Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Pennai Parthu

From Dheiva Thaai · 1964

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Dheiva Thaai1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Oru pennai{ Looking at a woman,
Paarthu nilavai paarthenI looked at the moon,
Nilavil kulirillaiThe moon lacked cool grace;
Male
Aval kannaiLooking at her eyes,
Paarthu malarai paarthenI looked at a flower,
Malaril oliyillai } (2)The flower lacked radiance } (2)
Male
{ Avalillamal{ Without her,
Naanillai naanillamal avalillai } (2)I do not exist, and without me, she does not exist } (2)
Male
{ La la lalla laa la la{ La la lalla laa la la
Lalla laa la la lalla laa la la la } (2)Lalla laa la la lalla laa la la la } (2)
Male
{ Kodi minnal{ Like a lightning flash
Pol oru paarvaiWas her single glance;
Maano meeno endrirundhenI wondered whether it was a deer or a fish.
Male
KuyilosaiLike the melody of a cuckoo
Pol oru vaarthaiWas her single word;
Kuzhalo yaazho endrirundhen } (2)I wondered whether it was a flute or a harp } (2)
Male
{ Nenjodu{ When heart to
Nenjai serthaalheart was joined,
Theeyodu panjai serthaal } (2)It was like bringing fire to cotton } (2)
Male
IndruToday,
Kaadhal yekkamLonging for love,
Thandhaal sendralShe gave and departed;
Naalai en seivaaloWhat will she do tomorrow?
Male
Oru pennaiLooking at a woman,
Paarthu nilavai paarthenI looked at the moon,
Nilavil kulirillaiThe moon lacked cool grace;
Male
Aval kannaiLooking at her eyes,
Paarthu malarai paarthenI looked at a flower,
Malaril oliyillaiThe flower lacked radiance;
Male
AvalillamalWithout her,
Naanillai naanillamal avalillaiI do not exist, and without me, she does not exist.
Male
La la lalla laa la laLa la lalla laa la la
Lalla laa la la lalla laa la la laLalla laa la la lalla laa la la la
Male
{ Kalai{ Artistic
Annam pol aval thotramswan-like is her gait and presence,
Idaiyil idaiyo kidaiyaadhuHer waist is so slender it seems non-existent;
Silai vannam polaval dhegamLike a beautifully crafted statue is her physique,
Idhazhil madhuvo kuraiyaadhu } (2)The sweet nectar on her lips never diminishes } (2)
Male
{ Ennodu{ With me,
Thannai serthaalshe joined herself,
Thannodu ennai serthaal } (2)and with herself, she joined me } (2)
Male
IndruToday,
Kaadhal yekkamLonging for love,
Thandhaal sendralShe gave and departed;
Naalai en seivaaloWhat will she do tomorrow?
Male
Oru pennaiLooking at a woman,
Paarthu nilavai paarthenI looked at the moon,
Nilavil kulirillaiThe moon lacked cool grace;
Male
Aval kannaiLooking at her eyes,
Paarthu malarai paarthenI looked at a flower,
Malaril oliyillaiThe flower lacked radiance;
Male
AvalillamalWithout her,
Naanillai naanillamal avalillaiI do not exist, and without me, she does not exist.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track expresses a lover's intense adoration and fascination for his beloved. He compares her to nature's grandest beauties—the moon, flowers, lightning, and cuckoo songs—only to conclude that her presence surpasses them all. To him, the moon loses its soothing cool and flowers lose their lustre when placed beside her captivating eyes and grace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai Ani (Simile)

Kodi minnal Pol oru paarvai / Kuyilosai Pol oru vaarthai

Uses explicit comparative words ('Pol') comparing her glance to a flash of lightning and her voice to the sweet call of a cuckoo.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Theeyodu panjai serthaal

Compares the meeting of two hearts to placing fire near cotton, metaphorically depicting the instant, intense spark of passion.

Hyperbole (Athyukthi / Viyappani)

Idaiyil idaiyo kidaiyaadhu

An exaggerated poetic description common in classical Tamil poetry, suggesting her waist is so slender it is virtually invisible.

Muran Ani (Contrast)

Nilavil kulirillai / Malaril oliyillai

Contrasts the natural traits of the moon (coolingness) and flowers (radiance) to highlight how inferior they seem compared to the heroine.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown metadata in the prompt context, this legendary song from 'Dheiva Thaai' (1964) starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi was composed by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, sung by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS), and written by Vaali. It remains one of MGR's most famous romantic songs, celebrated for its playful melody and iconic visual presentation.

Keep listening

More from Dheiva Thaai