Oru Nadhi
From Samurai · 2002
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Nithyashree Mahadevan, Tushara
- Music director
- Harris Jayaraj
- Details
- Samurai2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| ………………………….. | Ohoooo... woah ahhhh |
| Ohoooo…woah ahhhh | Ohoooo... woah ahhhh |
| Ohoooo…woah ahhhh | A river, a full moon, |
| Female | |
| Oru nadhi oru pournami | and a boat I have with me. |
| Orr oadam ennidam undu | A river, a full moon, |
| Female | |
| Oru nadhi oru pournami | and a boat I have with me. |
| Orr oadam ennidam undu | Boatman, boatman, |
| Odakaaran odakaaran | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu | A forest, a small hill, |
| Female | |
| Oru kaadu siru maedu | and a few flowers I have with me. |
| Sila pookkal enndidam undu | Florist, florist, |
| Pookkaaran pookkaran | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu | A treasure, a world, |
| Female | |
| Oru pudhayal oru puviyal | a rain doorway I have with me... |
| Mazhai vaasal ennidam undu…uuuu… | A treasure, a world, |
| Oru pudhayal oru puviyal | a rain doorway I have with me... |
| Mazhai vaasal ennidam undu… | Alibaba, Alibaba, |
| Alibaba alibaba | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu…uuu…. | A river, a full moon, |
| Female | |
| Oru nadhi oru pournami | and a boat I have with me. |
| Orr oadam ennidam undu | Boatman, boatman, |
| Odakaaran odakaaran | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu | A forest, a small hill, |
| Female | |
| Oru kaadu siru maedu | and a few flowers I have with me. |
| Sila pookkal enndidam undu | Florist, florist, |
| Pookkaaran pookkaran | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu | A treasure, a world, |
| Female | |
| Oru pudhayal oru puviyal | a rain doorway I have with me... |
| Mazhai vaasal ennidam undu… | A treasure, a world, |
| Oru pudhayal oru puviyal | a rain doorway I have with me... |
| Mazhai vaasal ennidam undu… | Alibaba, Alibaba, |
| Alibaba alibaba | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu… | A river, a full moon, |
| Female | |
| Oru nadhi oru pournami | a boat, |
| Orr oadam | a treasure, a world, |
| Oru pudhayal oru puviyal | a rain doorway. |
| Mazhai vaasal | The unseen |
| Female | |
| Paaraamal pona | full moons, |
| Pournami ellaam | the one who retrieves and gives them. |
| Parthithu kodukkum oruvan | The unasked |
| Kelaamal pona | songs, |
| Padalai ellaam | the one who gathers and gives them. |
| Thiratti kodukkum oruvan(2) | Is it me? |
| Male | |
| Naan thaanaa | Female: Not you. |
| Female :Nee illai | Male: Is it me? |
| Male :Naan thaanaa..aaa… | Female: Not you. |
| Female :Neeee illai | Soaked in heaven's rain, |
| Female | |
| Vaan mazhaiyil nenaitha | a rainbow onto my lap, |
| Vaanavillai en madiyil | the one who ties. |
| Kattum oruvan | The doors of my body |
| En dhega kadhavu | and windows, |
| Jannal ellaam | the one who opens them all. |
| Thirandhu vaikkum oruvan | Is it me? |
| Male | |
| Naan thaanaa | Female: Not you. |
| Female :Nee illai | My search is different, |
| Female | |
| En thedal adhu veru | oh go away, it is not you... |
| Ada poda nee illai…ilaaiii… | A river, a full moon, |
| Female | |
| Oru nadhi oru pournami | and a boat I have with me. |
| Orr oadam ennidam undu | Boatman, boatman, |
| Odakaaran odakaaran | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu | A forest, a small hill, |
| Female | |
| Oru kaadu siru maedu | and a few flowers I have with me. |
| Sila pookkal enndidam undu | Florist, florist, |
| Pookkaaran pookkaran | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu | Unfulfilled |
| Female | |
| Theeraamal pona | desires, |
| Aasaigal ellaam | the one who knows how to fulfill them. |
| Theerkka therindha oruvan | To unreached limits, |
| Pogaatha ellai | even if he goes and returns, |
| Poi vandhaalum | the one who keeps a smile. |
| Punnagai seiyyum oruvan | The one who keeps a smile. |
| Chorus | |
| Punnagai seiyyum oruvan | Aaahaaa.... |
| Female | |
| Aaahaaa…. | Unfulfilled |
| Theeraamal pona | desires, |
| Aasaigal ellaam | the one who knows how to fulfill them. |
| Theerkka therindha oruvan | To unreached limits, |
| Pogaatha ellai | even if he goes and returns, |
| Poi vandhaalum | the one who keeps a smile. |
| Punnagai seiyyum oruvan | Is it you? |
| Female | |
| Neethaanaa | Male: It is not me. |
| Male :Naan illai | Female: Is it you? |
| Female :Neethaanaa | Male: No, no, it is not me. |
| Male :Naa naa naan illai | Chastity and modesty, |
| Female | |
| Oru karppu kannimai | and all karma, |
| Karmam ellaam | the one who pays no heed to. |
| Kandu kollaatha oruvan | Until I say enough, |
| Naan podhum podhum | enough, |
| Ennum varaiyil | the one who creates novelties. |
| Pudhumai seiyyum oruvan | Is it you? |
| Female | |
| Neethaanaa | Male: It is not me. |
| Male :Naan illai | The romantic paramour |
| Female | |
| Naan thaedum | that I search for here, |
| Shringaaran ingu | why is he not here? |
| yeno yen illai..ilaaiii | A river, a full moon, |
| Female | |
| Oru nadhi oru pournami | and a boat I have with me. |
| Orr oadam ennidam undu | Boatman, boatman, |
| Odakaaran odakaaran | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu | A forest, a small hill, |
| Female | |
| Oru kaadu siru maedu | and a few flowers I have with me. |
| Sila pookkal enndidam undu | Florist, florist, |
| Pookkaaran pookkaran | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu | {A treasure, |
| Female | |
| {Oru pudhayal | Chorus: Treasure, |
| Chorus :Pudhayal | Female: A world, |
| Female :Oru puviyal | Chorus: World, |
| Chorus :Puviyal | Female: Rain doorway, |
| Female :Mazhai vaasal | I have with me...} |
| Ennidam undu…} (2) | Alibaba, Alibaba, |
| Alibaba alibaba | hey, who among you is there? |
| Ada ungalil yaar undu… | Chorus: Who among us is there? |
| Chorus :Engalil yaar undu | Hmmm...mmmm...mmm... |
| Female | |
| Hmmm…mmmm…mmm… | Chorus: A river, a full moon, |
| Chorus :Oru nadhi oru pournami | A river... |
| Oru nadhi….. | |
...........................
ஓஹோ வோ ஆ ஓ
ஹோ வோ ஆ
Ohoooo... woah ahhhh
Ohoooo... woah ahhhh
A river, a full moon,
ஒரு நதி ஒரு
பௌர்ணமி ஓர் ஓடம்
என்னிடம் உண்டு
and a boat I have with me.
A river, a full moon,
ஒரு நதி ஒரு
பௌர்ணமி ஓர் ஓடம்
என்னிடம் உண்டு
ஓடக்காரன் ஓடக்காரன்
அட உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
and a boat I have with me.
Boatman, boatman,
hey, who among you is there?
A forest, a small hill,
ஒரு காடு சிறு மேடு
சில பூக்கள் என்னிடம் உண்டு
பூக்காரன் பூக்காரன் அட
உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
and a few flowers I have with me.
Florist, florist,
hey, who among you is there?
A treasure, a world,
ஒரு புதையல் ஒரு
புவியல் மழை வாசல் என்னிடம்
உண்டு ஒரு புதையல் ஒரு புவியல்
மழை வாசல் என்னிடம் உண்டு
அலிபாபா அலிபாபா அட உங்களில்
யார் உண்டு
a rain doorway I have with me...
A treasure, a world,
a rain doorway I have with me...
Alibaba, Alibaba,
hey, who among you is there?
A river, a full moon,
ஒரு நதி ஒரு
பௌர்ணமி ஓர் ஓடம்
என்னிடம் உண்டு ஓடக்காரன்
ஓடக்காரன் அட உங்களில்
யார் உண்டு
and a boat I have with me.
Boatman, boatman,
hey, who among you is there?
A forest, a small hill,
ஒரு காடு சிறு மேடு
சில பூக்கள் என்னிடம் உண்டு
பூக்காரன் பூக்காரன் அட
உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
and a few flowers I have with me.
Florist, florist,
hey, who among you is there?
A treasure, a world,
ஒரு புதையல் ஒரு
புவியல் மழை வாசல்
என்னிடம் உண்டு ஒரு
புதையல் ஒரு புவியல்
மழை வாசல் என்னிடம்
உண்டு அலிபாபா அலிபாபா
அட உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
a rain doorway I have with me...
A treasure, a world,
a rain doorway I have with me...
Alibaba, Alibaba,
hey, who among you is there?
A river, a full moon,
ஒரு நதி ஒரு
பௌர்ணமி ஓர் ஓடம்
ஒரு புதையல் ஒரு
புவியல் மழை வாசல்
a boat,
a treasure, a world,
a rain doorway.
The unseen
பாராமல் போன
பௌர்ணமி எல்லாம் பறித்து
கொடுக்கும் ஒருவன் கேளாமல்
போன பாடலை எல்லாம் திரட்டி
கொடுக்கும் ஒருவன் (2)
full moons,
the one who retrieves and gives them.
The unasked
songs,
the one who gathers and gives them.
Is it me?
நான் தானா
நீ இல்லை
நான் தானா ஆ ஆ
நீ இல்லை
Female: Not you.
Male: Is it me?
Female: Not you.
Soaked in heaven's rain,
வான் மழையில்
நனைத்த வானவில்லை
என் மடியில் கட்டும்
ஒருவன் என் தேக கதவு
ஜன்னல் எல்லாம் திறந்து
வைக்கும் ஒருவன்
a rainbow onto my lap,
the one who ties.
The doors of my body
and windows,
the one who opens them all.
Is it me?
நான் தானா
நீ இல்லை
Female: Not you.
My search is different,
என் தேடல் அது
வேறு அட போடா நீ
இல்லை இல்லை
oh go away, it is not you...
A river, a full moon,
ஒரு நதி ஒரு
பௌர்ணமி ஓர் ஓடம்
என்னிடம் உண்டு
ஓடக்காரன் ஓடக்காரன்
அட உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
and a boat I have with me.
Boatman, boatman,
hey, who among you is there?
A forest, a small hill,
ஒரு காடு சிறு மேடு
சில பூக்கள் என்னிடம் உண்டு
பூக்காரன் பூக்காரன் அட
உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
and a few flowers I have with me.
Florist, florist,
hey, who among you is there?
Unfulfilled
தீராமல் போன
ஆசைகள் எல்லாம் தீர்க்க
தெரிந்த ஒருவன் போகாத
எல்லை போய் வந்தாலும்
புன்னகை செய்யும் ஒருவன்
desires,
the one who knows how to fulfill them.
To unreached limits,
even if he goes and returns,
the one who keeps a smile.
The one who keeps a smile.
புன்னகை
செய்யும் ஒருவன்
Aaahaaa....
ஆஹா தீராமல்
போன ஆசைகள் எல்லாம்
தீர்க்க தெரிந்த ஒருவன்
போகாத எல்லை போய்
வந்தாலும் புன்னகை
செய்யும் ஒருவன்
Unfulfilled
desires,
the one who knows how to fulfill them.
To unreached limits,
even if he goes and returns,
the one who keeps a smile.
Is it you?
நீதானா
நான் இல்லை
நீதானா
நா நா நான்
இல்லை
Male: It is not me.
Female: Is it you?
Male: No, no, it is not me.
Chastity and modesty,
ஒரு கற்பு கண்ணிமை
கர்மம் எல்லாம் கண்டு கொள்ளாத
ஒருவன் நான் போதும் போதும்
என்னும் வரையில் புதுமை
செய்யும் ஒருவன்
and all karma,
the one who pays no heed to.
Until I say enough,
enough,
the one who creates novelties.
Is it you?
நீதானா
நான் இல்லை
Male: It is not me.
The romantic paramour
நான் தேடும்
சிங்காரன் இங்கு
ஏனோ ஏன் இல்லை
இல்லை
that I search for here,
why is he not here?
A river, a full moon,
ஒரு நதி ஒரு
பௌர்ணமி ஓர் ஓடம்
என்னிடம் உண்டு
ஓடக்காரன் ஓடக்காரன்
அட உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
and a boat I have with me.
Boatman, boatman,
hey, who among you is there?
A forest, a small hill,
ஒரு காடு சிறு
மேடு சில பூக்கள் என்னிடம்
உண்டு பூக்காரன் பூக்காரன்
அட உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
and a few flowers I have with me.
Florist, florist,
hey, who among you is there?
{A treasure,
{ ஒரு புதையல்
குழு :
புதையல்
ஒரு புவியல்
குழு :
புவியல்
மழை வாசல்
என்னிடம் உண்டு } (2)
அலிபாபா அலிபாபா
அட உங்களில் யார் உண்டு
குழு :
எங்களில் யார் உண்டு
Chorus: Treasure,
Female: A world,
Chorus: World,
Female: Rain doorway,
I have with me...}
Alibaba, Alibaba,
hey, who among you is there?
Chorus: Who among us is there?
Hmmm...mmmm...mmm...
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
குழு :
ஒரு நதி ஒரு
பௌர்ணமி ஒரு நதி
Chorus: A river, a full moon,
A river...
…………………………..
Ohoooo... woah ahhhh
Ohoooo…woah ahhhh
Ohoooo... woah ahhhh
Ohoooo…woah ahhhh
A river, a full moon,
Oru nadhi oru pournami
and a boat I have with me.
Orr oadam ennidam undu
A river, a full moon,
Oru nadhi oru pournami
and a boat I have with me.
Orr oadam ennidam undu
Boatman, boatman,
Odakaaran odakaaran
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu
A forest, a small hill,
Oru kaadu siru maedu
and a few flowers I have with me.
Sila pookkal enndidam undu
Florist, florist,
Pookkaaran pookkaran
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu
A treasure, a world,
Oru pudhayal oru puviyal
a rain doorway I have with me...
Mazhai vaasal ennidam undu…uuuu…
A treasure, a world,
Oru pudhayal oru puviyal
a rain doorway I have with me...
Mazhai vaasal ennidam undu…
Alibaba, Alibaba,
Alibaba alibaba
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu…uuu….
A river, a full moon,
Oru nadhi oru pournami
and a boat I have with me.
Orr oadam ennidam undu
Boatman, boatman,
Odakaaran odakaaran
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu
A forest, a small hill,
Oru kaadu siru maedu
and a few flowers I have with me.
Sila pookkal enndidam undu
Florist, florist,
Pookkaaran pookkaran
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu
A treasure, a world,
Oru pudhayal oru puviyal
a rain doorway I have with me...
Mazhai vaasal ennidam undu…
A treasure, a world,
Oru pudhayal oru puviyal
a rain doorway I have with me...
Mazhai vaasal ennidam undu…
Alibaba, Alibaba,
Alibaba alibaba
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu…
A river, a full moon,
Oru nadhi oru pournami
a boat,
Orr oadam
a treasure, a world,
Oru pudhayal oru puviyal
a rain doorway.
Mazhai vaasal
The unseen
Paaraamal pona
full moons,
Pournami ellaam
the one who retrieves and gives them.
Parthithu kodukkum oruvan
The unasked
Kelaamal pona
songs,
Padalai ellaam
the one who gathers and gives them.
Thiratti kodukkum oruvan(2)
Is it me?
Naan thaanaa
Female: Not you.
Female :Nee illai
Male: Is it me?
Male :Naan thaanaa..aaa…
Female: Not you.
Female :Neeee illai
Soaked in heaven's rain,
Vaan mazhaiyil nenaitha
a rainbow onto my lap,
Vaanavillai en madiyil
the one who ties.
Kattum oruvan
The doors of my body
En dhega kadhavu
and windows,
Jannal ellaam
the one who opens them all.
Thirandhu vaikkum oruvan
Is it me?
Naan thaanaa
Female: Not you.
Female :Nee illai
My search is different,
En thedal adhu veru
oh go away, it is not you...
Ada poda nee illai…ilaaiii…
A river, a full moon,
Oru nadhi oru pournami
and a boat I have with me.
Orr oadam ennidam undu
Boatman, boatman,
Odakaaran odakaaran
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu
A forest, a small hill,
Oru kaadu siru maedu
and a few flowers I have with me.
Sila pookkal enndidam undu
Florist, florist,
Pookkaaran pookkaran
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu
Unfulfilled
Theeraamal pona
desires,
Aasaigal ellaam
the one who knows how to fulfill them.
Theerkka therindha oruvan
To unreached limits,
Pogaatha ellai
even if he goes and returns,
Poi vandhaalum
the one who keeps a smile.
Punnagai seiyyum oruvan
The one who keeps a smile.
Punnagai seiyyum oruvan
Aaahaaa....
Aaahaaa….
Unfulfilled
Theeraamal pona
desires,
Aasaigal ellaam
the one who knows how to fulfill them.
Theerkka therindha oruvan
To unreached limits,
Pogaatha ellai
even if he goes and returns,
Poi vandhaalum
the one who keeps a smile.
Punnagai seiyyum oruvan
Is it you?
Neethaanaa
Male: It is not me.
Male :Naan illai
Female: Is it you?
Female :Neethaanaa
Male: No, no, it is not me.
Male :Naa naa naan illai
Chastity and modesty,
Oru karppu kannimai
and all karma,
Karmam ellaam
the one who pays no heed to.
Kandu kollaatha oruvan
Until I say enough,
Naan podhum podhum
enough,
Ennum varaiyil
the one who creates novelties.
Pudhumai seiyyum oruvan
Is it you?
Neethaanaa
Male: It is not me.
Male :Naan illai
The romantic paramour
Naan thaedum
that I search for here,
Shringaaran ingu
why is he not here?
yeno yen illai..ilaaiii
A river, a full moon,
Oru nadhi oru pournami
and a boat I have with me.
Orr oadam ennidam undu
Boatman, boatman,
Odakaaran odakaaran
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu
A forest, a small hill,
Oru kaadu siru maedu
and a few flowers I have with me.
Sila pookkal enndidam undu
Florist, florist,
Pookkaaran pookkaran
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu
{A treasure,
{Oru pudhayal
Chorus: Treasure,
Chorus :Pudhayal
Female: A world,
Female :Oru puviyal
Chorus: World,
Chorus :Puviyal
Female: Rain doorway,
Female :Mazhai vaasal
I have with me...}
Ennidam undu…} (2)
Alibaba, Alibaba,
Alibaba alibaba
hey, who among you is there?
Ada ungalil yaar undu…
Chorus: Who among us is there?
Chorus :Engalil yaar undu
Hmmm...mmmm...mmm...
Hmmm…mmmm…mmm…
Chorus: A river, a full moon,
Chorus :Oru nadhi oru pournami
A river...
Oru nadhi…..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film Samurai (2002) is a whimsical, highly poetic duet exploring romantic expectations and longing. The female protagonist uses imagery of nature—rivers, full moons, forests, and magical treasures—to describe her inner world and high ideals for a lover. She calls out for someone who can match her passion, fulfill her deepest unexpressed desires, and untether her soul.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moanai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Oru nadhi oru pournami / Orr oadam ennidam undu”
Repetition of initial vowel sounds in 'Oru nadhi oru pournami / Orr oadam ennidam undu' creates a smooth rhythmic flow.
Metaphor
“Vaan mazhaiyil nenaitha Vaanavillai en madiyil Kattum oruvan”
The lyrics metaphorically compare romantic intensity and intimacy to tying a rain-soaked rainbow onto one's lap and opening the windows of the body.
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Odakaaran odakaaran / Pookkaaran pookkaran / Alibaba alibaba”
Repeated invocation of occupations and mythological figures ('Odakaaran', 'Pookkaaran', 'Alibaba') emphasizes her quest for an extraordinary individual.
Did you know?
Trivia
The soundtrack for Samurai (2002) was composed by Harris Jayaraj, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song vividly showcases Vairamuthu's signature style of combining classical Tamil nature imagery with modern romantic sensuality.
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