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Isaimozhi
JAMA album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Irukkum

From JAMA · 2024

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Rajaganapathy, Srisha Vijayasekar
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
JAMA
Movie release year
2024
Lyrics added on
28 May 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nee irukkum usarathukku
Nanum eppo varuvathamma
Edatha vittu elankiliye
Iranga venam en kuyile
Nee irukkum usarathukku
Nanum eppo varuvathamma
Edatha vittu elankiliye
Iranga venam en kuyile
Nee irukkum usarathukku
Nanum eppo varuvathamma
Edatha vittu elankiliye
Iranga venam en kuyile
Nee kodutha usaram idhu
Ulagathuku theriyadha
Unna thaalthi pesuvadha
Eppodhum nee raasa thaan
Unna mattum suthum enna vittu poviya
Enna vittu koothu katti kettu poviya
Otta veetil ulla enna pottu thaakkura
Kottaiyile veettu kodi yetha paakura
Maedaiyila podum vaesham
Maedaiyoda pogum pogum
Un manasil raaja sabha
Raasavaakki parthathu podhum
Paechu edutha aambala than
Koothula nee pomblala than
Azhagae enna azhagakkura
Oor paarkkava nee rasikka
Nee irukkum usarathukku
Nanum eppo varuvathamma
Edatha vittu elankiliye
Iranga venam en kuyile
Ponnu mani vairam ellam
Pootti paarkka thonaadha
Ooru paathu ulagam paathu
Kannu apda venama
Vaeshathukku alangarippu
Jodanaigal ingethukku
Usure endhan nesamae unna
Vaesham kalachi paakanum
Nee kodutha usaram idhu
Ulagathuku theriyadha
Male :Edatha vittu elankiliye
Iranga venam en kuyile
Unna mattum suthum enna vittu poviya
Enna vittu koothu katti kettu poviya
Otta veetil ulla enna pottu thaakkura
Kottaiyile veettu kodi yetha paakura
To the heights where you stand,
when will I ever reach, my girl?
Leaving your high perch, little parrot,
you must come down, my cuckoo.
To the heights where you stand,
when will I ever reach, my girl?
Leaving your high perch, little parrot,
you must come down, my cuckoo.
To the heights where you stand,
when will I ever reach, my girl?
Leaving your high perch, little parrot,
you must come down, my cuckoo.
This height was given by you;
doesn't the whole world know it?
Why do you speak so low of yourself?
You are always a king to me!
I revolve only around you—will you ever leave me?
Will you leave me and ruin your life performing street plays?
You torment me as I live in this broken hut,
while dreaming of raising our flag on a fortress!
The disguise worn on the stage
ends with the stage itself.
There is a royal court inside your heart;
it is enough that you see me as a king there.
In the way you speak, you are a man,
yet in the play, you become a woman.
My beauty, you make me look so lovely—
is it for the town to look at, or for you to admire?
To the heights where you stand,
when will I ever reach, my girl?
Leaving your high perch, little parrot,
you must come down, my cuckoo.
Gold, gems, and diamonds—
don't you feel like adorning me with them?
When the whole town and world stare at us,
won't the evil eye fall upon us?
All this makeup is for playing a role;
why do we need such grand decorations here?
My life, my dearest love,
I want to see you with your stage disguise taken off.
This height was given by you;
doesn't the whole world know it?
Leaving your high perch, little parrot,
you must come down, my cuckoo.
I revolve only around you—will you ever leave me?
Will you leave me and ruin your life performing street plays?
You torment me as I live in this broken hut,
while dreaming of raising our flag on a fortress!
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Female
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Female
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Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song portrays a deeply emotional dialogue between two lovers connected through Therukoothu (traditional Tamil street theatre). The male lead expresses humility and self-doubt, admiring the woman while reflecting on his position as an artist who often portrays female roles on stage. In response, the woman reassures him of his worth, emphasizing that his true majesty lies in her heart and that his elevation in life comes from their bond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Edatha vittu elankiliye”

Addressing the beloved as 'elankiliye' (young parrot) and 'kuyile' (cuckoo) to signify innocence and sweetness.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Emonai & Ethirai)

“Otta veetil ulla enna pottu thaakkura”

Phonetic similarity and end-rhyme between 'Otta veetil' and 'Kottaiyile' creates a strong rhythmic tempo.

Contrast (Muran)

“Paechu edutha aambala than / Koothula nee pomblala than”

Highlights the juxtaposition of gender performance on stage ('pombbala') versus real identity ('aambala').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film JAMA (2024) centers on the traditional Therukoothu art form of Tamil Nadu. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja not only composed the music for this track but also wrote the lyrics, infusing authentic regional folk dialect and emotional resonance fitting for street theatre artists.

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