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Nenjathai Allitha album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Neeril Oru Thamarai

From Nenjathai Allitha · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Jeyachandran
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Nenjathai Allitha
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
24 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Neeril oru thamarai thamaraiyil poovidhazh
Poovidhazhil punnagai punnagaiyil ennavo
Neeril oru thamarai thamaraiyil poovidhazh
Poovidhazhil punnagai punnagaiyil ennavo
Veettiloru oviyam oviyaththil penn mugam
Veettiloru oviyam oviyaththil penn mugam
Penn mugaththil sinthanai sinthanaigal yaar vasam
Penn mugaththil sinthanai sinthanaigal yaar vasam
: Chiththiraththai parththathum muththamida odinaen
Muththamida pogaiyil chiththiraththai thedinaen
Neeril oru thamarai thamaraiyil poovidhazh
Poovidhazhil punnagai punnagaiyil ennavo
Netru sonna vaarththaigal neela vizhi paarvaigal
Netru sonna vaarththaigal neela vizhi paarvaigal
Ootty vaiththa aasaigal un sirippin paashaigal
Ootty vaiththa aasaigal un sirippin paashaigal
Kadhaliththa nypagam kadaisi varai pogumo
Kooda vantha naatkalai marappathenna niyaayamo
Neeril oru thamarai thamaraiyil poovidhazh
Poovidhazhil punnagai punnagaiyil ennavo
Paattu ondru paadinean paadiyathu kettatho
Paattu ondru paadinean paadiyathu kettatho
Ketta kural vaadumo vaattuvathu niyaayamo
Ketta kural vaadumo vaattuvathu niyaayamo
Paadhai pala maaralaam maariyathu seralaam
Saernthu vara enninaen enniyathu paavamo
Neeril oru thamarai thamaraiyil poovidhazh
Poovidhazhil punnagai punnagaiyil ennavo
A lotus in the water, soft petals in the lotus,
A smile upon the petals—and what lies within that smile?
A lotus in the water, soft petals in the lotus,
A smile upon the petals—and what lies within that smile?
A portrait in the house, a woman's face in the portrait,
A portrait in the house, a woman's face in the portrait,
Deep thoughts on her face—who holds those thoughts of hers?
Deep thoughts on her face—who holds those thoughts of hers?
The moment I saw that picture, I ran to kiss it,
Yet as I went to kiss it, I was only searching for it...
A lotus in the water, soft petals in the lotus,
A smile upon the petals—and what lies within that smile?
The words spoken yesterday, the glances from your blue eyes,
The words spoken yesterday, the glances from your blue eyes,
The desires nurtured in my heart, the unspoken language of your smile,
The desires nurtured in my heart, the unspoken language of your smile,
Will the memories of our love stay with us until the end?
Is it fair to forget the days we walked together?
A lotus in the water, soft petals in the lotus,
A smile upon the petals—and what lies within that smile?
I sang a song—did you hear what I sang?
I sang a song—did you hear what I sang?
Must this voice you heard wither away? Is it fair to cause such pain?
Must this voice you heard wither away? Is it fair to cause such pain?
Paths may drift apart, yet those that diverged can meet again,
I only wished for us to be together—was that longing a sin?
A lotus in the water, soft petals in the lotus,
A smile upon the petals—and what lies within that smile?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This tender romantic song expresses a lover's deep fascination and emotional torment over his beloved. Using cascading visual imagery—a lotus in water, a smile on a petal, a painting of a woman's face—the protagonist ponders the depth of her thoughts and feelings. He reflects on cherished moments, gentle conversations, and shared memories, wondering if time will fade their bond or if fate will bring their diverging paths back together. The lyrics convey a poignant blend of poetic admiration, sorrow of separation, and an enduring hope for reunion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anadiplosis / Anthathi (Chaining)

“Neeril oru thamarai thamaraiyil poovidhazh / Poovidhazhil punnagai punnagaiyil ennavo”

The end of one phrase forms the beginning of the next (e.g., thamarai -> thamaraiyil, poovidhazh -> poovidhazhil, punnagai -> punnagaiyil), creating a seamless rhythmic flow.

Second Letter Rhyme (Emoni / Dvitiyakshara Prasa)

“Netru sonna vaarththaigal neela vizhi paarvaigal / Ootty vaiththa aasaigal un sirippin paashaigal”

Rhyming of the second consonant across lines to maintain Tamil poetic structure (Netru / Ootty).

Visual Imagery and Metaphor

“Veettiloru oviyam oviyaththil penn mugam”

Comparing the beloved's smile and face to layers of a lotus flower and a vivid painting to convey captivating allure.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features lyrical genius Vaali utilizing traditional Tamil Anthathi (chaining) poetic techniques adapted cleverly for modern light music composed by M. S. Viswanathan.

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