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Thirumalai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Neeya Pesiyadhu En Anbae

From Thirumalai · 2003

Lyricist
Pa. Vijay
Singer
Shankar Mahadevan
Music director
Vidyasagar
Movie name
Thirumalai
Movie release year
2003
Lyrics added on
27 Dec 2016

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nee enbadhu edhuvarai edhuvarai
Naan enbadhu edhuvarai edhuvarai
Naam enbadhum adhuvarai adhuvaraidhaan
Vaazhvenbadhu oru murai oru murai
Saavenbadhum oru murai oru murai
Kaadhal varum oru murai oru muraidhaan
Neeya pesiyadhu
En anbae neeya pesiyadhu
Theeyai veesiyadhu
En anbae theeyai veesiyadhu
Kangalilae un kangalilae
Poi kaadhal naadagam yenadi
Anbinilae mei anbinilae
Orr oomai kaadhalan naanadi
Neeya pesiyadhu neeya pesiyadhu
Nee enbadhu edhuvarai edhuvarai
Naan enbadhu edhuvarai edhuvarai
Naam enbadhum adhuvarai adhuvaraidhaan
Vaazhvenbadhu oru murai oru murai
Saavenbadhum oru murai oru murai
Kaadhal varum oru murai oru muraidhaan
Oho yedho naan irundhen en ullae kaatraai nee kidaithaai
Kaatrai mozhi peyarthen anbae soll moochai yen parithaai
Iravingae pagal ingae thodu vaanam ponadhu engae
Udal ingae uyir ingae thadumaarum aavi engae
Uruginen naan uruginen indru uyiril paadhi karuginen
Oh neeya pesiyadhu
En anbae neeya pesiyadhu
Veril naan azhudhen en poovum sogam unaravillai
Vesham tharikkavillai mun naalil kaadhal pazhakkamillai
Unakkendrae uyir konden adhil yedhum maatram illai
Pirivendraal uravu undu adhanalae vaattam illai
Maraippadhaal nee maraippadhaal
En kaadhal maaindhu poguma
Neeya pesiyadhu en anbae
Neeya pesiyadhu ..neeya pesiyadhu…
How long does "you" exist? How long?
How long does "I" exist? How long?
"We" can exist only as long as that.
Life comes only once, just once.
Death comes only once, just once.
Love comes only once, just once.
Was it really you who spoke?
My love, was it really you who spoke?
Was it you who hurled fire at me?
My love, was it you who hurled fire at me?
In your eyes, in your eyes,
why this drama of fake love, my girl?
In love, in true love,
I am just a silent lover, my girl.
Was it really you who spoke? Was it really you who spoke?
How long does "you" exist? How long?
How long does "I" exist? How long?
"We" can exist only as long as that.
Life comes only once, just once.
Death comes only once, just once.
Love comes only once, just once.
Oh, I was merely existing, and I found you like air within me.
I gave meaning to that air; tell me my love, why did you snatch my breath away?
Night is here, day is here, but where did the horizon go?
My body is here, my life is there, where is my stumbling spirit?
I melted, I melted, and today half of my life is scorched.
Oh, was it really you who spoke?
My love, was it really you who spoke?
I wept at the roots, but my flower did not feel the sorrow.
I wore no disguise; I had never known love before.
I took this life only for you, and there is no change in that.
Separation only means there is a bond, so I feel no despair.
Just because you hide it, just because you hide it,
will my love simply fade and die?
Was it really you who spoke, my love?
Was it really you who spoke? Was it really you who spoke?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Neeya Pesiyadhu' portrays the immense heartbreak and disbelief of a lover after hearing harsh, unexpected words from his beloved. He reflects on the singular nature of life, death, and true love, emphasizing that genuine love happens only once. Hurt by her sudden emotional distance and false drama, he struggles to reconcile the cruel words with the person he loved, feeling as though half of his soul has been charred.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Neeya pesiyadhu / En anbae neeya pesiyadhu

The repeated question 'Neeya pesiyadhu?' (Was it really you who spoke?) highlights disbelief, sorrow, and shock at the beloved's unexpected change of heart.

Metaphor

Veril naan azhudhen en poovum sogam unaravillai

Comparing himself to weeping roots ('Veril naan azhudhen') and her to an unaware flower ('en poovum sogam unaravillai') illustrates deep, unacknowledged, foundational suffering.

Repetition / Anaphora

Vaazhvenbadhu oru murai oru murai / Saavenbadhum oru murai oru murai

The phrase 'oru murai' (once) is repeated to emphasize the absolute uniqueness and irreplaceable nature of life, death, and genuine love.

Antithesis / Contrast

Iravingae pagal ingae thodu vaanam ponadhu engae

Juxtaposing 'Iravu' (night) and 'Pagal' (day), and 'Udal' (body) and 'Uyir' (life), emphasizes total spatial and emotional disorientation.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Vidyasagar and sung by Shankar Mahadevan, this poignant song is featured in the 2003 Tamil hit action-romance film 'Thirumalai', starring Vijay and Jyothika. It marks a critical emotional turning point in the movie's narrative.

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