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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nijamellam Maranthu Pochu

From Ethir Neechal (2013 Film) · 2013

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singers
Dhanush, Anirudh Ravichander
Music director
Anirudh Ravichander
Details
Ethir Neechal (2013 Film)2013

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Ahaaa…aaaAhaaa…aaa
Ahaaa..aaa..haanAhaaa..aaa..haan
Ahaaa…aaaaa..Ahaaa…aaaaa..
Ahaaa…aaa..haaanAhaaa…aaa..haaan
Male
{Nijamellam maranthu pochuAll reality has been forgotten,
Pennae unnalaeOh girl, because of you.
Ninaivellam kanava pochuAll memories have turned into a dream,
Kannae unnalaeMy eyes/dear, because of you.
Nirai maadham nilaivai kaanumSeeing the full moon of a complete month,
Pennae unnalae pennae unnalae} (2)Oh girl, because of you, oh girl, because of you.
Male
Hei paakathae paakathaeHey, don't look, don't look,
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Baarangal thaangathaeIt cannot bear these heavy burdens,
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Bodhaigal thaarathaeDo not give me intoxication,
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Chorus
{Don’t give a heckDon’t give a heck
About the witch} (5)About the witch
Chorus
{Don’t give aDon’t give a
Don’t give a heckDon’t give a heck
About the witch} (5)About the witch
Male
Oorellam onnaga seruthammaThe entire town comes together as one,
Naan mattum en oramaWhile I am left standing alone on the side.
Yethetho nenjukkul vechurukkaHolding all kinds of thoughts in my heart,
Nan baaramaaAm I a burden?
Male
Koodatha ennangal kooduthammaForbidden thoughts are gathering within me,
Thaangaathu en koodu maMy frame cannot bear it anymore.
Pataalum kettaalum ketkaathumaWhether I suffer or get ruined, it won't listen,
En neramaa…Is it my bad time?
Male
Oh vitil poochiOh, like a moth
Vilakaa suduthuGetting burned by the lamp,
Vevaram puriyamaWithout understanding the situation,
Velakum azhuthuEven the lamp cries.
Male
Eh paarkaamal paakathaHey, don't look at me slyly,
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Baarangal thaangathuIt cannot bear these heavy burdens,
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Bodhaigal thaarathaeDo not give me intoxication,
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Pennae pothumGirl, that is enough!
Male
Nijamellam maranthu pochu..haanAll reality has been forgotten... haan
Ninaivellam kanava pochu..haanAll memories have turned into a dream... haan
Nirai maadham nilaivai kaanum..haanSeeing the full moon of a complete month... haan
Pennae unnalaeOh girl, because of you.
Chorus
Don’t give a heckDon’t give a heck
About the witchAbout the witch
{Don’t give aDon’t give a
Don’t give a heckDon’t give a heck
About the witch} (7)About the witch
Witch..witch..witch..witchWitch..witch..witch..witch
Male
{Don’t give aDon’t give a
Don’t give a heckDon’t give a heck
About the witch} (4)About the witch

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This track captures the inner anguish and disorienting heartbreak experienced by a young man who feels overwhelmed by love and rejection. He describes how his reality has dissolved into dreams and how the gaze of his beloved intoxicates and burdens his heart beyond endurance. The lyrics express his feelings of isolation as he watches the world move on while he remains stuck with painful memories and forbidden thoughts. Through imagery of a moth drawn to a burning flame, the protagonist conveys the self-destructive nature of his obsession. The English hook blends contemporary youth slang and frustration, contrasting the poetically vulnerable Tamil verses with an energetic, rebellious release of anger towards the emotional turmoil caused by love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Nijamellam maranthu pochu... / Ninaivellam kanava pochu...”

Repetition of the initial consonant-vowel sound 'Ni' in 'Nijamellam' and 'Ninaivellam' creates a rhythmic sonic harmony.

Extended Metaphor

“Oh vitil poochi / Vilakaa suduthu”

Compares the protagonist's helpless and self-destructive attraction toward love to a moth drawn uncontrollably toward a burning lamp flame.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Oorellam onnaga seruthamma / Naan mattum en orama”

The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('seruthamma' / 'orama'), reinforcing the musical cadence of the verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

This popular song from the 2013 Tamil sports comedy-drama 'Ethir Neechal' features lyrics written by Dhanush and music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The song's blend of youth-centric English lyrics with traditional Tamil emotional expressions became a major hit among college audiences upon its release.

Keep listening

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