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Lyrics & meaning

Nenavu Therinja

From Kakkai Siraginilae · 2000

Lyricist
R. V. Udhaya Kumar
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kakkai Siraginilae2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nenavu therinja naal mudhalaaEver since the day I gained consciousness
Nee thaan enakku saamiYou have been my deity
Male
Nenavu therinja naal mudhalaaEver since the day I gained consciousness
Nee thaan enakku saamiYou have been my deity
Kanavil koodaa nee thaanaeEven in my dreams, it is you
Kannil theriyum saamiThe deity visible before my eyes
Male
Anbai pozhindhu varumShowering pure love upon me
GangaiyammaaOh Mother Ganga
Nee manjal nilavukkoruYou are like a dear sister
ThangaiyammaaTo the golden yellow moon
Male
Anbai pozhindhu varumShowering pure love upon me
GangaiyammaaOh Mother Ganga
Nee manjal nilavukkoruYou are like a dear sister
ThangaiyammaaTo the golden yellow moon
Kannae kannammaaOh my precious Kannamma
Nee koyil kuyilammaaYou are the sacred temple cuckoo
Nee koyil kuyilammaaYou are the sacred temple cuckoo
Female
Nenavu therinja naal mudhalaaEver since the day I gained consciousness
Nee thaan enakku saamiYou have been my deity
Kanavil koodaa nee thaanaeEven in my dreams, it is you
Kannil theriyum saamiThe deity visible before my eyes
Female
Thaai nee saei polLike a mother caring for a child
Thaalaattinaai ennaiYou sang me a lullaby
Paaraattinaai ennaiYou praised and cherished me
Thavamaai kidandhenI waited like performing penance
Seeraattinaai ennaiYou pampered and took care of me
Naan paaduvaen unnaiI shall sing in praise of you
Female
Indha kuyil santhoshamaaiSo that this songbird happily
Kan uranga thaanaeMay fall into a deep sleep
Patta thuyar onnaa rendaaAre the sorrows suffered just one or two?
Neeyum endhan thaayaeYou are indeed my mother too
Female
Paadum paattu laaliThe song sung is a lullaby
Paasam ennum vaeliAffection is a protective fence
Paadum paattu laaliThe song sung is a lullaby
Paasam ennum vaeliAffection is a protective fence
Undhan madi thaayin madi thaanaeYour lap is truly a mother's lap
Anbil dhinam thandhen enai naanaeIn love, I surrendered myself every day
Female
Nenavu therinja naal mudhalaaEver since the day I gained consciousness
Nee thaan enakku saamiYou have been my deity
Kanavil koodaa nee thaanaeEven in my dreams, it is you
Kannil theriyum saamiThe deity visible before my eyes
Male
Anbai pozhindhu varumShowering pure love upon me
GangaiyammaaOh Mother Ganga
Nee manjal nilavukkoruYou are like a dear sister
ThangaiyammaaTo the golden yellow moon
Male
Anbai pozhindhu varumShowering pure love upon me
GangaiyammaaOh Mother Ganga
Nee manjal nilavukkoruYou are like a sister
ThangaiyammaaTo the golden yellow moon
Kannae kannammaaOh my precious Kannamma
Nee koyil kuyilammaaYou are the sacred temple cuckoo
Nee koyil kuyilammaaYou are the sacred temple cuckoo
Female
Nenavu therinja naal mudhalaaEver since the day I gained consciousness
Nee thaan enakku saamiYou have been my deity
Kanavil koodaa nee thaanaeEven in my dreams, it is you
Kannil theriyum saamiThe deity visible before my eyes
Male
Deebam eriyaFor the lamp to burn bright
Thiriyaagiyae naanumI will become the wick myself
Oli kaattuven naalumI will illuminate your path daily
Uyirai karaithaeMelting away my own life
Uravaagiyae naanumBecoming a true relative
Valamaakkuven unnaiI will enrich your life with prosperity
Male
Pon nagaiyum vetkkam kollumEven gold jewelry would feel shy before
Punnagaiyai kaamiShow me that radiant smile of yours
Mannil unnai thatheduthaanAdopted you on this earth
Indha vellai chaamiThis white master
Male
Nilavillaamal vaanaCan a sky exist without a moon?
Nee illamal naanaCan I exist without you?
Nilavillaamal vaanaCan a sky exist without a moon?
Nee illamal naanaCan I exist without you?
Vedham engum undhan mozhi thaanaeYour words are holy scriptures to me
Vaazhkai ellaam innum oli thaanaeMy entire life shines because of your light
Female
Nenavu therinja naal mudhalaaEver since the day I gained consciousness
Nee thaan enakku saamiYou have been my deity
Kanavil koodaa nee thaanaeEven in my dreams, it is you
Kannil theriyum saamiThe deity visible before my eyes
Male
Anbai pozhindhu varumShowering pure love upon me
GangaiyammaaOh Mother Ganga
Female :Nanaa nanananananaFemale vocal humming: Nanaa nananananana
NaanannannaaNaanannannaa
Male :Nee manjal nilavukkoruMale vocal: You are like a sister to the yellow moon
ThangaiyammaaDear sister
Female :Naa nanaa nanananananaFemale vocal humming: Naa nanaa nananananana
NaanannannaaNaanannannaa
Male
Kannae kannammaaOh my precious Kannamma
Nee koyil kuyilammaaYou are the sacred temple cuckoo
Nee koyil kuyilammaaYou are the sacred temple cuckoo
Female
Nenavu therinja naal mudhalaaEver since the day I gained consciousness
Nee thaan enakku saamiYou have been my deity
Kanavil koodaa nee thaanaeEven in my dreams, it is you
Kannil theriyum saamiThe deity visible before my eyes

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song from 'Kakkai Siraginilae' expresses profound affection, gratitude, and devotion towards a maternal and guiding figure. The singer equates the beloved to a living deity (saami) and a loving mother who offered comfort, lullabies, and unconditional protection through times of hardship and sorrow. The lyrics draw rich comparisons to sacred rivers like Ganga, the gentle yellow moon, and temple cuckoos, highlighting how this bond forms the very core of the singer's existence. In return for this nurturing affection, the speaker pledges devotion and sacrifice, comparing themselves to a wick melting away to shed light on their protector's life. The overall theme is a deep emotional tribute celebrating maternal love, spiritual devotion, and eternal companionship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Paasam ennum vaeli

'Paasam ennum vaeli' directly metaphors affection as a protective fence safeguarding the speaker.

Upamai (Simile)

Thaai nee saei pol

'Thaai nee saei pol' explicitly compares the nurturing relationship to that between a mother and a child.

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Paadum paattu laali / Paasam ennum vaeli

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound in 'Paadum' and 'Paasam' creates melodic harmony.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Paaraattinaai ennai / Seeraattinaai ennai

The second consonant 'ra' in 'Paaraattinaai' and 'Seeraattinaai' creates an agreeable rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 2000 film 'Kakkai Siraginilae', directed by P. Vasu and starring Parthiban and Preetha Vijayakumar. The title of the movie is inspired by the iconic opening line of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's poem 'Kakkai Siraginilae Nandalala'.

Keep listening

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Nenavu Therinja Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi