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Thillana Mohanambal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nalandana Nalandana

From Thillana Mohanambal · 1968

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Thillana Mohanambal
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
12 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………………..
{ Nalanthaana
Nalanthaana udalum
Ullamum nalanthaana } (3)
…………………….
Nalam pera
Vendum neeyendru
Naalum en nenjil
Ninaivundu
Ilai marai
Kaai pol porul kondu
Evarum ariyaamal sol indru
Nalanthaana
Udalum ullamum nalanthaana
……………..
Kan
Pattathaal undhan
Meniyilae pun pattadho
Adhai naanariyen
……………………
En kan
Pattathaal undhan
Meniyilae pun pattadho
Adhai naanariyen
Pun
Patta sethiyai
Kettavudan
……………….
Indha pen
Patta paatai yaar arivaar
………………..
Nalanthaana
Udalum ullamum nalanthaana
{ Nadanthathellam
Marandhirupom
Nadapathaiyae ninaithirupom } (2)
Kattundom
Poruthirupom kaalam
Maarum santhipom
...
Are you well?
Are you well in body,
And well in heart and mind?
...
To be blessed with wellness,
Praying that you should be,
Every day in my heart,
Lies a constant thought.
Like a fruit hidden behind leaves,
Carrying a veiled meaning,
Tell me today, without anyone else knowing.
Are you well?
Are your body and mind well?
...
Did an evil eye,
Casting its glance upon you,
Wound your tender body?
That, I do not know.
...
Did my own eyes,
Falling upon you,
Cause a wound on your body?
That, I do not know.
The wound...
The news of your injury,
As soon as I heard it,
...
This woman,
Who could ever know the agony she endured?
...
Are you well?
Are your body and mind well?
All that has happened,
Let us forget it all,
And think only of what lies ahead.
Though we are bound now,
We shall remain patient until time
Changes, and we meet again.
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic Tamil song from 'Thillana Mohanambal' is a heartfelt inquiry of love and deep affection. The heroine, Mohanambal, lovingly inquires about the health and well-being of her beloved after he suffers an injury. Speaking in coded, gentle words so as not to draw unwanted public attention, she expresses how she daily prays for his complete recovery and happiness. She wonders with tender remorse if her own intense love and gaze caused him harm, or if an evil eye struck him, describing her immense grief upon hearing about his wound. Reassuring him, she advises leaving past troubles behind, encouraging patience through their current social constraints, and holding firmly to the hope that time will turn in their favor so they can reunite.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai Ani (Simile)

“Ilai marai kaai pol porul kondu”

The lyricist compares coded/veiled communication to a fruit hidden behind leaves ('Ilai marai kaai pol'), symbolizing subtle messages meant only for the beloved.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Nalanthaana udalum ullamum nalanthaana”

Repetition of initial consonants 'Na' in 'Nalanthaana', 'Nalam', 'Naalum', and 'Ninaivundu' creates a soothing melodic rhythm.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Kattundom poruthirupom kaalam”

The second letter 'tt' matches in 'Kattundom' and 'Patta', giving rhythmic flow to the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung flawlessly by P. Susheela with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Nalanthaana' is set in Raga Kafi (with touches of Anandabhairavi). It remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous romantic melodies, beautifully picturized on Padmini and Sivaji Ganesan.

Keep listening

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