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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninaitthathu Yaro Sad

From Paattukku Oru Thalaivan · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ninaiththathu yaaro neethaanae….Is it you whom I thought of?
Dhinam unnai paada naanthaanaeAm I not the one destined to sing of you every day?
Female
Ninaiththathu yaaro neethaanae….Is it you whom I thought of?
Ninaiththathu yaaro neethaanae….Is it you whom I thought of?
Dhinam unnai paada naanthaanaeAm I not the one destined to sing of you every day?
Pattukkoru thalaivanum neeYou are the master of song,
Yettukkoru kalainjanum neeYou are the artist fit for literature,
Yettru koll ennai ennuyiraeAccept me, my very life!
Female
Inaindha puraa parandhadhennaWhy did the paired dove fly away?
Imaigalai kangal maranthathennaWhy did the eyes forget their eyelids?
Nadantha kadhai ninaivillaiyooDo you not remember the story that happened?
Naan unai sera manam illaiyooDon't you have the heart to join me?
Female
Iruvarin paadhai oru vazhi pogumThe paths of both of us will head in one direction,
Ini varum kaalam iruvarai serkkumThe coming times will unite us both.
Varam thara vendi thavam irundhenI performed penance praying for a boon,
Vazhiyinai paarthu thanithirunthenI waited alone watching the path.
Bathil thara vendum anbaeYou must give me an answer, my love.
Male
Ninaipadhu naan thaan neeyillaiyaeI am the one thinking of you, not you!
Maranthathu neethaan naan illaiyaeYou are the one who forgot, not me!
Male
Vaazhkai ingae kanavugal thaanLife here is merely dreams,
Kanavukkul yedhu orr kanavuWhat is a dream within a dream?
Kavithai ellaam varthaigal thaanAll poems are merely words,
Vaarthaiyil yedhu kaanal variWhat line among words is just a mirage?
Male
Mayakkathil vaazhndhen mangaiyinaalaeI lived in an illusion because of a woman,
Marpadi thelindhen madhuvinil naanaeI became clear-headed again through alcohol.
Inimel endhan pudhiya vazhiFrom now on, my new path,
Idhu thaan endru purinthathadiI have understood that this is it, girl.
Enai thodaraadhae pennaeDo not follow me, girl.
Male
Ninaipadhu naan thaan neeyillaiyaeI am the one thinking of you, not you!
Maranthathu neethaan naan illaiyaeYou are the one who forgot, not me!
Ninaipadhu naan thaan neeyillaiyaeI am the one thinking of you, not you!
Maranthathu neethaan naan illaiyaeYou are the one who forgot, not me!
Male
Nee thaan maranthaalumEven if you forget,
Ninaivinil naan azhinthaalumEven if I perish in my memories,
Nadanthavai yaavum nadanthavai thaanWhatever happened has indeed happened.
Male
Ninaipadhu naan thaan neeyillaiyaeI am the one thinking of you, not you!
Maranthathu neethaan naan illaiyaeYou are the one who forgot, not me!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a poignant dialogue of heartbreak and contrasting emotional states between two lovers. The female voice begins with longing and devotion, calling her partner the master of music and art, wondering why their pair was separated like flying doves, and praying for their paths to unite once again. She seeks an answer to why love drifted away. In contrast, the male voice responds with bitterness and cynical disillusionment. Shattered by perceived betrayal or pain, he dismisses life as mere dreams and poetry as empty mirages. He admits to having lived in an illusion because of love, but claims he has now gained clarity through alcohol and intends to walk a new path alone. Ultimately, he accepts the harsh reality that what has happened cannot be undone, resigning himself to his lonely fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)

Ninaiththathu yaaro neethaanae… / Dhinam unnai paada naanthaanae

The lines end with rhythmic matching sounds 'neethaanae' and 'naanthaanae', creating a melodic flow.

Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)

Pattukkoru thalaivanum nee / Yettukkoru kalainjanum nee

The second letter 't' (ட்) matches in 'Pattukkoru' and 'Yettukkoru', adhering to traditional Tamil poetic meter.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Ninaipadhu naan thaan neeyillaiyae / Maranthathu neethaan naan illaiyae

Contrasts 'thinking/remembering' (Ninaipadhu) with 'forgetting' (Maranthathu), as well as 'I' (naan) with 'you' (nee).

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)

Inaindha puraa parandhadhenna

Compares the paired lovers to a pair of doves ('Inaindha puraa') that drifted apart.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Ninaithathu Yaaro' is from the 1989 Tamil drama film 'Paattukku Oru Thalaivan', starring Vijayakanth and Shobana. The music for the film was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran. The duet version features vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, highlighting a sharp emotional shift between hope and bitter heartbreak.

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