- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Osai
- Movie release year
- 1984
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Aug 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Oru Paadal Naan Kettaen' from the movie Osai (1984) is a deeply emotional, romantic duet celebrating mutual devotion, harmony, and eternal companionship. The central refrain emphasizes that 'life' is not an isolated concept, but rather a combined journey composed of two interwoven stories. The lovers reflect on how their individual identities blur into a singular bond of love and trust. Through evocative metaphors—a river and its banks, a sanctuary lamp inside a temple, and two halves of a single life—the song depicts complete emotional integration. The lyrics express a affection so timeless that it promises to endure across a thousand rebirths, conveying that love is the ultimate purpose and foundation of their existence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagak Ani)
“Nee anbenum jeevanadhi”
Compares the beloved's love directly to a life-giving river ('jeevanadhi').
Metaphor (Uruvagak Ani)
“En aalaya dheepam nee”
Compares the partner to a sacred lamp ('dheepam') illuminating the temple ('aalayam') of life.
Complementary Imagery & Metaphor
“Nee paayum nadhi aanaai / Unnai thaangum karai aanaen”
Uses the complementary pair of a flowing river and supporting riverbanks to symbolize mutual dependency and emotional balance.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“En kangal urangaathu / Un poomugam kaanaathu”
Both lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('urangaathu' / 'kaanaathu').
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1984 Tamil drama film 'Osai', directed by K. Vijayan and starring Mohan and Radhika. The film's soundtrack was composed by the popular duo Shankar-Ganesh, who composed numerous hit melodies for Mohan ('Mic' Mohan) during the 1980s. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam with lyrics by Vaali, this duet is widely remembered for its gentle melody and delicate vocal harmony.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Osai
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.