Oru Maalai Neram
From Naan Mahaan Alla · 2010
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singers
- Javed Ali, Shilpa Rao
- Music director
- Yuvan Shankar Raja
- Details
- Naan Mahaan Alla2010
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oooh..wowoon ahaa..uuu aaa…(4) | [Vocalizing sound] |
| Male | |
| Oru maalai neram | During an evening time |
| Vanthathu vanthathu poongattru | Came, oh came, a gentle breeze |
| En manathin oram | At the edge of my heart |
| Sendrathu sendrathu poopottu | It left a beautiful flower-like mark |
| Female | |
| Valithorum pookal | The flowers along the pathway |
| Vaazhthu sonnathu kaithottu | Wished me well, touching my hands |
| Ithu kadavul eluthi | This is written by God, |
| Kaathil paadum thaalaattu | A lullaby sung into the ear |
| Male | |
| Ithazhoram ithazhoram | At the corner of my lips, at the corner of my lips |
| Puthithaaga punnagai ondru | A brand new smile |
| Eppothum parthenae | I keep noticing it all the time now |
| Sila naalai naanae | For the past few days, I myself |
| Male | |
| Kathavoram thalai neetti | Peeking my head from beside the door |
| Dhinam parkkum | Looking out every single day |
| Siru pillai polae | Like a innocent young child |
| Ennul vanthu kavithai ettiparkka… | Poetry enters inside me and peeks out... |
| Male | |
| Oooh..wowoon ahaa..uuu aaa.. | [Vocalizing sound] |
| Oru maalai neram | During an evening time |
| Vanthathu vanthathu poongattru | Came, oh came, a gentle breeze |
| En manathin oram | At the edge of my heart |
| Sendrathu sendrathu poopottu | It left a beautiful flower-like mark |
| Female | |
| Dhinam unai parkkumbothu | Every day when I look at you |
| Idayinil thondrum antha | That which arises between us |
| Oodalaam anbae … | Is a playful lover's spat, my dear... |
| Aiyo athu alagaanathu | Oh my, how beautiful that is! |
| Male | |
| Ohh.. | Ohh.. |
| Thanimayil neeyum naanum | When you and I are in solitude |
| Kangalaalae pesumpothu | Speaking through our eyes |
| Enakullae thondrum mogam | The passion that surges within me |
| Puthithaanathu… | Is completely new... |
| Female | |
| Achchama… naanama | Is it fear... or is it shyness? |
| Anbilae kolvatha..Male :Hey ey hey | Overwhelmed by love... (Male: Hey ey hey) |
| Unnidam iluthathu ethuvo..Male :Hey ey hey | Whatever it was in you that drew me... (Male: Hey ey hey) |
| Theriyalayae | I do not know... |
| Male | |
| Hey… eppothu pookal pookkum | Hey... when flowers will bloom, |
| Puriyaathathu | It is incomprehensible |
| Eppothu kaadhal thakkum | When love will strike, |
| Theriyaathathu | It is unknown |
| Male | |
| Eppothu pookkal pookkum | When flowers will bloom, |
| Puriyaathathu…uu…. | It is incomprehensible... |
| Eppothu kaadhal thakkum | When love will strike, |
| Theriyaathathu…uuu… | It is unknown... |
| Male | |
| Oooh..wowoon ahaa..uuu aaa…(4) | [Vocalizing sound] |
| Male | |
| Oohh..mazhai varum neram munbu | Oh... like the breeze sweeping the ground |
| Tharai varum kattrai pola | Just before the rain arrives, |
| Manam engum vanthaai pennae | You swept across my entire heart, girl, |
| Jillendru nee | Refreshing and cool, you are! |
| Female | |
| Thoovum mazhai nindra pinbu | Like the trees that drop drizzles |
| Thooral tharum marangal pola | Even after the falling rain stops, |
| Ninaivugal thanthae selvai – | You leave me with endless memories, |
| Endrendrum nee | Forever and ever, you do! |
| Male | |
| Ohh.oohoo… | Ohh..oohoo... |
| Kangala…kannama | Is it your eyes... or your cheeks? |
| Parvaiya…. varthaiya | Is it your glance... or your words? |
| Unnidam pidithathu ethuvo | Whatever it is that I love about you, |
| Theriyalayae.. | I do not know.. |
| Female | |
| {Eppothu pookal pookum | {When flowers will bloom, |
| Puriyaathathu | It is incomprehensible, |
| Eppothu kaadhal thakkum | When love will strike, |
| Theriyaathathu} (2) | It is unknown} (2) |
| Male | |
| Oooh..wowoon ahaa..uuu aaa…(4) | [Vocalizing sound] |
| Male | |
| Oru maalai neram | During an evening time |
| Vanthathu vanthathu poongattru | Came, oh came, a gentle breeze |
| En manathin oram | At the edge of my heart |
| Sendrathu sendrathu poopottu | It left a beautiful flower-like mark |
{ஓஹோ..ஆஹ்ன்..
ஆஹா..உஉ..ஆ....} (4)
[Vocalizing sound]
ஒரு மாலை நேரம்
வந்தது வந்தது பூங்காற்று
என் மனதின் ஓரம்
சென்றது சென்றது பூ போட்டு
During an evening time
Came, oh came, a gentle breeze
At the edge of my heart
It left a beautiful flower-like mark
வழிதோறும் பூக்கள்
வாழ்த்து சொன்னது கைதொட்டு
இது கடவுள் எழுதி
காதில் பாடும் தாலாட்டு
The flowers along the pathway
Wished me well, touching my hands
This is written by God,
A lullaby sung into the ear
இதழோரம் இதழோரம்
புதிதாக புன்னகை ஒன்று
எப்போதும் பார்த்தேனே
சில நாளாய் நானே
At the corner of my lips, at the corner of my lips
A brand new smile
I keep noticing it all the time now
For the past few days, I myself
கதவோரம் தலை நீட்டி
தினம் பார்க்கும்
சிறு பிள்ளை போலே
என்னுள் வந்து கவிதை எட்டிப்பார்க்க...
Peeking my head from beside the door
Looking out every single day
Like a innocent young child
Poetry enters inside me and peeks out...
ஓஹோ..ஆஹ்ன்..
ஆஹா..உஉ..ஆ....
ஒரு மாலை நேரம்
வந்தது வந்தது பூங்காற்று
என் மனதின் ஓரம்
சென்றது சென்றது பூ போட்டு
[Vocalizing sound]
During an evening time
Came, oh came, a gentle breeze
At the edge of my heart
It left a beautiful flower-like mark
தினம் உனை பார்க்கும்போது
இடையினில் தோன்றும் அந்த
ஊடலாம் அன்பே
ஐய்யோ அது அழகானது
Every day when I look at you
That which arises between us
Is a playful lover's spat, my dear...
Oh my, how beautiful that is!
ஓ...தனிமையில் நீயும் நானும்
கண்களாலே பேசும்போது
எனக்குள்ளே தோன்றும் மோகம்
புதிதானது...
Ohh..
When you and I are in solitude
Speaking through our eyes
The passion that surges within me
Is completely new...
அச்சமா... நானமா
அன்பிலே கொல்வதா
ஹே ஏ ஹே
உன்னிடம் இழுத்தது எதுவோ
ஹே ஏ ஹே
தெரியலயே
Is it fear... or is it shyness?
Overwhelmed by love... (Male: Hey ey hey)
Whatever it was in you that drew me... (Male: Hey ey hey)
I do not know...
ஹேய்... எப்போது பூக்கள் பூக்கும்
புரியாதது
எப்போது காதல் தாக்கும்
தெரியாதது
Hey... when flowers will bloom,
It is incomprehensible
When love will strike,
It is unknown
எப்போது பூக்கள் பூக்கும்
புரியாதது...
எப்போது காதல் தாக்கும்
தெரியாதது...
When flowers will bloom,
It is incomprehensible...
When love will strike,
It is unknown...
{ஓஹோ..ஆஹ்ன்..
ஆஹா..உஉ..ஆ....} (4)
[Vocalizing sound]
ஓ...மழை வரும் நேரம் முன்பு
தரை வரும் காற்றைப் போல
மனம் எங்கும் வந்தாய் பெண்ணே
ஜில்லென்று நீ
Oh... like the breeze sweeping the ground
Just before the rain arrives,
You swept across my entire heart, girl,
Refreshing and cool, you are!
தூவும் மழை நின்ற பின்பு
தூரல் தரும் மரங்கள் போல
நினைவுகள் தந்தே செல்வாய்
என்றென்றும் நீ
Like the trees that drop drizzles
Even after the falling rain stops,
You leave me with endless memories,
Forever and ever, you do!
ஓ... கண்களா.. கன்னமா
பார்வையா.. வார்த்தையா
உன்னிடம் பிடித்தது எதுவோ
தெரியலயே...
Ohh..oohoo...
Is it your eyes... or your cheeks?
Is it your glance... or your words?
Whatever it is that I love about you,
I do not know..
{எப்போது பூக்கள் பூக்கும்
புரியாதது
எப்போது காதல் தாக்கும்
தெரியாதது} (2)
{When flowers will bloom,
It is incomprehensible,
When love will strike,
It is unknown} (2)
{ஓஹோ..ஆஹ்ன்..
ஆஹா..உஉ..ஆ....} (4)
[Vocalizing sound]
ஒரு மாலை நேரம்
வந்தது வந்தது பூங்காற்று
என் மனதின் ஓரம்
சென்றது சென்றது பூ போட்டு
During an evening time
Came, oh came, a gentle breeze
At the edge of my heart
It left a beautiful flower-like mark
Oooh..wowoon ahaa..uuu aaa…(4)
[Vocalizing sound]
Oru maalai neram
During an evening time
Vanthathu vanthathu poongattru
Came, oh came, a gentle breeze
En manathin oram
At the edge of my heart
Sendrathu sendrathu poopottu
It left a beautiful flower-like mark
Valithorum pookal
The flowers along the pathway
Vaazhthu sonnathu kaithottu
Wished me well, touching my hands
Ithu kadavul eluthi
This is written by God,
Kaathil paadum thaalaattu
A lullaby sung into the ear
Ithazhoram ithazhoram
At the corner of my lips, at the corner of my lips
Puthithaaga punnagai ondru
A brand new smile
Eppothum parthenae
I keep noticing it all the time now
Sila naalai naanae
For the past few days, I myself
Kathavoram thalai neetti
Peeking my head from beside the door
Dhinam parkkum
Looking out every single day
Siru pillai polae
Like a innocent young child
Ennul vanthu kavithai ettiparkka…
Poetry enters inside me and peeks out...
Oooh..wowoon ahaa..uuu aaa..
[Vocalizing sound]
Oru maalai neram
During an evening time
Vanthathu vanthathu poongattru
Came, oh came, a gentle breeze
En manathin oram
At the edge of my heart
Sendrathu sendrathu poopottu
It left a beautiful flower-like mark
Dhinam unai parkkumbothu
Every day when I look at you
Idayinil thondrum antha
That which arises between us
Oodalaam anbae …
Is a playful lover's spat, my dear...
Aiyo athu alagaanathu
Oh my, how beautiful that is!
Ohh..
Ohh..
Thanimayil neeyum naanum
When you and I are in solitude
Kangalaalae pesumpothu
Speaking through our eyes
Enakullae thondrum mogam
The passion that surges within me
Puthithaanathu…
Is completely new...
Achchama… naanama
Is it fear... or is it shyness?
Anbilae kolvatha..Male :Hey ey hey
Overwhelmed by love... (Male: Hey ey hey)
Unnidam iluthathu ethuvo..Male :Hey ey hey
Whatever it was in you that drew me... (Male: Hey ey hey)
Theriyalayae
I do not know...
Hey… eppothu pookal pookkum
Hey... when flowers will bloom,
Puriyaathathu
It is incomprehensible
Eppothu kaadhal thakkum
When love will strike,
Theriyaathathu
It is unknown
Eppothu pookkal pookkum
When flowers will bloom,
Puriyaathathu…uu….
It is incomprehensible...
Eppothu kaadhal thakkum
When love will strike,
Theriyaathathu…uuu…
It is unknown...
Oooh..wowoon ahaa..uuu aaa…(4)
[Vocalizing sound]
Oohh..mazhai varum neram munbu
Oh... like the breeze sweeping the ground
Tharai varum kattrai pola
Just before the rain arrives,
Manam engum vanthaai pennae
You swept across my entire heart, girl,
Jillendru nee
Refreshing and cool, you are!
Thoovum mazhai nindra pinbu
Like the trees that drop drizzles
Thooral tharum marangal pola
Even after the falling rain stops,
Ninaivugal thanthae selvai –
You leave me with endless memories,
Endrendrum nee
Forever and ever, you do!
Ohh.oohoo…
Ohh..oohoo...
Kangala…kannama
Is it your eyes... or your cheeks?
Parvaiya…. varthaiya
Is it your glance... or your words?
Unnidam pidithathu ethuvo
Whatever it is that I love about you,
Theriyalayae..
I do not know..
{Eppothu pookal pookum
{When flowers will bloom,
Puriyaathathu
It is incomprehensible,
Eppothu kaadhal thakkum
When love will strike,
Theriyaathathu} (2)
It is unknown} (2)
Oooh..wowoon ahaa..uuu aaa…(4)
[Vocalizing sound]
Oru maalai neram
During an evening time
Vanthathu vanthathu poongattru
Came, oh came, a gentle breeze
En manathin oram
At the edge of my heart
Sendrathu sendrathu poopottu
It left a beautiful flower-like mark
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Oru Maalai Neram' from the movie 'Naan Mahaan Alla' is a soothing romantic duet that captures the tender, magical awakening of love. Set against the serene backdrop of a pleasant evening, the lovers express the mysterious and overwhelming feelings that love brings into their lives. The lyrics beautifully contrast the gentle, unannounced arrival of love with elements of nature—a cool breeze before rain, dripping trees after a shower, and blooming flowers. The emotional arc tracks the ecstasy of newfound romance, playful lovers' spats (oodal), wordless glances in solitude, and the enchanting confusion of figuring out what drew them to each other in the first place. Through imagery created by lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar, the song encapsulates how love strikes unexpectedly and leaves behind lingering, refreshing memories.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Siru pillai polae”
Compares the protagonist's poetic emergence inside his heart to a young child curiously peeking out from behind a door.
Metaphor (Uruvagakani)
“Thooral tharum marangal pola / Ninaivugal thanthae selvai”
Compares the lasting memories left by the beloved to rain-drenched trees that continue to drop water droplets long after the rain stops.
Rhyme / Monai (Initial Assonance)
“Eppothu pookal pookkum / Eppothu kaadhal thakkum”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Eppothu' across adjacent lines creates a rhythmic structure.
Personification
“Valithorum pookal / Vaazhthu sonnathu kaithottu”
Flowers along the path are personified as reaching out to touch hands and express warm wishes.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oru Maalai Neram' was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja for the 2010 action-thriller film 'Naan Mahaan Alla', directed by Suseenthiran and starring Karthi and Kajal Aggarwal. The song features soulful vocals by Javed Ali and Shilpa Rao. Lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar won wide acclaim for his evocative nature imagery in this song, particularly the metaphor comparing memories to dripping rain from trees after the storm.
Keep listening
More from Naan Mahaan Alla
Naan Mahaan Alla
Naan Mahaan Alla
Naan Mahaan Alla