Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Netraiya Varaiyil Pathinaru

From Anthasthu · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Anthasthu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………..
Male
Netraiya varaiyil padhinaaruUntil yesterday, it was sixteen
Indru mudhal pathinaezhuFrom today onwards, it is seventeen
Netraiya varaiyil padhinaaruUntil yesterday, it was sixteen
Indru mudhal pathinaezhuFrom today onwards, it is seventeen
Paarvai enbathu paalaaruA glance is like a river of milk
Paavai nee oru thaenaaruYou, fair maiden, are a river of honey
Chorus
Sweet sweet sixteenSweet sweet sixteen
Female :Oh no i am seventeenFemale: Oh no, I am seventeen
Chorus
AahaaAahaa
Female :AahaaFemale: Aahaa
Chorus :AahaaChorus: Aahaa
Male :OhoMale: Oho
Chorus :AahaaChorus: Aahaa
Female :AahaaFemale: Aahaa
Chorus :AahaaChorus: Aahaa
Male :Yae haeMale: Yae hae
Chorus :Aahaa aa….aa…..aa….Chorus: Aahaa aa....aa.....aa....
Female
Kadhalil ingae naanirukkaWhen I am right here in love
Kaigalil alla thaenirukkuThere is honey in abundance to gather in hands
Veroru pennum varalaamoCould another girl come into the picture?
Viralgalum malae padalaamoCould her fingers ever touch you?
Female
Vaalipa kaatrae vaa vaa vaaOh youthful breeze, come, come, come
Vaaduraen naanthaan pudhupoovaaI am wilting like a fresh flower
Chorus
Sweet sweet sixteenSweet sweet sixteen
Female :Oh no i am seventeenFemale: Oh no, I am seventeen
Chorus :Sweet sweet sixteenChorus: Sweet sweet sixteen
Female :Oh no i am seventeenFemale: Oh no, I am seventeen
Male
Netraiya varaiyil padhinaaruUntil yesterday, it was sixteen
Female :Indru mudhal pathinaezhuFemale: From today onwards, it is seventeen
Male :Paarvai enbathu paalaaruMale: A glance is like a river of milk
Female :Paavai nee oru thaenaaruFemale: You, fair maiden, are a river of honey
Chorus
……………….
Male
Paaradi naanthaan poongattruLook here, I am the gentle flower-breeze
Keladi nee en pudhupaattuListen, girl, you are my new song
Female :Azhagiya pennai paaraattuFemale: Praise the beautiful girl
Aadaiyil aadum neeroottruA stream dancing within her garments
Male
Kadhalan kadhali vilaiyaattuIt is a playful game between lovers
Aarambamaagattum thalaiyaattuLet it begin, nod your head in agreement
Chorus
Sweet sweet sixteenSweet sweet sixteen
Male :Oh no she is seventeenMale: Oh no, she is seventeen
Female :YeahFemale: Yeah
Chorus :Sweet sweet sixteenChorus: Sweet sweet sixteen
Male :Oh no she is seventeenMale: Oh no, she is seventeen
Female :YeahFemale: Yeah
Female
Raaththiri aana paai virikkaWhen night falls, to spread out the mat
Poovudal engum pullarikkaWith goosebumps rising all over her flower-like body
Male :Vaalipam ingu kaaththirukkuMale: Youth is waiting right here
Vaasalai dhinamum paaththirukkuWatching the entrance every single day
Female
Poovaiyin poovidhazh unakkagaThe maiden's flower-like lips are for you
Boomiyil piranthaen adhukkaaaI was born on this earth just for that
Chorus :Sweet sweet sixteenChorus: Sweet sweet sixteen
Female :Oh no i am seventeenFemale: Oh no, I am seventeen
Chorus :Sweet sweet sixteenChorus: Sweet sweet sixteen
Male :Oh no she is seventeenMale: Oh no, she is seventeen
Male
Nettraiya varaiyil padhinaaruUntil yesterday, it was sixteen
Female :Indru mudhal pathinaezhuFemale: From today onwards, it is seventeen

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet celebrates a young woman's milestone of turning seventeen, transitioning away from her 'sweet sixteen' years. The lyrics capture the lighthearted teasing between two lovers, where the male lead and chorus keep calling her sixteen, and she playfully corrects them that she has reached seventeen. Through vibrant metaphors, the lovers express their romantic affection, attraction, and devotion to one another. The song blends youthful exuberance with romantic anticipation, portraying a blossoming relationship filled with charm, possessiveness, and passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Paarvai enbathu paalaaru / Paavai nee oru thaenaaru

Compares the beloved's glance to a river of milk (paalaaru) and her person to a river of honey (thaenaaru) to emphasize sweetness and richness.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Paalaaru / Thaenaaru / Padhinaaru / Pathinaezhu

Rhyming words at the end of lines creating a rhythmic, melodic flow typical in Tamil film songs.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Poongattru / Pudhupaattu / Paaraattu / Neeroottru / Vilaiyaattu / Thalaiyaattu

Consonant end-rhyme scheme using '-ttu' ending sounds across consecutive lines in the stanza.

Metaphor

Poovudal engum pullarikka

Describing her body as 'poovudal' (flower-like body), symbolizing softness and delicacy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were penned by the veteran poet Vaali, renowned for seamlessly weaving English phrases like 'Sweet sweet sixteen' into traditional Tamil lyrical frameworks. The song captures the iconic 1980s Tamil cinema style of youthful birthday-themed romantic duets.

Keep listening

More from Anthasthu