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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paadava Un Paadalai

From Naan Paadum Paadal · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naan Paadum Paadal1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa….aaa….aaa..Aaa... aaa... aaa..
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa…Aaa... aaa... aaa... aaaa...
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…Aaa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Aaa…aaa…aaa…Aaa... aaa... aaa...
Female
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?
Envazhvilae orr ponvelai hoThis is a golden moment in my life, oh!
Envazhvilae orr ponvelai hoThis is a golden moment in my life, oh!
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?
Female
Vaadai poongatruThe chilly gentle breeze
Ennai theendumTouches me
Vaazhkai yaavum nee vendumI need you for all my life
Vaadai poongatru ennai theendumThe chilly gentle breeze touches me
Vaazhkai yaavum nee vendumI need you for all my life
Female
Kadalodu alaipolaLike waves entwined with the sea
Uravada vendumWe must bond with each other
Ilaimothum malarpolaLike leaves touching a flower
Ennai mooda vendumYou must wrap around me
Endhaegam engumAll over my body
Ungaanam thangumYour song will resonate
Nee vanthu kelaamalWithout you coming to listen
Yengum thamizh sangamThis Tamil Sangam longs in solitude
Female
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?
Female
Unnai kaanamalWithout seeing you
Kangal pongumMy eyes overflow with tears
Athuvae nenjin aathangamThat is the deep grief in my heart
Unnai kaanamal kangal pongumWithout seeing you, my eyes overflow with tears
Athuvae nenjin aathangamThat is the deep grief in my heart
Female
Unakaga en paadalMy song meant for you
Arangerum velaiAt the time it premieres on stage
Nee ketka vazhi illaiYou have no way to listen to it
Ithu enna leelaiWhat kind of divine play is this?
Poomegam ingae aagayam engaeThe flower-cloud is here, but where is the sky?
Nee sendra vazhi paarthuLooking at the path you traveled
Vaadum un poo ingaeYour flower is wilting right here
Female
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?
Envazhvilae orr ponvelai hoThis is a golden moment in my life, oh!
Envazhvilae orr ponvelai hoThis is a golden moment in my life, oh!
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?
Paadava un paadalaiShall I sing your song?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Paadava Un Paadalai' is a poignant song of love, longing, and painful separation. The protagonist expresses her desire to sing a melody dedicated to her beloved, celebrating the occasion as a precious golden moment in her life. She longs for intimacy, using natural imagery like waves uniting with the sea and flowers hugging leaves to describe their ideal togetherness. However, the tone turns tragic as she laments his absence during the very performance dedicated to him, feeling lost like a cloud adrift without its sky.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Kadalodu alaipola

Compares the desired emotional and physical closeness to the natural bond between waves and the sea.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Poomegam ingae aagayam engae

Metaphorically describes herself as a cloud of flowers and her beloved as the sky without which she cannot exist.

Initial Alliteration (Moonaai)

Vaadai poongatru / Vaazhkai yaavum nee vendum

Repetition of the initial 'Vaa' sound across consecutive lines creating a rhythmic harmony.

Imagery & Hyperbole

Endhaegam engum ungaanam thangum

Poetically exaggerates the resonance of music, claiming the song stays trapped throughout her body.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Paadava Un Paadalai' is a hit song from the 1984 Tamil film 'Naan Paadum Paadal', composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song features iconic vocal renditions by S. Janaki (female version) and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (male version).

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