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Lyrics & meaning

Nenjukkulla Aasa Vandha

From Poottaatha Poottukkal · 1980

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Poottaatha Poottukkal
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
21 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nenjukkulla aasa vandhaa
Maanaa maavannaa raama sivanae
Kanda kanda pakkam ellaam
En dhuraiyae kannu rendum poga vidaadhae
Kanda kanda pakkam ellaam
En dhuraiyae kannu rendum poga vidaadhae
{Mogam vandhu theendum podhilae
Paaraadhadha paakka chollumae
Kaaval thaandi poga chollumae} (2)
Ooran veettu thottathilae nee nozhanjaa
Oorukkellaam therinju pogumae
Un maanam sandhaiyilae vithu pogumae
Nenjukkulla aasa vandhaa
Maanaa maavannaa raama sivanae
Kanda kanda pakkam ellaam
En dhuraiyae kannu rendum poga vidaadhae
Ezhudhianavan yaetta keduthaan
Padichavano paatta kedutthaan
Naanum sonnaen kaettaa kaelunga
Ezhudhianavan yaetta keduthaan
Padichavano paatta kedutthaan
Naanum sonnaen kaettaa kaelunga
Anubavatha solli vachaen adha kaettaa
Aasa vekkam paakkaadhaiyaa
Adhanaala alavu meeri pogaadheenga
Nenjukkulla aasa vandhaa
Maanaa maavannaa raama sivanae
Kanda kanda pakkam ellaam
En dhuraiyae kannu rendum poga vidaadhae
Kondavano thoongi vittaan
Vandhavano paathukkittaan
Engae yaara kutham solluvaen
Azhagazhagaa poova kandaa
Adha paakka yaarukku thaan aasa varaadhu
Suvai paakka yevanukku thaan veeram varaadhu
Nenjukkulla aasa vandhaa
Maanaa maavannaa raama sivanae
Kanda kanda pakkam ellaam
En dhuraiyae kannu rendum poga vidaadhae
Kanda kanda pakkam ellaam
En dhuraiyae kannu rendum poga vidaadhae
En dhuraiyae kannu rendum poga vidaadhae
When desire rises in your heart,
Oh my dear Lord, Rama and Shiva!
In every random direction,
My dear man, do not let your eyes wander.
In every random direction,
My dear man, do not let your eyes wander.
When passion comes and touches you,
It makes you look at forbidden things,
And urges you to cross every boundary.
If you wander into another man's garden,
The whole town will come to know,
And your honor will be sold in the marketplace.
When desire rises in your heart,
Oh my dear Lord, Rama and Shiva!
In every random direction,
My dear man, do not let your eyes wander.
The writer ruined the palm leaf,
And the singer ruined the song.
I too have spoken—listen if you care to listen.
The writer ruined the palm leaf,
And the singer ruined the song.
I too have spoken—listen if you care to listen.
I have shared what experience has taught me;
If you listen to it, do not turn toward temptation.
So please, do not cross your limits.
When desire rises in your heart,
Oh my dear Lord, Rama and Shiva!
In every random direction,
My dear man, do not let your eyes wander.
The husband has fallen asleep,
While the outsider keeps staring.
Where and whom can I blame?
When one sees such lovely flowers,
Who wouldn't desire to look at them?
Who wouldn't feel the rush to taste them?
When desire rises in your heart,
Oh my dear Lord, Rama and Shiva!
In every random direction,
My dear man, do not let your eyes wander.
In every random direction,
My dear man, do not let your eyes wander.
My dear man, do not let your eyes wander.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Nenjukkulla Aasa Vandhaa from the film Poottaatha Poottukkal (1980) is a cautionary Tamil folk song exploring temptation, moral discipline, and societal boundaries. The singer warns against letting unbridled lust and roving eyes govern one's behavior, using rustic proverbs to highlight how moral lapse destroys reputation. The lyrics use vivid folk metaphors like entering another person's garden or losing honor in a public marketplace. While acknowledging that human nature is naturally drawn to beauty and temptation, the song advises self-control and restraint to prevent irreversible public disgrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Ezhudhianavan yaetta keduthaan / Padichavano paatta kedutthaan”

The second consonant sound matches across adjacent lines ('ezhu' and 'padi'), creating a traditional Tamil rhythmic flow.

Allegory / Metaphor

“Ooran veettu thottathilae nee nozhanjaa... Un maanam sandhaiyilae vithu pogumae”

Entering a neighbor's garden is an allegory for adultery or crossing ethical limits, while selling honor in a marketplace symbolizes public humiliation.

Adukkuthodar (Reduplication)

“Kanda kanda pakkam ellaam / Azhagazhagaa poova kandaa”

Repetition of words like 'kanda kanda' and 'azhagazhagaa' for stylistic intensity and emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

Poottaatha Poottukkal (1980) was directed by acclaimed filmmaker J. Mahendran and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film explores complex themes of marriage and unfulfilled physical needs, and this song serves as a moral commentary within the narrative context.

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