New York Nagaram
From Sillunu Oru Kadhal · 2006
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- A. R. Rahman
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Sillunu Oru Kadhal2006
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| New york nagaram urangum neram | When the city of New York sleeps, |
| Thanimai adarnthathu | Solitude deepened, |
| Paniyum padarnthathu | And snow spread all around. |
| Kappal irangiyae | Disembarking from the ship, |
| Kaatrum karayil nadanthathu | Even the wind walked onto the shore. |
| Male | |
| Naangu kannadi suvargalukullae | Inside four glass walls, |
| Naanum meluguvarthiyum | It is just me and a candle. |
| Thanimai thanimayo.. | Oh, what extreme solitude.. |
| Kodumai kodumaiyo… | Oh, what terrible agony... |
| Male | |
| New york nagaram urangum neram | When the city of New York sleeps, |
| Thanimai adarnthathu | Solitude deepened, |
| Paniyum padarnthathu | And snow spread all around. |
| Kappal irangiyae | Disembarking from the ship, |
| Kaatrum karayil nadanthathu | Even the wind walked onto the shore. |
| Male | |
| Naangu kannadi suvargalukullae | Inside four glass walls, |
| Naanum meluguvarthiyum | It is just me and a candle. |
| Thanimai thanimayo.. | Oh, what extreme solitude.. |
| Thanimai thanimayo.. | Oh, what extreme solitude.. |
| Kodumai kodumaiyo… | Oh, what terrible agony... |
| Chorus | |
| Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. | Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. |
| Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. | Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. |
| Male | |
| Pechellam thaalatu pola | Your words were like a lullaby, |
| Ennai uranga vaikka nee illai | You are not here to put me to sleep. |
| Thinamum oru mutham thanthu | Giving me a kiss every day, |
| Kaalai coffee koduka nee illai | You are not here to hand me morning coffee. |
| Male | |
| Vizhyil vizhum thusi thannai | The speck of dust that falls in my eyes, |
| Yedukka nee ingu illai | You are not here to remove it. |
| Manathil ezhum kuzhappam thannai | The confusion that arises in my heart, |
| Theerka nee ingae illai.. | You are not here to resolve it.. |
| Male | |
| Naan ingae neeyum angae.. | I am here, and you are there.. |
| Indha thanimaiyil nimishangal | In this loneliness, why did minutes |
| Varusham aanathenoo… | Turn into years?... |
| Male | |
| Vaan ingae neelam angae | The sky is here, its blue color is there; |
| Intha uvamaiku iruvarum | For this metaphor, did we both |
| Vilakamantheno …ooo…ooo.. | Become the explanation? ...ooo…ooo.. |
| Female | |
| New york nagaram urangum neram | When the city of New York sleeps, |
| Thanimai adarnthathu | Solitude deepened, |
| Paniyum padarnthathu | And snow spread all around. |
| Chorus | |
| Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. | Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. |
| Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. | Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. |
| Male | |
| Naat kuripil nooru thadavai | A hundred times in my diary, |
| Unthan peyarai ezhuthum enn penna.. | My pen writes your name.. |
| Ezhuthiyathum erumbu moika | As soon as it is written, ants swarm it; |
| Peyarum aanathenna theanaa..aa.. | Did your name turn into honey?..aa.. |
| Chorus :Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. | Chorus :Oo…..ooooo..ooooo….. |
| Male | |
| Jillendru bhoomi irunthum | Even though the earth is chilly, |
| Indha tharunathil kulir kaalam | At this moment, why did winter |
| Kodai aanatheno.. | Turn into summer?.. |
| Chorus :Oooo..oooo | Chorus :Oooo..oooo |
| Male | |
| Vaa anbae neeyum vanthal | Come my love, if you come, |
| Senthanal kuda panikatti pola | Even glowing red embers |
| Maarumae….ye ye ye yeah….. | Will turn into ice cubes….ye ye ye yeah….. |
| Female | |
| New york nagaram urangum neram | When the city of New York sleeps, |
| Thanimai adarnthathu | Solitude deepened, |
| Paniyum padarnthathu | And snow spread all around. |
| Kappal irangiyae | Disembarking from the ship, |
| Kaatrum karayil nadanthathu | Even the wind walked onto the shore. |
| Male | |
| Naangu kannadi suvargalukullae | Inside four glass walls, |
| Naanum meluguvarthiyum | It is just me and a candle. |
| Thanimai thanimayo.. | Oh, what extreme solitude.. |
| Thanimai thanimayo.. | Oh, what extreme solitude.. |
| Kodumai kodumaiyo.. | Oh, what terrible agony.. |
நியூயார்க் நகரம்
உறங்கும் நேரம் தனிமை
அடர்ந்தது பனியும் படர்ந்தது
கப்பல் இறங்கியே காற்றும்
கரையில் நடந்தது
When the city of New York sleeps,
Solitude deepened,
And snow spread all around.
Disembarking from the ship,
Even the wind walked onto the shore.
நான்கு கண்ணாடி
சுவர்களுக்குள்ளே நானும்
மெழுகுவர்த்தியும் தனிமை
தனிமையோ கொடுமை
கொடுமையோ
Inside four glass walls,
It is just me and a candle.
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Oh, what terrible agony...
நியூயார்க் நகரம்
உறங்கும் நேரம் தனிமை
அடர்ந்தது பனியும் படர்ந்தது
கப்பல் இறங்கியே காற்றும்
கரையில் நடந்தது
When the city of New York sleeps,
Solitude deepened,
And snow spread all around.
Disembarking from the ship,
Even the wind walked onto the shore.
நான்கு கண்ணாடி
சுவர்களுக்குள்ளே நானும்
மெழுகுவர்த்தியும் தனிமை
தனிமையோ தனிமை
தனிமையோ கொடுமை
கொடுமையோ
Inside four glass walls,
It is just me and a candle.
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Oh, what terrible agony...
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ......
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
பேச்செல்லாம்
தாலாட்டுப் போல என்னை
உறங்க வைக்க நீ இல்லை
தினமும் ஒரு முத்தம் தந்து
காலை காபி கொடுக்க நீ இல்லை
Your words were like a lullaby,
You are not here to put me to sleep.
Giving me a kiss every day,
You are not here to hand me morning coffee.
விழியில் விழும்
தூசி தன்னை எடுக்க நீ
இங்கு இல்லை மனதில்
எழும் குழப்பம் தன்னை
தீர்க்க நீ இங்கே இல்லை
The speck of dust that falls in my eyes,
You are not here to remove it.
The confusion that arises in my heart,
You are not here to resolve it..
நான் இங்கே
நீயும் அங்கே இந்த
தனிமையில் நிமிஷங்கள்
வருஷம் ஆனதேனோ
I am here, and you are there..
In this loneliness, why did minutes
Turn into years?...
வான் இங்கே
நீலம் அங்கே இந்த
உவமைக்கு இருவரும்
விளக்கமானதேனோ ஓ ஓ
The sky is here, its blue color is there;
For this metaphor, did we both
Become the explanation? ...ooo…ooo..
நியூயார்க் நகரம்
உறங்கும் நேரம் தனிமை
அடர்ந்தது பனியும் படர்ந்தது
When the city of New York sleeps,
Solitude deepened,
And snow spread all around.
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ......
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
நாட்குறிப்பில் நூறு
தடவை உந்தன் பெயரை
எழுதும் என் பேனா எழுதியதும்
எறும்பு மொய்க்க பெயரும்
ஆனதென்ன தேனா
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ......
A hundred times in my diary,
My pen writes your name..
As soon as it is written, ants swarm it;
Did your name turn into honey?..aa..
Chorus :Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
சில்லென்று பூமி
இருந்தும் இந்த தருணத்தில்
குளிர்காலம் கோடை
ஆனதேனோ
Even though the earth is chilly,
At this moment, why did winter
Turn into summer?..
Chorus :Oooo..oooo
வா அன்பே நீயும்
வந்தால் செந்தணல் கூட
பனிகட்டி போல மாறுமே
யே யே யே யே
Come my love, if you come,
Even glowing red embers
Will turn into ice cubes….ye ye ye yeah…..
நியூயார்க் நகரம்
உறங்கும் நேரம் தனிமை
அடர்ந்தது பனியும் படர்ந்தது
கப்பல் இறங்கியே காற்றும்
கரையில் நடந்தது
When the city of New York sleeps,
Solitude deepened,
And snow spread all around.
Disembarking from the ship,
Even the wind walked onto the shore.
நான்கு கண்ணாடி
சுவர்களுக்குள்ளே நானும்
மெழுகுவர்த்தியும் தனிமை
தனிமையோ தனிமை
தனிமையோ கொடுமை
கொடுமையோ
Inside four glass walls,
It is just me and a candle.
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Oh, what terrible agony..
New york nagaram urangum neram
When the city of New York sleeps,
Thanimai adarnthathu
Solitude deepened,
Paniyum padarnthathu
And snow spread all around.
Kappal irangiyae
Disembarking from the ship,
Kaatrum karayil nadanthathu
Even the wind walked onto the shore.
Naangu kannadi suvargalukullae
Inside four glass walls,
Naanum meluguvarthiyum
It is just me and a candle.
Thanimai thanimayo..
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Kodumai kodumaiyo…
Oh, what terrible agony...
New york nagaram urangum neram
When the city of New York sleeps,
Thanimai adarnthathu
Solitude deepened,
Paniyum padarnthathu
And snow spread all around.
Kappal irangiyae
Disembarking from the ship,
Kaatrum karayil nadanthathu
Even the wind walked onto the shore.
Naangu kannadi suvargalukullae
Inside four glass walls,
Naanum meluguvarthiyum
It is just me and a candle.
Thanimai thanimayo..
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Thanimai thanimayo..
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Kodumai kodumaiyo…
Oh, what terrible agony...
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Pechellam thaalatu pola
Your words were like a lullaby,
Ennai uranga vaikka nee illai
You are not here to put me to sleep.
Thinamum oru mutham thanthu
Giving me a kiss every day,
Kaalai coffee koduka nee illai
You are not here to hand me morning coffee.
Vizhyil vizhum thusi thannai
The speck of dust that falls in my eyes,
Yedukka nee ingu illai
You are not here to remove it.
Manathil ezhum kuzhappam thannai
The confusion that arises in my heart,
Theerka nee ingae illai..
You are not here to resolve it..
Naan ingae neeyum angae..
I am here, and you are there..
Indha thanimaiyil nimishangal
In this loneliness, why did minutes
Varusham aanathenoo…
Turn into years?...
Vaan ingae neelam angae
The sky is here, its blue color is there;
Intha uvamaiku iruvarum
For this metaphor, did we both
Vilakamantheno …ooo…ooo..
Become the explanation? ...ooo…ooo..
New york nagaram urangum neram
When the city of New York sleeps,
Thanimai adarnthathu
Solitude deepened,
Paniyum padarnthathu
And snow spread all around.
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Naat kuripil nooru thadavai
A hundred times in my diary,
Unthan peyarai ezhuthum enn penna..
My pen writes your name..
Ezhuthiyathum erumbu moika
As soon as it is written, ants swarm it;
Peyarum aanathenna theanaa..aa..
Did your name turn into honey?..aa..
Chorus :Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Chorus :Oo…..ooooo..ooooo…..
Jillendru bhoomi irunthum
Even though the earth is chilly,
Indha tharunathil kulir kaalam
At this moment, why did winter
Kodai aanatheno..
Turn into summer?..
Chorus :Oooo..oooo
Chorus :Oooo..oooo
Vaa anbae neeyum vanthal
Come my love, if you come,
Senthanal kuda panikatti pola
Even glowing red embers
Maarumae….ye ye ye yeah…..
Will turn into ice cubes….ye ye ye yeah…..
New york nagaram urangum neram
When the city of New York sleeps,
Thanimai adarnthathu
Solitude deepened,
Paniyum padarnthathu
And snow spread all around.
Kappal irangiyae
Disembarking from the ship,
Kaatrum karayil nadanthathu
Even the wind walked onto the shore.
Naangu kannadi suvargalukullae
Inside four glass walls,
Naanum meluguvarthiyum
It is just me and a candle.
Thanimai thanimayo..
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Thanimai thanimayo..
Oh, what extreme solitude..
Kodumai kodumaiyo..
Oh, what terrible agony..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'New York Nagaram' is a melancholic and deeply emotional ballad capturing the poignant pain of separation and distance experienced by a loving husband away from his wife. Set against the cold, quiet backdrop of a sleeping New York City, the protagonist feels utter isolation inside his hotel room, accompanied only by a flickering candle. The lyricist Vaali vividly portrays how the absence of one's spouse turns small daily comforts—like a morning cup of coffee, a gentle word, or a soothing touch—into aching memories.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyming / Alliteration)
“Naangu kannadi suvargalukullae / Naanum meluguvarthiyum”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Naa' in consecutive lines creates rhythmic harmony.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Thanimai adarnthathu / Paniyum padarnthathu”
Matching end sounds ('adarnthathu' and 'padarnthathu') establishes poetic resonance at the end of lines.
Personification
“Kappal irangiyae / Kaatrum karayil nadanthathu”
The wind is personified as a traveler stepping off a ship and walking along the shore.
Hyperbole & Metaphor
“Ezhuthiyathum erumbu moika / Peyarum aanathenna theanaa”
An exaggeration where writing the beloved's name turns the ink into sweet honey, attracting ants to the paper.
Muran (Oxymoron / Contrast)
“Senthanal kuda panikatti pola / Maarumae”
Contrasting elements of burning red embers ('Senthanal') turning into cold ice ('Panikatti') upon the beloved's arrival.
Did you know?
Trivia
'New York Nagaram' from Sillunu Oru Kadhal (2006) was composed and sung by A.R. Rahman, earning him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director. The song was shot in New York, mirroring the story arc where Suriya's character travels abroad and misses his wife, played by Jyothika. Real-life chemistry enhanced the film's popularity, as Suriya and Jyothika married shortly after the movie's release in late 2006.
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