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Lyrics & meaning

Nandhan Vanthan

From Ninaivil Nindraval · 1967

Lyricist
C. N. Muthu
Singer
Sarala
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Ninaivil Nindraval1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nandhan vandhaan kovililaeNandan came to the temple
Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilaeNandi moved aside at the entrance
Neeyum naanum paarkkum bodhuWhen you and I looked at each other
Thirai vilundhadhu idaiyilaeA curtain fell between us
Female
Nandhan vandhaan kovililaeNandan came to the temple
Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilaeNandi moved aside at the entrance
Neeyum naanum paarkkum bodhuWhen you and I looked at each other
Thirai vilundhadhu idaiyilaeA curtain fell between us
Nandhan vandhaan kovililaeNandan came to the temple
Female
Aarukaala poosai nadathaTo conduct the six daily worship rituals
Bakthan vandha poluthilaeWhen the devotee arrived
Aarukaala poosai nadathaTo conduct the six daily worship rituals
Bakthan vandha poluthilaeWhen the devotee arrived
Karadi vandhu pugunthathalaeBecause an unwanted obstacle intruded
Poojai nadatha mudiyalaThe worship could not be conducted
Karadi vandhu pugunthathalaeBecause an unwanted obstacle intruded
Poojai nadatha mudiyalaThe worship could not be conducted
Female
Devi irukkum sannadhi vaasalThe doorway to the goddess's sanctum
Thirakkum neram theriyalaThe opening time remains unknown
Thedi vandha bakthanukkennaTo the devotee who came seeking
Badhilai solvadhu puriyalaWhat answer to give is unclear
Thedi vandha bakthanukkennaTo the devotee who came seeking
Badhilai solvadhu puriyalaWhat answer to give is unclear
Female
Nandhan vandhaan kovililaeNandan came to the temple
Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilaeNandi moved aside at the entrance
Neeyum naanum paarkkum bodhuWhen you and I looked at each other
Thirai vilundhadhu idaiyilaeA curtain fell between us
Nandhan vandhaan kovililaeNandan came to the temple
Female
Andru unnai paartha podhuThat day when I saw you
Aasai vandhadhu manadhinilaeDesire arose within my heart
Andru unnai paartha podhuThat day when I saw you
Aasai vandhadhu manadhinilaeDesire arose within my heart
Indru varaiyil urakkam illaiUntil today I have no sleep
Paruvam vandha vayadhilaeIn this age of youthfulness
Indru varaiyil urakkam illaiUntil today I have no sleep
Paruvam vandha vayadhilaeIn this age of youthfulness
Female
Unnidathil kodutha ullamThe heart I gave to you
Ennidathil thirumbalaHas not returned back to me
Unnai thaanae kaadhalithaenYou are the only one I loved
Veliyil solla vazhiyillaeThere is no way to express it openly
Unnai thaanae kaadhalithaenYou are the only one I loved
Veliyil solla vazhiyillaeThere is no way to express it openly
Female
Nandhan vandhaan kovililaeNandan came to the temple
Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilaeNandi moved aside at the entrance
Neeyum naanum paarkkum bodhuWhen you and I looked at each other
Thirai vilundhadhu idaiyilaeA curtain fell between us
Nandhan vandhaan kovililaeNandan came to the temple

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song uses a famous mythical motif—the story of Nandanar, whose view of the deity in Thirupunkur was unblocked when the Nandi statue moved aside—as an extended metaphor for romantic longing and obstacles. The speaker compares love to temple worship and sacred union, lamenting how sudden hindrances (symbolized as a falling curtain or an intruding bear) disrupt the meeting of lovers. The heroine reflects on her deep affection, which blossomed the moment she laid eyes on her beloved. Despite her youth and restless, sleepless nights, her heart remains fully surrendered to him, even though societal constraints and unexpected barriers prevent her from openly confessing her feelings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Purana Kurippu)

Nandhan vandhaan kovililae / Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilae

References the legendary story of Nandanar, a devotee of Lord Shiva for whom the bull statue Nandi shifted to allow a clear view of the shrine.

Metaphor (Uvagam / Idiom)

Karadi vandhu pugunthathalae / Poojai nadatha mudiyala

The term 'Karadi' (bear) is a Tamil idiomatic metaphor representing an unwanted intruder or disturbance causing hindrance to a peaceful affair.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Unnidathil kodutha ullam / Ennidathil thirumbala

The second consonant 'n' matches in 'Unnidathil' and 'Ennidathil', creating rhythmic symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features music composed by V. Kumar, an influential music director of the 1960s and 70s who was often referred to as 'Mellisai Maamani'. The lyrics, penned by C. N. Muthu, cleverly bridge traditional Hindu mythology with contemporary romantic dilemmas.

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