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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nenjai Kelu

From Pisasu 2 · 2021

Lyricist
Kabilan
Singer
Priyanka NK
Music director
Karthik Raja
Details
Pisasu 22021

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nenjai kelu adhu sollumAsk the heart, it will tell you,
Uravenna vazhi thunaiyaaWhat is a relationship? Is it a companion on the path?
Kannai kelu adhu sollumAsk the eyes, it will tell you,
Iravenna ival thunaiyaaWhat is the night? Is it her companion?
Female
Sarugaaga alaigiraenI wander like a dry leaf,
Viragaaga yerigiraenI burn like firewood.
Female
Nenjai kelu adhu sollumAsk the heart, it will tell you,
Uravenna vazhi thunaiyaaWhat is a relationship? Is it a companion on the path?
Kannai kelu adhu sollumAsk the eyes, it will tell you,
Iravenna ival thunaiyaaWhat is the night? Is it her companion?
Female
Oru kaaduA forest,
Oru kooduA nest,
Ivalodu ivalthaanWith her, it is only her,
Thaaiyodu seiyoduWith a mother, with a child,
ThavazhnthaadumCrawling and playing,
Manam thaanIt is the mind.
Female
Ival sogamHer sorrow,
Oru pothumNever ever,
Karugaatha nilavaeOh moon that never scorches,
En vaazhvil thaalaattuWill a lullaby in my life...
Thazhuvumaa …nazhuvumaaEmbrace me... or slip away?
Female
Nenjai kelu adhu sollumAsk the heart, it will tell you,
Uravenna vazhi thunaiyaaWhat is a relationship? Is it a companion on the path?
Kannai kelu adhu sollumAsk the eyes, it will tell you,
Iravenna ival thunaiyaaWhat is the night? Is it her companion?
Female
Ilaiyodu paniyoduWith the leaves, with the dew,
Vidhiyodu ezhunthaenWith destiny, I arose.
Mullodu kalloduThrough thorns, through stones,
Dhinanthorum nadanthaenEvery day I walked.
Female
Vizhi thedum mugamondruA face that the eyes search for,
Imaiyaaga varumoWill it come like an eyelid to protect?
En vaazhvil poongaatruWill a gentle breeze in my life...
Veesumaa…. pesumaaBlow... and speak to me?
Female
Nenjai kelu adhu sollumAsk the heart, it will tell you,
Uravenna vazhi thunaiyaaWhat is a relationship? Is it a companion on the path?
Kannai kelu adhu sollumAsk the eyes, it will tell you,
Iravenna ival thunaiyaaWhat is the night? Is it her companion?
Female
Sarugaaga alaigiraenI wander like a dry leaf,
Viragaaga yerigiraenI burn like firewood.
Female
Nenjai kelu adhu sollumAsk the heart, it will tell you,
Uravenna vazhi thunaiyaaWhat is a relationship? Is it a companion on the path?
Kannai kelu adhu sollumAsk the eyes, it will tell you,
Iravenna ival thunaiyaaWhat is the night? Is it her companion?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nenjai Kelu is a deeply poignant track from Pisasu 2 that captures themes of isolation, existential questioning, and grief. The narrator turns to her own heart and eyes to find answers about the nature of relationships and solitude, comparing her state to a windblown leaf and burning firewood amidst the darkness of the night.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Simile (Uwamai)

Sarugaaga alaigiraen / Viragaaga yerigiraen

Compares the protagonist's emotional state to a dry leaf wandering aimlessly and firewood burning silently in pain.

Rhyme & Assonance (Edhugai / Iyaibu)

Thazhuvumaa …nazhuvumaa

Use of end rhymes and rhythmic syllable matching creates a melancholic musical cadence.

Refrain / Anaphora

Nenjai kelu adhu sollum / Uravenna vazhi thunaiyaa

Repetition of the chorus lines emphasizes the restless quest for emotional comfort.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pisasu 2 marks another collaboration between director Mysskin and composer Karthik Raja, who previously delivered the critically acclaimed soundtrack for Mysskin's Nandalala (2010).

Keep listening

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