Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninaikkum Pothu Nenjum Kannum

From Kalai Arasi · 1963

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kalai Arasi1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………………
Female
Aaa….aaaa….aaa…aaa…Aaa... aaaa... aaa... aaa...
Haa….aaa…aaa…aaa….haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..Haa... aaa... aaa... aaa... haaa... aaa... aaa... aaa..
Female
Ninaikkum podhu nenjum kannumWhen I think of it, my heart and eyes
Thudippadhu yaenoWhy do they flutter so?
Ninaikkum podhu nenjum kannumWhen I think of it, my heart and eyes
Thudippadhu yaenoWhy do they flutter so?
Niraindha uravil kanindha kaadhalIs love ripened in a fulfilled relationship
Nilaiyidhu thaanoDestined to be in this state?
Ninaikkum podhu nenjum kannumWhen I think of it, my heart and eyes
Thudippadhu yaenoWhy do they flutter so?
Niraindha uravil kanindha kaadhalIs love ripened in a fulfilled relationship
Nilaiyidhu thaanoDestined to be in this state?
Ninaikkum podhu nenjum kannumWhen I think of it, my heart and eyes
Thudippadhu yaenoWhy do they flutter so?
Female
Anaiyai meerum aasai vellamThe flood of desire overflowing the dam
Arivai meerudhaeSurpasses all intellect and reason.
Adhaiyum meeri paruva kaalamSurpassing even that, the age of youth
Thunaiyai thaedudhaeSeeks its soulmate.
Ninaikkum podhu nenjum kannumWhen I think of it, my heart and eyes
Thudippadhu yaenoWhy do they flutter so?
Female
Suvarillaadha veedumillaiThere is no house without walls,
Uyirillaadha udalumillaiThere is no body without life,
Suvarillaadha veedumillaiThere is no house without walls,
Uyirillaadha udalumillaiThere is no body without life,
Avarillaamal naanumillaiWithout him, I do not exist,
Aaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….Aaaa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Avarillaamal naanumillaiWithout him, I do not exist,
Anbu saatchiyaeLove itself is the witness!
Female :Unakku naanum enakku neeyumFemale: 'I am for you, and you are for me,'
UrimaitthaenaendruAs sweet honey of our togetherness,
Unakku naanum enakku neeyum'I am for you, and you are for me,'
UrimaitthaenaendruAs sweet honey of our togetherness,
Kanakkillaadha kadhaigal pesiTalking endless, uncounted stories,
Kalandhadhai indruWe merged together today,
Kanakkillaadha kadhaigal pesiTalking endless, uncounted stories,
Kalandhadhai indru uuuuWe merged together today...
Female
Ninaikkum podhu nenjum kannumWhen I think of it, my heart and eyes
Thudippadhu yaenoWhy do they flutter so?
Niraindha uravil kanindha kaadhalIs love ripened in a fulfilled relationship
Nilaiyidhu thaanoDestined to be in this state?
Ninaikkum podhu nenjum kannumWhen I think of it, my heart and eyes
Thudippadhu yaenoWhy do they flutter so?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the deep emotional stirring, longing, and sweet agitation caused by love. The protagonist reflects on why her heart throbs and her eyes flutter with anticipation whenever she thinks of her beloved. She describes youthful desire as a flood breaking through the dam of rationality, compelling two souls to seek each other out and unite.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anaiyai meerum aasai vellam

Desire is metaphorically described as an overflowing flood ('aasai vellam') that breaks past all physical and logical barriers.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Anaiyai meerum aasai vellam / Arivai meerudhae / Adhaiyum meeri paruva kaalam

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'A' ('Anaiyai', 'Arivai', 'Adhaiyum') creates a melodious vocal flow across consecutive lines.

Upamai (Analogy / Simile)

Suvarillaadha veedumillai / Uyirillaadha udalumillai / Avarillaamal naanumillai

The lyricist draws an analogy comparing her existence without her lover to a house without walls or a body without life.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kalai Arasi' (1963), starring M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi, is historically significant for being one of the earliest science fiction films in Tamil cinema featuring alien abduction and space travel themes. The music for the film was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the lyrics were written by the renowned poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram.

Keep listening

More from Kalai Arasi