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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Engey – (Pathos)

From Mannippu · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Mannippu1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nee engae….Where are you...
En ninaivugal angaeMy thoughts are there...
En ninaivugal angaeMy thoughts are there...
Nee oru naal varum varaiyilUntil the day you return...
Naan irupaen nathikkaraiyilI will be waiting on the riverbank...
Nee oru naal varum varaiyilUntil the day you return...
Naan irupaen nathikkaraiyilI will be waiting on the riverbank...
Female
Nee engae….ae….Where are you...
Female
Pirappidam vaeraai irunthaalumThough our birthplaces are different...
En iruppidam unathu manamallavaaIs not your heart my dwelling place?
Maraividam paarthae vaazhnthaalumThough living in hiding...
En pugalidam unathu madiyallavaaIs not your lap my ultimate refuge?
Female
Aayiram kaalam aana pinaalumEven after a thousand ages pass...
Vaazhum kadhal uravallavaaIs ours not an everlasting love?
Female
Nee engae….ae….Where are you...
Female
Nee arivaai en vaethanaiyaiYou know my agony...
Ingu naernthirukkum antha sothanaiyaiAnd the trial that has befalled us here...
Yaar tharuvaar mana aaruthalaiWho else will give comfort to my heart?
Unthan paarvaigal sollum thaeruthalaiYour look alone offers the needed solace...
Female
Maanidar ellam bhoomiyai thaediWhile all humankind seeks the earth...
Vaazha vaippom nam aasaigaliLet us keep our desires alive...
Female
Nee engae….ae….Where are you...
Female
Maranthidavaa unnai naan ninaithaeShould I forget you while thinking of you?
Mannil erinthidavaa malar saram thoduthaeShould I throw into the dust the flower garland I wove?
Printhidavaa antha paattisaithaenShould I part after making that music?
Uyir vidai peravaa intha udal valarththaenDid I nurture this body only to take leave of my life?
Female
Nee varuvaai vanthu nizhal tharuvaai endruBelieving that you will come and give shade...
Nambikkaiyaal indru kural koduthaenI called out today with hope...
Female
Nee engae….Where are you...
En ninaivugal angaeMy thoughts are there...
En ninaivugal angaeMy thoughts are there...
Nee oru naal varum varaiyilUntil the day you return...
Naan irupaen nathikkaraiyilI will be waiting on the riverbank...
Female
Nee engae….ae….Where are you...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nee Engae is a soulful melody from the 1969 Tamil film Mannippu, featuring lyrics by Vaali. The song portrays a heartbroken lover waiting patiently by a riverbank for their beloved's return. It captures the angst of separation alongside an enduring belief that true love transcends physical distance, time, and earthly trials. Through emotional questioning, the lyricist highlights the deep spiritual connection where the beloved's heart remains the singer's true home and refuge, turning longing into a hopeful call across space.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Nee arivaai en vaethanaiyai / Ingu naernthirukkum antha sothanaiyai

Rhyming ending syllables across consecutive lines such as vaethanaiyai, sothanaiyai, aaruthalai, and thaeruthalai.

Ethukai (Second Letter Assonance)

Nee oru naal varum varaiyil / Naan irupaen nathikkaraiyil

Matching second letters in consecutive lines like varaiyil and nathikkaraiyil.

Rhetorical Question

En iruppidam unathu manamallavaa / Yaar tharuvaar mana aaruthalai

Using questions to express emotional helplessness and conviction rather than seeking actual answers.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for Mannippu (1969) was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. Lyricist Vaali crafted this song with deep melancholic undertones, making extensive use of traditional Tamil poetic devices like Iyaibu to reinforce the rhythmic pacing of heartbreak.

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