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Lyrics & meaning

Nenjil Ore Ragam

From Thambathyam · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Details
Thambathyam1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nenjil orae raagam shruthi pedhamennaThere is a single melody in our hearts, why is there a pitch variation?
Nee ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell me?
Nenjil orae raagam shruthi pedhamennaThere is a single melody in our hearts, why is there a pitch variation?
Nee ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell me?
Female
Un kangalilae yaen eeramoWhy are there tears in your eyes?
Un nenjinilae enna paaramoWhat burden is there in your heart?
Athai ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell that to me?
Female
Nenjil orae raagam shruthi pedhamennaThere is a single melody in our hearts, why is there a pitch variation?
Nee ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell me?
Female
Endrum ooraarkku noi varumpothuWhenever the townspeople fall ill,
Athu unnaalae theeraathoIsn't it cured by you?
Indru un maeni vaadidum pothuToday when your body is suffering,
Thunbam ennaalae theeraathoWon't your distress be cured by me?
Female
Un mounangalthaan enna maayamoWhat magic or illusion is your silence?
Un manathinilae enna kaayamoWhat wound is in your heart?
Athai ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell that to me?
Female
Nenjil orae raagam shruthi pedhamennaThere is a single melody in our hearts, why is there a pitch variation?
Nee ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell me?
Female
Antha neermegam vaanaththai moodumThat rain cloud covers the sky,
Adhai poongaatru kalaikkaathoWon't the gentle breeze disperse it?
Nenjil yaedhetho sogangal koodumVarious sorrows gather in the heart,
Adhai en paattu thanikkaathoWon't my song relieve them?
Female
Un paarvaiyilae yaen vaattamoWhy is there sadness in your look?
Un paathaiyilae enna maattramoWhat change is in your path?
Adhai ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell that to me?
Female
Nenjil orae raagam shruthi pedhamennaThere is a single melody in our hearts, why is there a pitch variation?
Nee ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell me?
Female
Nenjil orae raagam shruthi pedhamennaThere is a single melody in our hearts, why is there a pitch variation?
Nee ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell me?
Un kangalilo yaen eeramoWhy are there tears in your eyes?
Un nenjinilae enna paaramoWhat burden is there in your heart?
Adhai ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell that to me?
Female
Nenjil orae raagam shruthi pedhamennaThere is a single melody in our hearts, why is there a pitch variation?
Nee ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell me?
Nee ennidam sollaayoWon't you tell me?
Nee ennidam sollaayo…Won't you tell me…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Nenjil Orae Raagam' expresses deep marital empathy, care, and love. The protagonist addresses her spouse, using musical terms like melody (raagam) and pitch variation (shruthi pedham) as metaphors to ask why there is disharmony or sorrow between them when their love and intentions are unified. She notices his quiet distress and tears, urging him to open up and share his pain. She gently reminds him that while he heals and comforts others in society, he should allow her to comfort him during his own suffering. Comparing her music to a gentle breeze that clears away dark clouds, she assures him that her song and love can relieve his sorrow and heal his hidden wounds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Nenjil orae raagam shruthi pedhamenna

Compares shared emotional bond to a melody (raagam) and emotional distance or misunderstanding to pitch variation (shruthi pedham).

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Un kangalilae yaen eeramo / Un nenjinilae enna paaramo

Asks rhetorical questions ending in '-o' (eeramo, paaramo, maayamo) to emphasize deep concern and gently persuade her partner to talk.

Analogy / Metaphor

Antha neermegam vaanaththai moodum / Adhai poongaatru kalaikkaatho

Compares sorrow gathering in the heart to rain clouds covering the sky, and her soothing song to a gentle breeze that scatters those clouds.

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

Un mounangalthaan enna maayamo / Un manathinilae enna kaayamo

Use of end rhymes like 'eeramo', 'paaramo', 'maayamo', 'kaayamo' creates a melodious and rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nenjil Orae Raagam' from the 1987 film 'Thambathyam' features music composed by the composer duo Manoj – Gyan, with expressive lyrics by Vaali and a soulful vocal rendition by Vani Jairam that beautifully captures the essence of marital compassion.

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