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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neethana Neethana

From Thalattu Padava · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. Janaki, Arun Mozhi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thalattu Padava1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa…aaa…haa….aaa….Aaa... aaa... haa... aaa...
Aaa…aaa…haa….aaa….Aaa... aaa... haa... aaa...
Haa aa haa aaa haaa aaa aaaHaa aa haa aaa haaa aaa aaa
Female
Needhaanaa needhaanaaIs it really you, is it really you?
Nenjae needhaanaaOh my heart, is it really you?
Nee indri naanaedhaanWithout you, can I indeed...
Ingae vaazhvenaa...live here on my own?
Female
Anbae anbae endhan anbaeMy beloved, my beloved, my dear love
Vaazhum jeevan needhaan anbaeYou are the very life I live, my love
Thunai neeyae anbaeYou are my only companion, my love
Female
Needhaanaa needhaanaaIs it really you, is it really you?
Nenjae needhaanaaOh my heart, is it really you?
Nee indri naanaedhaanWithout you, can I indeed...
Ingae vaazhvenaa...live here on my own?
Female
Kaaviriyum vazhi marandhuEven the river Kaveri forgets not its path...
Veru thisai nadappadhillai...and does not flow in a different direction.
Kanni ilam ninaivugalaiThe youthful memories of maidenhood...
Kaadhal manam marappadhillai...a heart filled with love will never forget.
Female
Kaadhal alai veesumWaves of love keep surging...
Kadal thaan manadhu...in the ocean that is the mind.
Kaalam pala kaalamAcross ages and endless time...
Idhu vaazhuvadhu...this love shall continue to live.
Female
Thoongaamal en kangalWhen my eyes remain sleepless...
Vaadum pozhudhu...and wither in sorrow,
Thol meedhu saaindhaada yengiyadhuThey longed to rest and sway upon your shoulder.
Nee indri naan yedhuWhat am I without you...
Nesamodu vaazhum maadhu...a woman living with affection?
Female
Needhaanaa needhaanaaIs it really you, is it really you?
Nenjae needhaanaaOh my heart, is it really you?
Male :Nee indri naanaedhaanMale: Without you, can I indeed...
Ingae vaazhvenaaLive here on my own?
Male
Anbae anbae endhan anbaeMy beloved, my beloved, my dear love
Vaazhum jeevan needhaan anbaeYou are the very life I live, my love
Thunai neeyae anbaeYou are my only companion, my love
Male
Needhaanaa needhaanaaIs it really you, is it really you?
Nenjae needhaanaaOh my heart, is it really you?
Nee indri naanaedhaanWithout you, can I indeed...
Ingae vaazhvenaa...live here on my own?
Male
Koovi varum pudhu kuyilinThrough the voice of a fresh calling cuckoo...
Kural vazhiyae oru thuyaram...comes a subtle sense of sorrow.
Paadi varum mozhithanilaeIn the middle of the song being sung...
Paadhiyilae oru salanam...comes a sudden wave of hesitation.
Male
Odum nadhi neerilIn the waters of a running river...
Malar pooppadhillai...flowers do not bloom.
Unmai idhai kandumEven after seeing this truth...
Manam ketpadhillaiThe mind refuses to accept it.
Male
Kaalangal nerangalDestiny and time...
Paalam amaikkum...will build a bridge.
Kaiyodu kaiyendru serndhirukkumHand in hand, we shall remain united.
Vaadaadhae vaadaadhaeDo not wither, do not wither...
Vaasam indha poovai thaedumFragrance shall seek this flower out.
Male
Needhaanaa needhaanaaIs it really you, is it really you?
Nenjae needhaanaaOh my heart, is it really you?
Female :Nee indri naanaedhaanFemale: Without you, can I indeed...
Ingae vaazhvenaaLive here on my own?
Male
Anbae anbae endhan anbaeMy beloved, my beloved, my dear love
Female :Vaazhum jeevan needhaan anbaeFemale: You are the very life I live, my love
Thunai neeyae anbaeYou are my only companion, my love
Female
Needhaanaa needhaanaaIs it really you, is it really you?
Nenjae needhaanaaOh my heart, is it really you?
Male :Nee indri naanaedhaanMale: Without you, can I indeed...
Ingae vaazhvenaaLive here on my own?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Needhaanaa Needhaanaa is a poignant duet that explores themes of unconditional love, deep emotional attachment, and longing. The protagonists reflect on their profound bond, expressing that living without one another is unimaginable. By drawing metaphors from nature—such as the river Kaveri sticking to its true path and waves continually swelling in the ocean—the song highlights the constancy and permanence of true affection. The second stanza delves into emotional uncertainty and melancholic beauty, comparing life's hardships to a river where flowers cannot grow, yet holding on to the hope that time and fate will bridge any divide between the lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora (Repetition)

Needhaanaa needhaanaa

The phrase 'Needhaanaa needhaanaa' is repeated continuously at the beginning and refrain to emphasize deep disbelief, emotional longing, and joy at reunion.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Kadal thaan manadhu

The human mind is compared directly to an ocean where waves of love endlessly surge ('Kadal thaan manadhu').

Monaai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Kaadhal alai veesum / Kadal thaan manadhu / Kaalam pala kaalam

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound in consecutive words creating melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music composer was unspecified in the provided details, 'Thalattu Padava' (1990), directed by R. Sundarrajan, features an iconic soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The song 'Needhaanaa Needhaanaa' was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, featuring lyrics by Gangai Amaran.

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