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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Engey En Ninaivugal

From Mannippu · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. S. Selvakumar
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Mannippu1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nee engae….ae…Where are you?
En ninaivugal angae….ae…..My thoughts are there...
En ninaivugal angae….My thoughts are there...
Male
Nee engae….Where are you?
En ninaivugal angae….My thoughts are there...
Nee engae….Where are you?
En ninaivugal angae….My thoughts are there...
Nee oru naal varum varaiyilUntil the day you arrive
Nee oru naal varum varaiyilUntil the day you arrive
Naan irupaen nathikkaraiyilI will wait at the riverbank
Male
Nee engae….ae….Where are you?
En ninaivugal angaeMy thoughts are there
Male
Pirappidam vaeraai irunthaalumThough our birthplaces may be different
En iruppidam unathu manamallavaaIsn't your heart my true dwelling place?
Pirappidam vaeraai irunthaalumThough our birthplaces may be different
En iruppidam unathu manamallavaaIsn't your heart my true dwelling place?
Male
Aayiram kaalam aana pinaalumEven after a thousand years pass by
Vaazhum kadhal uravallavaaIsn't love a bond that lives forever?
Male
Nee engae….ae…Where are you?
En ninaivugal angae….My thoughts are there...
Nee oru naal varum varaiyilUntil the day you arrive
Naan irupaen nathikkaraiyilI will wait at the riverbank
Male
Nee engae….ae….Where are you?
En ninaivugal angaeMy thoughts are there

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic song from the 1969 film 'Mannippu' portrays the deep yearning of a lover separated from their beloved. The singer questions where their lover is, declaring that their mind and thoughts constantly wander to where the beloved resides. The riverbank symbolizes a serene yet painful spot of patient waiting, signifying endless hope for a reunion. The lyricist emphasizes that physical distance and differing origins do not matter in true love. The heart of the beloved is the true residence of the lover, and such spiritual attachment remains eternal, transcending time and enduring far beyond a thousand years.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaiybu (End Rhyme)

Nee oru naal varum varaiyil / Naan irupaen nathikkaraiyil

The words 'varum varaiyil' and 'nathikkaraiyil' end with the matching sound '-aiyil', creating a pleasing lyrical rhythm.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Nee engae…. En ninaivugal angae….

The phrase 'Nee engae... En ninaivugal angae' is repeatedly used throughout the song to emphasize longing and emotional pain.

Antithesis / Contrast

Pirappidam vaeraai irunthaalum / En iruppidam unathu manamallavaa

Contrasting 'Pirappidam' (birthplace) with 'Iruppidam' (dwelling place) to highlight the idea that physical origin is secondary to spiritual residence in love.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mannippu' (1969) features music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu with lyrics penned by the renowned poet Vaali. The song is famed for its soulful rendering and evergreen emotional resonance in classical Tamil film music.

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