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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Kelaiya Yen Vethanai

From Bala Nagamma · 1960

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Paamarthi
Details
Bala Nagamma1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nee kelaiyaa aa haha haWon't you listen, my lord? Ah haha ha
Yen vedhanai aa haha haTo my agony, ah haha ha
Ennai sattrae kannaal kaanaiyaa aa aa aaWon't you look at me with your eyes for a moment? Ah ah ah
Ninnai kori naanullaen aiyaa indraeSeeking you, I remain here today, my lord
Nee kelaiyaa aa haha haWon't you listen, my lord? Ah haha ha
Yen vedhanai aa haha haTo my agony, ah haha ha
Ennai sattrae kannaal kaanaiyaa aa aa aaWon't you look at me with your eyes for a moment? Ah ah ah
Ninnai kori naanullaen aiyaa indraeSeeking you, I remain here today, my lord
Nee kelaiyaa aa haha haWon't you listen, my lord? Ah haha ha
Yen vedhanai aa haha haTo my agony, ah haha ha
Female
Andharanga manamum therindhaKnowing the secrets of my intimate heart
Undhan aasai azhagu raaniI am your beloved, beautiful queen
Ennaalum thannai ennullam thannilForever within my own heart
Kannalan endrae poojai seivenaeI shall worship you as my beloved lord
Naan aiyaaaI, my lord
Nee kelaiyaa aa haha haWon't you listen, my lord? Ah haha ha
Yen vedhanai aa haha haTo my agony, ah haha ha
Female
Kodhai koiya kaniyaanaenaeLike a maiden, I have become a ripe fruit ready to be plucked
Koduppen naanae sugamae thaanaeI myself shall bestow true happiness upon you
Penn ennai maranthae pirar thedi ponaalIf you forget me, a woman, and go seeking others
Unn ullam kooda sollum koodathendraiyaaEven your own heart will say that it is wrong, my lord
Female
Nee kelaiyaa aa haha haWon't you listen, my lord? Ah haha ha
Yen vedhanai aa haha haTo my agony, ah haha ha
Ennai sattrae kannaal kaanaiyaa aa aa aaWon't you look at me with your eyes for a moment? Ah ah ah
Ninnai kori naanullaen aiyaa indraeSeeking you, I remain here today, my lord
Nee kelaiyaa aa haha haWon't you listen, my lord? Ah haha ha
Yen vedhanai aa haha haTo my agony, ah haha ha

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nee kelaiyaa from Bala Nagamma (1960) is an evocative expression of longing, devotion, and romantic sorrow. The protagonist earnestly appeals to her beloved lord to hear her grief and grant her a single compassionate glance. Expressing pure surrender, she declares that her innermost heart secretly worships him as her lord and husband. She metaphorically compares herself to a ripe fruit offering sweet bliss and appeals to his conscience, reminding him that deserting her for someone else would go against his own inner soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kodhai koiya kaniyaanaenae

The speaker compares herself to a ripe fruit waiting to be plucked ('koiya kaniyaanaenae'), symbolizing youth, beauty, and readiness for romantic union.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Kodhai koiya kaniyaanaenae

Repetition of the 'Ko/Ka' consonant sound across words in the same line creates a rhythmic melodic effect.

Anaphora / Refrain

Nee kelaiyaa aa haha ha

The line 'Nee kelaiyaa... Yen vedhanai' repeats throughout the song to continually emphasize her despair and appeal for attention.

Did you know?

Trivia

Bala Nagamma (1960) was a notable Tamil folklore film starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri, with music score composed by Pamarthi. Lyricist Kambadasan was famous for his classical, poetic Tamil phrasing in early Tamil cinema songs, drama-inspired cinema.

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