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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nyabagam Illaiyo Male

From Priyanka · 1994

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Priyanka1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nyaabagam illaiyo…Do you not remember?
Male
Nyaabagam illaiyo…Do you not remember?
Male
Nyaabagam illaiyoDo you not remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love,
Kaadhalin ellaiyoIs that the limit of love?
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal serthadhumEyes meeting and hands joining,
Alli kulathin karai arugae arugae arugaeNear, near, near the lily pond's shore,
Thulli thirindhom en azhagae azhagae azhagaeWe roamed merrily, my beautiful one, my beautiful one, my beautiful one!
Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadhoHas what happened back then been forgotten today?
Pon maane yaenoMy golden deer, why is it so?
Male
Naabagam illaiyoDo you not remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love,
Kaadhalin ellaiyoIs that the limit of love?
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhumEyes meeting and hands joining,
Male
Aatrangarai oram nee nadandha podhuWhen you walked along the riverbank,
Aayiram pookkam angae poothadhadiA thousand flowers bloomed right there, my dear.
Kaatril oru geetham nee paditha podhuWhen you sang a song into the breeze,
Kaamanin kangal yaengi paarthadhadiCupid's eyes watched with yearning.
Male
Karai meerum alai pola kaadhal neeraadaAs love bathed like a wave overflowing its shores,
Kavi paadum valaiyosai kaigal poraadaAs poetic sound of bangles played while hands gently clasped,
Andhi vaanamum vandhu naanavaeMaking even the evening sky blush with shyness,
Sandham paadinom andha ninaivugal unakkaeWe sang in rhythm; do you still hold those memories?
Male
Naabagam illaiyoDo you not remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love,
Kaadhalin ellaiyoIs that the limit of love?
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhumEyes meeting and hands joining

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the nostalgic heartache of a lover asking their beloved if they have forgotten their past romance. The protagonist tenderly recalls intimate moments spent together—strolling near lily ponds and riverbanks, singing melodies in the breeze, and sharing deep eye contact. Through vivid romantic imagery, the speaker wonders how such profound love could be forgotten over time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadho

The second letters of 'Andru' and 'Indru' share the same consonant sound ('ndr').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kangal paarthadhum kaigal serthadhum

The words 'Kangal' and 'kaigal' start with the same 'Ka' sound.

Simile (Upamai)

Karai meerum alai pola kaadhal neeraada

The intensity of love is explicitly compared to a wave overflowing its shoreline using the word 'pola'.

Personification

Andhi vaanamum vandhu naanavae

The evening sky ('Andhi vaanam') is personified as blushing or feeling shy upon witnessing their romance.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Priyanka' (1994), starring Revathi and Jayaram, features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by the acclaimed Tamil poet and lyricist Mu. Metha.

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