Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Naanal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vinnukku Meladai

From Naanal · 1965

Lyricist
Suratha
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Naanal
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
29 Jun 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vinnukku melaadai paruva mazhai megam
Veenaikku mel aadai narambugalin koottam
Female :Kannukku mel aadai kakkum iru imaigal
Kanavukku mel aadai thodarndhu varum thookkam
Vinnukku melaadai paruva mazhai megam
Mannukku mel aadai
Male :Mmmm.. mannukku mel aadai ra ra ra
Mannukku mel aadai marathin nizhal aagum
Female :Haiyae
Mannukku mel aadai vanna mai iruttu
Manadhirkku mel aadai
Male :Valarndhu varum ninaivu
Pathukku mel aadai
Female :Pathukku mel aadai… aa…aa…aa…
Male :Ahaa
Female :Aa..aa..aa..aa
Male :Niruthu..raagam paadatha
Bathilai sollu
Female :Pathukku mel aadai
Male :Theriyalaiya
Mmm sollattumaa
Pathukku melaadai pathinondraeyaagum
Pakkathil nee irundhaal
Pala kadhai uruvaagum
Vinnukku melaadai paruva mazhai megam
Veenaikku mel aadai narambugalin koottam
Kaalathin adaiyaalam paruvangalaeyaagum
Kaadhalargal nadathuvadhu kann serdhal aagum
Kaadhalargal nadathuvadhu kann serdhal aagum
Male :Idhu varaiyil pudhu ulagam
Naam kandathillai
Edhu varaiyil sendraalum
Ellai idharkkillai
The seasonal rain cloud is the sky’s covering
The cluster of strings is the veena’s covering
Female: The two protective eyelids are the eyes’ covering
The lingering sleep is the dream’s covering
The seasonal rain cloud is the sky’s covering
The covering over the earth...
Male: Mmm... the covering over the earth, ra ra ra...
The shade of the tree is the earth’s covering
Female: Hey!
The ink-black darkness is the earth’s covering
The covering over the heart...
Male: ...is the growing memory
What lies above ten...
Female: What lies above ten... ah... ah... ah...
Male: Aha!
Female: Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male: Stop... don't sing a tune
Give the answer!
Female: What lies above ten...
Male: Don't you know?
Mmm, shall I tell you?
What comes after ten is eleven!
If you are by my side,
many stories will be born
The seasonal rain cloud is the sky’s covering
The cluster of strings is the veena’s covering
The seasons are the signs of time
What lovers share is the meeting of eyes
What lovers share is the meeting of eyes
Male: Until now, such a new world
we have never seen
No matter how far we travel,
there is no boundary to this
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Vinnukku Melaadai' is a classic riddle-style romantic duet from the 1965 movie 'Naanal', written by the legendary poet Suratha and composed by V. Kumar. The song centers around a playful game of riddles between two lovers exploring what covers or completes various natural elements and concepts: rain clouds cover the sky, strings adorn the veena, eyelids protect the eyes, sleep cradles dreams, and memories cover the mind. As their banter progresses, the male lover turns the riddle into witty wordplay ('Pathukku mel aadai'—playing on 'aadai' meaning cover and 'pathukku mel' meaning 'after ten', revealing the answer to be eleven). The song beautifully illustrates Suratha's signature metaphoric craft, blending romantic intimacy with lighthearted intellectual sparring.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Vinnukku melaadai paruva mazhai megam”

Comparing natural coverings to garments (melaadai), such as clouds being the sky's clothing and eyelids being the eye's protection.

Pun / Wordplay (Siledai)

“Pathukku melaadai pathinondraeyaagum”

Play on 'Pathukku mel aadai', using 'aadai' (garment) phonetically and conceptually to hint at the number coming after ten ('pathukku mel' = eleven).

Alliteration (Monai)

“Kaalathin adaiyaalam paruvangalaeyaagum”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Kaalathin' and 'Kaadhalargal'.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

“Veenaikku mel aadai narambugalin koottam”

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Vinnukku' and 'Veenaikku'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Suratha was fondly titled 'Uvamaikavignar' (The Poet of Metaphors) due to his unique style of using vivid poetic metaphors in almost every line, as perfectly exemplified in this song. 'Naanal' was directed by K. Balachander and featured music by V. Kumar.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Kannum Kannum1993
Thiruda ThirudaPlayful RomanceNature
Chinna Chinna Aasai1992
RojaNatureWonder
Jillendru Oru Kaadhal2006
Sillunu Oru KadhalNaturePlayful
Hey Kaatril Aetho2013
Vanakkam ChennaiNatureWonder
Tholin Mele1982
Ninaivellam NithyaNatureLighthearted
Azhagu Azhagu Song Lyrics – Sangathamizhan2019
SangathamizhanBeautyAttraction

From the same album

More songs from Naanal

View album
Kuyil Koovi Thuyil Sad1965
NaanalDesperate
Kuyil Koovi Thuyil1965
NaanalDevotional
Ennathan Paaduvathu1965
NaanalVulnerable

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.