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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
Details
Ponnumani1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sindhu nathi semmeenaeO red fish of the Indus river
Kongu thamizh senthaenaeO pure honey of Kongu Tamil
Sindhu nathi semmeenaeO red fish of the Indus river
Kongu thamizh senthaenaeO pure honey of Kongu Tamil
Male
Thennankeetril raagam thedumSeeking a melody in the coconut leaves
ThenmaangaeO sweet mango-like maiden
Thennankeetril raagam thedumSeeking a melody in the coconut leaves
ThenmaangaeO sweet mango-like maiden
Male
Kadhai pesum kannoduWith eyes that speak stories
Kalangathae pen maanaeDo not be distressed, my gentle deer
Thunai naanae pon maanaeI am your companion, golden deer
Male
Sindhu nathi semmeenaeO red fish of the Indus river
Kongu thamizh senthaenaeO pure honey of Kongu Tamil
Male
Kaakkai chiragilae theendiTouching the crow's wing
Kadhaigal nooru kooravaaShall I tell a hundred stories?
Paasam vaiththa paal nilaavaiThe milky moon filled with affection
Kaiyil naanum yenthavaaShall I hold it in my hands?
Male
Maaman thotta poontheraeO flower chariot touched by your uncle
Manathil neeyum yengathaeDo not yearn in your heart
Yekkaththodu nee ponaalIf you leave with longings
Yezhai nenju thaangaathaeMy poor heart cannot bear it
Male
Neeyum vaazha thaanaeOnly so that you may live
Naanum vaazhgirenaeI too am living
Veesum thendralae…O blowing breeze...
Pesu thendralae…O speaking breeze...
Male
Sindhu nathi semmeenaeO red fish of the Indus river
Kongu thamizh senthaenaeO pure honey of Kongu Tamil
Sindhu nathi semmeenaeO red fish of the Indus river
Kongu thamizh senthaenaeO pure honey of Kongu Tamil
Male
Vaazhai naarilae thaaliA mangalsutra made of banana fiber
Potta kaalam verammaaThat time when it was tied was different, my dear
Saami saatchiyaaga naanumWith God as my witness
Thandha vaakku maarumaaWill the word I gave ever change?
Male
Naanaththodu poochoodiAdorned with flowers in shyness
Naalum enthan per paadiSinging my name every day
Aadi paadum kaaththaadiLike a kite dancing and singing
Marandhathenna aaththaadiOh my, why did you forget?
Male
Thedi thedi thaanaeSearching and searching
Naanum vaazhgirenaeI too am living
Veesum thendralae…O blowing breeze...
Pesu thendralae…O speaking breeze...
Male
Sindhu nathi semmeenaeO red fish of the Indus river
Kongu thamizh senthaenaeO pure honey of Kongu Tamil
Sindhu nathi semmeenaeO red fish of the Indus river
Kongu thamizh senthaenaeO pure honey of Kongu Tamil
Male
Thennankeetril raagam thedumSeeking a melody in the coconut leaves
ThenmaangaeO sweet mango-like maiden
Thennankeetril raagam thedumSeeking a melody in the coconut leaves
ThenmaangaeO sweet mango-like maiden
Male
Kadhai pesum kannoduWith eyes that speak stories
Kalangathae pen maanaeDo not be distressed, my gentle deer
Thunai naanae pon maanaeI am your companion, golden deer
Male
Sindhu nathi semmeenaeO red fish of the Indus river
Kongu thamizh senthaenaeO pure honey of Kongu Tamil

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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