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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanniyile Nenanja

From Keladi Kanmani · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Keladi Kanmani1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanniyila nenanjaaIf soaked in water
Idhu thangamena jolikkumIt shines like gold
Kannukkulla izhukkumIt draws you into the eyes
Idhu kattililae jeikkumIt wins on the bed
Female
Puththam pudhusuBrand new
Velli kolusuSilver anklet
Indrum ilasuStill young
Indha manasuIs this heart
Naan kannaala pandhaadaAs I play ball with my eyes
Ada nee thannaala thindaadaAh, you stumble all by yourself
Female
Thanniyila nenanjaaIf soaked in water
Idhu thangamena jolikkumIt shines like gold
Kannukkulla izhukkumIt draws you into the eyes
Idhu kattililae jeikkumIt wins on the bed
Female
Mogam ennum theeyinilaeIn the fire called desire
Moodi vaiththa malligaippooIs a covered jasmine flower
Dhegam ennum paarkkadalil punsirippuA smile on the ocean of milk called body
Paasamulla poovirukkuThere is an affectionate flower
Poovukkullae thaenirukkuThere is honey inside the flower
Thaen kudikka vandha pinnum yaar ninaippuEven after coming to drink honey, whose thoughts are on your mind?
Female
Ora vizhi paarvaiyilaeIn a side-long glance
Ulladhenna kaanaliyoHaven't you seen what lies within?
Odivandha velli nilaaThe running silver moon
Paarppedhenna thonaliyoHaven't you felt like looking at it?
Male
Kollai adiththaal kuraindhidumaaWill it decrease if stolen?
Selvam idhu dhaanThis is the true wealth
Thalli irundhaal nadandhidumaaWill it happen if kept at a distance?
Inba kadhai dhaanThis story of pleasure
Female
Thanniyila nenanjaaIf soaked in water
Idhu thangamena jolikkumIt shines like gold
Kannukkulla izhukkumIt draws you into the eyes
Idhu kattililae jeikkumIt wins on the bed
Female
Puththam pudhusuBrand new
Velli kolusuSilver anklet
Indrum ilasuStill young
Indha manasuIs this heart
Naan kannaala pandhaadaAs I play ball with my eyes
Ada nee thannaala thindaadaAh, you stumble all by yourself
Female
Thanniyila nenanjaaIf soaked in water
Idhu thangamena jolikkumIt shines like gold
Kannukkulla izhukkumIt draws you into the eyes
Idhu kattililae jeikkumIt wins on the bed
Female
Naalu pakkam suvaru illaaWithout walls on four sides
Koviladi kovililaeIt is a temple, my dear
Jaadhi madham bedham edhum illaiyadiThere is no distinction of caste or religion here
Ettu dhikkum yettukkullumAcross all eight directions and within reach
Vedhamadi vedhaththilaeIt is sacred scripture, in the scriptures
Inbam mattum dhaan idharkku moolamadiJoy alone is the root source of this
Female
Dhesam engum per eduththaRenowned across the entire nation
Dheerargalum veerargalumGreat warriors and heroes
Thedi vandhu naadi nirkkumCome seeking and wait at the doorstep
Dhevadhaiyin vaasaladiOf this goddess
Female
Puththagaththil paadam illaiyadiThere is no lesson in textbooks
Ingae irukkuHere lies
Palli araiyil pulli mayilaeIn the bedchamber, oh spotted peacock
Inba kanakkuThe mathematics of pleasure
Female
Thanniyila nenanjaaIf soaked in water
Idhu thangamena jolikkumIt shines like gold
Kannukkulla izhukkumIt draws you into the eyes
Idhu kattililae jeikkumIt wins on the bed
Female
Puththam pudhusuBrand new
Velli kolusuSilver anklet
Indrum ilasuStill young
Indha manasuIs this heart
Naan kannaala pandhaadaAs I play ball with my eyes
Ada nee thannaala thindaadaAh, you stumble all by yourself
Female
Thanniyila nenanjaaIf soaked in water
Idhu thangamena jolikkumIt shines like gold
Kannukkulla izhukkumIt draws you into the eyes
Idhu kattililae jeikkumIt wins on the bed

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

"Thanniyila Nenanjaa" from the film Keladi Kanmani (1990) is a playful and sensual track that explores themes of physical attraction, romance, and intimacy. Written by Vaali and set to Ilaiyaraaja's composition, the song uses rich Tamil poetic imagery, comparing romance and physical affection to timeless treasures, divine temples beyond societal boundaries, and untaught lessons of pleasure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Thanniyila nenanjaa / Idhu thangamena jolikkum

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' in consecutive words.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Puththam pudhusu / Velli kolusu

Rhyming of the second letter 'lla' across rhyming word pairs.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Mogam ennum theeyinilae / Dhegam ennum paarkkadalil

Comparing physical desire and the human body to fire and a milk ocean.

Did you know?

Trivia

Keladi Kanmani (1990) was directed by Vasanth and marked the acting debut of legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam in a main lead role. This song features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with vocals by S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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