Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odai Thanneeril Meenada

From Ninaivugal · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, K. J. Yesudass
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Ninaivugal1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Odai thanneeril meenaada oodhaappoovodu thaenaadaAs fish play in stream water, and honey plays with purple flowers,
Male
Odai thanneeril meenaada oodhaappoovodu thaenaadaAs fish play in stream water, and honey plays with purple flowers,
Kannil kasthoori maanaada vanathaen unnodu naanaadaWith musk deer dancing in eyes, I came, like wild honey, to play with you.
Female :Odai thanneeril meenaada oodhaappoovodu thaenaadaFemale: As fish play in stream water, and honey plays with purple flowers,
Kannil kasthoori maanaada vanathaen unnodu naanaadaWith musk deer dancing in eyes, I came, like wild honey, to play with you.
Male
Thennai mara cholaiyil pon maalai velaiyilIn the coconut grove, during the golden evening time,
Chinnanjiru aan kuyil poonguyil koodaAs a tiny male cuckoo joins the gentle songbird,
Thennai mara solaiyil pon maalai velaiyilIn the coconut grove, during the golden evening time,
Chinnanjiru aan kuyil poonguyil koodaAs a tiny male cuckoo joins the gentle songbird,
Female
Adangaatha aasaigal adharkettra paashaigalUncontrollable desires and the matching expressions for them,
Idhazh sinthum osaigal inippaaanathoHave the sounds spilled from the lips become sweet?
Male :Naan ketka nee ketka tholodu thol serkkaMale: As I listen and you listen, standing shoulder to shoulder,
Male
Odai thanneeril meenaada oodhaappoovodu thaenaadaAs fish play in stream water, and honey plays with purple flowers,
Kannil kasthoori maanaada vanathaen unnodu naanaadaWith musk deer dancing in eyes, I came, like wild honey, to play with you.
Female
Anthi varum sooriyan aagaayaththilAs the evening sun in the sky,
Vanna vanna oviyam aayiram theettaPaints a thousand colorful pictures,
Anthi varum sooriyan aagaayaththilAs the evening sun in the sky,
Vanna vanna oviyam aayiram theettaPaints a thousand colorful pictures,
Male
Nadai podum megangal isai paadum raagangalAs drifting clouds sing musical melodies,
Adhil kaanum mogangal sugamaanathoHas the passion seen within them become pleasant?
Female :Aagaayam neeyaaga neermegam naanaagaFemale: With you as the sky and me as the raincloud,
Male
Odai thanneeril meenaada oodhaappoovodu thaenaadaAs fish play in stream water, and honey plays with purple flowers,
Female :Kannil kasthoori maanaada vanathaen unnodu naanaadaFemale: With musk deer dancing in eyes, I came, like wild honey, to play with you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Odai Thanneeril Meenaada' from the movie Ninaivugal (1984) is a romantic duet that seamlessly weaves natural beauty with emotional intimacy. Set against a scenic backdrop of stream waters, coconut groves, and colorful sunset skies, the lovers express their passion and deep connection through metaphors drawn from nature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Odai thanneeril meenaada oodhaappoovodu thaenaada

The line ends with repeating 'aada' sounds ('meenaada' and 'thaenaada'), creating a lyrical end rhyme.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Odai thanneeril meenaada oodhaappoovodu thaenaada

The initial vowel sound 'O' repeats in 'Odai' and 'Oodhaappoovodu'.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thennai mara cholaiyil / Chinnanjiru aan kuyil

The second consonant sound 'nn' ('Th-e-nn-ai' and 'Ch-i-nn-an') rhymes across the consecutive lines.

Metaphor

Aagaayam neeyaaga neermegam naanaaga

The lovers metaphorically represent themselves as the expansive sky and the raincloud that completes it.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Odai Thanneeril Meenaada' was composed by the popular music duo Shankar–Ganesh for the 1984 film Ninaivugal. It features the legendary voices of K. J. Yesudas and Vani Jairam, with lyrics penned by the prolific Tamil lyricist Vaali, known for his ability to translate nature's beauty into romantic verse.

Keep listening

More from Ninaivugal