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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neethane Naal Thorum Duet

From Paattu Vaathiyar · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paattu Vaathiyar1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mmmm mmmm mmm mmmMmmm mmmm mmm mmm
Female
{ Nee thaanae naal thorum{ You alone are every day
Naan paada kaaranamThe reason for me to sing
Nee endhan nenjoduYou in my heart
Nindraadum thoranam } (2)Are a festoon that sways } (2)
Female
Nee indri naan paadaWithout you, for me to sing,
Veredhu keerthanamWhat other song/devotional melody exists?
Uravu raagam idhuvoIs this the melody of our relationship?
Idhu udhayamaagi varudhoIs this dawning upon us?
Female
Unadhu dhaagam vilaiyaIs it for your thirst to be quenched,
Idhu adimaiyaana manadhoThat this heart became a slave?
Female
Nee thaanae naal thorumYou alone are every day
Naan paada kaaranamThe reason for me to sing
Nee endhan nenjoduYou in my heart
Nindraadum thoranamAre a festoon that sways
Female
Ootru polavae paatuLike a natural spring, the song
Vandhadhae unnai kandadhaalaeCame forth because I saw you
Paavai ennaiyae paada vaithadhaeThis maiden made me sing
Anbu kondadhaalaeBecause she showered her love
Female
Unnai paarkaiyil ennai paarkirenWhen looking at you, I see myself
Undhan kaandha kannilIn your magnetic eyes
Nandri solliyae ennai serkirenExpressing gratitude, I submit myself
Indru undhan kaiyilToday into your hands
Female
Endhan aaval theerumoWill my deep desire be fulfilled
Undhan paadha poojaiyilIn worshipping at your feet?
Indha jeevan koodumoWill this soul unite
Undhan naadha velviyilIn your sacrificial fire of sound/music?
Female
Ennam nee vannam neeYou are the thought, you are the color
Ingu nee engum neeHere you are, everywhere you are
Vedham polae undhan peraiLike the sacred Vedas, your name
Odhum ullam thaanIs what my heart chants
Female
Nee thaanae naal thorumYou alone are every day
Naan paada kaaranamThe reason for me to sing
Nee endhan nenjoduYou in my heart
Nindraadum thoranamAre a festoon that sways
Female
Naadha vellamum geedhaA flood of sound and song
Vellamum vaari thandha deviGoddess who bestowed them abundantly
Naalum ennaiyae vaazha vaikavaeTo make me live every day
Vaasal vandhadhae neeYou came to my doorstep
Male
Veenai thannaiyae kaiyilHolding the Veena in your hand,
Yendhidum gnaana valliyae neeYou are the creeper of wisdom
Vellai thaamarai poovil meviyaeResiding on the white lotus flower,
Aalum selviyae neeYou are the ruling lady
Male
Endhan vaaku medaiyilOn the stage of my speech,
Indru aadum vaaniyaeYou are Saraswati dancing today
Endhan naalum menmaiyilIn my everyday refinement,
Ennai yetrum yeniyaeYou are the ladder that elevates me
Male
Annai nee allavaaAre you not my mother?
Innum naan sollavaaShould I say more?
Nee thaan dheivam nee thaan selvamYou are God, you are wealth,
Geetham sangeedhamSong and music itself
Female
Nee thaanae naal thorumYou alone are every day
Naan paada kaaranamThe reason for me to sing
Nee endhan nenjoduYou in my heart
Nindraadum thoranamAre a festoon that sways
Female
Nee indri naan paadaWithout you, for me to sing,
Veredhu keerthanamWhat other song/devotional melody exists?
Uravu raagam idhuvoIs this the melody of our relationship?
Idhu udhayamaagi varudhoIs this dawning upon us?
Female
Unadhu dhaagam vilaiyaIs it for your thirst to be quenched,
Idhu adimaiyaana manadhoThat this heart became a slave?
Female
Nee thaanae naal thorumYou alone are every day
Naan paada kaaranamThe reason for me to sing
Nee endhan nenjoduYou in my heart
Nindraadum thoranamAre a festoon that sways

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a profound devotional and romantic ode that equates the beloved to Goddess Saraswati, the patron deity of music, knowledge, and art. The protagonist expresses that the presence of the beloved is the primary inspiration behind their singing and creative expression. The lyrics weave romantic devotion with spiritual veneration, illustrating how love elevates art into a divine act of worship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Ootru polavae paatu

Compares the spontaneous flow of music upon seeing the beloved to a natural spring ('Ootru polavae paatu').

Uruvagaimai (Metaphor)

Indru aadum vaaniyae

Directly compares the beloved to Goddess Saraswati ('Vaaniyae') and to an elevating ladder ('Ennai yetrum yeniyae').

Monnai (Alliteration)

Ennam nee vannam nee

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds such as 'Ennam nee vannam nee' and 'Ingu nee engum nee'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the film 'Paattu Vaathiyar' (1995) starring Ramesh Aravind and Gautami, the song highlights Vaali's mastery in blending classical Tamil poetic motifs of divine devotion (Bhakti) with cinematic melody.

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