Oh Priya Priya
From Idhayathai Thirudathe · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Idhayathai Thirudathe1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaaa…aaaaa…hmmmmm….. | Aaaa…aaaaa…hmmmmm….. |
| Oo priyaa priyaa | Oh Priya, Priya! |
| En priyaa priyaa | My beloved Priya! |
| Ezhai kaadhal vaazhumoo | Will this poor man's love survive? |
| Irulum oliyum serumoo | Can darkness and light ever unite? |
| Neeyorr oram naan orroram | You are at one end, and I am at another. |
| Kaanal neeraal dhaagam theeraadhu | Thirst cannot be quenched by a mirage. |
| Female | |
| Oo priyaa priyaa | Oh Priya, Priya! |
| Un priyaa priyaa | Your beloved Priya! |
| Oo priyaa priyaa | Oh Priya, Priya! |
| Un priyaa priyaa | Your beloved Priya! |
| Female | |
| Inaindhidaadhu povadhoo | Will we end up never uniting? |
| Vaanam bhoomi aavadhoo | Can the sky ever become the earth? |
| Kaalam siridhu kaadhal manadhu | Time is short, but the loving heart is vast. |
| Devan needhaan ponaal vidaadhu | You are my God; even if I die, my love won't let go. |
| Male | |
| Thedum kangalae | Searching eyes... |
| Thembum nenjamae | Sobbing heart... |
| Veedum poiyadi vaazhvum poiyadi | Home is an illusion, life is an illusion! |
| Chorus | |
| Aaahaaaa..aaahaaaa…aaahaaa | Aaahaaaa..aaahaaaa…aaahaaa |
| Aahaaaaa..ahaaaaa…ahaaaa… | Aahaaaaa..ahaaaaa…ahaaaa… |
| Female | |
| Anbu konda kangalum | Eyes filled with affection, |
| Aasai konda nenjamum | And a heart filled with desire, |
| Aanai ittu maarumoo | Can they be changed by a mere command? |
| Penmai thaangumoo | Can womanhood endure this pain? |
| Male | |
| Raaja mangai kangalae | Oh, the eyes of the royal lady, |
| Endrum ennai moippadhoo | Will they forever haunt me? |
| Vaadum ezhai ingu orr | Is this wilting poor man here... |
| Paavi allavoo | ...a sinner, after all? |
| Female | |
| Edhanaalum oru naalum | No matter what happens, never... |
| Maraiyaadhu premaiyum | ...will true love fade away. |
| Male :Erithaalum marithaalum | Male: Even if burned or destroyed, |
| Vilagaadha paasamoo | This affection will never part. |
| Female | |
| Kanni maanum unnudan | Is it a sin that this young doe-like girl... |
| Kalandhadhenna paavamoo | ...has merged her heart with yours? |
| Kaadhal enna kaatrilae kulaindhu | Is love merely a cloud... |
| Pogum megamoo | ...that dissolves in the wind? |
| Ammaadi naan yengavoo | Oh my dear, should I keep yearning? |
| Oo nee vaa vaa | Oh, come to me, come! |
| Male | |
| Oo priyaa priyaa | Oh Priya, Priya! |
| En priyaa priyaa | My beloved Priya! |
| Female :Oo priyaa priyaa | Female: Oh Priya, Priya! |
| Un priyaa priyaa | Your beloved Priya! |
| Chorus | |
| Mmmm…mmmm…mmmm… | Mmmm…mmmm…mmmm… |
| Mmmmmm….mmmm…mmm…. | Mmmmmm….mmmm…mmm…. |
| Mmmm..mmm..mmm…mmmmm…. | Mmmm..mmm..mmm…mmmmm…. |
| Female | |
| Kaalidaasan yedugal | The scriptures of Kalidasa, |
| Kannan raasa leelaigal | Lord Krishna's divine playful exploits, |
| Paruva mogam thandhadhu | They bestowed youthful passion, |
| Paavam allavae | It is surely not a sin! |
| Male | |
| Shaajahaanin kaadhali | Shah Jahan's lover, |
| Taajmahaal poongili | The sweet songbird of the Taj Mahal, |
| Paasam vaitha paavamdhaan | Her only sin was loving truly, |
| Saavum vandhadhu | And death came upon her. |
| Female | |
| Irandhaalae iravaadhu | Even in death, it never dies— |
| Vilaigindra premaiyae | This blossoming love of ours! |
| Male :Adi neeyae baliyaaga | Male: Oh girl, you come as a sacrifice... |
| Varugindra penmaiyae | ...embodying true womanhood. |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyil pookkum nesamaai | As affection blossoming in the eyes, |
| Punidhamaana bandhamaai | As a sacred, eternal bond, |
| Pesum indha paasamae | This love that speaks so deeply, |
| Indru vetri kollumae | Will triumph today! |
| Ilam kanni unnudan | Oh young maiden, come join with him, |
| Kooda vaa vaa | Come, join together! |
| Male | |
| Oo priyaa priyaa | Oh Priya, Priya! |
| En priyaa priyaa | My beloved Priya! |
| Female :Oo priyaa priyaa | Female: Oh Priya, Priya! |
| Un priyaa priyaa | Your beloved Priya! |
| Male | |
| Yekkam enna paingili | Why this longing, my tender parrot? |
| Ennai vandhu seradi | Come and reach me! |
| Female :Nenjirandu naalum paada | Female: With two hearts singing day after day, |
| Kaaval thaandi poovai ingaada | Crossing all guards, the flower-like girl dances here. |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal keerthanam | A hymn of love, |
| Kaanum mangalam | A sacred auspicious vision, |
| Premai naadagam | A drama of affection, |
| Penmai aadidum… | Womanhood shall perform... |
ஆஆஆ ஆஆஆ
ஹ்ம்ம் ஓ ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
என் ப்ரியா ப்ரியா ஏழை
காதல் வாழுமோ இருளும்
ஒளியும் சேருமோ நீயோர்
ஓரம் நான் ஓர் ஓரம் கானல்
நீரால் தாகம் தீராது
Aaaa…aaaaa…hmmmmm…..
Oh Priya, Priya!
My beloved Priya!
Will this poor man's love survive?
Can darkness and light ever unite?
You are at one end, and I am at another.
Thirst cannot be quenched by a mirage.
ஓ ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
உன் ப்ரியா ப்ரியா ஓ
ப்ரியா ப்ரியா உன் ப்ரியா
ப்ரியா
Oh Priya, Priya!
Your beloved Priya!
Oh Priya, Priya!
Your beloved Priya!
இணைந்திடாது
போவதோ வானம் பூமி
ஆவதோ காலம் சிறிது
காதல் மனது தேவன்
நீதான் போனால் விடாது
Will we end up never uniting?
Can the sky ever become the earth?
Time is short, but the loving heart is vast.
You are my God; even if I die, my love won't let go.
தேடும் கண்களே
தேம்பும் நெஞ்சமே வீடும்
பொய்யடி வாழ்வும்
பொய்யடி
Searching eyes...
Sobbing heart...
Home is an illusion, life is an illusion!
ஆஹா ஆஹா
ஆஹா ஆஹா ஆஹா
ஆஹா
Aaahaaaa..aaahaaaa…aaahaaa
Aahaaaaa..ahaaaaa…ahaaaa…
அன்பு கொண்ட
கண்களும் ஆசை கொண்ட
நெஞ்சமும் ஆணையிட்டு
மாறுமோ பெண்மை தாங்குமோ
Eyes filled with affection,
And a heart filled with desire,
Can they be changed by a mere command?
Can womanhood endure this pain?
ராஜ மங்கை
கண்களே என்றும்
என்னை மொய்ப்பதோ
வாடும் ஏழை இங்கு ஓர்
பாவி அல்லவோ
Oh, the eyes of the royal lady,
Will they forever haunt me?
Is this wilting poor man here...
...a sinner, after all?
எதனாலும் ஒரு
நாளும் மறையாது
பிரேமையும்
ஆண் : எரித்தாலும்
மரித்தாலும் விலகாத
பாசமோ
No matter what happens, never...
...will true love fade away.
Male: Even if burned or destroyed,
This affection will never part.
கன்னி மானும்
உன்னுடன் கலந்ததென்ன
பாவமோ காதல் என்ன
காற்றிலே குலைந்து
போகும் மேகமோ
அம்மாடி நான் ஏங்கவோ
ஓ நீ வா வா
Is it a sin that this young doe-like girl...
...has merged her heart with yours?
Is love merely a cloud...
...that dissolves in the wind?
Oh my dear, should I keep yearning?
Oh, come to me, come!
ஓ ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
என் ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
ஓ ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
உன் ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
Oh Priya, Priya!
My beloved Priya!
Female: Oh Priya, Priya!
Your beloved Priya!
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
Mmmm…mmmm…mmmm…
Mmmmmm….mmmm…mmm….
Mmmm..mmm..mmm…mmmmm….
காளிதாசன் ஏடுகள்
கண்ணன் ராசலீலைகள்
பருவமோகம் தந்தது
பாவம் அல்லவே
The scriptures of Kalidasa,
Lord Krishna's divine playful exploits,
They bestowed youthful passion,
It is surely not a sin!
ஷாஜகானின்
காதலி தாஜ்மஹால்
பூங்கிளி பாசம் வைத்த
பாவம்தான் சாவும் வந்தது
Shah Jahan's lover,
The sweet songbird of the Taj Mahal,
Her only sin was loving truly,
And death came upon her.
இறந்தாலே இறவாது
விளைகின்ற பிரேமையே
ஆண் : அடி நீயே பலியாக
வருகின்ற பெண்மையே
Even in death, it never dies—
This blossoming love of ours!
Male: Oh girl, you come as a sacrifice...
...embodying true womanhood.
விழியில் பூக்கும்
நேசமாய் புனிதமான
பந்தமாய் பேசும் இந்த
பாசமே இன்று வெற்றி
கொள்ளுமே இளங்கன்னி
உன்னுடன் கூட வா வா
As affection blossoming in the eyes,
As a sacred, eternal bond,
This love that speaks so deeply,
Will triumph today!
Oh young maiden, come join with him,
Come, join together!
ஓ ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
என் ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
ஓ ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
உன் ப்ரியா ப்ரியா
Oh Priya, Priya!
My beloved Priya!
Female: Oh Priya, Priya!
Your beloved Priya!
ஏக்கம் என்ன
பைங்கிளி என்னை
வந்து சேரடி
நெஞ்சிரண்டு
நாளும் பாட காவல்
தாண்டி பூவை இங்காட
Why this longing, my tender parrot?
Come and reach me!
Female: With two hearts singing day after day,
Crossing all guards, the flower-like girl dances here.
காதல் கீர்த்தனம்
காணும் மங்களம்
பிரேமை நாடகம்
பெண்மை ஆடிடும்
A hymn of love,
A sacred auspicious vision,
A drama of affection,
Womanhood shall perform...
Aaaa…aaaaa…hmmmmm…..
Aaaa…aaaaa…hmmmmm…..
Oo priyaa priyaa
Oh Priya, Priya!
En priyaa priyaa
My beloved Priya!
Ezhai kaadhal vaazhumoo
Will this poor man's love survive?
Irulum oliyum serumoo
Can darkness and light ever unite?
Neeyorr oram naan orroram
You are at one end, and I am at another.
Kaanal neeraal dhaagam theeraadhu
Thirst cannot be quenched by a mirage.
Oo priyaa priyaa
Oh Priya, Priya!
Un priyaa priyaa
Your beloved Priya!
Oo priyaa priyaa
Oh Priya, Priya!
Un priyaa priyaa
Your beloved Priya!
Inaindhidaadhu povadhoo
Will we end up never uniting?
Vaanam bhoomi aavadhoo
Can the sky ever become the earth?
Kaalam siridhu kaadhal manadhu
Time is short, but the loving heart is vast.
Devan needhaan ponaal vidaadhu
You are my God; even if I die, my love won't let go.
Thedum kangalae
Searching eyes...
Thembum nenjamae
Sobbing heart...
Veedum poiyadi vaazhvum poiyadi
Home is an illusion, life is an illusion!
Aaahaaaa..aaahaaaa…aaahaaa
Aaahaaaa..aaahaaaa…aaahaaa
Aahaaaaa..ahaaaaa…ahaaaa…
Aahaaaaa..ahaaaaa…ahaaaa…
Anbu konda kangalum
Eyes filled with affection,
Aasai konda nenjamum
And a heart filled with desire,
Aanai ittu maarumoo
Can they be changed by a mere command?
Penmai thaangumoo
Can womanhood endure this pain?
Raaja mangai kangalae
Oh, the eyes of the royal lady,
Endrum ennai moippadhoo
Will they forever haunt me?
Vaadum ezhai ingu orr
Is this wilting poor man here...
Paavi allavoo
...a sinner, after all?
Edhanaalum oru naalum
No matter what happens, never...
Maraiyaadhu premaiyum
...will true love fade away.
Male :Erithaalum marithaalum
Male: Even if burned or destroyed,
Vilagaadha paasamoo
This affection will never part.
Kanni maanum unnudan
Is it a sin that this young doe-like girl...
Kalandhadhenna paavamoo
...has merged her heart with yours?
Kaadhal enna kaatrilae kulaindhu
Is love merely a cloud...
Pogum megamoo
...that dissolves in the wind?
Ammaadi naan yengavoo
Oh my dear, should I keep yearning?
Oo nee vaa vaa
Oh, come to me, come!
Oo priyaa priyaa
Oh Priya, Priya!
En priyaa priyaa
My beloved Priya!
Female :Oo priyaa priyaa
Female: Oh Priya, Priya!
Un priyaa priyaa
Your beloved Priya!
Mmmm…mmmm…mmmm…
Mmmm…mmmm…mmmm…
Mmmmmm….mmmm…mmm….
Mmmmmm….mmmm…mmm….
Mmmm..mmm..mmm…mmmmm….
Mmmm..mmm..mmm…mmmmm….
Kaalidaasan yedugal
The scriptures of Kalidasa,
Kannan raasa leelaigal
Lord Krishna's divine playful exploits,
Paruva mogam thandhadhu
They bestowed youthful passion,
Paavam allavae
It is surely not a sin!
Shaajahaanin kaadhali
Shah Jahan's lover,
Taajmahaal poongili
The sweet songbird of the Taj Mahal,
Paasam vaitha paavamdhaan
Her only sin was loving truly,
Saavum vandhadhu
And death came upon her.
Irandhaalae iravaadhu
Even in death, it never dies—
Vilaigindra premaiyae
This blossoming love of ours!
Male :Adi neeyae baliyaaga
Male: Oh girl, you come as a sacrifice...
Varugindra penmaiyae
...embodying true womanhood.
Vizhiyil pookkum nesamaai
As affection blossoming in the eyes,
Punidhamaana bandhamaai
As a sacred, eternal bond,
Pesum indha paasamae
This love that speaks so deeply,
Indru vetri kollumae
Will triumph today!
Ilam kanni unnudan
Oh young maiden, come join with him,
Kooda vaa vaa
Come, join together!
Oo priyaa priyaa
Oh Priya, Priya!
En priyaa priyaa
My beloved Priya!
Female :Oo priyaa priyaa
Female: Oh Priya, Priya!
Un priyaa priyaa
Your beloved Priya!
Yekkam enna paingili
Why this longing, my tender parrot?
Ennai vandhu seradi
Come and reach me!
Female :Nenjirandu naalum paada
Female: With two hearts singing day after day,
Kaaval thaandi poovai ingaada
Crossing all guards, the flower-like girl dances here.
Kaadhal keerthanam
A hymn of love,
Kaanum mangalam
A sacred auspicious vision,
Premai naadagam
A drama of affection,
Penmai aadidum…
Womanhood shall perform...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
O Priya Priya is a soul-stirring duet from the classic romantic film Idhayathai Thirudathe. The song encapsulates the tragic yet immortal nature of love shared by two terminally ill lovers who yearn to be together despite the harsh realities of fate and mortality. Through evocative imagery, the lovers contrast their impending mortality against the timelessness of their passion, drawing parallels to literary legends and historical lovers like Shah Jahan and Mumtaz. Rather than succumbing to despair, the song transitions into a triumphant celebration of emotional unity. It asserts that true love is sacred, defying social barriers, suffering, and death itself to endure eternally.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagani)
“Kaanal neeraal dhaagam theeraadhu”
Comparing unfulfilled or impossible love to trying to quench one's thirst with a mirage.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thedum kangalae / Thembum nenjamae”
The second consonant sound 'du/mbu' creates rhythmic harmony across consecutive lines.
Allusion
“Kaalidaasan yedugal / Kannan raasa leelaigal”
References to Kalidasa's classical romantic literature and Krishna's divine leela to legitimize youthful passion.
Historical Allusion
“Shaajahaanin kaadhali / Taajmahaal poongili”
Invokes the eternal romantic legacy of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal to emphasize immortal devotion.
Did you know?
Trivia
Idhayathai Thirudathe (1989) is the Tamil dubbed version of Mani Ratnam's acclaimed Telugu romantic drama Geethanjali starring Nagarjuna and Girija Shettar. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with Tamil lyrics penned by Vaali. 'O Priya Priya' was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, becoming one of the most iconic romantic chartbusters across South India.
Keep listening
More from Idhayathai Thirudathe
Idhayathai Thirudathe
Idhayathai Thirudathe
Idhayathai Thirudathe
Idhayathai Thirudathe
Idhayathai Thirudathe
Idhayathai Thirudathe