Nee Kettaal Naan
From Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu · 1978
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Nee kettaal naan matten | If you ask me, would I ever refuse, |
| Endra solven kanna | my dear Krishna? |
| Nee kettaal naan matten | If you ask me, would I ever refuse, |
| Endra solven kanna | my dear Krishna? |
| En kannum ila nenjum | My eyes and my young heart |
| Enrdum undhan pinnal | are forever following behind you. |
| Female | |
| Naan sattiyam kakkum | I am a virtuous woman |
| Uttami yakkum | who honors her promise, |
| Sonnadhum ketkum | who obeys whatever is said, |
| Pathini yakkum haiyya | a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes! |
| Female | |
| Nee kettaal naan matten | If you ask me, would I ever refuse, |
| Endra solven kanna | my dear Krishna? |
| En kannum ila nenjum | My eyes and my young heart |
| Enrdum undhan pinnal | are forever following behind you. |
| Female | |
| Naan sattiyam kakkum | I am a virtuous woman |
| Uttami yakkum | who honors her promise, |
| Sonnadhum ketkum | who obeys whatever is said, |
| Pathini yakkum haiyya | a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes! |
| Female | |
| {Anbae unai aradhanai | Oh my love, the heart of the woman |
| Seigindraval manadhu | who worships you with devotion |
| Ponpondradhu poo pondradhu | is golden and flower-like, |
| Ennangalo inidhu} (2) | and her thoughts are deeply sweet. |
| Female | |
| Thamarai poovil thaen | Like nectar spilling out |
| Sidhara (2) | from a blooming lotus flower, |
| Nee konja konja | as you cuddle and caress me, |
| Naan kenja kenja | and as I plead playfully, |
| Nam inbathin ellaigal kanna | the boundaries of our joy, my dear, |
| Engo engo ammamma | reach far beyond, oh my goodness! |
| Female | |
| Nee kettaal naan matten | If you ask me, would I ever refuse, |
| Endra solven kanna | my dear Krishna? |
| En kannum ila nenjum | My eyes and my young heart |
| Enrdum undhan pinnal | are forever following behind you. |
| Female | |
| Naan sattiyam kakkum | I am a virtuous woman |
| Uttami yakkum | who honors her promise, |
| Sonnadhum ketkum | who obeys whatever is said, |
| Pathini yakkum haiyya | a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes! |
| Female | |
| Kalluriyil kalladhathai | Things that were never taught in college |
| Kanjadaiyil payila | are learned through a subtle glance. |
| Pallayiram padangalum | Thousands of lessons |
| Sollamalae puriya | are understood without words being spoken. |
| Female | |
| Nee oru kaadhal | You are a rich library |
| Nool nilayam (2) | of love itself. |
| Ponmalai dhorum | Every golden evening, |
| Unleelai kanum | witnessing your playful charms, |
| En penmaikkum menmaikkum | to my womanhood and gentleness, |
| Kanna nanum needhan sonthamo | my dear, do you and I belong together? |
| Female | |
| Nee kettaal naan matten | If you ask me, would I ever refuse, |
| Endra solven kanna | my dear Krishna? |
| En kannum ila nenjum | My eyes and my young heart |
| Enrdum undhan pinnal | are forever following behind you. |
| Female | |
| Naan sattiyam kakkum | I am a virtuous woman |
| Uttami yakkum | who honors her promise, |
| Sonnadhum ketkum | who obeys whatever is said, |
| Pathini yakkum haiyya | a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes! |
| Female | |
| Ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra | Ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra |
| Ra ra raaa | Ra ra raaa |
| Ra ra raaa | Ra ra raaa |
| Ra ra raaa | Ra ra raaa |
| Raaa…ra r ar ra ra ra ra ra ra ra …. | Raaa... ra r ar ra ra ra ra ra ra ra... |
| Female | |
| Nee kettaal naan matten | If you ask me, would I ever refuse, |
| Endra solven kanna | my dear Krishna? |
| En kannum ila nenjum | My eyes and my young heart |
| Enrdum undhan pinnal | are forever following behind you. |
| Female | |
| Naan sattiyam kakkum | I am a virtuous woman |
| Uttami yakkum | who honors her promise, |
| Sonnadhum ketkum | who obeys whatever is said, |
| Pathini yakkum haiyya…. | a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes! |
நீ கேட்டால் நான்
மாட்டேன் என்றா சொல்வேன்
கண்ணா நீ கேட்டால் நான்
மாட்டேன் என்றா சொல்வேன்
கண்ணா என் கண்ணும் இள
நெஞ்சும் என்றும் உந்தன்
பின்னால்
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
my dear Krishna?
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
my dear Krishna?
My eyes and my young heart
are forever following behind you.
நான் சத்தியம் காக்கும்
உத்தமி யாக்கும் சொன்னதும்
கேட்கும் பத்தினி யாக்கும்
ஹையா
I am a virtuous woman
who honors her promise,
who obeys whatever is said,
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
நீ கேட்டால் நான்
மாட்டேன் என்றா சொல்வேன்
கண்ணா என் கண்ணும் இள
நெஞ்சும் என்றும் உந்தன்
பின்னால்
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
my dear Krishna?
My eyes and my young heart
are forever following behind you.
நான் சத்தியம் காக்கும்
உத்தமி யாக்கும் சொன்னதும்
கேட்கும் பத்தினி யாக்கும்
ஹையா
I am a virtuous woman
who honors her promise,
who obeys whatever is said,
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
{ அன்பே உன்னை
ஆராதனை செய்கின்றவள்
மனது பொன் போன்றது பூ
போன்றது எண்ணங்களோ
இனிது } (2)
Oh my love, the heart of the woman
who worships you with devotion
is golden and flower-like,
and her thoughts are deeply sweet.
தாமரை பூவில்
தேன் சிதற (2)
நீ கொஞ்ச கொஞ்ச நான்
கெஞ்ச கெஞ்ச நம் இன்பத்தின்
எல்லைகள் கண்ணா எங்கோ
எங்கோ அம்மம்மா
Like nectar spilling out
from a blooming lotus flower,
as you cuddle and caress me,
and as I plead playfully,
the boundaries of our joy, my dear,
reach far beyond, oh my goodness!
நீ கேட்டால் நான்
மாட்டேன் என்றா சொல்வேன்
கண்ணா என் கண்ணும் இள
நெஞ்சும் என்றும் உந்தன்
பின்னால்
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
my dear Krishna?
My eyes and my young heart
are forever following behind you.
நான் சத்தியம் காக்கும்
உத்தமி யாக்கும் சொன்னதும்
கேட்கும் பத்தினி யாக்கும்
ஹையா
I am a virtuous woman
who honors her promise,
who obeys whatever is said,
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
கல்லூரியில்
கல்லாததை கண் ஜாடையில்
பயில பல்லாயிரம் பாடங்களும்
சொல்லாமலே புரிய
Things that were never taught in college
are learned through a subtle glance.
Thousands of lessons
are understood without words being spoken.
நீ ஒரு காதல் நூல்
நிலையம் (2)
பொன் மாலை தோறும் உன்
லீலை காணும் என் பெண்மைக்கும்
மென்மைக்கும் கண்ணா நானும்
நீதான் சொந்தமோ
You are a rich library
of love itself.
Every golden evening,
witnessing your playful charms,
to my womanhood and gentleness,
my dear, do you and I belong together?
நீ கேட்டால் நான்
மாட்டேன் என்றா சொல்வேன்
கண்ணா என் கண்ணும் இள
நெஞ்சும் என்றும் உந்தன்
பின்னால்
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
my dear Krishna?
My eyes and my young heart
are forever following behind you.
நான் சத்தியம் காக்கும்
உத்தமி யாக்கும் சொன்னதும்
கேட்கும் பத்தினி யாக்கும்
ஹையா
I am a virtuous woman
who honors her promise,
who obeys whatever is said,
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா
ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா
ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா ரா
ரா ரா ரா ரா
Ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra
Ra ra raaa
Ra ra raaa
Ra ra raaa
Raaa... ra r ar ra ra ra ra ra ra ra...
நீ கேட்டால் நான்
மாட்டேன் என்றா சொல்வேன்
கண்ணா என் கண்ணும் இள
நெஞ்சும் என்றும் உந்தன்
பின்னால்
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
my dear Krishna?
My eyes and my young heart
are forever following behind you.
நான் சத்தியம் காக்கும்
உத்தமி யாக்கும் சொன்னதும்
கேட்கும் பத்தினி யாக்கும்
ஹையா
I am a virtuous woman
who honors her promise,
who obeys whatever is said,
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
Nee kettaal naan matten
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
Endra solven kanna
my dear Krishna?
Nee kettaal naan matten
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
Endra solven kanna
my dear Krishna?
En kannum ila nenjum
My eyes and my young heart
Enrdum undhan pinnal
are forever following behind you.
Naan sattiyam kakkum
I am a virtuous woman
Uttami yakkum
who honors her promise,
Sonnadhum ketkum
who obeys whatever is said,
Pathini yakkum haiyya
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
Nee kettaal naan matten
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
Endra solven kanna
my dear Krishna?
En kannum ila nenjum
My eyes and my young heart
Enrdum undhan pinnal
are forever following behind you.
Naan sattiyam kakkum
I am a virtuous woman
Uttami yakkum
who honors her promise,
Sonnadhum ketkum
who obeys whatever is said,
Pathini yakkum haiyya
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
{Anbae unai aradhanai
Oh my love, the heart of the woman
Seigindraval manadhu
who worships you with devotion
Ponpondradhu poo pondradhu
is golden and flower-like,
Ennangalo inidhu} (2)
and her thoughts are deeply sweet.
Thamarai poovil thaen
Like nectar spilling out
Sidhara (2)
from a blooming lotus flower,
Nee konja konja
as you cuddle and caress me,
Naan kenja kenja
and as I plead playfully,
Nam inbathin ellaigal kanna
the boundaries of our joy, my dear,
Engo engo ammamma
reach far beyond, oh my goodness!
Nee kettaal naan matten
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
Endra solven kanna
my dear Krishna?
En kannum ila nenjum
My eyes and my young heart
Enrdum undhan pinnal
are forever following behind you.
Naan sattiyam kakkum
I am a virtuous woman
Uttami yakkum
who honors her promise,
Sonnadhum ketkum
who obeys whatever is said,
Pathini yakkum haiyya
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
Kalluriyil kalladhathai
Things that were never taught in college
Kanjadaiyil payila
are learned through a subtle glance.
Pallayiram padangalum
Thousands of lessons
Sollamalae puriya
are understood without words being spoken.
Nee oru kaadhal
You are a rich library
Nool nilayam (2)
of love itself.
Ponmalai dhorum
Every golden evening,
Unleelai kanum
witnessing your playful charms,
En penmaikkum menmaikkum
to my womanhood and gentleness,
Kanna nanum needhan sonthamo
my dear, do you and I belong together?
Nee kettaal naan matten
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
Endra solven kanna
my dear Krishna?
En kannum ila nenjum
My eyes and my young heart
Enrdum undhan pinnal
are forever following behind you.
Naan sattiyam kakkum
I am a virtuous woman
Uttami yakkum
who honors her promise,
Sonnadhum ketkum
who obeys whatever is said,
Pathini yakkum haiyya
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
Ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra
Ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra
Ra ra raaa
Ra ra raaa
Ra ra raaa
Ra ra raaa
Ra ra raaa
Ra ra raaa
Raaa…ra r ar ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ….
Raaa... ra r ar ra ra ra ra ra ra ra...
Nee kettaal naan matten
If you ask me, would I ever refuse,
Endra solven kanna
my dear Krishna?
En kannum ila nenjum
My eyes and my young heart
Enrdum undhan pinnal
are forever following behind you.
Naan sattiyam kakkum
I am a virtuous woman
Uttami yakkum
who honors her promise,
Sonnadhum ketkum
who obeys whatever is said,
Pathini yakkum haiyya….
a devoted, faithful partner, oh yes!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nee Kettaal Naan Matten is a classic Tamil romantic track from the 1978 film Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu. Sung from the perspective of a devoted woman deeply in love, the song expresses absolute surrender, adoration, and playful romantic bliss. She promises that she could never refuse any wish of her beloved and describes her devotion as chaste, pure, and eternal. She compares her heart to gold and soft flowers, overflowing with happiness in his presence. The track captures the intimate world of two lovers where unspoken glances communicate far more than formal education ever could.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uwamai (Simile)
“Ponpondradhu poo pondradhu”
Compares the purity and delicacy of the woman's loving heart to gold ('ponpondradhu') and flowers ('poo pondradhu').
Uruvagaimai (Metaphor)
“Nee oru kaadhal Nool nilayam”
Metaphorically addresses her lover as a 'library of love' (kaadhal nool nilayam), suggesting he holds endless knowledge and depth in matters of romance.
Monnai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kalluriyil kalladhathai / Kanjadaiyil payila”
Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kalluriyil' and 'Kanjadaiyil', creating rhythmic harmony.
Esubhu / Repetition (Sol Pinvarunilai Ani)
“Nee konja konja / Naan kenja kenja”
Repetition of words like 'konja konja' and 'kenja kenja' to emphasize intimacy and tender emotional interactions.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed with unknown metadata in the query, this iconic track features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali and vocals rendered by S. Janaki. 'Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu' (1978) was directed by C. V. Sridhar and starred Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Sripriya, and Jayachitra.
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