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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Naal Antha Oru Naal

From Devathai · 1997

Lyricist
Arivumathi
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Devathai
Movie release year
1997
Lyrics added on
2 Jul 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………………..
Oru naal antha oru naal
Unnai mudhalil kanda antha thirunaal
Male & Female :Adhu maranthu pogumaa
Kanavaa verum kadhaiyaa
Ilam nenjchai varudum nalla isaiyaa
Adhu karainthu pogumaa
Un ninaivu thazhuvi irunthen
Antha urakkam thazhuva maranthen
Nee arivaayo
Unnai paarkka andru piranthen
Athanaal irakka maranthu ponen
Nee arivaayo
Kaalam kaalam thadukkalaam
Kaadhal saagaathu
Vaazhvin ellai meeralaam
Ethu thaan aagaathu…
Oru naal antha oru naal
Unnai mudhalil kanda antha thirunaal
Adhu maranthu pogumaa
Kanavaa verum kadhaiyaa
Ilam nenjchai varudum nalla isaiyaa
Adhu karainthu pogumaa
Mayakkanggal marakka
Madiyondru vendum
Marukkavendaam en anbae
Ooo…oooo…oooo..ooo
Marubadi pirakka
Madhu konjcham vendum
Thadukka vendaam en anbae
Thanimai dhaagam
Thaninthaaga vendum
Thavalum kaatrae
Kaigal uravil kalanthaada vendum
Karumbin uutrrae
Ezhu buvanam endru vanthen
Ho…naan un munnae tholvi thaan kanden
Oru naal antha oru naal
Unnai mudhalil kanda antha thirunaal
Adhu maranthu pogumaa
…………………………
Aruginil andru
Unai kanda bodhu
Thoora thooram nindren
Ooo…oooo…oooo..ooo
Neenda thooram
Nee sendra bodhum
Unthan arugae irunthen
Kaadhal ulagil
Nerkodu velicham povadhu illai
Kaadhal kanakkil
Kaalanggal naalai mudipathillai
Kanavu thedum kanavu vendaam
Ho… nam unmaiyin raaganggal vendum
Oru naal antha oru naal
Unnai mudhalil kanda antha thirunaal
Adhu maranthu pogumaa
Kanavaa verum kadhaiyaa
Ilam nenjchai varudum nalla isaiyaa
Adhu karainthu pogumaa
...
One day, that one day,
that special day I first saw you,
will it ever be forgotten?
Is it a dream, or just a story?
Is it sweet music caressing a young heart?
Will it just fade away?
I held onto your memories,
and forgot to let sleep embrace me.
Do you know that?
I was born that day only to see you,
and so, I forgot how to die.
Do you know that?
Time may try to stop us,
yet love will never die.
We may cross life's boundaries,
for what is truly impossible?
One day, that one day,
that special day I first saw you,
will it ever be forgotten?
Is it a dream, or just a story?
Is it sweet music caressing a young heart?
Will it just fade away?
To soothe this dizzy longing,
I need a lap to rest on.
Do not refuse me, my love.
Oh... oho... oho... oh...
To be born once again,
I need a little nectar of love.
Do not hold back, my love.
This thirst of loneliness
must be quenched.
O gentle breeze,
our hands must unite in love,
O sweet fountain of joy!
I thought I ruled all seven worlds,
oh, but before you, I found only defeat.
One day, that one day,
that special day I first saw you,
will it ever be forgotten?
...
Back then, when you were near
and I saw you,
I stood far away.
Oh... oho... oho... oh...
Even when you went
far, far away,
I remained right beside you.
In the world of love,
light does not travel in a straight line.
In the reckoning of love,
time does not end tomorrow.
We do not need a dream chasing another dream,
oh, we only need the melodies of our truth.
One day, that one day,
that special day I first saw you,
will it ever be forgotten?
Is it a dream, or just a story?
Is it sweet music caressing a young heart?
Will it just fade away?
Chorus
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

"Oru Naal Antha Oru Naal" from the film Devathai (1997) is a hauntingly poetic love duet that explores the profound impact of a couple's first meeting. The song reflects on how true love transcends physical distance, linear time, and even mortality. The lovers share a deep emotional connection where memories replace sleep, and love makes life immortal, defying the natural laws of existence. Through lush romantic imagery and spiritual symbolism, the lyrics contrast defeat in the physical world with victory in emotional intimacy. The lovers express a desire for genuine togetherness rather than elusive dreams, concluding that the moment they first met remains permanently etched in their souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)

“Un ninaivu thazhuvi irunthen / Antha urakkam thazhuva maranthen”

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Un' and 'Antha' across consecutive lines.

Monai (First-letter alliteration)

“Kanavu thedum kanavu vendaam”

Alliteration featuring the repetition of the initial 'K' sound in 'Kanavu' and 'kanavu'.

Metaphor (Uruvagakani)

“Ilam nenjchai varudum nalla isaiyaa”

Love's tender feeling is metaphorically compared to gentle music caressing a youthful heart.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

“Unnai paarkka andru piranthen / Athanaal irakka maranthu ponen”

Poetic exaggeration stating that seeing the beloved granted immortality, making the lover forget how to die.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie Devathai (1997) was directed by actor Nassar, who also played the male lead alongside Keerthi Reddy. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Arivumathi. The song features vocals by Hariharan and K.S. Chithra (with backing vocals by Bhavatharini) and is revered for its haunting melody and philosophical, deeply poetic lyricism.

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