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Isaimozhi
Ilamai Kolam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Illaadha Podhu

From Ilamai Kolam · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Jency
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ilamai Kolam
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
21 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nee illaadha podhu
Yaengum nenjam
Sollaadha kadhai nooru
Adhu nillaadha pudhu aaru
Unnodu thaan thirumanam
Uravinil narumanam
Undaaga vazhi kooru
Nee illaadha podhu
Yaengum nenjam
Sollaadha kadhai nooru
Adhu nillaadha pudhu aaru
Mudhan mudhalil thodum varai
Dhinam naan yaenga
Viral nunigal padum varai
Vizhi thaan thoonga
Kaaviyam paadum
Kaadhal poongaatru
Manam saerndhadhae oru saadhanai
Magizhndhaen dhinamum kannae
Nee illaadha podhu
Yaengum nenjam
Sollaadha kadhai nooru
Adhu nillaadha pudhu aaru
Yedhu varaiyil sugam yena
Adhai naan kaanbaen
Idhazh muzhuvadhum suvai yena
Adhai naan saervaen
Yaengidum podhu
Ennam thaangaadhu
Iru maeniyil oru baavanai irundhaal
Thodarum inimai
Nee illaadha podhu
yaengum nenjam
Sollaadha kadhai nooru
Adhu nillaadha pudhu aaru
Unnodu thaan thirumanam
Uravinil narumanam
Undaaga vazhi kooru
When you are not with me
My heart longs for you
There are a hundred untold stories
Flowing like an unstoppable river
To unite with you in marriage
And bring sweet fragrance into our bond
Tell me the way
When you are not with me
My heart longs for you
There are a hundred untold stories
Flowing like an unstoppable river
Until we touch for the very first time
I yearn every day
Until your fingertips touch me
How can my eyes ever sleep?
Singing a sweet poem
Is this gentle breeze of love
Our hearts uniting is an achievement in itself
I rejoice every day, my love
When you are not with me
My heart longs for you
There are a hundred untold stories
Flowing like an unstoppable river
To see how far this bliss can go
I will seek and discover
Knowing your lips are full of sweetness
I will gather and embrace it
When intense longing strikes
My thoughts cannot bear the wait
If our two bodies share the same feeling
The sweetness will linger on forever
When you are not with me
My heart longs for you
There are a hundred untold stories
Flowing like an unstoppable river
To unite with you in marriage
And bring sweet fragrance into our bond
Tell me the way
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Nee illaadha podhu' is a soulful Tamil romantic song expressing the pain of separation and the intense longing for togetherness. The protagonist describes how thoughts and untold feelings swell up like an unstoppable river in the absence of the beloved. The lyrics convey the eagerness for union, marriage, and physical as well as emotional harmony. The song poetically captures how two distinct individuals feel connected through shared emotion, creating an enduring sweetness and joy in love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Sollaadha kadhai nooru / Adhu nillaadha pudhu aaru

Comparing the unexpressed emotions and romantic stories in the heart to an ever-flowing, unstoppable river.

Personification

Kaaviyam paadum / Kaadhal poongaatru

Attributing the human capability of singing poetry to the gentle breeze of love.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Unnodu thaan thirumanam / Uravinil narumanam

The second letter 'ra' rhymes across adjacent lines ('Thirumanam' and 'Narumanam'), enhancing the lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ilamai Kolam' (1980) was scored by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song is celebrated for its soothing melody and expressive romantic poetry characteristic of early 1980s Tamil cinema soundscapes.

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