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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Onnodu Rendunnu

From Enkitta Mothathe · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enkitta Mothathe1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Onnonnum renduOne plus one is two
Chorus :Onnonnum renduChorus: One plus one is two
Female :Rendonnum moonuFemale: Two plus one is three
Chorus :Rendonnum moonuChorus: Two plus one is three
Female :MoononnumFemale: Three plus one...
Chorus :NaaluChorus: Four
Female :NaalonnumFemale: Four plus one...
Chorus :AnjuChorus: Five
Female :Anjonnum aaronnumFemale: Five plus one, six plus one...
Ezhonnum ettonnumSeven plus one, eight plus one...
Chorus :HahahahahahaChorus: Hahahahahaha
Female
Onnoda rendunnuOne with two...
Rendoda moonunnuTwo with three...
Paadam solli tharavaaShall I teach you a lesson?
Ada onnoda naanunnuAh, me with you...
Ennoda neeyinnuAnd you with me...
Paasam kondu varavaaShall I bring affection and love?
Indha aaramba palliyilaeIn this elementary school,
Paadam aarambam aagattumaeLet the lesson begin.
Nalla koottal kanakkugalaeGood addition mathematics,
Nenju pottu pazhagattumaeLet the heart practice it well.
Female
Onnoda rendunnuOne with two...
Rendoda moonunnuTwo with three...
Paadam solli tharavaaShall I teach you a lesson?
Ada onnoda naanunnuAh, me with you...
Ennoda neeyinnuAnd you with me...
Paasam kondu varavaaShall I bring affection and love?
Male
Saethu vecha aasaigalaiThe desires saved up,
Chinna chinna vaarthaiyilaeIn small, gentle words,
Korthu vechu paattedukkaTo weave into a song,
Kaalam enna neram ennaWhat time or hour does it matter?
Female
Naathu vandhu naanam vittuWhen the sapling comes and sheds its shyness,
Naesa karam neetturappoAnd extends a hand of affection,
Kaathu vandhu kai kulukkaWhen the breeze comes to shake hands,
Kaalai enna maalai ennaWhat difference does morning or evening make?
Male
Vanna thirumugam eppozhudhumYour colorful, beautiful face always
Ennathilae nindraadaDances in my thoughts,
Unnai ninaikkaiyil yaekkam vandhuWhen thinking of you, a longing arises
Ullathai pandhaadaAnd plays ball with my heart.
Thendral saamaram veesaiyilaeWhile the cool breeze fans us like a fly-whisk,
Andha kaamanin baashaiyilaeIn the language of the god of love...
Female
Onnoda rendunnuOne with two...
Rendoda moonunnuTwo with three...
Paadam solli tharavaaShall I teach you a lesson?
Ada onnoda naanunnuAh, me with you...
Ennoda neeyinnuAnd you with me...
Paasam kondu varavaaShall I bring affection and love?
Chorus
Hmm mm mm hmm mm hmm mm mmHmm mm mm hmm mm hmm mm mm
Hmm mm mm hmm mm hmm mm mmHmm mm mm hmm mm hmm mm mm
Hmm mm mm hmmHmm mm mm hmm
Hmm mm mm hmmHmm mm mm hmm
Female
Kaagidhathil ezhudhi vechaaIf written on paper,
Sellarichu pogumunnuIt would get eaten by termites;
Kannukkulla ezhudhi vechenSo I wrote inside my eyes,
Kaadhal ennum kaaviyathaThis epic poem called love.
Chorus
Thandhanannaa thandhanaThandhanannaa thandhana
Naanaanaa thandhanannaaNaanaanaa thandhanannaa
Male
Vaayai vittu veliya sonnaaIf spoken out loud,
Oorariya koodumunnuThe whole town might gather to know;
Ullathila pootti vachenSo I locked inside my heart,
Unnudaiya nyaabagathaAll your cherished memories.
Female
Chinnanjiru kuyil mogam varaAs desire arises in the tiny cuckoo,
Ingoru pann paadaTo sing a melody here,
Thannanthanimaiyil dhaagam varaAs thirst arises in total solitude,
En iru kann vaadaMaking my two eyes wither,
Mandhamaarudham veesaiyilaeWhen the gentle breeze blows,
Indha maamara cholaiylaeIn this mango grove...
Male
Onnoda rendunnuOne with two...
Rendoda moonunnuTwo with three...
Paadam solli tharavaaShall I teach you a lesson?
Ada onnoda naanunnuAh, me with you...
Ennoda neeyinnuAnd you with me...
Paasam kondu varavaaShall I bring affection and love?
Indha aaramba palliyilaeIn this elementary school,
Paadam aarambam aagattumaeLet the lesson begin.
Nalla koottal kanakkugalaeGood addition mathematics,
Nenju pottu pazhagattumaeLet the heart practice it well.
Chorus
Onnoda rendunnuOne with two...
Rendoda moonunnuTwo with three...
Paadam solli tharavaaShall I teach you a lesson?
Ada onnoda naanunnuAh, me with you...
Ennoda neeyinnuAnd you with me...
Paasam kondu varavaaShall I bring affection and love?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a playful, romantic track that cleverly uses basic elementary arithmetic as a metaphor for love, bonding, and emotional union. It opens with simple counting rhymes ('one plus one is two'), framing the blooming relationship as an introductory lesson in love where one soul adds to another to create togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Indha aaramba palliyilae / Paadam aarambam aagattumae

The concept of entering elementary school is used as a metaphor for embarking on a new journey of love and learning to be together.

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Kannukkulla ezhudhi vechen / Kaadhal ennum kaaviyatha

Love is metaphorically described as an epic poem written inside the eyes to keep it safe from decay or termites.

Personification / Dynamic Imagery

Unnai ninaikkaiyil yaekkam vandhu / Ullathai pandhaada

Longing is personified as a playful force that tosses and plays ball with the lover's heart.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaagidhathil ezhudhi vechaa / Kannukkulla ezhudhi vechen

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic lyricist Vaali for the 1990 movie 'Enkitta Mothathe', this song stands out for transforming elementary school counting rhymes ('Onnonnum rendu') into a lighthearted and catchy romantic duet. The film's music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.

Keep listening

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