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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nenjai Kasaki

From Yaaradi Nee Mohini · 2008

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Udit Narayan, Suchitra
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Yaaradi Nee Mohini2008

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nenjai kasaki pizhinthuvituSqueezing and wringing my heart,
Pora ponnae radhiyae radhiyaeThe girl who leaves, oh beautiful like Rathi!
Panjil thee mootivituSetting fire to cotton,
Poravalae kiliyae kiliyaeThe girl who walks away, oh parrot!
Male
Adi mayilae maa mayilaeHey peacock, great peacock,
Madhi mayakum poonguyilaeFlower-cuckoo that mesmeric mind,
Male
Nenjai kasaki pizhinthuvituSqueezing and wringing my heart,
Pora ponnae radhiyae radhiyaeThe girl who leaves, oh beautiful like Rathi!
Oh oh panjil thee mootivituOh oh, setting fire to cotton,
Poravalae kiliyae kiliyaeThe girl who walks away, oh parrot!
Male
…………………………………………...
Female
Kambankaatil kalathu mettilIn the millet field, on the threshing floor,
Vandi otum aasai mamaDesire drives the cart, uncle/mister,
Koochatha thooki kuppaiyil poduThrow your shyness into the trash bin,
Male
Yae paarka paarka manasu yengumHey, the heart longs just by looking and looking,
Pazhagi paarka vayasu ketkumYouth demands to get to know and experience,
Idhayathil idam ingu illayaeThere is no space left in my heart here,
Adhai eduthaval kodukavum illayaeThe girl who stole it hasn't given it back,
Female
Kaadhal enaku vendaamaeI don't want love anymore,
Kavalai marandhu vaa mamaForget your worries and come, mister,
Kaiya pidichu kannam thechuHolding hands and brushing cheeks,
Kadhaigal pesa vaa vaaCome, come to talk stories,
Male
Ullam kodupathu oru murai thaanGiving one's heart happens only once,
Ini vaazhvo saavo avaludan thaanFrom now on, life or death is only with her,
Female
Vaaipukal varuvathu orumurai thaanOpportunities come only once,
Nee ilakanam paarthaal thalai valithaanIf you strictly look at rules, it will only give you a headache,
Male
Nenjai kasaki pizhinthuvituSqueezing and wringing my heart,
Pora ponnae radhiyae radhiyaeThe girl who leaves, oh beautiful like Rathi!
Female
Hmm panjil thee mootivituHmm, setting fire to cotton,
Poravalae kiliyae kiliyaeThe girl who walks away, oh parrot!
Male
………………………………….....
Male
Paarvai paarthu mayaki ponaalShe cast a glance and left me mesmerized,
Paavi nenjai parithu ponaalShe snatched away my sinner's heart and went,
Aangalin jenmam adhuThe birth and life of men is,
Endrumae thunbamAlways filled with sorrow,
Female
Nerungi vandhaal vilagi povomIf she comes close, we pull away,
Vilagi ponaal nerungi varuvomIf she moves away, we draw close,
Pengalin manadhil ennavoWhatever is in a woman's mind,
Adhu pennukum purivathu illaiyaeEven a woman herself doesn't understand,
Male
Aasai vaithen un melthaanI have placed my desire only on you,
Vaazhnthu paarpen unnudan thaanI will live my life only with you,
Paathai therindhaal payanam purindhaalIf the path is clear and the journey understood,
Paarai idukil oru poo thaanI am like a flower blooming in the crevice of a rock,
Female
Kanavugal kaanbathu un urimaiDreaming is your right,
Adhu kalaindhaal theriyum en nilamaiIf those dreams shatter, you will know my condition,
Male
Iravum pagalum un madiyilDay and night in your lap,
Kanmoodi kidapen un arugilI will lie down with closed eyes beside you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini' captures a playful yet emotionally intense duet reflecting the conflicts and passion between two lovers. The male protagonist expresses how his heart has been squeezed and tormented by the captivating beauty of his beloved, comparing her sudden impact to setting fire to dry cotton. He struggles with the overwhelming nature of love, feeling that once a heart is surrendered, it is given forever, making his destiny intertwined with hers whether in life or death. The female protagonist playfully encourages him to throw away his hesitations, worries, and strict moral codes, urging him to live in the moment and embrace love without overthinking. The lyrics explore the paradoxical nature of romance—how men often find love tormenting, how women's emotions can be enigmatic, and how love manages to bloom even in the hardest circumstances like a flower in a rock crevice. Ultimately, it emphasizes surrender, devotion, and finding solace in each other's presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil)

Paarvai paarthu mayaki ponaal / Paavi nenjai parithu ponaal

Matching second consonants across lines to create rhythmic harmony, seen in 'Kasaki' / 'Panjil' and 'Paarvai' / 'Paavi'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Panjil thee mootivitu

Comparing love catching fire in the heart to setting fire to cotton ('Panjil thee mootivitu').

Visual Imagery

Paarai idukil oru poo thaan

Blooming in a harsh environment metaphorized as a flower growing between rock crevices ('Paarai idukil oru poo thaan').

Anaphora / Repetition

Pora ponnae radhiyae radhiyae

Repetition of words like 'radhiyae radhiyae' and 'kiliyae kiliyae' for emphasis and musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music for 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini' was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, this specific song 'Nenjai Kasaki' was composed by Dharan Kumar as a guest composer (or featured tracks), while lyrics were penned by Na. Muthu Kumar. The film stars Dhanush and Nayanthara and was a massive box-office hit in 2008.

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