Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaeli Yaeli

From Oru Naal Koothu · 2016

Lyricist
Sankar Dass
Singers
Sathya Prakash, Swetha Mohan
Music director
Justin Prabhakaran
Details
Oru Naal Koothu2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yeli yeli en kaadhaliYeli, yeli, my beloved,
Yen siluvayil araindhaal sakhi…Why did you crucify me, my friend?
Iniyum neeyum naanum naam illaiyaeHereafter, you and I are no longer 'us',
Yendraalum kaadhal poi illaiyae…Even so, love is not a lie...
Male
Iruppadhu ondraiThe single thing that we possess,
Izhakkindra varaiuntil we lose it,
Yedhuvum thondruvathu illaiyaeits true value is not felt at all.
Male
Mazhai athu vandhaalWhen the rain pours down,
Unavadhai thaangato hold onto its food,
Erumbidam balam illaiyae..the ant does not have the strength...
Female
Ohoooo..ohoooo…..Ohoooo..ohoooo…..
Ohoooo..ohoooo…..Ohoooo..ohoooo…..
Female
Yela yela en kaadhalaYela, yela, my beloved,
Naam pirindhum innum oor kaadhala..Even though we separated, is it still the same love?
Eriyum theeyum kaatrum oor kaatilaeBurning fire and wind in the same forest,
Yennagum poovum sol sootilaeWhat will happen to the flower in the heat of words?
Female
Mezhungendru naanumI as the candle wax,
Neruppendru neeyumAnd you as the fire,
Uruguvadhae murai aanadhaemelting away has become our nature.
Female
Marubadi vandhaaiYou came back again,
Aruginil nindraai…You stood close by me...
Vekkam ketta kaadhal yengudhae…This shameless love yearns on...
Male
Ohoooo..ohoooo…..Ohoooo..ohoooo…..
Ohoooo..ohoooo…..Ohoooo..ohoooo…..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Oru Naal Koothu is a poignant reflection on heartbreak, emotional distance, and the enduring nature of true love despite separation. The lovers express the deep agony of parting, comparing their suffering to crucifixion and acknowledging that the true value of love is often realized only after it is lost. Through vivid imagery like an ant helpless against pouring rain, they highlight their vulnerability in the face of fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mezhungendru naanum / Neruppendru neeyum

The speaker compares herself to wax and her partner to fire, symbolizing how their proximity inevitably leads to pain and melting away.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Iruppadhu ondrai / Izhakkindra varai

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'I' at the start of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic harmony.

Analogy

Mazhai athu vandhaal... Erumbidam balam illaiyae

Draws a parallel between human helplessness during heartbreak and an ant unable to protect its food when heavy rain hits.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track was composed by Justin Prabhakaran for the 2016 film Oru Naal Koothu, featuring lyrics written by Sankar Dass. Justin Prabhakaran received widespread critical acclaim for the soundtrack, which famously includes the blockbuster hit 'Maya Bazar' as well as soulful tracks like this one.

Keep listening

More from Oru Naal Koothu