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Lyrics & meaning

Paarthathunda Ketta

From Neengatha Ninaivu · 1963

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Neengatha Ninaivu
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
25 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paarthathunda kettathunda
Solladi pennae
Un paarvai engae kavanam engae
Nilladi kannae
Paarthathundu kettathundu
Pazhagavidavillai
En paarvai nizhalum veredhilum
Vizhundhidavillai
Paarthathunda kettathunda
Solladi pennae
Un paarvai engae kavanam engae
Nilladi kannae
Poothirukku malargal manasai
Sernthirukku azhagil
Kaathirukku kangal nee
Ketpadhenna karuthil
Paruva kanavai paarthathunda
Paadum paattai kettadhunda
Iravu mayakkam thandhadhunda
Unnai maranthu nindrathunda
Paarthathunda
Paarthathunda kettathunda
Solladi pennae
Un paarvai engae kavanam engae
Nilladi kannae
Paarthathundu kettathundu
Pazhagavidavillai
En paarvai nihalum veredhilum
Vizhundhidavillai
Paarthathunda kettathunda
Solladi pennae
Un paarvai engae kavanam engae
Nilladi kannae
Have you seen it? Have you heard it?
Tell me, girl!
Where are your eyes wandering, where is your mind?
Stop right there, my dear...
I have seen it, I have heard it,
yet I have never indulged in it.
Even the shadow of my gaze
has never fallen anywhere else..
Have you seen it? Have you heard it?
Tell me, girl!
Where are your eyes wandering, where is your mind?
Stop right there, my dear...
Flowers are in bloom, touching the heart,
gathered together in beauty.
My eyes are waiting—
what is really on your mind as you ask?
Have you ever seen youthful dreams?
Have you heard the songs they sing?
Has the night ever cast its sweet spell on you?
Have you ever stood there, completely forgetting yourself?...
Have you seen it?
Have you seen it? Have you seen it?
Have you heard it? Tell me, girl!
Where are your eyes wandering, where is your mind?
Stop right there, my dear...
I have seen it, I have heard it,
yet I have never indulged in it.
Even the shadow of my gaze
has never fallen anywhere else...
Have you seen it? Have you seen it?
Have you heard it? Tell me, girl!
Where are your eyes wandering, where is your mind?
Stop right there, my dear...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song takes the form of a playful, rhythmic dialogue between two young women. One playfully teases the other, asking why her mind seems so distracted and whether she has surrendered her heart to the sweet daydreaming and intoxication of youthful love. The other cleverly responds that while she is aware of love and its romantic allure, her heart remains pure, focused, and unswayed by distractions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai / Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Paruva kanavai paarthathunda / Paadum paattai kettadhunda

Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds in consecutive lines for musical rhythm, such as 'Paruva' / 'Paadum'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Paarthathunda kettathunda / Thandhadhunda nindrathunda

Matching end sounds ('unda') across lines creating a catchy, rhythmic interrogative refrain.

Refrain / Repetition

Paarthathunda kettathunda

The repeated line 'Paarthathunda kettathunda' serves as the anchor chorus that drives the conversational cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, 'Neengatha Ninaivu' (1963) featured energetic dance tracks. L. R. Eswari's playback vocal delivery brought a distinct playful charm and theatricality to the song, which became a popular stage performance favorite.

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