- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Movie name
- Nenjil Oru Ragam
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Jul 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Nalamo Ena Naan Ketpen' expresses the deep agony and emotional conflict of a woman betrayed by her husband. Though she lovingly inquires about his well-being, she anticipates his cold response as if she were a total stranger. She reflects on how her life has turned into a turbulent ocean, grieving over how she once viewed him as a free wind, only to realize he was a hunter who clipped her wings and ruined her life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamanai)
“Kaatraai unnai ninaiththaen / Unai vedan endru arinthaen”
The speaker compares the husband to the wind ('Kaatraai') and later to a hunter ('Vedan'), and compares life to a nest ('Koottinai') and a turbulent sea ('Alai kadal vaazhkkai').
Wordplay / Pun (Iratura Mozhidhal)
“Nambi kaiyai kettu azhaiththaen / Nampikkaiyai azhikka thaviththaen”
T. Rajendar uses phonetic wordplay splitting 'Nambi kaiyai' (trusting and reaching for a hand) and merging it into 'Nampikkaiyai' (trust/faith) in subsequent lines.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Poi vedam kalaiya kandaen / Unai vedan endru arinthaen”
The second consonant 'da' rhymes between 'vedam' and 'vedan'.
Monai (Initial Letter Alliteration)
“Padakaai ninaiththu vanthaen / Payanam thuninthu seithaen”
The initial letter 'Pa' is repeated in 'Padakaai' and 'Payanam'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song from 'Nenjil Oru Ragam' (1982) features lyrics and music composed by T. Rajendar, sung masterfully by Vani Jairam. T. Rajendar is known for his signature rhyming patterns and wordplay techniques, such as turning 'nambi kai' into 'nampikkai', which became a trademark style in 1980s Tamil cinema lyrics.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Nenjil Oru Ragam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.