Nenjam Ellam
From Aaytha Ezhuthu · 2004
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Adnan Sami Khan, Sujatha Mohan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Aaytha Ezhuthu2004
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aye aye aye | Aye aye aye |
| Male :Or unmai sonnaal | Male: If I tell a truth |
| Chorus :Aye aye aye | Chorus: Aye aye aye |
| Male :Nesippom | Male: We shall love |
| Female | |
| Nenjamellaam | In the entire heart |
| Male :Kaathal | Male: Love |
| Female :Dhegamellaam | Female: Across the entire body |
| Male :Kaamam | Male: Desire |
| Female :Unmai sonnaal | Female: If I tell the truth |
| Male :Ennai | Male: Me |
| Female :Nesippaayaa… | Female: Will you love me...? |
| Male | |
| Kaathal konjam | Love is a little bit |
| Female :Kammi | Female: Less |
| Male :Kaamam konjam | Male: Desire is a little bit |
| Female :Thookal | Female: Dominant |
| Male :Manjathin mel | Male: Upon the bed |
| Female :Ennai | Female: Me |
| Male & Female : | Male & Female: |
| Mannipaayaa…. | Will you forgive me...? |
| Male | |
| Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa | If I tell the truth, will you love me? |
| Manjathin mel mannipaaya | Upon the bed, will you forgive me? |
| Male | |
| Nesippaayaa | Will you love me? |
| Nesippaayaa | Will you love me? |
| Nesippaayaa | Will you love me? |
| Nesippaayaa | Will you love me? |
| Male | |
| Pengal melae maiyal undu | I have an infatuation for women |
| Naan piththam kondathu | I fell madly in love |
| Unnil mattum | Only with you |
| Nee muththa paarvai paarkum podhu | When you look at me with a kiss-filled gaze |
| En mudhugu thandil minnal vettum | Lightning strikes down my spine |
| Male | |
| Neethaanae | You alone are |
| Mazhai megam enakku | A rain cloud for me |
| En hormone nadhiyil | In the river of my hormones |
| Vellapperukku | There is a flash flood |
| Vaa sogam ini namakkedhukku | Come, why should we have sorrow anymore? |
| Yaar ketkka namakku naamae | Who is there to ask, when we are living |
| Vaazhvatharku | For ourselves? |
| Male | |
| Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa | If I tell the truth, will you love me? |
| Manjathin mel mannipaaya | Upon the bed, will you forgive me? |
| Female :Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa | Female: If I tell the truth, will you love me? |
| Manjathin mel mannipaaya | Upon the bed, will you forgive me? |
| Female | |
| Nenjamellaam | In the entire heart |
| Male :Kaathal | Male: Love |
| Female :Dhegamellaam | Female: Across the entire body |
| Male :Kaamam | Male: Desire |
| Female :Unmai sonnaal | Female: If I tell the truth |
| Male :Ennai | Male: Me |
| Female :Nesippaayaa… | Female: Will you love me...? |
| Male | |
| Kaathal konjam | Love is a little bit |
| Female :Kammi | Female: Less |
| Male :Kaamam konjam | Male: Desire is a little bit |
| Female :Thookal | Female: Dominant |
| Male :Manjathin mel | Male: Upon the bed |
| Female :Ennai | Female: Me |
| Male & Female : | Male & Female: |
| Mannipaayaa…. | Will you forgive me...? |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal ennai | Even when love |
| Varudum podhum | Caresses me |
| Un kaamam ennai thirudum podhum | When your lust steals me away |
| En manasellaam maargazhi thaan | My heart is filled with the chill of Maargazhi |
| En kanavellaam kaarthigai thaan | All my dreams are lit up like Kaarthigai |
| En vaanam en vaasathil undu | My sky is within my reach |
| En bhoomi en vasathil illai | My earth is not in my control |
| Un kuraigal naan ariyavillai | I do not know your flaws |
| Naan arindhaal | If I were to know |
| Sooriyanil suththamillai | Even the sun is not pure |
| Chorus | |
| Aye aye aye | Aye aye aye |
| Male :Or unmai sonnaal | Male: If I tell a truth |
| Chorus :Aye aye aye | Chorus: Aye aye aye |
| Male :Nesippom | Male: We shall love |
| Female | |
| Nenjamellaam | In the entire heart |
| Male :Kaathal | Male: Love |
| Female :Dhegamellaam | Female: Across the entire body |
| Male :Kaamam | Male: Desire |
| Female :Unmai sonnaal | Female: If I tell the truth |
| Male :Ennai | Male: Me |
| Female :Nesippaayaa… | Female: Will you love me...? |
| Male | |
| Kaathal konjam | Love is a little bit |
| Female : Kammi | Female: Less |
| Male :Kaamam konjam | Male: Desire is a little bit |
| Female :Thookal | Female: Dominant |
| Male :Manjathin mel | Male: Upon the bed |
| Female :Ennai | Female: Me |
| Male & Female : | Male & Female: |
| Mannipaayaa…. | Will you forgive me...? |
| Male | |
| Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa | If I tell the truth, will you love me? |
| Manjathin mel mannipaaya | Upon the bed, will you forgive me? |
| Female :Manasellaam maargali thaan | Female: My heart feels like Maargali month |
| Iravellam kaarthigai thaan | All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month |
| Male :Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa | Male: If I tell the truth, will you love me? |
| Manjathin mel mannipaaya | Upon the bed, will you forgive me? |
| Female :Manasellaam maargali thaan | Female: My heart feels like Maargali month |
| Iravellam kaarthigai thaan | All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month |
| Male :Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa | Male: If I tell the truth, will you love me? |
| Manjathin mel mannipaaya | Upon the bed, will you forgive me? |
| Female :Manasellaam maargali thaan | Female: My heart feels like Maargali month |
| Iravellam kaarthigai thaan | All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month |
| Female | |
| Manasellaam maargali thaan | My heart feels like Maargali month |
| Iravellam kaarthigai thaan | All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month |
| Manasellaam maargali thaan | My heart feels like Maargali month |
| Iravellam kaarthigai thaan | All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month |
ஏய் ஏய் ஏய்
ஓர் உண்மை சொன்னால்
குழு :
ஏய் ஏய் ஏய்
நேசிப்போம்
Aye aye aye
Male: If I tell a truth
Chorus: Aye aye aye
Male: We shall love
நெஞ்சம் எல்லாம்
காதல்
தேகமெல்லாம்
காமம்
உண்மை சொன்னால்
என்னை
நேசிப்பாயா...
In the entire heart
Male: Love
Female: Across the entire body
Male: Desire
Female: If I tell the truth
Male: Me
Female: Will you love me...?
காதல் கொஞ்சம்
கம்மி
காமம் கொஞ்சம்
தூக்கல்
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல்
என்னை
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
மன்னிப்பாயா....
Love is a little bit
Female: Less
Male: Desire is a little bit
Female: Dominant
Male: Upon the bed
Female: Me
Male & Female:
Will you forgive me...?
உண்மை சொன்னால்
நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
உண்மை சொன்னால் நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
உண்மை சொன்னால் நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
Will you love me?
Will you love me?
Will you love me?
Will you love me?
நேசிப்பாயா
நேசிப்பாயா
நேசிப்பாயா
நேசிப்பாயா
I have an infatuation for women
I fell madly in love
Only with you
When you look at me with a kiss-filled gaze
Lightning strikes down my spine
பெண்கள் மேலே
மையல் உண்டு
நான் பித்தம் கொண்டது
உன்னில் மட்டும்
நீ முத்த பார்வை பார்க்கும் போது
என் முதுகு தண்டில்
மின்னல் வெட்டும்
You alone are
A rain cloud for me
In the river of my hormones
There is a flash flood
Come, why should we have sorrow anymore?
Who is there to ask, when we are living
For ourselves?
நீதானே
மழை மேகம் எனக்கு
என் ஹார்மோன் நதியில்
வெள்ளப்பெருக்கு
வா சோகம் இனி நமக்கெதுக்கு
யார் கேக்க நமக்கு நாமே
வாழ்வதற்கு
If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Female: If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
உண்மை சொன்னால்
நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
உண்மை சொன்னால்
நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
In the entire heart
Male: Love
Female: Across the entire body
Male: Desire
Female: If I tell the truth
Male: Me
Female: Will you love me...?
நெஞ்சம் எல்லாம்
காதல்
தேகமெல்லாம்
காமம்
உண்மை சொன்னால்
என்னை
நேசிப்பாயா....
Love is a little bit
Female: Less
Male: Desire is a little bit
Female: Dominant
Male: Upon the bed
Female: Me
Male & Female:
Will you forgive me...?
காதல் கொஞ்சம்
கம்மி
காமம் கொஞ்சம்
தூக்கல்
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல்
என்னை
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
மன்னிப்பாயா...
Even when love
Caresses me
When your lust steals me away
My heart is filled with the chill of Maargazhi
All my dreams are lit up like Kaarthigai
My sky is within my reach
My earth is not in my control
I do not know your flaws
If I were to know
Even the sun is not pure
காதல் என்னை
வருடும் போதும்
உன் காமம் என்னை
திருடும் போதும்
என் மனசெல்லாம் மார்கழி தான்
என் கனவெல்லாம் கார்த்திகை தான்
என் வானம் என் வசத்தில் உண்டு
என் பூமி என் வசத்தில் இல்லை
உன் குறைகள் நான் அறியவில்லை
நான் அறிந்தால்
சூரியனில் சுத்தமில்லை
Aye aye aye
Male: If I tell a truth
Chorus: Aye aye aye
Male: We shall love
ஏய் ஏய் ஏய்
ஓர் உண்மை சொன்னால்
குழு :
ஏய் ஏய் ஏய்
நேசிப்போம்
In the entire heart
Male: Love
Female: Across the entire body
Male: Desire
Female: If I tell the truth
Male: Me
Female: Will you love me...?
நெஞ்சம் எல்லாம்
காதல்
தேகமெல்லாம்
காமம்
உண்மை சொன்னால்
என்னை
நேசிப்பாயா....
Love is a little bit
Female: Less
Male: Desire is a little bit
Female: Dominant
Male: Upon the bed
Female: Me
Male & Female:
Will you forgive me...?
காதல் கொஞ்சம்
கம்மி
காமம் கொஞ்சம்
தூக்கல்
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல்
என்னை
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
மன்னிப்பாயா...
If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Female: My heart feels like Maargali month
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
Male: If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Female: My heart feels like Maargali month
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
Male: If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Female: My heart feels like Maargali month
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
உண்மை சொன்னால்
நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
மனசெல்லாம் மார்கழி தான்
இரவெல்லாம் கார்த்திகை தான்
உண்மை சொன்னால்
நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
மனசெல்லாம் மார்கழி தான்
இரவெல்லாம் கார்த்திகை தான்
உண்மை சொன்னால்
நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
மனசெல்லாம் மார்கழி தான்
இரவெல்லாம் கார்த்திகை தான்
My heart feels like Maargali month
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
My heart feels like Maargali month
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
உண்மை சொன்னால்
நேசிப்பாயா
மஞ்சத்தின் மேல் மன்னிப்பாயா
மனசெல்லாம் மார்கழி தான்
இரவெல்லாம் கார்த்திகை தான்
Aye aye aye
Aye aye aye
Male :Or unmai sonnaal
Male: If I tell a truth
Chorus :Aye aye aye
Chorus: Aye aye aye
Male :Nesippom
Male: We shall love
Nenjamellaam
In the entire heart
Male :Kaathal
Male: Love
Female :Dhegamellaam
Female: Across the entire body
Male :Kaamam
Male: Desire
Female :Unmai sonnaal
Female: If I tell the truth
Male :Ennai
Male: Me
Female :Nesippaayaa…
Female: Will you love me...?
Kaathal konjam
Love is a little bit
Female :Kammi
Female: Less
Male :Kaamam konjam
Male: Desire is a little bit
Female :Thookal
Female: Dominant
Male :Manjathin mel
Male: Upon the bed
Female :Ennai
Female: Me
Male & Female :
Male & Female:
Mannipaayaa….
Will you forgive me...?
Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa
If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Manjathin mel mannipaaya
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Nesippaayaa
Will you love me?
Nesippaayaa
Will you love me?
Nesippaayaa
Will you love me?
Nesippaayaa
Will you love me?
Pengal melae maiyal undu
I have an infatuation for women
Naan piththam kondathu
I fell madly in love
Unnil mattum
Only with you
Nee muththa paarvai paarkum podhu
When you look at me with a kiss-filled gaze
En mudhugu thandil minnal vettum
Lightning strikes down my spine
Neethaanae
You alone are
Mazhai megam enakku
A rain cloud for me
En hormone nadhiyil
In the river of my hormones
Vellapperukku
There is a flash flood
Vaa sogam ini namakkedhukku
Come, why should we have sorrow anymore?
Yaar ketkka namakku naamae
Who is there to ask, when we are living
Vaazhvatharku
For ourselves?
Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa
If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Manjathin mel mannipaaya
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Female :Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa
Female: If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Manjathin mel mannipaaya
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Nenjamellaam
In the entire heart
Male :Kaathal
Male: Love
Female :Dhegamellaam
Female: Across the entire body
Male :Kaamam
Male: Desire
Female :Unmai sonnaal
Female: If I tell the truth
Male :Ennai
Male: Me
Female :Nesippaayaa…
Female: Will you love me...?
Kaathal konjam
Love is a little bit
Female :Kammi
Female: Less
Male :Kaamam konjam
Male: Desire is a little bit
Female :Thookal
Female: Dominant
Male :Manjathin mel
Male: Upon the bed
Female :Ennai
Female: Me
Male & Female :
Male & Female:
Mannipaayaa….
Will you forgive me...?
Kaadhal ennai
Even when love
Varudum podhum
Caresses me
Un kaamam ennai thirudum podhum
When your lust steals me away
En manasellaam maargazhi thaan
My heart is filled with the chill of Maargazhi
En kanavellaam kaarthigai thaan
All my dreams are lit up like Kaarthigai
En vaanam en vaasathil undu
My sky is within my reach
En bhoomi en vasathil illai
My earth is not in my control
Un kuraigal naan ariyavillai
I do not know your flaws
Naan arindhaal
If I were to know
Sooriyanil suththamillai
Even the sun is not pure
Aye aye aye
Aye aye aye
Male :Or unmai sonnaal
Male: If I tell a truth
Chorus :Aye aye aye
Chorus: Aye aye aye
Male :Nesippom
Male: We shall love
Nenjamellaam
In the entire heart
Male :Kaathal
Male: Love
Female :Dhegamellaam
Female: Across the entire body
Male :Kaamam
Male: Desire
Female :Unmai sonnaal
Female: If I tell the truth
Male :Ennai
Male: Me
Female :Nesippaayaa…
Female: Will you love me...?
Kaathal konjam
Love is a little bit
Female : Kammi
Female: Less
Male :Kaamam konjam
Male: Desire is a little bit
Female :Thookal
Female: Dominant
Male :Manjathin mel
Male: Upon the bed
Female :Ennai
Female: Me
Male & Female :
Male & Female:
Mannipaayaa….
Will you forgive me...?
Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa
If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Manjathin mel mannipaaya
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Female :Manasellaam maargali thaan
Female: My heart feels like Maargali month
Iravellam kaarthigai thaan
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
Male :Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa
Male: If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Manjathin mel mannipaaya
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Female :Manasellaam maargali thaan
Female: My heart feels like Maargali month
Iravellam kaarthigai thaan
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
Male :Unmai sonnaal nesippaayaa
Male: If I tell the truth, will you love me?
Manjathin mel mannipaaya
Upon the bed, will you forgive me?
Female :Manasellaam maargali thaan
Female: My heart feels like Maargali month
Iravellam kaarthigai thaan
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
Manasellaam maargali thaan
My heart feels like Maargali month
Iravellam kaarthigai thaan
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
Manasellaam maargali thaan
My heart feels like Maargali month
Iravellam kaarthigai thaan
All nights feel bright like Kaarthigai month
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Nenjamellam Kaathal' (Or Unmai Sonnaal) from Mani Ratnam's film 'Aaytha Ezhuthu' (2004) is a bold, modern duet exploring the intimate play between emotional love (Kaathal) and physical desire (Kaamam). The lovers candidly admit that while romantic affection resides in the heart, physical desire dominates the body, asking for mutual acceptance and forgiveness for this sensual reality.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Contrast
“Nenjamellaam Kaathal / Dhegamellaam Kaamam”
Contrasts emotional love in the heart (Nenjamellam Kaathal) with bodily lust (Dhegamellam Kaamam), balancing physical and romantic attraction.
Hyperbole / Metaphor
“En hormone nadhiyil Vellapperukku”
Compares bodily arousal to a flash flood in a river of hormones and lightning striking down the spine.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“En vaanam en vaasathil undu / En bhoomi en vasathil illai”
The second letters 'na' in 'Vaanam' and 'Bhoomi' lines follow Tamil poetic rhyme conventions.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu for Mani Ratnam's multi-starrer political drama 'Aaytha Ezhuthu', this song features vocals by Srinivas and Sujatha. It stood out at the time for its unusually candid and non-taboo exploration of physical intimacy and desire.
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