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Punniya Boomi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ninaivu Pothum

From Punniya Boomi · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Punniya Boomi
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
4 Sept 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ninaivu podhum
Neenda naatkkal vaazhuven
Ninaivu podhum
Neenda naatkkal vaazhuven
Kanavu kaanum kann irandum
Kannana kanna un kangalae
Kanavu kaanum kann irandum
Kannana kanna un kangalae
Ninaivu podhum
Neenda naatkkal vazhuven
Panneeril mukkalam abhisekamae
Naan paarkkum panjangam maangalyamae
En poojai eppodhum nee vaazhavae
Ennaasai endraennum unai kanavae
Ennaasai endraennum unai kanavae
Ninaivu podhum
Neenda naatkkal vazhuven
Mei ponai paarkadha mandhaigalae
Vendatha deivathai vendungalaen
Mei ponai paarkadha mandhaigalae
Vendatha deivathai vendungalaen
Kaapporai kanadha paravaigalae
Avar kaadhoram en saeidhi sollungalaen
Ninaivu podhum
Neenda naatkkal vazhuven
Kanavu kaanum kann irandum
Kannana kanna un kangalae
Kannana kanna un kangalae
Kannana kanna un kangalae
Just your memory is enough,
I will live on for many long days.
Just your memory is enough,
I will live on for many long days.
The two eyes that dream
Are your eyes, my precious love.
The two eyes that dream
Are your eyes, my precious love.
Just your memory is enough,
I will live on for many long days.
Bathing you in rosewater at every hour of the day,
The only almanac I look at is my sacred wedding thread.
My only prayer is always for your well-being,
My only wish forever is to dream of you.
My only wish forever is to dream of you.
Just your memory is enough,
I will live on for many long days.
O herds who cannot tell truth from lies,
Pray to the God who asks for nothing!
O herds who cannot tell truth from lies,
Pray to the God who asks for nothing!
O birds who cannot find your protector,
Please whisper my message into his ear!
Just your memory is enough,
I will live on for many long days.
The two eyes that dream
Are your eyes, my precious love.
Are your eyes, my precious love.
Are your eyes, my precious love.
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Ninaivu Podhum' from the film 'Punniya Boomi' (1978) is a deeply emotional melody expressing unconditional love, devotion, and quiet resilience in separation. The protagonist conveys that physical presence is unnecessary when sweet memories are enough to sustain her life indefinitely. She views her bond with her beloved as sacred, equating her contemplation of him to religious rituals and prayers for his long life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ninaivu podhum / Neenda naatkkal vaazhuven

Repetition of the initial 'N' sound ('Ni' and 'Nee') across the words within the opening lines.

Repetitive Wordplay / Polysemy

Kannana kanna un kangalae

Uses 'Kanna' both as a term of endearment ('precious as my eyes/darling') and 'kangalae' referring to physical eyes.

Apostrophe (Addressing birds/nature)

Kaapporai kanadha paravaigalae / Avar kaadhoram en saeidhi sollungalaen

The speaker addresses birds, entreating them as messengers to convey her loving message into her lover's ears.

Metaphor

Naan paarkkum panjangam maangalyamae

The sacred marital thread (Maangalyam) is metaphorically equated to the divine calendar or almanac (Panjangam) that guides her life.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Punniya Boomi' (1978) stars 'Nadigarel Thilagam' Sivaji Ganesan. The song features music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan. S. Janaki's subtle and soulful vocal delivery makes this track a timeless tender ballad about devotion in love.

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