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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninaivaale

From Andaman Kadhali · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Andaman Kadhali1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ninaivaalae silai seidhuI sculpted a statue out of memories
Unakkaaga vaithaenAnd kept it for you
Thirukkovilae odi vaa aaa…aaaOh divine temple, run to me...
Thirukkovilae odi vaa…Oh divine temple, run to me...
Male
Ninaivaalae silai seidhuI sculpted a statue out of memories
Unakkaaga vaithaenAnd kept it for you
Thirukkovilae odi vaa aaa…aaaOh divine temple, run to me...
Thirukkovilae odi vaa…Oh divine temple, run to me...
Male
Neerindri aarillaiWithout water, there is no river
Neeyindri naanillaiWithout you, there is no me
Neerindri aarillaiWithout water, there is no river
Neeyindri naanillaiWithout you, there is no me
Vaerindri malarae yedhammaaIs there any flower without roots?
Vaerindri malarae yedhammaaIs there any flower without roots?
Male
Ninaivaalae silai seidhuI sculpted a statue out of memories
Unakkaaga vaithaenAnd kept it for you
Thirukkovilae odi vaaOh divine temple, run to me
Female
Aiyaa un ninaivae thaanOh lord, your memory alone
Naan paadum raagangalIs the melodies I sing
Appodhum ippodhumThen and now
Thappaadha thaalangalThe rhythm that never misses a beat
Female
Aiyaa un ninaivae thaanOh lord, your memory alone
Naan paadum raagangalIs the melodies I sing
Appodhum ippodhumThen and now
Thappaadha thaalangalThe rhythm that never misses a beat
Kanneerilae naan theettinenWith my tears, I drew
Kannathil kolangal…Kolam patterns on my cheeks...
Kannathil kolangalKolam patterns on my cheeks
Male
Sendhoora bandhamSo that the sacred bond of vermilion
Nilaiyaagum vannamBecomes eternal
Sendhoora bandhamSo that the sacred bond of vermilion
Nilaiyaagum vannamBecomes eternal
Samsaara thaeril naan yeri vandhenI arrived riding on the chariot of family life
Thirukkovilae odi vaaOh divine temple, run to me
Female
Aa… aaa…aaa…Aa… aaa…aaa…
Thirukkovilae odi vaaOh divine temple, run to me
Ninaivaalae silai seidhuI sculpted a statue out of memories
Unakkaaga vaithaenAnd kept it for you
Thirukkovilae odi vaaOh divine temple, run to me
Male
Mullaikku kuzhal thandhaYou gave grace to jasmine-adorned hair
Penmaikku penmai neeYou are the epitome of womanhood
Pillaikku thol thandhaYou offered a shoulder to the child
Annaikku annai neeYou are a mother even to a mother
Male
Mullaikku kuzhal thandhaYou gave grace to jasmine-adorned hair
Penmaikku penmai neeYou are the epitome of womanhood
Pillaikku thol thandhaYou offered a shoulder to the child
Annaikku annai neeYou are a mother even to a mother
Adhi kaalaiyil naan ketpadhuIn the early dawn, what I listen to
Nee paadum boopaalamIs the morning melody (Boopaalam) you sing
Female
En kangal rendumBoth my eyes
Pallaandu paadiSinging prayers for your long life
En kangal rendumBoth my eyes
Pallaandu paadiSinging prayers for your long life
Sevaanamaanen unai thaedi thaediI became a crimson twilight sky searching for you continuously
Thirukkovilae odi vaaOh divine temple, run to me
Male
Aa..aaa…aaa….aa…Aa..aaa…aaa….aa…
Thirukkovilae odi vaaOh divine temple, run to me
Ninaivaalae silai seidhuI sculpted a statue out of memories
Unakkaaga vaithaenAnd kept it for you
Thirukkovilae odi vaaOh divine temple, run to me
Female
Aa…aaa….aaa….aa…Aa…aaa….aaa….aa…
Both :Thirukkovilae odi vaa…Both: Oh divine temple, run to me...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ninaivaalae Silai Seidhu' from the 1978 film Andaman Kadhali is a soulful Tamil song expressing profound devotion, marital intimacy, and emotional yearning. The lyrics elevate the beloved to the status of a living sanctuary or temple ('Thirukkovil'), asserting that the singer's existence is completely interdependent on their partner—just as a river relies on water or a flower depends on roots for life. Through poignant imagery of tears drawing patterns on cheeks and praises of maternal virtue and companionship, lyricist Kannadasan crafts a deeply affectionate hymn celebrating eternal love and devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Thirukkovilae odi vaa

The beloved is metaphorically addressed as a sacred temple ('Thirukkovil'), elevating human love to divine reverence.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Neerindri aarillai / Neeyindri naanillai

The second letter 'ri' (ரி) rhymes across consecutive lines, creating lyrical symmetry.

Analogy

Neerindri aarillai / Neeyindri naanillai / Vaerindri malarae yedhammaa

Draws natural analogies between a river without water, a flower without roots, and a person without their loved one.

Visual Imagery

Kanneerilae naan theettinen / Kannathil kolangal

Paints a vivid poetic image of tears rolling down cheeks resembling decorative traditional kolam patterns.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ninaivaalae Silai Seidhu' is a classic hit composed by legendary music director M. S. Viswanathan for the film Andaman Kadhali (1978), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayachitra. The playback vocals were rendered by K. J. Yesudas and Vani Jairam, while the lyrics were authored by Kaviarasu Kannadasan.

Keep listening

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