Ilaiyaraaja’s 2024 composition ‘Nee Irukkum’ from the album Jama features his dual role as lyricist and vocalist. The track frames a relationship conversation addressing perceived status differences with gentle Tamil phrasing.
Released: October 10, 2024
Nee Irukkum
Ilaiyaraaja | Rajaganapathy • From “Jama”
Jama’s Nee Irukkum Tamil Lyrics English Translation
The woman counters the man’s insecurity by stating ‘This height you speak of was given by you.’ She rejects his self-doubt with ‘I want to see you after removing your costume,’ emphasizing she values his true self over public roles.
Nee Irukkum UsarathukkuAt the height where you stand,
Nanum Eppo Varuvathammawhen will I ever reach you?
Edatha Vittu ElankiliyeMy young parrot, don’t leave your place.
Iranga Venam En KuyileYou don’t need to come down, my cuckoo.
Nee Irukkum UsarathukkuAt the height where you stand,
Nanum Eppo Varuvathammawhen will I ever reach you?
Edatha Vittu ElankiliyeMy young parrot, don’t leave your place.
Iranga Venam En KuyileYou don’t need to come down, my cuckoo.
Nee Irukkum UsarathukkuAt the height where you stand,
Nanum Eppo Varuvathammawhen will I ever reach you?
Edatha Vittu ElankiliyeMy young parrot, don’t leave your place.
Iranga Venam En KuyileYou don’t need to come down, my cuckoo.
Nee Kodutha Usaram IdhuThis is the height you gave me,
Ulagathuku Theriyadhadoesn’t the world know that?
Unna Thaalthi PesuvadhaShould I ever speak lowly of you?
Eppodhum Nee Raasa ThaanYou’re always a ‘Raasa’ or king.
Unna Mattum Suthum Enna Vittu PoviyaWill you leave me, who revolves only around you?
Enna Vittu Koothu Katti Kettu PoviyaWill you leave me and ruin yourself in a ‘Koothu’ or folk play?
Otta Veetil Ulla Enna Pottu ThaakkuraYou’re hurting me while I live in this leaky house,
Kottaiyile Veettu Kodi Yetha Paakurawhile you’re trying to hoist a family flag on a fortress.
Maedaiyila Podum VaeshamThe costume you wear on the stage,
Maedaiyoda Pogum Pogumit’ll leave you when the show is over.
Un Manasil Raaja SabhaInside your heart, there’s a ‘Raaja Sabha’ or royal court,
Raasavaakki Parthathu Podhumit’s enough that you’ve made me a king there.
Paechu Edutha Aambala ThanWhen you speak, you’re a man,
Koothula Nee Pomblala Thanbut in the ‘Koothu’ or folk play, you’re a woman.
Azhagae Enna AzhagakkuraOh beauty, you’re the one making me beautiful,
Oor Paarkkava Nee Rasikkais it for the town to see, or for you to enjoy?
Nee Irukkum UsarathukkuAt the height where you stand,
Nanum Eppo Varuvathammawhen will I ever reach you?
Edatha Vittu ElankiliyeMy young parrot, don’t leave your place.
Iranga Venam En KuyileYou don’t need to come down, my cuckoo.
Ponnu Mani Vairam EllamGold, gems, and diamonds,
Pootti Paarkka Thonaadhadon’t you feel like wearing them to see?
Ooru Paathu Ulagam PaathuWhile looking at the town and the world,
Kannu Apda Venamadon’t your eyes want that too?
Vaeshathukku AlangarippuAll this decoration for a costume,
Jodanaigal Ingethukkuwhy do we need these arrangements here?
Usure Endhan Nesamae UnnaMy life and my love, I want to see you
Vaesham Kalachi Paakanumonce you’ve stripped off the costume.
Nee Kodutha Usaram IdhuThis is the status you bestowed upon me,
Ulagathuku Theriyadhathe whole world is aware of it.
Edatha Vittu ElankiliyeOh young parrot, please stay where you are.
Iranga Venam En KuyileThere’s no need to come down, my cuckoo.
Unna Mattum Suthum Enna Vittu PoviyaWould you ever walk away from me, your only world?
Enna Vittu Koothu Katti Kettu PoviyaWould you abandon me to lose yourself in that street performance?
Otta Veetil Ulla Enna Pottu ThaakkuraYou’re attacking me in my broken home,
Kottaiyile Veettu Kodi Yetha Paakurawhile seeking to raise your banner upon a castle.
Nee Irukkum Music Video
A precise ‘Nee Irukkum’ lyrics translation shows Ilaiyaraaja’s message: real connection thrives when social masks fall. The Jama album track resolves that love recognizes inherent worth beyond achievements or costumes.