Tholai kandavudan thoththi konda kili
Dhevan kayirandai thedi vantha kani
Unakkena piranthathu uyirudan kalanthathamma
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan….
Thaayaga madiyinil oru seyaaga
Thaalaattum piranthathu per solla
Thirumagan pugazh oor solla
Kaalangal kaninthathum
Mazhalaial inipathenna
Poochendu madalgalai virippathenna
Thenchittu kalukkena sirippathenna
Thaayullam kavalaigal maruppathenna
Ammammaa thendral pola ilam pillai odi varum
Therai pola sirumeni aadi varum
Annai nenjil varum inbam kodi perum
Idhaivida ulaginil enakkoru sugam varumo
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan….
Dhinam thorumae naan thozhum dheivamae
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan….
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
I will sing for your well-being, so you may live long,
O living god whom I worship every day...
I will sing for your well-being, so you may live long...
As my eyes speak what my heart wished to say,
and shyness gently draws a veil,
as you touch my bangled arms and I flutter with joy,
desires begin to blossom.
Is our bond like a waxing moon?
Is it an unfolding story that grows with time?
Will there be no parting ever again, through all the days?
Doesn't "you" already mean "me"?
Ah, the tender vine that came to the bridal bed adorned with turmeric,
the parrot that clung the moment it saw your shoulder,
the sweet fruit that came seeking the hands of God—
born just for you, she has merged with your very soul!
I will sing for your well-being, so you may live long...
As a mother, holding a child in my lap,
a lullaby is born to carry on our name,
as the whole town sings the praise of our noble son.
When the time ripens,
why does baby-talk sound so sweet?
Why does a bouquet of flowers open its petals?
Why does the little sunbird giggle with delight?
Why does a mother's heart forget all its sorrows?
Ah, like a gentle breeze, the little child will come running,
his tiny body swaying gently like a temple chariot!
The joy that fills a mother's heart is worth a fortune!
Could there be any greater joy for me in this world?
I will sing for your well-being, so you may live long,
O living god whom I worship every day...
I will sing for your well-being, so you may live long...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a tender expression of devotioanl love, marital affection, and maternal joy. The speaker addresses her beloved as a living deity, praying daily for his longevity and happiness. Through evocative imagery of bashful romance, she describes how their bond transcends individual identities to become a single soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Dhinam thorumae naan thozhum dheivamae

The speaker directly addresses her husband as a deity ('dheivamae'), elevating marital devotion to a spiritual plane.

Simile (Upamai)

Ammammaa thendral pola ilam pillai odi varum

The running motion of the young child is compared to a gentle breeze ('thendral pola').

Rhetorical Question (S संदेह / Vinothal)

Mazhalaial inipathenna / Poochendu madalgalai virippathenna

The lyrics use a series of poetic questions inquiring about the natural sweetness of a child's chatter and flowers blooming to highlight pure joy.

Iyaibu (Rhyming/End Rhyme)

Uravugal valarpiraiyo / Kaalangal valarnthidum thodarkadhaiyo

Matching end suffixes ('-yo') across consecutive lines creating a rhythmic, questioning cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although titled under 'Kanmaniye Pesu' in some compilations, these lyrics belong to the iconic song 'Nalam Paaduven Nee Vaazhathaan' from the 1985 Tamil hit movie 'Kakki Sattai' starring Kamal Haasan and Ambika. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, the song was rendered by legendary singer S. Janaki.

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