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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nerukku Ner

From Ethirigal Jakkirathai · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Ethirigal Jakkirathai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nerukku ner nindruStanding face to face,
Paarungal podhumjust look, that is enough.
Nilathil ooriya pooA flower soaked in the moonlight/earth
Vanthu mothumwill come and touch you gently.
Kolathai moodiyaCovering her figure,
Meludai aadumher upper garment sways.
Koopidum baaniyilIn a beckoning manner,
Paatondru paadumit sings a song.
Male
Nerukku ner nindruStanding face to face,
Paarpathu paarvaithe gaze that beholds is a glance.
Neelathil ooriyaSoaked in deep blue,
Poo vizhi paarvaia flower-eyed gaze.
Kolathai moodiyaCovering her form,
Paalvanna killaishe is a milk-complexioned parrot.
Koopidum podhennaWhen she calls, what work
Kaalaikku velairemains for the young man?
Female
Nerukku ner nindruStanding face to face,
Paarungal podhumjust look, that is enough.
Male
Patchai pullaeO green grass,
Kattiya medaia stage set up,
Palliku vaavenducalling one to come to school,
Seikindra jaadaimaking alluring gestures.
Ondru vidaamalWithout leaving anything out,
Kannda pinnaleafter seeing everything,
Ullathil oduthuwithin the heart rushes
Pollatha vaadaia wicked romantic breeze.
Female
Kanni vaazhaiA virgin plantain,
Thennampaalaia coconut flower bud,
Kayil vizhunthu kaniyaifalling into the hands,
Tharumawill it yield fruit?
Maalaiyai sootungalAdorn the garland,
Vedikkai kaatungalshow the joyful spectacle!
Male
Nerukku ner nindruStanding face to face,
Paarpathu paarvaithe gaze that beholds is a glance.
Neelathil ooriyaSoaked in deep blue,
Poo vizhi paarvaia flower-eyed gaze.
Kolathai moodiyaCovering her form,
Paalvanna killaishe is a milk-complexioned parrot.
Koopidum podhennaWhen she calls, what work
Kaalaikku velairemains for the young man?
Female
Nerukku ner nindruStanding face to face,
Paarungal podhumjust look, that is enough.
Female
Mugam theriyathaWhen darkness arrives
Irul varumbothuwhere faces aren't clearly seen,
Muttirya kaadhalilin fully matured love,
Thalladum maadhuthe lady sways with emotion.
Pagal varumbothuWhen daylight arrives,
Vilagi nindraalumeven if she stands apart,
Pakkam vanthaalif she comes nearby,
Pinbu oduvathu yethuwhy run away after that?
Male
Vanji maeniHer slender body
Thanjam aagibecoming a sanctuary,
Konja azhaithaalif she lovingly calls,
Kodi sugameeit is infinite bliss!
Tholgalil aadattumLet it sway on the shoulders,
Thookathil pesattumlet her speak in her sleep!
Female
Nerukku ner nindruStanding face to face,
Paarungal podhumjust look, that is enough.
Nilathil ooriya pooA flower soaked in the moonlight/earth
Vanthu mothumwill come and touch you gently.
Kolathai moodiyaCovering her figure,
Meludai aadumher upper garment sways.
Koopidum baaniyilIn a beckoning manner,
Paatondru paadumit sings a song.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from Ethirigal Jakkirathai (1967) describes playful flirting and deep romantic attraction between two lovers. The lyrics highlight the power of intimate eye contact ('Nerukku ner nindru paarungal podhum') and express how a mere glance can convey deep feelings of passion and togetherness. Through rich poetic imagery, Kannadasan captures the longing, charm, and overwhelming bliss of young romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emona / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nerukku ner nindru / Neelathil ooriya

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across lines (e.g., 'Nerukku' and 'Neelathil', 'Patchai' and 'Palliku').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kolathai moodiya / Meludai aadum

Matching second consonants across successive lines ('Nerukku' / 'Paarpathu' or 'Kolathai' / 'Meludai').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Paalvanna killai / Poo vizhi paarvai

Comparing the heroine to a milk-complexioned parrot ('Paalvanna killai') and her eyes to flowers soaked in blue ('Neelathil ooriya poo vizhi').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Ethirigal Jakkirathai' (1967) stars R. S. Manohar and L. Vijayalakshmi. The music for this film was composed by S. Vedhachalam, featuring memorable vocal chemistry between T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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