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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paadu Thendrale Puthu Manam

From Nellikani · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nellikani1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paadu thendralae pudhu manam vanthathuSing, oh southern breeze, a new fragrance has arrived
Aadu thogaiyae pudhu isai vanthathuDance, oh peacock feathers, a new melody has arrived
Female :Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaaiFemale: Sing of the shower of flowers that is love
Kavithaiyilae nenjamaeThe heart absorbed in poetry
Male
Viraivinilae manjamaeThe nuptial bed awaiting soon
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….This is a new union granted by Him...
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….This is a new union granted by Him...
Female
Paadu thendralae pudhu manam vanthathuSing, oh southern breeze, a new fragrance has arrived
Aadu thogaiyae pudhu isai vanthathuDance, oh peacock feathers, a new melody has arrived
Male :Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaaiMale: Sing of the shower of flowers that is love
Kavithaiyilae nenjamaeThe heart absorbed in poetry
Female
Viraivinilae manjamaeThe nuptial bed awaiting soon
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….This is a new union granted by Him...
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….This is a new union granted by Him...
Female
Maalai medai manjal dheepamAn evening stage, a yellow lamp
Mayakkum nathu maarbuA chest that mesmerizes
Male :Kaalai kaattru kannal saaruMale: Morning breeze, sugarcane juice
Kaniyum unathu paarvaiYour gaze that ripens with affection
Female
Maalai medai manjal dheepamAn evening stage, a yellow lamp
Mayakkum nathu maarbuA chest that mesmerizes
Male :Kaalai kaattru kannal saaruMale: Morning breeze, sugarcane juice
Kaniyum unathu paarvaiYour gaze that ripens with affection
Female
Mella thulliyodumGently prancing along
Pullimaanai thottu seraTo reach and touch the spotted deer
Male :Minnum velli pondraMale: Like shining silver
Kannam thannai thatti paarkkaTo gently pat and feel the cheek
Female :Unnai kandaenFemale: I saw you
En vaazhviil nee kaarkkaalamaeIn my life, you are the monsoon season
Male
Paadu thendralae pudhu manam vanthathuSing, oh southern breeze, a new fragrance has arrived
Aadu thogaiyae pudhu isai vanthathuDance, oh peacock feathers, a new melody has arrived
Female :Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaaiFemale: Sing of the shower of flowers that is love
Kavithaiyilae nenjamaeThe heart absorbed in poetry
Male
Viraivinilae manjamaeThe nuptial bed awaiting soon
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….This is a new union granted by Him...
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….This is a new union granted by Him...
Male
Vaazhai thottam annam minnalBanana plantation, swan, lightning
Uvamai unakku kodiTen million similes exist for you
Female :Vaasal mnnae pesum sirppamFemale: A talking sculpture in front of the doorway
Varum kavithai paadiSinging an incoming poem
Male
Vaazhai thottam annam minnalBanana plantation, swan, lightning
Uvamai unakku kodiTen million similes exist for you
Female :Vaasal mnnae pesum sirppamFemale: A talking sculpture in front of the doorway
Varum kavithai paadiSinging an incoming poem
Male
Indru anthi neram vantha theril unnai yaettriBoarding you onto the chariot that arrived this evening
Female :Endrum alli alli kaiyil vaiththu thaenai oottriFemale: Always scooping you up, holding in hands and pouring honey
Male :Indru pola naam vaazh nam devan thanthaanMale: Our God granted us to live forever like today
Female
Paadu thendralae pudhu manam vanthathuSing, oh southern breeze, a new fragrance has arrived
Aadu thogaiyae pudhu isai vanthathuDance, oh peacock feathers, a new melody has arrived
Male :Kadhalenum poo mazhaiyai paadiduvaaiMale: Sing of the shower of flowers that is love
Kavithaiyilae nenjamaeThe heart absorbed in poetry
Female
Viraivinilae manjamaeThe nuptial bed awaiting soon
Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….This is a new union granted by Him...
Male :Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….Male: This is a new union granted by Him...
Both :Idhu avan thantha pudhu sangamae….Both: This is a new union granted by Him...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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