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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Thendrale Oru Paatu

From Jeeva (1988 Film) · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Jeeva (1988 Film)
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
23 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
En paattula thaalamilla
Enna solliyum kuththam illa
Adha kettu neeyum oodi vanthu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…
Mannai vittu ponaal enna
Ennudaiya maanthaan
Kanna vittu pogaamalae
Kaaththirukkaen naanthaan
Innum sila naalthaan azhaporaen
Neeyindri naan yaedhu
Adi neer indri meen yaedhu
Neeyindri naan yaedhu
Adi neer indri meen yaedhu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
En paattula thaalamilla
Enna solliyum kuththam illa
Adha kettu neeyum oodi vanthu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…
Unnudaiyaa pera indrum
Ullaththila naanum pachchakuththu vachennamma
Pattu malar thaenae
Kannurakkam yaedhu nedunaalaa….aa….
Un nenaippu vaattum koduvaala
Thaangaathu thaangaathu
Unnai en jeevan neengaathu
Thaangaathu thaangaathu
Unnai en jeevan neengaathu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu
En paattula thaalamilla
Enna solliyum kuththam illa
Adha kettu neeyum oodi vanthu
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
There is no rhythm in my song
No matter what I say, do not fault me
Hearing it, come running and...
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
Aa....aa....aa....aa....aa....aa...
Even if she has left this earth,
she is my gentle deer,
Never letting you fade from my sight,
I keep waiting here.
I will cry for only a few more days...
What am I without you?
Can a fish live without water?
What am I without you?
Can a fish live without water?
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
There is no rhythm in my song
No matter what I say, do not fault me
Hearing it, come running and...
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
Aa....aa....aa....aa....aa....aa...
Your name, forever,
I have tattooed deep within my heart, my dear,
my sweet honey of a soft flower!
Sleep has not touched my eyes for so many days...
Thoughts of you torment me like a cruel blade.
I cannot bear it, I cannot bear it,
my soul will never part from you.
I cannot bear it, I cannot bear it,
my soul will never part from you.
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
Oh gentle breeze, sing a song
There is no rhythm in my song
No matter what I say, do not fault me
Hearing it, come running and...
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Oo Thendralae Oru Paattu Paadu from Jeeva (1988) is a deeply poignant track expressing grief, longing, and eternal devotion to a departed beloved. The protagonist addresses the gentle breeze, calling upon nature to sing a song because his own life and music have lost their rhythm due to heartbreak. He reflects on how deeply her memory is etched into his heart, comparing his existence without her to a fish out of water. Throughout the song, the pain of separation is portrayed as unbearable torment, yet his soul remains bound to hers forever. He holds onto the hope of reunion beyond life, expressing an enduring, undying love that transcends physical distance and mortal loss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Analogy / Metaphor

Adi neer indri meen yaedhu

The line compares the speaker's helpless existence without his beloved to a fish's inability to survive without water.

Metaphor

Un nenaippu vaattum koduvaala

The memory of the beloved is metaphorically described as a sharp scythe (koduvaal) that constantly tortures the lover's mind.

Personification

Oo thendralae oru paattu paadu

The speaker addresses the gentle breeze ('thendral') as a living companion, asking it to sing a song on his behalf.

Did you know?

Trivia

In addition to composing the soundtrack and writing the lyrics for Jeeva (1988), Gangai Amaran also directed the film, which starred Sathyaraj in the lead role.

Keep listening

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