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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oho Ho Odum Ennangale

From Neela Vaanam · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Neela Vaanam1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ohoho odum ennangalaeOh, running thoughts of mine
Ohoho odum ennangalaeOh, running thoughts of mine
Ododi sendru kaadhal penninRun swiftly to my beloved girl
Uravai sollungalenAnd tell her of my bond with her
Neeraadum endhan aasai nenjinOf my yearning heart bathing in love
Nilaiyai sollungalenTell her its true state
Female
Ohoho odum ennangalaeOh, running thoughts of mine
Ohoho odum ennangalaeOh, running thoughts of mine
Ododi sendru kaadhal penninRun swiftly to my beloved girl
Uravai sollungalenAnd tell her of my bond with her
Neeraadum endhan aasai nenjinOf my yearning heart bathing in love
Nilaiyai sollungalenTell her its true state
Female
{Varusham dhorumEvery year
Vasandham thaedi varuvom ingaeWe shall come here in search of spring
Vaadai kaatril moodum paniyilIn the cold northern breeze and thick mist
Magizhvom ingae} (2)We shall rejoice here
Female
Ondru serum andha neramAt that moment when we unite
Pillai polae aadalaamWe can play like innocent children
Aadi aadi kaalam maariAs we dance and time moves on
Annai thandhai aagalaamWe can become mother and father
Female
Ohoho odum ennangalaeOh, running thoughts of mine
Ohoho odum ennangalaeOh, running thoughts of mine
Ododi sendru kaadhal penninRun swiftly to my beloved girl
Uravai sollungalenAnd tell her of my bond with her
Neeraadum endhan aasai nenjinOf my yearning heart bathing in love
Nilaiyai sollungalenTell her its true state
Female
{Neerum maarumWater will change
Nilamum maarum arivom kannaaThe land will change, we know this, my dear
Maarum ulagil maaraa ilamaiIn this changing world, everlasting youthfulness
Adaivom kannaa} (2)We shall attain, my dear
Female
Neelavaanam saatchiyaagaWith the blue sky as our witness
Indru polae vaazhuvomWe shall live forever as we do today
Kaaladhevan koyil meedhuIn the temple of the Lord of Time
Paasadheepam kaanuvomWe shall light the lamp of eternal love
Female
Ohoho odum ennangalaeOh, running thoughts of mine
Ohoho odum ennangalaeOh, running thoughts of mine
Ododi sendru kaadhal penninRun swiftly to my beloved girl
Uravai sollungalenAnd tell her of my bond with her
Neeraadum endhan aasai nenjinOf my yearning heart bathing in love
Nilaiyai sollungalenTell her its true state

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender romantic expression where the protagonist addresses his fast-paced thoughts as messengers, pleading with them to travel to his beloved and convey the profound state of his loving heart. He imagines a joyful, lifelong journey together, searching for spring year after year, playing like children, and eventually transitioning into parenthood as time advances.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Ohoho odum ennangalae

The singer addresses his inner thoughts ('odum ennangalae') as living messengers and instructs them to go to his beloved.

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Neerum maarum / Nilamum maarum arivom kannaa

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ne' in consecutive lines ('Neerum' and 'Nilamum').

Metaphor

Kaaladhevan koyil meedhu / Paasadheepam kaanuvom

Love is conceptualized as a sacred lamp ('Paasadheepam') lit within the temple dedicated to the God of Time.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic Kannadasan, the song features rich classical Tamil imagery contrasting the impermanence of nature (water and land changing) with the permanence of true love under the witness of the blue sky ('Neelavaanam').

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