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Lyrics & meaning

Nee Kettadhu Inbam

From Aalukkoru Veedu · 1960

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Aalukkoru Veedu
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
22 Jul 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nee kettathu inbam…
Nee kettathu inbam kidaiththathu thnbam
Vaazhkkai idhuthaano
Ethir paarththathi nizhalai adainthathu veyilaip
Padam ithu thaano
Pesi pesi pala naal pesi
Nesam valarththu nenjam magizhnthe
Aasaik kaniyaai aagumpothu
Anbai izhanthaal laabam yaedhu
Anbai izhanthaal laabam yaedhu
Laabam yaedhu…..
Nee kettathu inbam kidaiththathu thnbam
Vaazhkkai idhuthaano
Ethir paarththathi nizhalai adainthathu veyilaip
Padam ithu thaano
Thunba naragil suzhalum ulagam
Thundu thundaai udainthu athilae
Thunba naragil suzhalum ulagam
Thundu thundaai udainthu athilae
inbamendror ulagam thondri
Yaelaith thuyarai theerththidaatho
Yaelaith thuyarai theerththidaatho
Theerththidaatho….
Nee kettathu inbam kidaiththathu thnbam
Vaazhkkai idhuthaano
Nee kettathu inbam kidaiththathu thnbam
Vaazhkkai idhuthaano
Vaazhkkai idhuthaano
Vaazhkkai idhuthaano…..oo…..
You asked for happiness...
You asked for happiness, but received sorrow;
is this all that life is?
You looked for shade, but ended up in scorching heat;
is this the lesson to learn?
Talking and sharing for so many days,
growing love and making the heart rejoice,
just when desire ripens into sweet fruit,
if love is lost, what is gained?
If love is lost, what is gained?
What is gained...?
You asked for happiness, but received sorrow;
is this all that life is?
You looked for shade, but ended up in scorching heat;
is this the lesson to learn?
A world spinning in a hell of sorrow—
if it shatters into pieces, and from within it,
a world spinning in a hell of sorrow—
if it shatters into pieces, and from within it,
a new world called joy is born,
won't it relieve this poor soul's suffering?
Won't it relieve this poor soul's suffering?
Won't it relieve it...?
You asked for happiness, but received sorrow;
is this all that life is?
You asked for happiness, but received sorrow;
is this all that life is?
Is this all that life is?
Is this really all that life is...? Oh...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Nee Kettathu Inbam from the movie Aalukkoru Veedu (1960) is a deeply emotional and philosophical song exploring the unpredictable, ironical nature of human life. Written by the renowned poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, the song meditates on how humans constantly seek joy and peace, only to be confronted with tragedy and hardship. Using vivid contrasts like seeking shade but finding unbearable heat, the lyrist captures the heartbreak of unfulfilled expectations and lost love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethiridai / Antithesis

Nee kettathu inbam kidaiththathu thnbam

Contrasts opposites such as 'inbam' (happiness) and 'thunbam' (sorrow) within the same line to emphasize life's tragic turns.

Metaphor / Imagery

Ethir paarththathi nizhalai adainthathu veyilaip

Uses 'nizhal' (shade) as a metaphor for comfort/joy and 'veyil' (sun heat) as a metaphor for pain/hardship.

Sol-pinvaru-nilai-ani / Repetition (Anaphora)

Pesi pesi pala naal pesi

Repetition of the word 'pesi' to emphasize long, continuous conversations that built deep affection over time.

Edhukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Thunba naragil suzhalum ulagam / Thundu thundaai udainthu athilae

Consonance of the second letter 'n' in 'Thunba' and 'Thundu' creating rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aalukkoru Veedu (1960) featured music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram's lyrics in this film reflected his signature socialistic outlook, combining personal melancholy with a broader empathy for the poor and downtrodden.

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