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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Enbadhenna

From Vennira Aadai · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Vennira Aadai1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nee enbadhenna naan enabadhennaWhat does it mean to be 'you'? What does it mean to be 'me'?
Nee enbadhenna naan enabadhennaWhat does it mean to be 'you'? What does it mean to be 'me'?
Oru ninaivu enbadhenna ho… ho…What is a mere memory? Ho... ho...
Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyilOn this impermanent stage of the world,
Naamum vandhadhennaWhy have we come?
Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyilOn this impermanent stage of the world,
Naamum vandhadhennaWhy have we come?
Ho… ho… ho… ho… ho… hohohoho…Ho… ho… ho… ho… ho… hohohoho…
O hohohoho hohoho… hohoho hohoho ho…O hohohoho hohoho… hohoho hohoho ho…
Female
Nee enbadhenna naan enabadhennaWhat does it mean to be 'you'? What does it mean to be 'me'?
Oru ninaivu enbadhenna ho… ho…What is a mere memory? Ho... ho...
Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyilOn this impermanent stage of the world,
Naamum vandhadhennaWhy have we come?
Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyilOn this impermanent stage of the world,
Naamum vandhadhennaWhy have we come?
Female
TherigiradhaaIs it visible?
Purigiradhaa… enna vizhippu…Is it understood? What kind of awakening is this?
Idhu enna sirippu ..hahahahahaWhat kind of laughter is this? Hahahahaha
Hoo hoo hoo hoooHoo hoo hoo hooo
Female
Naam yaarum yaarum sondham hoho…Are any of us truly related to each other? Hoho...
Naam yaarai enni vandhom ho…Thinking of whom did we come here? Ho...
Oru maeni kondu vandhomWe brought along a single body,
Piriyaamal kondu selvomAnd we shall depart without leaving it behind.
Indha soga naadagam unnodum ennodumThis tragic drama, involving you and me,
Indrodu nillaadhappaaWill not stop today, my friend.
O hohohoho hohoho…O hohohoho hohoho…
Idhu pinnaalum ennaalum nillaamal sellaadhappaaIn the future too, at all times, it will not pass without stopping, my friend.
Female
Nee enbadhenna naan enabadhennaWhat does it mean to be 'you'? What does it mean to be 'me'?
Oru ninaivu enbadhenna ho… ho…What is a mere memory? Ho... ho...
Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyilOn this impermanent stage of the world,
Naamum vandhadhennaWhy have we come?
Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyilOn this impermanent stage of the world,
Naamum vandhadhennaWhy have we come?
Female
Andha kadavulai ketten theriyavillaiI asked God, but He did not know.
Oru kavinjanai ketten vizhikkindraanI asked a poet, and he blinks in confusion.
Unnidam ketten nee sonnaai…I asked you, and you answered...
Female
Ilam paruvam enbadhennaWhat is youth?
Adhil paarvai solvadhennaWhat does a glance convey in youth?
Or inbam enbadhennaWhat is pleasure?
Adhil iruvar kaanbadhennaWhat do two people experience in it?
Indha aasai naadagham illaamalWithout this drama of desire,
Unnaalum ennaalum aagaadhaiyaaNeither you nor I can exist, sir.
Adhai kollaamal sollaalaeWithout resolving it through actions, with words alone,
Sonnaalae theeraadhaiyaaEven if spoken, it will not end, sir.
Female
Nee enbadhenna naan enabadhennaWhat does it mean to be 'you'? What does it mean to be 'me'?
Oru ninaivu enbadhenna ho… ho…What is a mere memory? Ho... ho...
Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyilOn this impermanent stage of the world,
Naamum vandhadhennaWhy have we come?
Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyilOn this impermanent stage of the world,
Naamum vandhadhennaWhy have we come?
Ho… ho… ho… ho… ho… hohohoho…Ho… ho… ho… ho… ho… hohohoho…
O hohohoho hohoho… hohoho hohoho ho…O hohohoho hohoho… hohoho hohoho ho…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Nee Enbadhenna Naan Enbadhenna' from the 1965 movie Vennira Aadai is a deeply philosophical track composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and penned by Kannadasan. The lyrics contemplate the transient nature of life, questioning human identity, relationships, and existence itself. Comparing the world to an impermanent stage ('nilaiyillaadha ulaga maedai'), the lyricist explores how individuals enter and leave life alone, yet remain captivated by the ongoing play of joy, sorrow, and desire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Nilaiyillaadhadhoru ulaga maedaiyil

Compares the world to an impermanent theatrical stage where humans play temporary roles.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Nee enbadhenna naan enabadhenna

Repeatedly poses existential questions using 'enbadhenna' and 'vandhadhenna' to urge self-reflection.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Nee enbadhenna naan enabadhenna

Matching initial consonant and vowel sounds across phrases such as 'Nee enbadhenna' and 'Naan enabadhenna'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Indha soga naadagam unnodum ennodum

Rhyming word endings like 'unnodum ennodum' and 'nillaadhappaa / sellaadhappaa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song belongs to Vennira Aadai (1965), which marked the silver screen debut of J. Jayalalithaa, who later became an iconic actress and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The movie was directed by CV Sridhar and featured music by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy.

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