Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil
From Athma · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm | Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm |
| Female | |
| Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil | On the path of my thoughts, |
| Nadakkindra thendralae | O gentle breeze that walks! |
| Nadakkindra thendralai | The gentle breeze that walks, |
| Anaikkindra naanalae | I am the reed that embraces it. |
| Anaikkindra aasaigal | Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me |
| Enakkindha velaiyil varumo | Come to me at this hour? |
| Hoo oh hoo oh…. | Hoo oh hoo oh…. |
| Female | |
| Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil | On the path of my thoughts, |
| Nadakkindra thendralae | O gentle breeze that walks! |
| Nadakkindra thendralai | The gentle breeze that walks, |
| Anaikkindra naanalae | I am the reed that embraces it. |
| Female | |
| Paattondru mella mella | As a song softly, softly |
| Poombaavai sollida | Is sung by the beautiful lady, |
| Kekkattum nenjam ondru | May a heart listen to it, |
| Ennangal thullida | As thoughts leap with joy. |
| Kaadu oru veedu | The forest is a home, |
| Idhu dhaanae kilikkoodu | Isn't this a parrot's nest? |
| Aadum unai thaedum | It dances, searching for you, |
| Isai paadum kalippodu | And sings music with joy! |
| Female | |
| Ini podhum podhum thanimai | Enough, enough of this loneliness now, |
| Idhil yedhu yedhu inimai | What sweetness is there in this? |
| Ila maadhu vaada thoodhu koora | To convey this young maiden's pining, as a messenger, |
| Megam koottamae po | O flock of clouds, go forth! |
| Female | |
| Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil | On the path of my thoughts, |
| Nadakkindra thendralae | O gentle breeze that walks! |
| Nadakkindra thendralai | The gentle breeze that walks, |
| Anaikkindra naanalae | I am the reed that embraces it. |
| Anaikkindra aasaigal | Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me |
| Enakkindha velaiyil varumo | Come to me at this hour? |
| Hoo oh hoo oh…. | Hoo oh hoo oh…. |
| Female | |
| Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil | On the path of my thoughts, |
| Nadakkindra thendralae | O gentle breeze that walks! |
| Nadakkindra thendralai | The gentle breeze that walks, |
| Anaikkindra naanalae | I am the reed that embraces it. |
| Chorus | |
| Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh | Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh |
| Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh | Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh |
| Female | |
| Sittrodai vellam ingu | The stream's gentle flow here |
| Theeyaaga kaayudhae | Is burning hot like fire! |
| Sittraadai konda maeni | The body draped in a fine dress |
| Thaalaamal paayudhae | Is rushing, unable to bear the pangs. |
| Vaasal vara vendi | Hoping you would arrive at the doorstep, |
| Vizhi naalum edhir paarkka | The eyes eagerly look out every day. |
| Naeril varumbodhu | Yet when you appear in person, |
| Idhazh mounam thanai kaakka | The lips retreat into silence. |
| Female | |
| Idhu poorva jenma uravu | This is a bond from a past life, |
| Endrum thaengidaadha nilavu | A moon that never wanes. |
| Ila maadhu vaada thoodhu koora | To convey this young maiden's pining, as a messenger, |
| Naarai koottamae po | O flock of storks, go forth! |
| Female | |
| Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil | On the path of my thoughts, |
| Nadakkindra thendralae | O gentle breeze that walks! |
| Nadakkindra thendralai | The gentle breeze that walks, |
| Anaikkindra naanalae | I am the reed that embraces it. |
| Anaikkindra aasaigal | Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me |
| Enakkindha velaiyil varumo | Come to me at this hour? |
| Hoo oh hoo oh…. | Hoo oh hoo oh…. |
| Female | |
| Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil | On the path of my thoughts, |
| Nadakkindra thendralae | O gentle breeze that walks! |
| Nadakkindra thendralai | The gentle breeze that walks, |
| Anaikkindra naanalae | I am the reed that embraces it. |
ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
நினைக்கின்ற பாதையில்
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலே
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலை
அணைக்கின்ற நாணலே
அணைக்கின்ற ஆசைகள்
எனக்கிந்த வேளையில் வருமோ
ஹோ ஓ ஹோ ஓ......
On the path of my thoughts,
O gentle breeze that walks!
The gentle breeze that walks,
I am the reed that embraces it.
Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me
Come to me at this hour?
Hoo oh hoo oh….
நினைக்கின்ற பாதையில்
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலே
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலை
அணைக்கின்ற நாணலே
On the path of my thoughts,
O gentle breeze that walks!
The gentle breeze that walks,
I am the reed that embraces it.
பாட்டொன்று மெல்ல மெல்ல
பூம்பாவை சொல்லிட
கேக்கட்டும் நெஞ்சம் ஒன்று
எண்ணங்கள் துள்ளிட
காடு ஒரு வீடு
இது தானே கிளிக்கூடு
ஆடும் உனை தேடும்
இசை பாடும் களிப்போடு
As a song softly, softly
Is sung by the beautiful lady,
May a heart listen to it,
As thoughts leap with joy.
The forest is a home,
Isn't this a parrot's nest?
It dances, searching for you,
And sings music with joy!
இனி போதும் போதும் தனிமை
இதில் ஏது ஏது இனிமை
இளமாது வாட தூது கூற
மேகம் கூட்டமே போ
Enough, enough of this loneliness now,
What sweetness is there in this?
To convey this young maiden's pining, as a messenger,
O flock of clouds, go forth!
நினைக்கின்ற பாதையில்
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலே
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலை
அணைக்கின்ற நாணலே
அணைக்கின்ற ஆசைகள்
எனக்கிந்த வேளையில் வருமோ
ஹோ ஓ ஹோ ஓ......
On the path of my thoughts,
O gentle breeze that walks!
The gentle breeze that walks,
I am the reed that embraces it.
Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me
Come to me at this hour?
Hoo oh hoo oh….
நினைக்கின்ற பாதையில்
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலே
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலை
அணைக்கின்ற நாணலே
On the path of my thoughts,
O gentle breeze that walks!
The gentle breeze that walks,
I am the reed that embraces it.
உஹ் உஹ் உஹ் உஹ் உஹ் உஹ்
உஹ் உஹ் உஹ் உஹ் உஹ் உஹ்
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
சிற்றோடை வெள்ளம் இங்கு
தீயாக காயுதே
சிற்றாடை கொண்ட மேனி
தாளாமல் சாயுதே
வாசல் வர வேண்டி
விழி நாலும் எதிர் பார்க்க
நேரில் வரும்போது
இதழ் மெளனம் தனை காக்க
The stream's gentle flow here
Is burning hot like fire!
The body draped in a fine dress
Is rushing, unable to bear the pangs.
Hoping you would arrive at the doorstep,
The eyes eagerly look out every day.
Yet when you appear in person,
The lips retreat into silence.
இது பூர்வ ஜென்ம உறவு
என்றும் தேங்கிடாத நிலவு
இளமாது வாட தூது கூற
நாரை கூட்டமே போ
This is a bond from a past life,
A moon that never wanes.
To convey this young maiden's pining, as a messenger,
O flock of storks, go forth!
நினைக்கின்ற பாதையில்
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலே
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலை
அணைக்கின்ற நாணலே
அணைக்கின்ற ஆசைகள்
எனக்கிந்த வேளையில் வருமோ
ஹோ ஓ ஹோ ஓ......
On the path of my thoughts,
O gentle breeze that walks!
The gentle breeze that walks,
I am the reed that embraces it.
Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me
Come to me at this hour?
Hoo oh hoo oh….
நினைக்கின்ற பாதையில்
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலே
நடக்கின்ற தென்றலை
அணைக்கின்ற நாணலே
On the path of my thoughts,
O gentle breeze that walks!
The gentle breeze that walks,
I am the reed that embraces it.
Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil
On the path of my thoughts,
Nadakkindra thendralae
O gentle breeze that walks!
Nadakkindra thendralai
The gentle breeze that walks,
Anaikkindra naanalae
I am the reed that embraces it.
Anaikkindra aasaigal
Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me
Enakkindha velaiyil varumo
Come to me at this hour?
Hoo oh hoo oh….
Hoo oh hoo oh….
Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil
On the path of my thoughts,
Nadakkindra thendralae
O gentle breeze that walks!
Nadakkindra thendralai
The gentle breeze that walks,
Anaikkindra naanalae
I am the reed that embraces it.
Paattondru mella mella
As a song softly, softly
Poombaavai sollida
Is sung by the beautiful lady,
Kekkattum nenjam ondru
May a heart listen to it,
Ennangal thullida
As thoughts leap with joy.
Kaadu oru veedu
The forest is a home,
Idhu dhaanae kilikkoodu
Isn't this a parrot's nest?
Aadum unai thaedum
It dances, searching for you,
Isai paadum kalippodu
And sings music with joy!
Ini podhum podhum thanimai
Enough, enough of this loneliness now,
Idhil yedhu yedhu inimai
What sweetness is there in this?
Ila maadhu vaada thoodhu koora
To convey this young maiden's pining, as a messenger,
Megam koottamae po
O flock of clouds, go forth!
Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil
On the path of my thoughts,
Nadakkindra thendralae
O gentle breeze that walks!
Nadakkindra thendralai
The gentle breeze that walks,
Anaikkindra naanalae
I am the reed that embraces it.
Anaikkindra aasaigal
Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me
Enakkindha velaiyil varumo
Come to me at this hour?
Hoo oh hoo oh….
Hoo oh hoo oh….
Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil
On the path of my thoughts,
Nadakkindra thendralae
O gentle breeze that walks!
Nadakkindra thendralai
The gentle breeze that walks,
Anaikkindra naanalae
I am the reed that embraces it.
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
Sittrodai vellam ingu
The stream's gentle flow here
Theeyaaga kaayudhae
Is burning hot like fire!
Sittraadai konda maeni
The body draped in a fine dress
Thaalaamal paayudhae
Is rushing, unable to bear the pangs.
Vaasal vara vendi
Hoping you would arrive at the doorstep,
Vizhi naalum edhir paarkka
The eyes eagerly look out every day.
Naeril varumbodhu
Yet when you appear in person,
Idhazh mounam thanai kaakka
The lips retreat into silence.
Idhu poorva jenma uravu
This is a bond from a past life,
Endrum thaengidaadha nilavu
A moon that never wanes.
Ila maadhu vaada thoodhu koora
To convey this young maiden's pining, as a messenger,
Naarai koottamae po
O flock of storks, go forth!
Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil
On the path of my thoughts,
Nadakkindra thendralae
O gentle breeze that walks!
Nadakkindra thendralai
The gentle breeze that walks,
Anaikkindra naanalae
I am the reed that embraces it.
Anaikkindra aasaigal
Will the overwhelming desires that embrace me
Enakkindha velaiyil varumo
Come to me at this hour?
Hoo oh hoo oh….
Hoo oh hoo oh….
Ninaikkindra paadhaiyil
On the path of my thoughts,
Nadakkindra thendralae
O gentle breeze that walks!
Nadakkindra thendralai
The gentle breeze that walks,
Anaikkindra naanalae
I am the reed that embraces it.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
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