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Nandu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Paaduthamma Aatrin Alaigal

From Nandu · 1981

Lyricist
Madhukoor Kannan
Singer
Bhupendra Singh
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Nandu
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
3 Jul 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………….
Paaduthammaa aattrin alaigal antha naatgalai
Theduthammaa kaattril ilaigal
Paadum kuyil naadham vandin reengaaraam oo….oo…oo..
Paaduthammaa aattrin alaigal antha naatgalai
Theduthammaa kaattril ilaigal
Engum angum paattaai Inbamo kodi
Gangai vanthu saernthaal kaaviriyai thedi
Komathiyin oram senthazham
Konjugindra neram sangeetham
Saamarappoo veesum sanga kavi pesum
Kovil mani paadum geedhangalae
Paaduthammaa aattrin alaigal antha naatgalai
Theduthammaa kaattril ilaigal
Paadum kuyil naadham vandin reengaaraam oo….oo…oo..
Paaduthammaa aattrin alaigal antha naatgalai
Theduthammaa kaattril ilaigal
...
The river's waves are singing of those days
The leaves are searching in the wind
The melody of the singing cuckoo, the humming of the beetle, oo... oo... oo...
The river's waves are singing of those days
The leaves are searching in the wind
A song everywhere and anywhere, joy in millions
Ganga came and joined, searching for Kaveri
Red screwpine flowers on the bank of Gomathi
Music fills the time of tender affection
The chamara flower sways, Sangam poetry speaks
Oh, the songs sung by the temple bells!
The river's waves are singing of those days
The leaves are searching in the wind
The melody of the singing cuckoo, the humming of the beetle, oo... oo... oo...
The river's waves are singing of those days
The leaves are searching in the wind
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song expresses deep nostalgic longing and romantic affection through the beauty of nature. The lyrics compare fond past memories to the harmonious sounds of river waves, fluttering leaves, cuckoo calls, and humming bees. It paints a serene picture where nature itself participates in love and musical beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Paaduthammaa aattrin alaigal antha naatgalai”

Attributes human actions like singing ('Paaduthammaa') and searching ('Theduthammaa') to inanimate natural elements like river waves and leaves.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Paaduthammaa... / Theduthammaa...”

The second letter ''/'du' in 'Paaduthammaa' and 'Theduthammaa' creates rhythmic harmony across lines.

Metaphor

“Gangai vanthu saernthaal kaaviriyai thedi”

The confluence of Ganga searching for Kaveri metaphorically describes the union of lovers coming together from afar.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is famously sung by renowned North Indian ghazal singer Bhupendra Singh, making it a rare and unique collaboration with Maestro Ilaiyaraaja in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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