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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil

From Athma · 1993

Lyricist: Vaali
Singer: S. Janaki
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Athma
Movie release year: 1993
Lyrics added on: 22 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm

Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil

Nadakkindra thendralae

Nadakkindra thendralai

Anaikkindra naanalae

Anaikkindra aasaigal

Enakkindha velaiyil varumo

Hoo oh hoo oh….

Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil

Nadakkindra thendralae

Nadakkindra thendralai

Anaikkindra naanalae

Paattondru mella mella

Poombaavai sollida

Kekkattum nenjam ondru

Ennangal thullida

Kaadu oru veedu

Idhu dhaanae kilikkoodu

Aadum unai thaedum

Isai paadum kalippodu

Ini podhum podhum thanimai

Idhil yedhu yedhu inimai

Ila maadhu vaada thoodhu koora

Megam koottamae po

Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil

Nadakkindra thendralae

Nadakkindra thendralai

Anaikkindra naanalae

Anaikkindra aasaigal

Enakkindha velaiyil varumo

Hoo oh hoo oh….

Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil

Nadakkindra thendralae

Nadakkindra thendralai

Anaikkindra naanalae

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh

Sittrodai vellam ingu

Theeyaaga kaayudhae

Sittraadai konda maeni

Thaalaamal paayudhae

Vaasal vara vendi

Vizhi naalum edhir paarkka

Naeril varumbodhu

Idhazh mounam thanai kaakka

Idhu poorva jenma uravu

Endrum thaengidaadha nilavu

Ila maadhu vaada thoodhu koora

Naarai koottamae po

Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil

Nadakkindra thendralae

Nadakkindra thendralai

Anaikkindra naanalae

Anaikkindra aasaigal

Enakkindha velaiyil varumo

Hoo oh hoo oh….

Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil

Nadakkindra thendralae

Nadakkindra thendralai

Anaikkindra naanalae

Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm

Along the path of my thoughts,

O gentle breeze walking by,

And to that breeze strolling along,

O reed that embraces it,

Will the longing to hold someone

awaken in me at this hour?

Ho oh ho oh...

Along the path of my thoughts,

O gentle breeze walking by,

And to that breeze strolling along,

O reed that embraces it,

As a song slowly and softly

is sung by this flower-like girl,

let his heart listen to it,

while thoughts leap with joy!

The forest is a home,

isn't this our parrot's nest?

It dances and searches for you,

singing melodies with delight!

Enough, enough of this loneliness now,

what sweetness is there in this?

As this young girl withers, to take my message,

go, flock of clouds!

Along the path of my thoughts,

O gentle breeze walking by,

And to that breeze strolling along,

O reed that embraces it,

Will the longing to hold someone

awaken in me at this hour?

Ho oh ho oh...

Along the path of my thoughts,

O gentle breeze walking by,

And to that breeze strolling along,

O reed that embraces it,

Uh uh uh uh uh uh

Uh uh uh uh uh uh

The stream's rushing water here

burns hot like fire,

My body in its simple dress

faints, unable to bear it!

Longing for you to arrive at the door,

all four eyes wait and watch.

When you come before me,

my lips guard their silence.

This is a bond from a past life,

a moonlight that never fades away.

As this young girl withers, to take my message,

go, flock of cranes!

Along the path of my thoughts,

O gentle breeze walking by,

And to that breeze strolling along,

O reed that embraces it,

Will the longing to hold someone

awaken in me at this hour?

Ho oh ho oh...

Along the path of my thoughts,

O gentle breeze walking by,

And to that breeze strolling along,

O reed that embraces it,

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Chorus

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song captures the deep romantic yearning and emotional longing of a young woman waiting for her beloved. She addresses nature—the breeze, clouds, and birds—as her confidants and messengers to convey her feelings. Drawing inspiration from classical Sangam literature (Megha Dhootam and Thoodhu poetry), she asks nature to carry her message of love across the distance. The lyrics emphasize the contrast between her burning inner passion and her shyness when her lover actually appears in person, framing their deep connection as an eternal bond rooted in past lives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil / Nadakkindra thendralae”

The second consonant sound 'da' ('daikkindra' / 'dakkindra') repeats, creating rhythmic harmony.

Thoodhu (Messenger Motif)

“Megam koottamae po / Naarai koottamae po”

A classical Tamil poetic convention where elements of nature like clouds (Megam) and storks (Naarai) are sent as emissaries to convey love messages.

Oxymoron / Paradox

“Sittrodai vellam ingu / Theeyaaga kaayudhae”

The cool stream water ('sittrodai vellam') is described as burning like fire ('theeyaaga kaayudhae') to highlight her intense romantic pangs.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed without music director details in some records, 'Athma' (1993) featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, starring Rahman, Gautami, and Kasthuri. The lyrics penned by Vaali make direct classical references to Tamil Sangam 'Thoodhu' literature, where nature acts as a messenger of love.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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