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Lyrics & meaning

Nandhan Vanthan

From Ninaivil Nindraval · 1967

Lyricist
C. N. Muthu
Singer
Sarala
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Ninaivil Nindraval
Movie release year
1967
Lyrics added on
13 Mar 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nandhan vandhaan kovililae
Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilae
Neeyum naanum paarkkum bodhu
Thirai vilundhadhu idaiyilae
Nandhan vandhaan kovililae
Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilae
Neeyum naanum paarkkum bodhu
Thirai vilundhadhu idaiyilae
Nandhan vandhaan kovililae
Aarukaala poosai nadatha
Bakthan vandha poluthilae
Aarukaala poosai nadatha
Bakthan vandha poluthilae
Karadi vandhu pugunthathalae
Poojai nadatha mudiyala
Karadi vandhu pugunthathalae
Poojai nadatha mudiyala
Devi irukkum sannadhi vaasal
Thirakkum neram theriyala
Thedi vandha bakthanukkenna
Badhilai solvadhu puriyala
Thedi vandha bakthanukkenna
Badhilai solvadhu puriyala
Nandhan vandhaan kovililae
Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilae
Neeyum naanum paarkkum bodhu
Thirai vilundhadhu idaiyilae
Nandhan vandhaan kovililae
Andru unnai paartha podhu
Aasai vandhadhu manadhinilae
Andru unnai paartha podhu
Aasai vandhadhu manadhinilae
Indru varaiyil urakkam illai
Paruvam vandha vayadhilae
Indru varaiyil urakkam illai
Paruvam vandha vayadhilae
Unnidathil kodutha ullam
Ennidathil thirumbala
Unnai thaanae kaadhalithaen
Veliyil solla vazhiyillae
Unnai thaanae kaadhalithaen
Veliyil solla vazhiyillae
Nandhan vandhaan kovililae
Nandhi maraindhadhu vaasalilae
Neeyum naanum paarkkum bodhu
Thirai vilundhadhu idaiyilae
Nandhan vandhaan kovililae
Nandan came to the temple,
But Nandi blocked the entrance.
Just as you and I looked at each other,
A curtain fell between us...
Nandan came to the temple,
But Nandi blocked the entrance.
Just as you and I looked at each other,
A curtain fell between us...
Nandan came to the temple.
To perform the sacred daily prayers,
When the devotee arrived,
To perform the sacred daily prayers,
When the devotee arrived,
Because an intruder barged in,
The worship could not go on.
Because an intruder barged in,
The worship could not go on.
The doors to the Goddess's shrine,
No one knows when they will open.
To the devotee who came seeking,
I do not know what answer to give...
To the devotee who came seeking,
I do not know what answer to give...
Nandan came to the temple,
But Nandi blocked the entrance.
Just as you and I looked at each other,
A curtain fell between us...
Nandan came to the temple.
That day when I saw you,
Desire arose in my heart.
That day when I saw you,
Desire arose in my heart.
Until this day, I have had no sleep
In this blossoming youth of mine.
Until this day, I have had no sleep
In this blossoming youth of mine.
The heart that I gave to you
Has not returned to me.
It was you alone that I loved,
Yet there is no way to speak it aloud...
It was you alone that I loved,
Yet there is no way to speak it aloud...
Nandan came to the temple,
But Nandi blocked the entrance.
Just as you and I looked at each other,
A curtain fell between us...
Nandan came to the temple.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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