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Lyrics & meaning

Sevvanathil Oru

From Naangu Killadigal · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Naangu Killadigal1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sevvaanathil oru natchathiramA star in the red evening sky
Sirithathu ennai paarthuSmiled looking at me
En sivandhu udalaa idhazhaa manamaIs it my reddened body, lips, or heart?
Sirithathu edhai paarthuWhat did it look at and smile?
Female
Sevvaanathil oru natchathiramA star in the red evening sky
Sirithathu ennai paarthuSmiled looking at me
En sivandhu udalaa idhazhaa manamaIs it my reddened body, lips, or heart?
Sirithathu edhai paarthuWhat did it look at and smile?
Female
Aadaiyin vanappai nee ezhudhaAs you write about the beauty of the attire
Aasaiyin azhagai naan ezhudhaAs I write about the beauty of desire
Aadaiyin vanappai nee ezhudhaAs you write about the beauty of the attire
Aasaiyin azhagai naan ezhudhaAs I write about the beauty of desire
Male
Naadagam endrae naan ninaikkaWhile I thought it was just a drama
Nadappadhai unnidam yen maraikkaWhy should I hide from you what is happening?
Naadagam endrae naan ninaikkaWhile I thought it was just a drama
Nadappadhai unnidam yen maraikkaWhy should I hide from you what is happening?
Female
Sevvaanathil oru natchathiramA star in the red evening sky
Sirithathu ennai paarthuSmiled looking at me
En sivandhu udalaa idhazhaa manamaIs it my reddened body, lips, or heart?
Sirithathu edhai paarthuWhat did it look at and smile?
Female
Uravukku endrum irandu pakkamA relationship always has two sides
Adhai unnidam solvadhil enna vetkkamWhat shame is there in sharing that with you?
Uravukku endrum irandu pakkamA relationship always has two sides
Adhai unnidam solvadhil enna vetkkamWhat shame is there in sharing that with you?
Male
Uravin oru pakakm nee arivaaiYou know one side of the relationship
Indha nialvin maruppakkam yaar arivaarWho knows the far side of this moon?
Uravin oru pakakm nee arivaaiYou know one side of the relationship
Indha nialvin maruppakkam yaar arivaarWho knows the far side of this moon?
Female
Sevvaanathil oru natchathiramA star in the red evening sky
Sirithathu ennai paarthuSmiled looking at me
En sivandhu udalaa idhazhaa manamaIs it my reddened body, lips, or heart?
Sirithathu edhai paarthuWhat did it look at and smile?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Sevvaanathil Oru Natchathiram' is a romantic duet from the 1969 Tamil film 'Naangu Killadigal', composed by S. Vedhachalam with lyrics by Kannadasan. The song captures a flirtatious and deep conversation between lovers using rich celestial imagery. The protagonist ponders whether a star smiling down from the reddish dusk sky is gazing at her blushing body, lips, or enamored heart. As the song progresses, the lovers exchange poetic thoughts about attire, desire, and emotional openness. The lyrics subtly highlight that every relationship has two sides, comparing the unknown aspects of intimacy and human emotion to the unexplored far side of the moon. Kannadasan's evocative words coupled with the melodious renditions by T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela make this a memorable classic.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Anaaphora / Alliteration)

Sevvaanathil oru natchathiram / Sirithathu ennai paarthu / En sivandhu udalaa...

Repetition of the 'S' sound in initial words ('Sevvaanathil', 'Sirithathu', 'Sivandhu') creates melodic harmony.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aadaiyin vanappai nee ezhudha / Aasaiyin azhagai naan ezhudha

Matching second letters in consecutive lines ('Aadaiyin' and 'Aasaiyin') establishes rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Indha nialvin maruppakkam yaar arivaar

Comparing the unseen emotional depth of a relationship to the hidden far side of the moon ('nilavin maruppakkam').

Rhetorical Question

En sivandhu udalaa idhazhaa manama / Sirithathu edhai paarthu

Asking a poetic question about whether the star is smiling at her body, lips, or mind, enhancing romantic mystery.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naangu Killadigal' (1969) was produced by Modern Theatres and directed by A. L. Santhanam. Coincidentally, Kannadasan's reference to 'nilavin maruppakkam' (the far side of the moon) was written in 1969, the very year humans first walked on the moon.

Keep listening

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