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Lyrics & meaning

Neengatha Ennam

From Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru · 1981

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Neengaadha ennam ondruA lingering thought
Nenjodu unduResides within my heart
Female
M… haha ennanga adhuM... haha, what is it dear?
Male
Oru shajahaan oru dhaevadassLike a Shah Jahan, like a Devadas
Adhu pola thaan unnodu naanJust like that, I wish to be with you
Eer ezhu jenmam vara vendum mm…Across fourteen lifetimes, mm...
Female
Neengaadha ennam ondruA lingering thought
Nenjodu unduResides within my heart
Oru jaanaki oru kannagiLike a Sita, like a Kannagi
Adhu pola thaan unnodu naanJust like that, I wish to be with you
Eer ezhu jenmam vara vendum mm…Across fourteen lifetimes, mm...
Male
Megam midhakkudhuThe cloud floats
Aagaayam melae parakkudhuFlying high up in the sky
Megam midhakkudhuThe cloud floats
Aagaayam maelae parakkudhuFlying high up in the sky
Female :Aa…Female: Aa...
Male
Adhu polavae unai kaanaJust like that, to see you
Naan alai paaigirenMy heart wanders restless
Female :Lala lala lala laaFemale: Lala lala lala laa
Mazhaiyaaga maaruvenI will turn into rain
Madi meedhu seruvaenI will gather upon your lap
Neeraattuvaen un maeniyaiI will bathe your body
Anbae un uravinai anubavippenMy love, I will cherish our togetherness
Male
Neengaadha ennam ondruA lingering thought
Nenjodu unduResides within my heart
Male
Kaanum kanavugalThe dreams we see
Nee konda aasai ninaivugalThe cherished memories of your desires
Kaanum kanavugalThe dreams we see
Nee konda aasai ninaivugalThe cherished memories of your desires
Female :Aa…Female: Aa...
Male
Ennenna sol innaalilaeTell me what they are on this day
NiraivaetruvenI shall fulfill them
Female :Lala lalalala laaFemale: Lala lalalala laa
Theeraadha aasaigal or naalil theerumoCan unquenchable desires be fulfilled in a single day?
Vaan maaralaam nilam maaralaamThe sky may change, the earth may change
Maaraamal iruvarum inaindhiruppomBut unchanging, the two of us shall remain united
Male
Neengaadha ennam ondruA lingering thought
Nenjodu unduResides within my heart
Oru shajahaan oru dhaevadassLike a Shah Jahan, like a Devadas
Adhu pola thaan unnodu naanJust like that, I wish to be with you
Eer ezhu jenmam vara vendum mm…Across fourteen lifetimes, mm...
Female
Neengaadha ennam ondruA lingering thought
Nenjodu unduResides within my heart
Oru jaanaki oru kannagiLike a Sita, like a Kannagi
Adhu pola thaan unnodu naanJust like that, I wish to be with you
Eer ezhu jenmam vara vendum mm…Across fourteen lifetimes, mm...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Neengaadha Ennam Ondru' is a romantic duet expressing eternal love and deep devotion across fourteen lifetimes ('Eer ezhu jenmam'). The lovers invoke iconic figures of timeless devotion and love—Shah Jahan, Devadas, Sita (Jaanaki), and Kannagi—to declare their absolute commitment to each other. The song uses natural imagery like floating clouds and falling rain to symbolize longing, passion, and spiritual intimacy. Ultimately, the lovers affirm that even if the cosmos changes—if the sky or earth alters—their bond will remain steadfast and unchanging through time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Neengaadha ennam ondru / Nenjodu undu

Repetition of the initial 'N' sound in 'Neengaadha' and 'Nenjodu' creates melodic rhythm.

Simile / Cultural Allusion

Oru shajahaan oru dhaevadass / Oru jaanaki oru kannagi

Comparing their love to legendary historical and mythological figures like Shah Jahan, Devadas, Sita, and Kannagi.

Metaphor & Nature Imagery

Mazhaiyaaga maaruven / Madi meedhu seruvaen

Transforming into rain to embrace the beloved metaphorically represents cooling passion and complete surrender.

Hyperbole

Vaan maaralaam nilam maaralaam / Maaraamal iruvarum inaindhiruppom

Exaggerating love across 14 reincarnations ('Eer ezhu jenmam') and enduring beyond changes in sky and earth to show eternity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1981 Tamil film 'Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru', directed by K. Bhagyaraj. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, and the song was sung by K.J. Yesudas and S.P. Sailaja.

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