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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nalam Paaduven Nee

From Kanmaniye Pesu · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Raveendran
Details
Kanmaniye Pesu1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa…..aa….aaa….aa…aa….aa….Aaa.....aa....aaa....aa...aa....aa....
Aaa…..aa….aaa….aa…aa….aa….Aaa.....aa....aaa....aa...aa....aa....
Female
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaanI will sing for your well-being so that you may live long.
Dhinam thorumae naan thozhum dheivamaeOh deity whom I worship every single day!
Female
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan….I will sing for your well-being so that you may live long....
Male
Naan solla ninaiththathai vizhiththaan sollaWhen my eyes express what I intended to say,
Naanangal thiraiyidum nee mellaShyness draws a veil over me as you slowly,
Valaikkaram thoda naan thullaTouch me with your bangled hands, making me leap in joy,
Aasaigal thulirvidumAnd new desires begin to sprout.
Female
Uravugal valarpiraiyoIs our relationship like a crescent moon that grows?
Kaalangal valarnthidum thodarkadhaiyoOr is it a continuing story that unfolds with time?
Naalellaam iniyoru pirivillaiyoWill there be no further separation for the rest of our days?
Neeyendraal naanendru porulillaiyoDoes 'you' not inherently mean 'me' as well?
Female
Ammammaa maalai manjalodu manjam vantha kodiOh my, like a creeper adorned with marriage garlands and turmeric arriving at the bed,
Tholai kandavudan thoththi konda kiliLike a parrot that perched as soon as it saw the comfortable shoulders,
Dhevan kayirandai thedi vantha kaniLike a fruit seeking the divine marital thread,
Unakkena piranthathu uyirudan kalanthathammaShe was born for you and has merged with your very soul.
Female
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan….I will sing for your well-being so that you may live long....
Female
Thaayaga madiyinil oru seyaagaLike a child resting peacefully in a mother's lap,
Thaalaattum piranthathu per sollaA lullaby was born to bring glory to your name,
Thirumagan pugazh oor sollaSo the whole town speaks of the blessed child's fame,
Kaalangal kaninthathumAs the times ripen and bloom.
Female
Mazhalaial inipathennaWhy is the babble of a baby so sweet?
Poochendu madalgalai virippathennaWhy do fresh flower buds unfold their petals?
Thenchittu kalukkena sirippathennaWhy does the little sunbird giggle with delight?
Thaayullam kavalaigal maruppathennaWhy does a mother's heart forget all its troubles?
Female
Ammammaa thendral pola ilam pillai odi varumOh my, like a gentle breeze, the young child comes running,
Therai pola sirumeni aadi varumSwaying gracefully like a grand temple chariot,
Annai nenjil varum inbam kodi perumThe bliss that fills a mother's heart is worth millions,
Idhaivida ulaginil enakkoru sugam varumoCould there ever be a greater joy for me in this world?
Female
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan….I will sing for your well-being so that you may live long....
Dhinam thorumae naan thozhum dheivamaeOh deity whom I worship every single day!
Female
Nalam paaduvaen nee vaazhaththaan….I will sing for your well-being so that you may live long....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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