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Nellikani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Paadu Thendrale Puthu Manam

From Nellikani · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Nellikani
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
15 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paadu thendralae pudhu manam vanthathu
Aadu thogaiyae pudhu isai vanthathu
Female :Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaai
Kavithaiyilae nenjamae
Viraivinilae manjamae
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Paadu thendralae pudhu manam vanthathu
Aadu thogaiyae pudhu isai vanthathu
Male :Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaai
Kavithaiyilae nenjamae
Viraivinilae manjamae
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Maalai medai manjal dheepam
Mayakkum nathu maarbu
Male :Kaalai kaattru kannal saaru
Kaniyum unathu paarvai
Maalai medai manjal dheepam
Mayakkum nathu maarbu
Male :Kaalai kaattru kannal saaru
Kaniyum unathu paarvai
Mella thulliyodum
Pullimaanai thottu sera
Male :Minnum velli pondra
Kannam thannai thatti paarkka
Female :Unnai kandaen
En vaazhviil nee kaarkkaalamae
Paadu thendralae pudhu manam vanthathu
Aadu thogaiyae pudhu isai vanthathu
Female :Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaai
Kavithaiyilae nenjamae
Viraivinilae manjamae
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Vaazhai thottam annam minnal
Uvamai unakku kodi
Female :Vaasal mnnae pesum sirppam
Varum kavithai paadi
Vaazhai thottam annam minnal
Uvamai unakku kodi
Female :Vaasal mnnae pesum sirppam
Varum kavithai paadi
Indru anthi neram vantha theril unnai yaettri
Female :Endrum alli alli kaiyil vaiththu thaenai oottri
Male :Indru pola naam vaazh nam devan thanthaan
Paadu thendralae pudhu manam vanthathu
Aadu thogaiyae pudhu isai vanthathu
Male :Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaai
Kavithaiyilae nenjamae
Viraivinilae manjamae
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Male :Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Both :Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….
Sing, gentle breeze, a fresh fragrance has arrived!
Dance, peacock, new music has arrived!
Female: Sing of the rain of flowers called love,
in poetry, oh my heart,
heading soon to the bed of love...
This is the new union he has gifted...
This is the new union he has gifted...
Sing, gentle breeze, a fresh fragrance has arrived!
Dance, peacock, new music has arrived!
Male: Sing of the rain of flowers called love,
in poetry, oh my heart,
heading soon to the bed of love...
This is the new union he has gifted...
This is the new union he has gifted...
An evening stage, a glowing golden lamp,
an intoxicating embrace...
Male: Morning breeze, sweet sugarcane juice,
and your tender, sweet gaze...
An evening stage, a glowing golden lamp,
an intoxicating embrace...
Male: Morning breeze, sweet sugarcane juice,
and your tender, sweet gaze...
Leaping gently as it runs,
to touch and embrace the spotted deer...
Male: Like shining silver,
to gently caress those cheeks...
Female: I found you,
and you became the joyful monsoon of my life!
Sing, gentle breeze, a fresh fragrance has arrived!
Dance, peacock, new music has arrived!
Female: Sing of the rain of flowers called love,
in poetry, oh my heart,
heading soon to the bed of love...
This is the new union he has gifted...
This is the new union he has gifted...
A banana grove, a graceful swan, a flash of lightning—
there are millions of comparisons for you!
Female: A talking sculpture before the doorway,
coming along, singing a song of poetry...
A banana grove, a graceful swan, a flash of lightning—
there are millions of comparisons for you!
Female: A talking sculpture before the doorway,
coming along, singing a song of poetry...
Today at twilight, lifting you onto the waiting chariot,
Female: Gathering sweet honey endlessly in cupped hands and pouring it,
Male: To live forever like this, our God has blessed us!
Sing, gentle breeze, a fresh fragrance has arrived!
Dance, peacock, new music has arrived!
Male: Sing of the rain of flowers called love,
in poetry, oh my heart,
heading soon to the bed of love...
This is the new union he has gifted...
Male: This is the new union he has gifted...
Both: This is the new union he has gifted...
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Paadu Thendralae from the 1981 film Nellikani is a romantic duet expressing the joy and anticipation of love and union. The lovers compare their newfound togetherness to nature's beauty—gentle breezes, blooming flowers, and dancing peacocks—framing their bond as a divine gift. Rich in classical Tamil poetic imagery, the song captures both the tender affection and the eager anticipation of starting a life together. The vocal renditions by P. Jayachandran and Vani Jairam bring alive Kannadasan's lyrical elegance under Shankar-Ganesh's melodious composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaai

Love is metaphorically equated to a shower of flowers ('poo mazhai').

Simile (Uvamai)

Minnum velli pondra Kannam thannai thatti paarkka

The cheeks are directly compared to bright, gleaming silver using the comparative marker 'pondra'.

Rhyme and Assonance (Iyaibu & Ethirai)

Kavithaiyilae nenjamae / Viraivinilae manjamae

The ending lines use matching rhyming sounds 'nenjamae' and 'manjamae' to create melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features lyrical work by Kaviarasu Kannadasan, composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh, and performed by popular playback singers P. Jayachandran and Vani Jairam.

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