Semmeene Semmeene
From Sevvanthi · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- P. Jayachandran, Sunanda
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sevvanthi1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae | Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you, |
| Sevvanthi pennukku singaara kannukku | For the girl named Sevvanthi, with beautiful eyes, |
| Kalyaana maalai kondu vaaraen | I will bring a wedding garland, |
| Manjal thaaliyum kungumamum thaaraen | I will give her the sacred yellow thread and vermilion. |
| Chorus | |
| Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa…. | Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa.... |
| Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa…. | Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa.... |
| Female | |
| Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae | Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you, |
| Malai saathi ponnukku madalvaazhai kannukku | For the mountain-dwelling girl, with eyes like soft banana stems, |
| Kalyaana maalai kondu vaa vaa | Bring, bring the wedding garland, |
| Manjal thaaliyum kungumamum thaa thaa | Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion. |
| Female | |
| Kaal kadukka kaaththirunthaen | I waited until my legs began to ache, |
| Kannu rendum pooththirunthaen | My eyes blossomed while searching in vain, |
| Kadhalanai kaanaliyae | I could not find my beloved lover anywhere, |
| Kaaranaththai naanariyaen | And I do not know the reason why. |
| Male | |
| Dhinasari naan paarththa thaamarai poovum | Even the lotus flower that I used to gaze upon daily, |
| Thirumugam kaattaathu ponathenna paavam | What sin did I commit that it disappeared without showing its divine face? |
| Female :Oor thaduththum yaar thaduththum | Female: Even if the whole village opposes, or anyone stops us, |
| Ooyaathu naanum konda mogam | The passion and love I hold will never cease, |
| Endrum oyaathu naanum konda mogam | The passion I hold shall never fade away. |
| Male | |
| Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae | Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you, |
| Sevvanthi pennukku singaara kannukku | For the girl named Sevvanthi, with beautiful eyes, |
| Female :Kalyaana maalai kondu vaa vaa | Female: Bring, bring the wedding garland, |
| Manjal thaaliyum kungumamum thaa thaa | Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion. |
| Chorus | |
| Aa….aa….aa…aa… | Aa….aa….aa…aa… |
| Aah….aa….aah….aa… | Aah….aa….aah….aa… |
| Aah….aa….aah….aa… | Aah….aa….aah….aa… |
| Male | |
| Naan vazhangum poo mudikka | To adorn with the flowers I bestow, |
| Koonthal onnu aaduthangae | A lock of hair sways gently, |
| En viralaal pottu vaikka | To place a bindi with my own fingers, |
| Nettriyonnu vaaduthangae | A tender forehead wilts in longing, |
| Female | |
| Iruvarum andraadam saernthathai paarththu | Seeing both of us meeting every single day, |
| Idaiveli illamaal ponathu kaaththu | Even the breeze blew past without leaving any gap between us, |
| Male :Naan thirumbi varum varaikkum | Male: Until the day I return back, |
| Neerindri vaadum ila naaththu | She is like a young sapling wilting without water, |
| Odai neerindri vaadum ila naaththu | Like a young sapling wilting without stream water. |
| Female | |
| Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae | Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you, |
| Malai saathi ponnukku madalvaazhai kannukku | For the mountain-dwelling girl, with eyes like soft banana stems, |
| Female | |
| Kalyaana maalai kondu vaa vaa | Bring, bring the wedding garland, |
| Manjal thaaliyum kungumamum thaa thaa | Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion. |
செம்மீனே செம்மீனே உங்கிட்ட சொன்னேனே
செவ்வந்திப் பெண்ணுக்கு சிங்காரக் கண்ணுக்கு
கல்யாண மாலை கொண்டு வாரேன்
மஞ்சள் தாலியும் குங்குமமும் தாரேன்
Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you,
For the girl named Sevvanthi, with beautiful eyes,
I will bring a wedding garland,
I will give her the sacred yellow thread and vermilion.
தானான தானனான தானானா....
தானான தானனான தானானா....
Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa....
Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa....
செம்மீனே செம்மீனே உங்கிட்ட சொன்னேனே
மலைசாதிப் பொண்ணுக்கு மடல்வாழை கண்ணுக்கு
கல்யாண மாலை கொண்டு வா வா
மஞ்சள் தாலியும் குங்குமமும் தா தா
Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you,
For the mountain-dwelling girl, with eyes like soft banana stems,
Bring, bring the wedding garland,
Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion.
கால் கடுக்க காத்திருந்தேன்
கண்ணு ரெண்டும் பூத்திருந்தேன்
காதலனை காணலியே
காரணத்தை நானறியேன்
I waited until my legs began to ache,
My eyes blossomed while searching in vain,
I could not find my beloved lover anywhere,
And I do not know the reason why.
தினசரி நான் பார்த்த தாமரைப்பூவும்
திருமுகம் காட்டாது போனதென்ன பாவம்
ஊர் தடுத்தும் யார் தடுத்தும்
ஓயாது நானும் கொண்ட மோகம்
என்றும் ஓயாது நானும் கொண்ட மோகம்
Even the lotus flower that I used to gaze upon daily,
What sin did I commit that it disappeared without showing its divine face?
Female: Even if the whole village opposes, or anyone stops us,
The passion and love I hold will never cease,
The passion I hold shall never fade away.
செம்மீனே செம்மீனே உங்கிட்ட சொன்னேனே
செவ்வந்திப் பெண்ணுக்கு சிங்காரக் கண்ணுக்கு
கல்யாண மாலை கொண்டு வா வா
மஞ்சள் தாலியும் குங்குமமும் தா தா
Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you,
For the girl named Sevvanthi, with beautiful eyes,
Female: Bring, bring the wedding garland,
Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion.
ஆ......ஆ......ஆ.....ஆ.....
ஆஹ்......ஆ.....ஆஹ்......ஆ.....
ஆஹ்......ஆ.....ஆஹ்......ஆ.....
Aa….aa….aa…aa…
Aah….aa….aah….aa…
Aah….aa….aah….aa…
நான் வழங்கும் பூ முடிக்க
கூந்தல் ஒன்னு ஆடுதங்கே
என் விரலால் பொட்டு வைக்க
நெற்றியொண்ணு வாடுதங்கே
To adorn with the flowers I bestow,
A lock of hair sways gently,
To place a bindi with my own fingers,
A tender forehead wilts in longing,
இருவரும் அன்றாடம் சேர்ந்ததைப் பார்த்து
இடைவெளி இல்லாமல் போனது காத்து
நான் திரும்பி வரும் வரைக்கும்
நீரின்றி வாடும் இளநாத்து
ஓடை நீரின்றி வாடும் இளநாத்து
Seeing both of us meeting every single day,
Even the breeze blew past without leaving any gap between us,
Male: Until the day I return back,
She is like a young sapling wilting without water,
Like a young sapling wilting without stream water.
செம்மீனே செம்மீனே உங்கிட்ட சொன்னேனே
மலைசாதிப் பொண்ணுக்கு மடல்வாழை கண்ணுக்கு
கல்யாண மாலை கொண்டு வாரேன்
மஞ்சள் தாலியும் குங்குமமும் தாரேன்
Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you,
For the mountain-dwelling girl, with eyes like soft banana stems,
கல்யாண மாலை கொண்டு வா வா
மஞ்சள் தாலியும் குங்குமமும் தா தா
Bring, bring the wedding garland,
Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion.
Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae
Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you,
Sevvanthi pennukku singaara kannukku
For the girl named Sevvanthi, with beautiful eyes,
Kalyaana maalai kondu vaaraen
I will bring a wedding garland,
Manjal thaaliyum kungumamum thaaraen
I will give her the sacred yellow thread and vermilion.
Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa….
Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa....
Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa….
Thaanaana thaananaana thaanaanaa....
Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae
Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you,
Malai saathi ponnukku madalvaazhai kannukku
For the mountain-dwelling girl, with eyes like soft banana stems,
Kalyaana maalai kondu vaa vaa
Bring, bring the wedding garland,
Manjal thaaliyum kungumamum thaa thaa
Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion.
Kaal kadukka kaaththirunthaen
I waited until my legs began to ache,
Kannu rendum pooththirunthaen
My eyes blossomed while searching in vain,
Kadhalanai kaanaliyae
I could not find my beloved lover anywhere,
Kaaranaththai naanariyaen
And I do not know the reason why.
Dhinasari naan paarththa thaamarai poovum
Even the lotus flower that I used to gaze upon daily,
Thirumugam kaattaathu ponathenna paavam
What sin did I commit that it disappeared without showing its divine face?
Female :Oor thaduththum yaar thaduththum
Female: Even if the whole village opposes, or anyone stops us,
Ooyaathu naanum konda mogam
The passion and love I hold will never cease,
Endrum oyaathu naanum konda mogam
The passion I hold shall never fade away.
Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae
Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you,
Sevvanthi pennukku singaara kannukku
For the girl named Sevvanthi, with beautiful eyes,
Female :Kalyaana maalai kondu vaa vaa
Female: Bring, bring the wedding garland,
Manjal thaaliyum kungumamum thaa thaa
Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion.
Aa….aa….aa…aa…
Aa….aa….aa…aa…
Aah….aa….aah….aa…
Aah….aa….aah….aa…
Aah….aa….aah….aa…
Aah….aa….aah….aa…
Naan vazhangum poo mudikka
To adorn with the flowers I bestow,
Koonthal onnu aaduthangae
A lock of hair sways gently,
En viralaal pottu vaikka
To place a bindi with my own fingers,
Nettriyonnu vaaduthangae
A tender forehead wilts in longing,
Iruvarum andraadam saernthathai paarththu
Seeing both of us meeting every single day,
Idaiveli illamaal ponathu kaaththu
Even the breeze blew past without leaving any gap between us,
Male :Naan thirumbi varum varaikkum
Male: Until the day I return back,
Neerindri vaadum ila naaththu
She is like a young sapling wilting without water,
Odai neerindri vaadum ila naaththu
Like a young sapling wilting without stream water.
Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae
Oh red fish, oh red fish, I told you,
Malai saathi ponnukku madalvaazhai kannukku
For the mountain-dwelling girl, with eyes like soft banana stems,
Kalyaana maalai kondu vaa vaa
Bring, bring the wedding garland,
Manjal thaaliyum kungumamum thaa thaa
Give, give the sacred yellow thread and vermilion.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This melodious romantic track from the movie Sevvanthi (1994) captures the deep longing and eternal devotion between two lovers. Addressing a red fish ('Semmeen') as a confidant and messenger, the song vows to bring a wedding garland and sacred marital tokens ('Thaali' and 'Kungumam') to the heroine, Sevvanthi, who belongs to a mountain tribe. Through poetic imagery, the song portrays the pain of separation, anxious waiting, and unwavering passion that withstands societal opposition. The lyrics contrast the aching solitude of waiting with the tender memories of intimate togetherness, comparing the heroine to a delicate young sapling wilting without water in her lover's absence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kaal kadukka kaaththirunthaen / Kannu rendum pooththirunthaen”
In Tamil poetry, matching second letters in adjacent lines creates a rhythmic harmony. In 'Kaal kadukka' and 'Kannu rendum', 'l' and 'n' follow soft acoustic patterns; and in 'Iruvarum' / 'Idaiveli', 'r' and 'd' form internal resonance.
Anaaphora (Repetition)
“Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae”
The repetition of 'Semeenae semmeenae' and 'vaa vaa / thaa thaa' creates a hypnotic, rhythmic chant-like effect expressing eagerness.
Simile / Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)
“Neerindri vaadum ila naaththu”
Comparing eyes to lotus blossoms or banana leaves, and comparing the longing heroine to a tender sapling wilting without stream water ('Neerindri vaadum ila naaththu').
Apostrophe (Direct Address)
“Semeenae semmeenae ungitta sonnaenae”
Addressing an inanimate or non-human entity (the red fish) directly as a confidant to express inner emotional vows.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Semmeenae Semmeenae' from 'Sevvanthi' (1994) features music composed by Deva with lyrics written by the legendary lyricist Vaali. The film stars Prashanth and Chandni. The song uses rural folk motifs mixed with light classical melodies, drawing inspiration from classical Tamil Akam (love) poetry where nature serves as a messenger.
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