Onna Nambi Nethiyile
From Chittu Kuruvi · 1978
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Chittu Kuruvi1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Onna nambhi neththiyilae ..ae…. | Believing in you, on my forehead... |
| Onna nambhi neththiyilae | Believing in you, on my forehead |
| Pottu vachchen mathiyilae | I placed a bindi right in the middle |
| Machaan pottu vachchen mathiyilae | My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle |
| Neththiyilae pottu vachcha | On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi, |
| Karanaththa purinjikka raasaa…aa… | Understand it, my king... |
| Vittu ponaa udhirndhu pogum | If you abandon me, it will wither away, |
| Vaasanai rosaa | This fragrant rose. |
| Female | |
| Onna nambhi neththiyilae | Believing in you, on my forehead |
| Pottu vachchen mathiyilae | I placed a bindi right in the middle |
| Machaan pottu vachchen mathiyilae | My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle |
| Neththiyilae pottu vachcha | On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi, |
| Karanaththa purinjikka raasaa…aa… | Understand it, my king... |
| Vittu ponaa udhirndhu pogum | If you abandon me, it will wither away, |
| Vaasanai rosaa | This fragrant rose. |
| Male | |
| Hoo haiii | Hoo haiii |
| Hoo haiii | Hoo haiii |
| Female | |
| {Neer irundhaa meenirukkum | {If there is water, there will be fish, |
| Nee irundhaa naaniruppen | If you exist, I will exist. |
| Ooru kuda onna nambhi | Even the whole village rests its faith in you, |
| Irukkudhu raasaa} (2) | Oh king} (2) |
| Female | |
| Onnaaru enakku kannaaru | A precious river stream, light of my eyes to me, |
| Onnaththaan enni indha kanni | Thinking only of you, this maiden |
| Oru sindhu padichenae | Sang a sweet folk tune. |
| Onnaththaan kaanaa kandu | Dreaming only of you, |
| Kannu muzhichenae | I woke up with wide eyes. |
| Female | |
| Onna nambhi neththiyilae …ae.. | Believing in you, on my forehead... |
| Onna nambhi neththiyilae | Believing in you, on my forehead |
| Pottu vachchen mathiyilae | I placed a bindi right in the middle |
| Machaan pottu vachchen mathiyilae | My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle |
| Neththiyilae pottu vachcha | On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi, |
| Karanaththa purinjikka raasaa…aa… | Understand it, my king... |
| Vittu ponaa udhirndhu pogum | If you abandon me, it will wither away, |
| Vaasanai rosaa | This fragrant rose. |
| Male | |
| Hoo haiii | Hoo haiii |
| Hoo haiii | Hoo haiii |
| Female | |
| {Veerathula kattabhomman | {In bravery, you are Kattabomman, |
| Rosathula oomaidhora | In self-respect and pride, Oomathurai, |
| Surathula neeyum oru | In spirit and valor, you are a |
| Dhesingu raasaa} (2) | Raja Desingu} (2) |
| Female | |
| Singamdhaan | A lion indeed, |
| Enakku thangamdhaan | Pure gold to me! |
| Andha kadhai appo ada ippo | That history was back then; oh, but now, |
| Namma sondha kadhai sollu | Tell our very own story! |
| Nenappula katti vachchen | I built a palace in my thoughts, |
| Nenjukkulla nillu | Stay steadfast in my heart! |
| Female | |
| Onna nambhi neththiyilae …ae.. | Believing in you, on my forehead... |
| Onna nambhi neththiyilae | Believing in you, on my forehead |
| Pottu vachchen mathiyilae | I placed a bindi right in the middle |
| Machaan pottu vachchen mathiyilae | My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle |
| Neththiyilae pottu vachcha | On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi, |
| Karanaththa purinjikka raasaa…aa… | Understand it, my king... |
| Vittu ponaa udhirndhu pogum | If you abandon me, it will wither away, |
| Vaasanai rosaa | This fragrant rose. |
ஒன்ன நம்பி நெத்தியிலே......ஏ....
ஒன்ன நம்பி நெத்தியிலே
பொட்டு வச்சேன் மத்தியிலே
மச்சான் பொட்டு வச்சேன் மத்தியிலே
நெத்தியிலே பொட்டு வச்ச காரணத்த
புரிஞ்சிக்க ராசா....ஆ....
விட்டுப் போனா உதுந்து போகும்
வாசன ரோசா
Believing in you, on my forehead...
Believing in you, on my forehead
I placed a bindi right in the middle
My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle
On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi,
Understand it, my king...
If you abandon me, it will wither away,
This fragrant rose.
ஒன்ன நம்பி நெத்தியிலே
பொட்டு வச்சேன் மத்தியிலே
மச்சான் பொட்டு வச்சேன் மத்தியிலே
நெத்தியிலே பொட்டு வச்ச காரணத்த
புரிஞ்சிக்க ராசா....ஆ...
விட்டுப் போனா உதுந்து போகும்
வாசன ரோசா
Believing in you, on my forehead
I placed a bindi right in the middle
My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle
On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi,
Understand it, my king...
If you abandon me, it will wither away,
This fragrant rose.
ஏஹே ஓஹோய்
Hoo haiii
Hoo haiii
நீரிருந்தா மீனிருக்கும்
நீயிருந்தா நானிருப்பேன்
ஊரும் கூட ஒன்ன நம்பி
இருக்குது ராசா
{If there is water, there will be fish,
If you exist, I will exist.
Even the whole village rests its faith in you,
Oh king} (2)
நீரிருந்தா மீனிருக்கும்
நீயிருந்தா நானிருப்பேன்
ஊரும் கூட ஒன்ன நம்பி
இருக்குது ராசா
A precious river stream, light of my eyes to me,
Thinking only of you, this maiden
Sang a sweet folk tune.
Dreaming only of you,
I woke up with wide eyes.
ஒண்ணாரு எனக்கு கண்ணாரு
ஒன்னத்தான் எண்ணி
இந்த கன்னி
ஒரு சிந்து படிச்சேனே
ஒன்னத்தான் கனாக் கண்டு
கண்ணு முழிச்சேனே
Believing in you, on my forehead...
Believing in you, on my forehead
I placed a bindi right in the middle
My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle
On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi,
Understand it, my king...
If you abandon me, it will wither away,
This fragrant rose.
ஒன்ன நம்பி நெத்தியிலே......ஏ....
ஒன்ன நம்பி நெத்தியிலே
பொட்டு வச்சேன் மத்தியிலே
மச்சான் பொட்டு வச்சேன் மத்தியிலே
நெத்தியிலே பொட்டு வச்ச காரணத்த
புரிஞ்சிக்க ராசா....ஆ....
விட்டுப் போனா உதுந்து போகும்
வாசன ரோசா
Hoo haiii
Hoo haiii
ஏஹே ஓஹோய்
{In bravery, you are Kattabomman,
In self-respect and pride, Oomathurai,
In spirit and valor, you are a
Raja Desingu} (2)
வீரத்துல கட்டபொம்மன்
ரோசத்துல ஊமைதுர
சூரத்துல நீயும் ஒரு தேசிங்கு ராசா
A lion indeed,
Pure gold to me!
That history was back then; oh, but now,
Tell our very own story!
I built a palace in my thoughts,
Stay steadfast in my heart!
வீரத்துல கட்டபொம்மன்
ரோசத்துல ஊமைதுர
சூரத்துல நீயும் ஒரு தேசிங்கு ராசா
Believing in you, on my forehead...
Believing in you, on my forehead
I placed a bindi right in the middle
My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle
On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi,
Understand it, my king...
If you abandon me, it will wither away,
This fragrant rose.
சிங்கம்தான் எனக்கு தங்கம்தான்
அந்தக் கதை அப்போ
அட இப்போ
நம்ம சொந்தக் கதை சொல்லு
நெனப்புல கட்டி வச்சேன்
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள நில்லு
ஒன்ன நம்பி நெத்தியிலே......ஏ....
ஒன்ன நம்பி நெத்தியிலே
பொட்டு வச்சேன் மத்தியிலே
மச்சான் பொட்டே வச்சேன் மத்தியிலே
நெத்தியிலே பொட்டு வச்ச காரணத்த
புரிஞ்சிக்க ராசா....ஆ....
விட்டுப் போனா உதுந்து போகும்
வாசன ரோசா
Onna nambhi neththiyilae ..ae….
Believing in you, on my forehead...
Onna nambhi neththiyilae
Believing in you, on my forehead
Pottu vachchen mathiyilae
I placed a bindi right in the middle
Machaan pottu vachchen mathiyilae
My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle
Neththiyilae pottu vachcha
On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi,
Karanaththa purinjikka raasaa…aa…
Understand it, my king...
Vittu ponaa udhirndhu pogum
If you abandon me, it will wither away,
Vaasanai rosaa
This fragrant rose.
Onna nambhi neththiyilae
Believing in you, on my forehead
Pottu vachchen mathiyilae
I placed a bindi right in the middle
Machaan pottu vachchen mathiyilae
My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle
Neththiyilae pottu vachcha
On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi,
Karanaththa purinjikka raasaa…aa…
Understand it, my king...
Vittu ponaa udhirndhu pogum
If you abandon me, it will wither away,
Vaasanai rosaa
This fragrant rose.
Hoo haiii
Hoo haiii
Hoo haiii
Hoo haiii
{Neer irundhaa meenirukkum
{If there is water, there will be fish,
Nee irundhaa naaniruppen
If you exist, I will exist.
Ooru kuda onna nambhi
Even the whole village rests its faith in you,
Irukkudhu raasaa} (2)
Oh king} (2)
Onnaaru enakku kannaaru
A precious river stream, light of my eyes to me,
Onnaththaan enni indha kanni
Thinking only of you, this maiden
Oru sindhu padichenae
Sang a sweet folk tune.
Onnaththaan kaanaa kandu
Dreaming only of you,
Kannu muzhichenae
I woke up with wide eyes.
Onna nambhi neththiyilae …ae..
Believing in you, on my forehead...
Onna nambhi neththiyilae
Believing in you, on my forehead
Pottu vachchen mathiyilae
I placed a bindi right in the middle
Machaan pottu vachchen mathiyilae
My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle
Neththiyilae pottu vachcha
On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi,
Karanaththa purinjikka raasaa…aa…
Understand it, my king...
Vittu ponaa udhirndhu pogum
If you abandon me, it will wither away,
Vaasanai rosaa
This fragrant rose.
Hoo haiii
Hoo haiii
Hoo haiii
Hoo haiii
{Veerathula kattabhomman
{In bravery, you are Kattabomman,
Rosathula oomaidhora
In self-respect and pride, Oomathurai,
Surathula neeyum oru
In spirit and valor, you are a
Dhesingu raasaa} (2)
Raja Desingu} (2)
Singamdhaan
A lion indeed,
Enakku thangamdhaan
Pure gold to me!
Andha kadhai appo ada ippo
That history was back then; oh, but now,
Namma sondha kadhai sollu
Tell our very own story!
Nenappula katti vachchen
I built a palace in my thoughts,
Nenjukkulla nillu
Stay steadfast in my heart!
Onna nambhi neththiyilae …ae..
Believing in you, on my forehead...
Onna nambhi neththiyilae
Believing in you, on my forehead
Pottu vachchen mathiyilae
I placed a bindi right in the middle
Machaan pottu vachchen mathiyilae
My dear man, I placed a bindi right in the middle
Neththiyilae pottu vachcha
On my forehead, the reason for placing the bindi,
Karanaththa purinjikka raasaa…aa…
Understand it, my king...
Vittu ponaa udhirndhu pogum
If you abandon me, it will wither away,
Vaasanai rosaa
This fragrant rose.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Onna Nambhi Neththiyilae' from the 1978 Tamil film *Chittu Kuruvi* is a heartfelt declaration of love and unwavering devotion by a young village woman to her beloved. By adorning her forehead with a bindi ('pottu') in his name, she commits her life and honor to him, warning gently that like a delicate, fragrant rose, her heart and life would wither away without his presence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Neer irundhaa meenirukkum / Nee irundhaa naaniruppen”
Compares her existence to that of a fish in water; just as a fish cannot survive without water, she cannot survive without him.
Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Neer irundhaa... / Nee irundhaa...”
The second letter/sound in the consecutive lines agrees ('r' sound in 'Neer' and 'Nee'), creating a pleasing rhythmic harmony.
Historical Allusion
“Veerathula kattabhomman / Rosathula oomaidhora / Surathula neeyum oru / Dhesingu raasaa”
Alludes to brave historical and legendary Tamil figures (Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Oomaithurai, and Raja Desingu) to praise her lover's courage and dignity.
Iyaipu (End rhyme)
“Onnaaru enakku kannaaru / Onnaththaan enni indha kanni”
Harmonious rhyming ending sounds ('aaru', 'kanni') that emphasize the poetic cadence in rural folk style.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the prompt lists composer and singer as unknown, 'Chittu Kuruvi' (1978) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali. This iconic folk song was rendered by legendary playback singer P. Susheela. The film starred Sivakumar, Sridevi, and Rajinikanth.
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