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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Snehithane Snehithane

From Alaipayuthey · 2000

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Sadhana Sargam, Srinivas
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Alaipayuthey2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Snehidhanae snehidhanaeOh my beloved friend, my beloved friend
Ragasiya snehidhanaeMy secret companion
Chinna chinnadhaai korikkaigalI have a few small requests
Sevikodu snehidhanaeLend me your ear, my beloved friend
Idhae azhutham azhuthamThis same pressure and passion
Idhae anaippu anaippuThis same warm embrace
Vaazhvin ellai varaiUntil the very end of my life
Vendum vendumI need it, I want it
Vaazhvin ellai varaiUntil the very end of my life
Vendum vendumI need it, I want it
Snehidhanae snehidhanaeOh my beloved friend, my beloved friend
Female
Chinna chinnaCommit small, sweet transgressions
Athumeeral purivaaiCross gentle boundaries with me
En cell ellaamMake every single cell in my body
Pookkal pookka cheivaaiBloom brightly into flowers
Malargalil malarvaaiBlossom softly among flowers
Poopparikkum bakthan pola medhuvaaiGently, like a devotee plucking flowers
Naan thoongumbodhu viral nagam kalaivaaiTrim my nails while I am fast asleep
Sathamindri thuyilvaaiSleep quietly beside me without a sound
Aiviral idukkil oliv ennai poosiApply olive oil between my five fingers
Sevaiyum seiyavendumAnd pamper me with such sweet care
Neeyezhumbodhu naan azha nerndhaalIf I happen to weep when you wake up
Thudaikkindra viral vendumI need your gentle finger to wipe my tears
Female
Snehidhanae snehidhanaeOh my beloved friend, my beloved friend
Ragasiya snehidhanaeMy secret companion
Chinna chinnadhaai korikkaigalI have a few small requests
Sevikodu snehidhanaeLend me your ear, my beloved friend
Male
Netru munniravil unnaithilavu madiyilYesterday evening, resting in your warm lap
Kaatru nuzhaivadhu oh uyirAs the gentle breeze seeped between us, oh my soul
Kalandhu kalithirundhenI became one with you and rejoiced
Indru vinnilavil andha eera ninaivilToday under the moonlight, lost in those moist memories
Kandru thavippadhu oh manamMy heart struggles helplessly like a restless calf
Kalangi pulambugirenI am deeply distressed and crying out for you
Female
Sonnadhellaam pagalilae purivenI will fulfill everything you asked for during the day
Sonnadhellaam pagalile purivaenI will fulfill everything you asked for during the day
Female
Snehidhanae snehidhanaeOh my beloved friend, my beloved friend
Ragasiya snehidhanaeMy secret companion
Chinna chinnadhaai korikkaigalI have a few small requests
Sevikodu snehidhanaeLend me your ear, my beloved friend

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Snehidhane is a legendary romantic song from the film Alaipayuthey (2000), celebrating intimate love, vulnerability, and gentle affection. The heroine addresses her secret lover and husband, asking him to maintain the same warmth, intensity, and tenderness throughout their lifetime. She outlines delicate, personal requests—such as gently trimming her nails while she sleeps, applying oil to her fingers, and wiping her tears—illustrating love not just as grand passion, but through tiny, deeply caring gestures. The song contrasts the intoxicating passion of their intimate night together with the lingering yearning she feels the next day. Written brilliantly by Vairamuthu, the lyric blends tender domesticity with romantic ecstasy, expressing a desire for a bond where both body and soul bloom fully.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Snehidhanae snehidhanae

Words like 'Snehidhanae', 'Chinna chinna', 'azhutham azhutham', and 'Vendum vendum' are repeated sequentially to emphasize tenderness, longing, and insistence.

Upamai (Simile)

Poopparikkum bakthan pola medhuvaai

Compares the gentleness of her lover's touch to a devotee tenderly plucking flowers so as not to hurt them.

Upamai (Simile)

Kandru thavippadhu oh manam

Compares her restless, distressed heart to a calf searching anxiously for its mother.

Metaphor (Urvakam)

En cell ellaam pookkal pookka cheivaai

Compares the microscopic cells of her body to blooming flowers, symbolizing total sensual awakening.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kalangi pulambugiren

The repetition of the 'Ka' and 'Pa' sound patterns at the beginning of words creates melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Singer Sadhana Sargam won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for 'Snehidhane', becoming the first singer of North Indian origin to win a National Award for a Tamil song. Composed by A.R. Rahman, the song features a unique blend of Carnatic raga Shuntavarali (or Harmavati in Hindustani) with contemporary western arrangements.

Keep listening

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