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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sindhu Nathi Seemene

From Ponnumani · 1993

Lyricist
R. V. Udhaya Kumar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ponnumani
Movie release year
1993
Lyrics added on
21 Mar 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sindhu nathi semmeenae
Kongu thamizh senthaenae
Sindhu nathi semmeenae
Kongu thamizh senthaenae
Thennankeetril raagam thedum
Thenmaangae
Thennankeetril raagam thedum
Thenmaangae
Kadhai pesum kannodu
Kalangathae pen maanae
Thunai naanae pon maanae
Sindhu nathi semmeenae
Kongu thamizh senthaenae
Kaakkai chiragilae theendi
Kadhaigal nooru kooravaa
Paasam vaiththa paal nilaavai
Kaiyil naanum yenthavaa
Maaman thotta poontherae
Manathil neeyum yengathae
Yekkaththodu nee ponaal
Yezhai nenju thaangaathae
Neeyum vaazha thaanae
Naanum vaazhgirenae
Veesum thendralae…
Pesu thendralae…
Sindhu nathi semmeenae
Kongu thamizh senthaenae
Sindhu nathi semmeenae
Kongu thamizh senthaenae
Vaazhai naarilae thaali
Potta kaalam verammaa
Saami saatchiyaaga naanum
Thandha vaakku maarumaa
Naanaththodu poochoodi
Naalum enthan per paadi
Aadi paadum kaaththaadi
Marandhathenna aaththaadi
Thedi thedi thaanae
Naanum vaazhgirenae
Veesum thendralae…
Pesu thendralae…
Sindhu nathi semmeenae
Kongu thamizh senthaenae
Sindhu nathi semmeenae
Kongu thamizh senthaenae
Thennankeetril raagam thedum
Thenmaangae
Thennankeetril raagam thedum
Thenmaangae
Kadhai pesum kannodu
Kalangathae pen maanae
Thunai naanae pon maanae
Sindhu nathi semmeenae
Kongu thamizh senthaenae
O precious red fish of the Sindhu river,
O sweet honey of Kongu Tamil,
O precious red fish of the Sindhu river,
O sweet honey of Kongu Tamil,
Seeking a tune among the coconut fronds,
O sweet southern melody,
Seeking a tune among the coconut fronds,
O sweet southern melody,
With eyes that speak whole stories,
Do not lose heart, my gentle doe,
I am here by your side, my golden doe.
O precious red fish of the Sindhu river,
O sweet honey of Kongu Tamil,
Touching the black wing of a crow,
Shall I tell you a hundred tales?
The milky moon I held so dear,
Shall I cradle it in my hands?
O flower chariot touched by your beloved,
Do not let your heart pine in sorrow.
If you walk away longing like this,
This poor heart of mine cannot bear it.
Only so that you may live,
I too keep living.
O blowing breeze…
Speak to me, gentle breeze…
O precious red fish of the Sindhu river,
O sweet honey of Kongu Tamil,
O precious red fish of the Sindhu river,
O sweet honey of Kongu Tamil,
A wedding knot tied with banana fiber—
Those were different times, my dear.
With God as my only witness,
Will the solemn promise I made ever change?
Wearing flowers with shy grace,
Singing my name every single day,
Dancing and singing like a playful kite,
Oh dear, why have you forgotten it all?
Searching and searching for you,
I go on living my life.
O blowing breeze…
Speak to me, gentle breeze…
O precious red fish of the Sindhu river,
O sweet honey of Kongu Tamil,
O precious red fish of the Sindhu river,
O sweet honey of Kongu Tamil,
Seeking a tune among the coconut fronds,
O sweet southern melody,
Seeking a tune among the coconut fronds,
O sweet southern melody,
With eyes that speak whole stories,
Do not lose heart, my gentle doe,
I am here by your side, my golden doe.
O precious red fish of the Sindhu river,
O sweet honey of Kongu Tamil.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a tender and nostalgic expression of love, devotion, and reassurance from the male protagonist to his beloved. He compares her beauty and sweet nature to precious elements of nature such as the red fish of the Indus river and the pure honey of Kongu Tamil. Through sweet metaphors, he reassures her that his commitment is unshakeable and that he lives solely for her happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile

“Sindhu nathi semmeenae / Kongu thamizh senthaenae”

The beloved is poetically compared to a red fish from the Indus, pure Kongu honey, and a golden deer.

Emona / Second-letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

“Sindhu nathi semmeenae / Kongu thamizh senthaenae”

The second consonant 'n' (ந்) aligns across consecutive lines (Sindhu / Kongu).

Iyaibu / End Rhyme

“Sindhu nathi semmeenae / Kongu thamizh senthaenae”

Endings of lines rhyme with '-ae' ('semmeenae', 'senthaenae', 'thenmaangae').

Personification

“Veesum thendralae… / Pesu thendralae…”

Addressing the gentle breeze ('thendralae') as if it can listen and speak.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, 'Sindhu Nathi Semmeenae' from the 1993 film 'Ponnumani' is renowned for its lush orchestration and deep emotional resonance rooted in rural Tamil aesthetics.

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