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Lyrics & meaning

Ninaikatha Neramillai Unnai (Sad)

From Thangakkili · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janaki, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thangakkili1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hoo ooo hoo oooHoo ooo hoo ooo
Hoo oooHoo ooo
Aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa..aaaAaa....aaa...aaa....aaa..aaa
Female
Ninaikkaadha neram illai…There is no moment I do not think of you...
Unnai ninaikkaadha neram illai…There is no moment I do not think of you...
Unnai ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Iravum pagalum imai yeno moodavillaiDay and night, why do my eyelids fail to close?
Female
Ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Unnai ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Male
Solaiyil thaen malarilIn the garden's honey-filled flower,
Un ninaivu thondrumYour memory arises.
Maalai nan neram vandhuWhen the pleasant evening time arrives,
Ennai dhinam vaattumIt torments me every single day.
Vaan indri vennilavuWithout the sky, why did the bright moon
Vandhadhenna veenaeCome in vain?
Nee indri naanum illaiWithout you, I do not exist either,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful tender deer.
Male
Gaana kuyil thanimaiyilThe singing cuckoo in solitude
YengudhingaeLongs right here...
Veenai ondru viralgalaiA veena searches for
ThedudhingaeFingers to play it.
Iravum pagalumDay and night,
Imai yeno moodavillaiWhy do my eyelids fail to close?
Male
Ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Unnai ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Iravum pagalum imai yeno moodavillaiDay and night, why do my eyelids fail to close?
Male
Ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Unnai ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Male
Kaadhalin raajiyathilIn the kingdom of love,
Thaazhvu uyarvedhuWhat is high or low status?
Kaaviri gangaiyai polLike the rivers Kaveri and Ganga,
Anbinaiyum podhuWhen love merges together,
Kanakkugal paarthu kondaaDoes love's heart unite
Kaadhal manam serumBy looking at calculations?
Vilakkinai kettuk kondaaDoes a lamp ask permission
Muthu chudar veesumBefore radiating its pearl-like glow?
Male
Maan vizhiyaeOh deer-eyed one,
Mayangida thevai illaiThere is no need to be bewildered.
Nam vazhiyoOur path ahead
Innum vegu dhooram illaiIs not very far away anymore.
Iravum pagalumDay and night,
Imai yeno moodavillaiWhy do my eyelids fail to close?
Female
Ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Unnai ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Iravum pagalum imai yeno moodavillaiDay and night, why do my eyelids fail to close?
Female
Ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you
Unnai ninaikkaadha neram illaiThere is no moment I do not think of you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ninaikkaadha Neram Illai is a soulful Tamil romantic song about longing, devotion, and sleepless nights caused by separation from a beloved. The protagonist reflects on how every moment of the day and night brings thoughts of their lover, rendering them unable to sleep. Through poetic imagery of nature—like honeyed flowers, the evening breeze, a sky without a moon, and a veena waiting for fingers—the song paints a poignant picture of emotional vulnerability.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ninaikkaadha neram illai / Unnai ninaikkaadha neram illai

The repetition of the 'Ni' sound at the beginning of key phrases creates a rhythmic and memorable melodic flow.

Metaphor

Veenai ondru viralgalai Thedudhingae

Compares the yearning soul to an unplayed veena searching for the touch of its musician's fingers.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Kaaviri gangaiyai pol Anbinaiyum podhu

Compares the seamless merging of two loving hearts to the confluence of the sacred rivers Kaveri and Ganga.

Rhetorical Question

Vilakkinai kettuk kondaa Muthu chudar veesum

Uses a rhetorical question about a lamp shining without permission to symbolize how true love naturally illuminates lives without calculated reasoning.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thangakkili (1993) features lyrics by the legendary Tamil poet and lyricist Vaali. His lyrics in this song showcase classical literary Tamil imagery blended with tender romantic themes.

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