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Keladi Kanmani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Pathi Naan Pathi

From Keladi Kanmani · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Keladi Kanmani
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
19 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nee paathi naan paathi kannae
Arugil neeyindri thoongaathu kannae
Nee paathi naan paathi kannae
Arugil neeyindri thoongaathu kannae
Neeyillaiyae ini
Naanillaiyae uyir neeyae..aeee….
Nee paathi naan paathi kannaa
Arugil neeyindri thoongaathu kannae
Vaana paravai vaazha ninaithaal
Vaasal thirakum vedanthaangal
Gaana paravai paada ninaithaal
Kaiyil vizhundha paruva paadal
Manjal manakkum yen netri vaitha
Pottukoru arthamirukkum unnalae
Mella sirikkum un muthunagai
Rathinathai allithelikkum munnalae
Meiyaanadhu uyir meiyaagavae thadaiyedhu
Nee paathi naan paathi kannae
Arugil neeyindri thoongaathu kannae
Nee paathi naan paathi kanna
Arugil neeyindri thoongaathu kannae
Idadhu vizhiyil thoosi vizhundhaal
Valadhu vizhiyum kalanghi vidumae
Iruttil kooda irukkum nizhal naan
Iruthi varaikkum thodarndhu varuven
Sorgham yetharku yen ponnulagam
Pennuruvil pakkam irukku kannae vaa
Indha manamthaan yen mannavanum
Vandhu ulavum nandhavanam thaan anbae vaa
Sumaiyaanathu oru sughamaanathu
Suvai nee thaan…..
Nee paathi naan paathi kannaa
Arugil neeyindri thoongaathu kannae
Neeyillaiyae ini naanillaiyae uyir neeyae
Nee paathi naan paathi kannaa
Arugil neeyindri thoongaathu kannae
You are half of me, and I am half of you, my love
Without you beside me, my eyes cannot sleep, my love
You are half of me, and I am half of you, my love
Without you beside me, my eyes cannot sleep, my love
Without you from now on,
I would not exist; you are my very life...
You are half of me, and I am half of you, my love
Without you beside me, my eyes cannot sleep, my love
If a wild bird seeks a place to live,
Vedanthangal (the bird sanctuary) opens its gates
If a songbird wishes to sing,
a song of youth falls into its hands
The pottu (auspicious forehead mark) on my turmeric-scented forehead
gets its true meaning only because of you
When you smile gently, your pearl-like smile
scatters precious gems before me
Our bodies and souls have truly become one, so what barrier remains?
You are half of me, and I am half of you, my love
Without you beside me, my eyes cannot sleep, my love
You are half of me, and I am half of you, my love
Without you beside me, my eyes cannot sleep, my love
If a speck of dust falls into the left eye,
the right eye too wells up with tears
I am a shadow that stays with you even in the dark,
and I will follow you until the very end
Why do I need heaven? My golden world
is right beside me in the form of a woman; come to me, my love
This heart of mine is a garden
where my king comes to stroll; come to me, my love
The burden has turned into pure joy,
and that sweetness is you...
You are half of me, and I am half of you, my love
Without you beside me, my eyes cannot sleep, my love
Without you, I do not exist anymore; you are my life
You are half of me, and I am half of you, my love
Without you beside me, my eyes cannot sleep, my love
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Nee Paathi Naan Paathi is a tender romantic duet expressing complete oneness and profound emotional devotion between two lovers. The refrain highlights the idea that both individuals form two essential halves of a single soul, unable to find rest or purpose without each other. Through imagery of nature, devotion, and shared pain, the song highlights an inseparable bond that turns every life burden into sweet joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Gaana paravai paada ninaithaal”

Comparing the female lover to a 'Gaana paravai' (bird of song) seeking her sanctuary, and comparing her gentle smile ('muthunagai') to scattering precious rubies ('rathinam').

Parallelism / Ethir-Ibaai

“Idadhu vizhiyil thoosi vizhundhaal / Valadhu vizhiyum kalanghi vidumae”

Contrasting the left eye and right eye to illustrate deep empathy and shared pain where one side feels whatever affects the other.

Paradox / Oxymoron

“Iruttil kooda irukkum nizhal naan”

'Iruttil kooda irukkum nizhal' (a shadow that stays even in the dark) creates a poetic paradox since shadows disappear in pitch darkness, emphasizing eternal loyalty.

Juxtaposition / Contradiction

“Sumaiyaanathu oru sughamaanathu”

Describing love as transforming a heavy burden ('sumai') into a pleasant experience ('sugham').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, 'Nee Paathi Naan Paathi' is one of the standout romantic duets from the film 'Keladi Kanmani' (1990), directed by Vasanth. The film famously featured singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam in a lead acting role alongside Radhika.

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