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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nenjodu Nenjam Thoodhu

From Nenjodu Nenjam · 1983

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Nenjodu Nenjam1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nenjodu nenjam thodhu varumHeart comes connecting with heart,
Neengaadha anbai paadi varumSinging of an everlasting love.
Female
Nenjodu nenjam thodhu varumHeart comes connecting with heart,
Neengaadha anbai paadi varumSinging of an everlasting love.
Isai deviyae kalai koyililOh goddess of music, in this temple of art,
Oru veenai naan allavooAm I not a Veena?
Enai vaazhthidum kural kettadhuThe voice that blesses me, which I heard,
Endhan thaai allavooIs it not my mother's?
Female
Anbu vazhinthodum gangai nadhi polaLike the Ganges river overflowing with love,
Engum nadai poduvaalShe walks everywhere.
Aasai mugam paarthu pesum vizhiyoduLooking at my loving face, with speaking eyes,
Endrum uravaaduvaalShe will always bond with me.
Female
Nalla varungaalam naalai varumendruSaying that a good future will come tomorrow,
Solli enai thettruvaalShe comforts me.
Naalum enakkaaga vaazhthu kavi paadiEvery day, singing songs of blessing for me,
Vandhu vazhi kaatuvaalShe comes to guide my path.
Female
Nenjodu nenjam thodhu varumHeart comes connecting with heart,
Neengaadha anbai paadi varumSinging of an everlasting love.
Female
Vaanil vilaiyaadum neela mani megamThe blue gem-like cloud playing in the sky,
Annai arul alla vaaIs it not mother's grace?
Paasamalar solai kaattum ezhir kolamThe beautiful scene displayed by a garden of affectionate flowers,
Anbu mugam allavaaIs it not her loving face?
Female
Yaarum uravendru ennum manam ondruA heart that considers everyone as kin,
Annai aval thandhathuWas given by my mother.
Oorum aval indha ulagam avalShe is my town, she is this world,
Pillai manam sonnadhuSaid the child's heart.
Female
Nenjodu nenjam thodhu varumHeart comes connecting with heart,
Neengaadha anbai paadi varumSinging of an everlasting love.
Isai deviyae kalai koyililOh goddess of music, in this temple of art,
Oru veenai naan allavooAm I not a Veena?
Enai vaazhthidum kural kettadhuThe voice that blesses me, which I heard,
Endhan thaai allavooIs it not my mother's?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song Nenjodu Nenjam expresses deep filial devotion, gratitude, and reverence towards a mother. The singer compares their mother's overflowing affection to the sacred Ganges river, portraying her presence as a divine guiding force that comforts, blesses, and instills universal love in the child. Furthermore, the lyricist uses rich metaphorical imagery, comparing the child to an instrument (a Veena) played in the temple of art by the divine mother, framing their bond as an eternal harmony that defines the child's entire universe.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Anbu vazhinthodum gangai nadhi pola

Compares the mother's boundless and overflowing love to the flowing Ganges river.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Isai deviyae kalai koyilil / Oru veenai naan allavoo

The speaker metaphorically compares themselves to a musical instrument (Veena) in a temple of art.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Nenjodu nenjam thodhu varum / Neengaadha anbai paadi varum

Repetition of the initial 'N' sound across consecutive lines ('Nenjodu', 'Neengaadha').

Did you know?

Trivia

Featuring lyrics written by the celebrated Tamil poet Pulamaipithan, this song highlights his signature classical phrasing and emotional depth in portraying maternal love.

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