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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninaivu Pothum

From Punniya Boomi · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Punniya Boomi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ninaivu podhumJust memories are enough,
Neenda naatkkal vaazhuvenI will live for many long days.
Ninaivu podhumJust memories are enough,
Neenda naatkkal vaazhuvenI will live for many long days.
Kanavu kaanum kann irandumThe two eyes that dream,
Kannana kanna un kangalaeMy precious darling, are your very eyes.
Kanavu kaanum kann irandumThe two eyes that dream,
Kannana kanna un kangalaeMy precious darling, are your very eyes.
Ninaivu podhumJust memories are enough,
Neenda naatkkal vazhuvenI will live for many long days.
Female
Panneeril mukkalam abhisekamaeA thrice-daily holy bath in rose water,
Naan paarkkum panjangam maangalyamaeThe sacred almanac I gaze upon is the holy marital thread.
En poojai eppodhum nee vaazhavaeMy prayer is always for your long life,
Ennaasai endraennum unai kanavaeMy endless desire is to keep dreaming of you.
Ennaasai endraennum unai kanavaeMy endless desire is to keep dreaming of you.
Ninaivu podhumJust memories are enough,
Neenda naatkkal vazhuvenI will live for many long days.
Female
Mei ponai paarkadha mandhaigalaeOh herds that cannot distinguish truth from falsehood,
Vendatha deivathai vendungalaenPray to the gods you have not yet sought,
Mei ponai paarkadha mandhaigalaeOh herds that cannot distinguish truth from falsehood,
Vendatha deivathai vendungalaenPray to the gods you have not yet sought,
Kaapporai kanadha paravaigalaeOh birds that have not seen your protector,
Avar kaadhoram en saeidhi sollungalaenPlease whisper my message near his ears.
Ninaivu podhumJust memories are enough,
Neenda naatkkal vazhuvenI will live for many long days.
Kanavu kaanum kann irandumThe two eyes that dream,
Kannana kanna un kangalaeMy precious darling, are your very eyes.
Kannana kanna un kangalaeMy precious darling, are your very eyes.
Kannana kanna un kangalaeMy precious darling, are your very eyes.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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