Ninaithaal Nenjukuzhi Inikkum
From Appu · 2000
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Appu2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………………………….. | |
| Male | |
| Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum | When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Sirithaal nenjukuzhi adaikkum | When I smile, my heart feels choked, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Kuliril enakoru puzhukkam | I feel warm and sultry in the cold, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Veyilil edukkudhu nadukkam | I shiver even in the hot sun, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Yeno..yeno..yeno..yenoo | Why... why... why... why? |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal endru kavigal solvaargal | Is this what poets call love? |
| Adhu dhaanoo… | Is that really it...? |
| Male | |
| Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum | When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Sirithaal nenjukuzhi adaikkum | When I smile, my heart feels choked, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Pookal kai kotti sirikum | The flowers clap their hands and laugh, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Pudavai adikadi nazhuvum | My saree slips off repeatedly, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Yeno..yeno..yeno..yenoo | Why... why... why... why? |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal endru kavigal solvaargal | Is this what poets call love? |
| Adhu dhaanoo… | Is that really it...? |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………………… | |
| Female | |
| Paal madiyil vaan nilavil | From the lap of milk and the sky's moon, |
| Thee vadivadhaenoo | Why does fire drip? |
| Raavezhudhum en kanavil | In my dreams written by the night, |
| Thaen vadivadhaenoo | Why does honey drip? |
| Male | |
| Mozhiyai kanngal verukkum | My eyes hate spoken language, |
| Idhu yenoo… | Why is this...? |
| Female | |
| Vaarthaigal naavilae | Words on my tongue, |
| Udayudhae yenoo | Shatter, why is that? |
| Mannil naan vaazhvadhae | That I am living on this earth, |
| Marandhadhae yenoo… | I forgot, why is that...? |
| Male | |
| Anjukkum aarukkumae | Between five and six, |
| Idaiveli yenoo yenoo | Why is there a gap, why? |
| Nenjukkum udhatukkumae | Between my heart and my lips, |
| Dhoorangal yenoo yenoo | Why is there such distance, why? |
| Male | |
| Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum | When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Sirithaal nenjukuzhi adaikkum | When I smile, my heart feels choked, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Kuliril enakoru puzhukkam | I feel warm and sultry in the cold, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Veyilil edukkudhu nadukkam | I shiver even in the hot sun, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Yeno..yeno..yeno..yenoo | Why... why... why... why? |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal endru kavigal solvaargal | Is this what poets call love? |
| Adhu dhaanoo… | Is that really it...? |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………………….. | |
| Male | |
| Naan enbadhil inn maraindhu | In the word 'Naan' (I), the 'N' disappears, |
| Imm vandhadhum yenoo | And 'M' arrives to make it 'Naam' (We), why is that? |
| Po enbadhil po ozhindhu | In the word 'Po' (Go), the 'Po' vanishes, |
| Vaa vandhadhum yenoo | And 'Vaa' (Come) takes its place, why is that? |
| Female | |
| Vetkkam ennai nanaikkum | Shyness drenches me completely, |
| Idhu yenoo | Why is this? |
| Male | |
| Kaal viral oviyam | A painting made by my toes, |
| Ezhudhudhae yenoo | Gets drawn on the floor, why is that? |
| Kanngalum kanngalum | When eyes meet eyes, |
| Poi sollum yenoo | They tell lies, why is that? |
| Female | |
| Imaikayil idi satham | When I blink my eyelids, |
| Ketadhum yenoo yenoo | Why do I hear the sound of thunder, why? |
| Nenjukul kaadhal vandhaal | When love enters the heart, |
| Penn nilavaram idhu dhanoo | Is this the state of a woman? |
| Male | |
| Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum | When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Sirithaal nenjukuzhi adaikkum | When I smile, my heart feels choked, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Kuliril enakoru puzhukkam | I feel warm and sultry in the cold, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Veyilil edukkudhu nadukkam | I shiver even in the hot sun, |
| Adhu yenoo | Why is that? |
| Yeno..yeno..yeno..yenoo | Why... why... why... why? |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal endru kavigal solvaargal | Is this what poets call love? |
| Adhu dhaanoo… | Is that really it...? |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………….. | |
.................................
நினைத்தால்
நெஞ்சுகுழி இனிக்கும்
அது ஏனோ சிரித்தால்
நெஞ்சுகுழி அடைக்கும்
அது ஏனோ குளிரில்
எனக்கொரு புழுக்கம் அது
ஏனோ வெயிலில் எடுக்குது
நடுக்கம் அது ஏனோ ஏனோ
ஏனோ ஏனோ ஏனோ
When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet,
Why is that?
When I smile, my heart feels choked,
Why is that?
I feel warm and sultry in the cold,
Why is that?
I shiver even in the hot sun,
Why is that?
Why... why... why... why?
காதலென்று
கவிகள் சொல்வார்கள்
அதுதானோ
Is this what poets call love?
Is that really it...?
நினைத்தால்
நெஞ்சுகுழி இனிக்கும்
அது ஏனோ சிரித்தால்
நெஞ்சுகுழி அடைக்கும்
அது ஏனோ பூக்கள் கை
கொட்டி சிரிக்கும் அது
ஏனோ புடவை அடிக்கடி
நழுவும் அது ஏனோ
ஏனோ… ஏனோ…
ஏனோ… ஏனோ
When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet,
Why is that?
When I smile, my heart feels choked,
Why is that?
The flowers clap their hands and laugh,
Why is that?
My saree slips off repeatedly,
Why is that?
Why... why... why... why?
காதலென்று
கவிகள் சொல்வார்கள்
அதுதானோ
Is this what poets call love?
Is that really it...?
........................
பால் மடியில்
வான் நிலவில் தீ
வடிவதேனோ ராவெழுதும்
என் கனவில் தேன்
வடிவதேனோ
From the lap of milk and the sky's moon,
Why does fire drip?
In my dreams written by the night,
Why does honey drip?
மொழியை
கண்கள் வெறுக்கும்
இது ஏனோ
My eyes hate spoken language,
Why is this...?
வார்த்தைகள்
நாவிலே உடையுதே
ஏனோ மண்ணில் நான்
வாழ்வதே மறந்ததே
ஏனோ
Words on my tongue,
Shatter, why is that?
That I am living on this earth,
I forgot, why is that...?
அஞ்சுக்கும்
ஆறுக்குமே இடைவெளி
ஏனோ ஏனோ நெஞ்சுக்கும்
உதட்டுக்குமே தூரங்கள்
ஏனோ ஏனோ
Between five and six,
Why is there a gap, why?
Between my heart and my lips,
Why is there such distance, why?
நினைத்தால்
நெஞ்சுகுழி இனிக்கும்
அது ஏனோ சிரித்தால்
நெஞ்சுகுழி அடைக்கும்
அது ஏனோ குளிரில்
எனக்கொரு புழுக்கம் அது
ஏனோ வெயிலில் எடுக்குது
நடுக்கம் அது ஏனோ ஏனோ
ஏனோ ஏனோ ஏனோ
When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet,
Why is that?
When I smile, my heart feels choked,
Why is that?
I feel warm and sultry in the cold,
Why is that?
I shiver even in the hot sun,
Why is that?
Why... why... why... why?
காதலென்று
கவிகள் சொல்வார்கள்
அதுதானோ
Is this what poets call love?
Is that really it...?
........................
நான் என்பதில்
இன் மறைந்து இம்
வந்ததும் ஏனோ
போ என்பதில் போ
ஒழிந்து வா வந்ததும்
ஏனோ
In the word 'Naan' (I), the 'N' disappears,
And 'M' arrives to make it 'Naam' (We), why is that?
In the word 'Po' (Go), the 'Po' vanishes,
And 'Vaa' (Come) takes its place, why is that?
வெட்கம்
என்னை நனைக்கும்
இது ஏனோ
Shyness drenches me completely,
Why is this?
கால் விரல்
ஓவியம் எழுதுதே
ஏனோ கண்களும்
கண்களும் பொய்
சொல்லும் ஏனோ
A painting made by my toes,
Gets drawn on the floor, why is that?
When eyes meet eyes,
They tell lies, why is that?
இமைகையில்
இடி சத்தம் கேட்டதும்
ஏனோ ஏனோ நெஞ்சுக்குள்
காதல் வந்தால் பெண்
நிலவரம் இதுதானோ
When I blink my eyelids,
Why do I hear the sound of thunder, why?
When love enters the heart,
Is this the state of a woman?
நினைத்தால்
நெஞ்சுகுழி இனிக்கும்
அது ஏனோ சிரித்தால்
நெஞ்சுகுழி அடைக்கும்
அது ஏனோ குளிரில்
எனக்கொரு புழுக்கம் அது
ஏனோ வெயிலில் எடுக்குது
நடுக்கம் அது ஏனோ ஏனோ
ஏனோ ஏனோ ஏனோ
When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet,
Why is that?
When I smile, my heart feels choked,
Why is that?
I feel warm and sultry in the cold,
Why is that?
I shiver even in the hot sun,
Why is that?
Why... why... why... why?
காதலென்று
கவிகள் சொல்வார்கள்
அதுதானோ
Is this what poets call love?
Is that really it...?
........................
……………………………..
Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum
When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Sirithaal nenjukuzhi adaikkum
When I smile, my heart feels choked,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Kuliril enakoru puzhukkam
I feel warm and sultry in the cold,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Veyilil edukkudhu nadukkam
I shiver even in the hot sun,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Yeno..yeno..yeno..yenoo
Why... why... why... why?
Kaadhal endru kavigal solvaargal
Is this what poets call love?
Adhu dhaanoo…
Is that really it...?
Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum
When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Sirithaal nenjukuzhi adaikkum
When I smile, my heart feels choked,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Pookal kai kotti sirikum
The flowers clap their hands and laugh,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Pudavai adikadi nazhuvum
My saree slips off repeatedly,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Yeno..yeno..yeno..yenoo
Why... why... why... why?
Kaadhal endru kavigal solvaargal
Is this what poets call love?
Adhu dhaanoo…
Is that really it...?
…………………………………
Paal madiyil vaan nilavil
From the lap of milk and the sky's moon,
Thee vadivadhaenoo
Why does fire drip?
Raavezhudhum en kanavil
In my dreams written by the night,
Thaen vadivadhaenoo
Why does honey drip?
Mozhiyai kanngal verukkum
My eyes hate spoken language,
Idhu yenoo…
Why is this...?
Vaarthaigal naavilae
Words on my tongue,
Udayudhae yenoo
Shatter, why is that?
Mannil naan vaazhvadhae
That I am living on this earth,
Marandhadhae yenoo…
I forgot, why is that...?
Anjukkum aarukkumae
Between five and six,
Idaiveli yenoo yenoo
Why is there a gap, why?
Nenjukkum udhatukkumae
Between my heart and my lips,
Dhoorangal yenoo yenoo
Why is there such distance, why?
Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum
When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Sirithaal nenjukuzhi adaikkum
When I smile, my heart feels choked,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Kuliril enakoru puzhukkam
I feel warm and sultry in the cold,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Veyilil edukkudhu nadukkam
I shiver even in the hot sun,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Yeno..yeno..yeno..yenoo
Why... why... why... why?
Kaadhal endru kavigal solvaargal
Is this what poets call love?
Adhu dhaanoo…
Is that really it...?
………………………………………..
Naan enbadhil inn maraindhu
In the word 'Naan' (I), the 'N' disappears,
Imm vandhadhum yenoo
And 'M' arrives to make it 'Naam' (We), why is that?
Po enbadhil po ozhindhu
In the word 'Po' (Go), the 'Po' vanishes,
Vaa vandhadhum yenoo
And 'Vaa' (Come) takes its place, why is that?
Vetkkam ennai nanaikkum
Shyness drenches me completely,
Idhu yenoo
Why is this?
Kaal viral oviyam
A painting made by my toes,
Ezhudhudhae yenoo
Gets drawn on the floor, why is that?
Kanngalum kanngalum
When eyes meet eyes,
Poi sollum yenoo
They tell lies, why is that?
Imaikayil idi satham
When I blink my eyelids,
Ketadhum yenoo yenoo
Why do I hear the sound of thunder, why?
Nenjukul kaadhal vandhaal
When love enters the heart,
Penn nilavaram idhu dhanoo
Is this the state of a woman?
Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum
When I think of you, the pit of my heart feels sweet,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Sirithaal nenjukuzhi adaikkum
When I smile, my heart feels choked,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Kuliril enakoru puzhukkam
I feel warm and sultry in the cold,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Veyilil edukkudhu nadukkam
I shiver even in the hot sun,
Adhu yenoo
Why is that?
Yeno..yeno..yeno..yenoo
Why... why... why... why?
Kaadhal endru kavigal solvaargal
Is this what poets call love?
Adhu dhaanoo…
Is that really it...?
………………………………..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song captures the innocent bewilderment and overwhelming sensations experienced by a young woman as she falls in love for the first time. She notices physical and psychological paradoxes—feeling hot during cold weather, shivering in the warm sun, losing her ability to speak clearly, and feeling her heart choke with excitement. Throughout the song, she repeatedly questions 'Adhu Yenoo' (Why is that?), pondering if these sweet, confusing symptoms are what poets across ages have glorified as 'love'. In the stanzas, lyricist Vairamuthu poetically details her behavioral changes, such as shyly drawing patterns on the ground with her toes, her internal shift from 'I' (Naan) to 'We' (Naam), and the sudden distance between what her heart feels and what her lips can speak. The song beautifully portrays romantic awakening as a transformative experience that turns ordinary sensations into poetic mysteries.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Paradox / Muran
“Kuliril enakoru puzhukkam... Veyilil edukkudhu nadukkam”
Contrasts opposing thermal feelings (warmth in cold, shivering in heat) to depict the bewildering physical effects of falling in love.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Ninaithaal nenjukuzhi inikkum”
The repetition of the initial 'Ni' sound ('Ninaithaal', 'Nenjukuzhi') creates a gentle, rhythmic flow in the opening line.
Wordplay / Linguistic Substitution
“Naan enbadhil inn maraindhu / Imm vandhadhum yenoo”
A clever linguistic device where replacing the ending 'N' sound in 'Naan' (I) with 'M' turns it into 'Naam' (We), signifying the union of lovers.
Personification
“Pookal kai kotti sirikum”
Flowers are given human qualities of clapping hands and laughing, mirroring the heroine's ecstatic state of mind through nature.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Ninaithaal Nenjukuzhi Inikkum' belongs to the 2000 Tamil romantic drama movie 'Appu', directed by Vasanth and starring Prashanth and Devayani. The soundtrack was composed by Deva, and the song was beautifully rendered by singer Sujatha Mohan with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The film is a remake of the 1999 Hindi film 'Sadak'.
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