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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Naal Oru Kanavu

From Kannukkul Nilavu · 2000

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Anuradha Sriram
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannukkul Nilavu2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru naal oru kanavu adhai naan marakavum mudiyadhuOne day, a dream occurred, which I can never forget.
Nijamai inikiradhu idhupol kanavondru kidaiyadhuIt truly feels so sweet; there is no dream quite like this.
Male
Oru naal oru kanavu adhai naan marakavum mudiyadhuOne day, a dream occurred, which I can never forget.
Female
Nijamai inikiradhu idhupol kanavondru kidaiyadhuIt truly feels so sweet; there is no dream quite like this.
Male
Vaanavillil nadandhu sendru sirithirukum natchathira PooparithomWalking along the rainbow, we plucked smiling stars like flowers.
Female
Vellipirai padakeduthu aakaaya gangai alaikalilTaking the silver crescent moon as a boat onto the waves of the heavenly Ganges,
Thulli kuthithom neechaladithidaWe leapt, jumped, and went swimming.
Female
Nathiyoram nathiyoram ennai sutri parandhadhuBy the riverbank, by the riverbank, flying around me was...
Kilikoottam .hmm mmmA flock of parrots... hmmm mmm.
Male
Kilikoottam kilikoottam vanthathenil neeyoru Pazhathottam .hmmmThe flock of parrots arrived because you are a fruit orchard... hmmm.
Female
Parakum kilikalilae oru kili unaipol uruvedukaIf one parrot among the flying flock takes a form just like yours,
Female
Irakaikal kondu vaa vinnilae parapom ullangal kalapom Vannam soodum vannakiliBring your wings, let's fly in the sky, unite our hearts, oh colorful parrot adorned with hues!
Female
Oru naal oru kanavu adhai naan marakavum mudiyadhuOne day, a dream occurred, which I can never forget.
Nijamai inikiradhu idhupol kanavondru kidaiyaadhuIt truly feels so sweet; there is no dream quite like this.
Male
Ethanaalae vennilavae aval pol neeyum ilaithaayo hooWhy is it, oh white moon, that you have grown thin just like her? Hoo...
Female
Un manadhai un manadhai ennaipol yevarukum Koduthaayo hooDid you give away your heart to someone, just like I did? Hoo...
Male
Olividum mukathinilae karaiyen muthaada-yaaalangaloWhy are there dark spots on your glowing face? Is it from kissing?
Female
Iravil vizhithirundhu needhan katrathenna paadangaloStaying awake through the night, what lessons have you learned?
Male
Minnidum kannilae ennavo ulladhae sollammaThere is something mysterious in those glittering eyes, please tell me, dear!
Sollamma nenjilaadum minnal kodiTell me, oh lightning creeper swaying in my heart!
Female
Oru naal oru kanavu adhai naan marakavum mudiyadhuOne day, a dream occurred, which I can never forget.
Male
Nijamai inikiradhu idhupol kanavondru kidaiyadhuIt truly feels so sweet; there is no dream quite like this.
Female
Vaanavillil nadandhu sendru sirithirukum natchathira PooparithomWalking along the rainbow, we plucked smiling stars like flowers.
Male
Vellipirai padakeduthu aakaaya gangai alaikalil thulli Kuthithom neechaladithidaTaking the silver crescent moon as a boat, we leapt and jumped onto the waves of the celestial Ganges to swim.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

‘Oru Naal Oru Kanavu’ is an enchanting, whimsical romantic song that explores the euphoric, dreamlike nature of falling in love. The protagonist reflects on an unforgettable fantasy where nature bends to love's magic—where lovers walk on rainbows, pluck smiling stars, sail across the celestial Ganges on a crescent moon, and fly among parrots.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Vellipirai padakeduthu aakaaya gangai alaikalil

The crescent moon is metaphorically imagined as a boat sailing through the celestial Ganges.

Personification

Ethanaalae vennilavae aval pol neeyum ilaithaayo hoo

The moon is personified as a lover who has grown thin (waned) due to the longing and heartbreak of love, mirroring the heroine.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oru naal oru kanavu adhai naan marakavum mudiyadhu / Nijamai inikiradhu idhupol kanavondru kidaiyadhu

The ending sounds of the consecutive lines ('mudiyadhu' and 'kidaiyadhu') rhyme harmoniously.

Metaphor

Sollamma nenjilaadum minnal kodi

The beloved is addressed as a 'lightning creeper' (minnal kodi) residing and dancing in the speaker's heart.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although credited with varying lyricist tags in legacy metadata, 'Oru Naal Oru Kanavu' is a famous song from Fazil's psychological romantic drama 'Kannukkul Nilavu' (2000), composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K.J. Yesudas and Anuradha Sriram. The song highlights the dreamscape fantasy of Vijay's character in the film.

Keep listening

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