Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadaikatti Vantha Nilavo

From Amuthavalli · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singers
P. Susheela, T. R. Mahalingam
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Amuthavalli1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aadai katti vandha nilavooIs she the moon draped in fine garments?
Kannil medai katti aadum ezhilooIs she beauty dancing on a stage set within the eyes?
Aadai katti vandha nilavooIs she the moon draped in fine garments?
Kannil medai katti aadum ezhilooIs she beauty dancing on a stage set within the eyes?
Kulir odaiyil midhakkum malarA flower floating in a cool stream,
Jaadaiyil sirikkum ivalShe smiles through subtle gestures and glances;
Kaadu vittu vandha mayilooIs she a peacock that left the forest?
Nenjil koodu katti vaazhum kuyilooIs she a cuckoo living by building a nest in the heart?
Kulir odaiyil midhakkum malarA flower floating in a cool stream,
Jaadaiyil sirikkum ivalShe smiles through subtle gestures and glances;
Kaadu vittu vandha mayilooIs she a peacock that left the forest?
Nenjil koodu katti vaazhum kuyilooIs she a cuckoo living by building a nest in the heart?
Aadai katti vandha nilavooIs she the moon draped in fine garments?
Kannil medai katti aadum ezhilooIs she beauty dancing on a stage set within the eyes?
Female
Thulli thulli aaduminba loga mangaiMaiden of the blissful realm, leaping and dancing delightfully,
Sondhamulla raaniyaval naaga mangaiShe is the rightful queen, the maiden of the serpent realm;
Thulli thulli aaduminba loga mangaiMaiden of the blissful realm, leaping and dancing delightfully,
Sondhamulla raaniyaval naaga mangaiShe is the rightful queen, the maiden of the serpent realm;
Ellaiyattra aasaiyilae odi vandhaalShe came running with boundless desire,
Thalli vittu pona pinnum thedi vandhaalEven when pushed away, she returned seeking love;
Ellaiyattra aasaiyilae odi vandhaalShe came running with boundless desire,
Thalli vittu pona pinnum thedi vandhaalEven when pushed away, she returned seeking love;
Female
Kilaithaanirundhum kaniyae sumandhuBearing fruit despite being just a branch,
Thaniyae kidantha kodi thaanaeShe was a creeper lying alone;
Kannalanudan kalandhaanandhameTo unite with her lover and attain supreme bliss,
Pera kaavinil aadum kili thaanaeShe is indeed a parrot dancing in the vast grove;
Female
Thulli thulli aaduminba loga mangaiMaiden of the blissful realm, leaping and dancing delightfully,
Sondhamulla raaniyaval naaga mangaiShe is the rightful queen, the maiden of the serpent realm;
Male
Aaa…aa…andhi veyil pettra magalooAh... ah... Is she the daughter born of the evening sunlight?
Kulungum alli malar inathavaloIs she of the family of swaying lily flowers?
Andhi veyil pettra magalooIs she the daughter born of the evening sunlight?
Kulungum alli malar inathavaloIs she of the family of swaying lily flowers?
Kundril undhi vilum neer alaiyil odi vilayadi manamPlaying along the water waves tumbling down the hill,
Sindhi varum thendral thaanoIs she the fragrant breeze spilling forth?
Inbam thandhu magizhkindra maanoIs she a deer that gives joy and delights?
Female
Haa…aaa…hahahaha…aa…Haa... aaa... hahahaha... aa...
Ho…ooo…ooo…oooHo... ooo... ooo... ooo
Female
Anbu manam kooduvadhil thunbam illaiThere is no sorrow when loving hearts unite;
Male :Anji anji oduvadhil inbam illaiMale: There is no joy in running away in fear;
Female :Veenai mattum irundhaal naadham illaiFemale: A Veena alone produces no sound;
Male :Mettum viralgal pirindhaal gaanam illaiMale: Without strumming fingers, there is no song;
Male
Haa..a.aa….Haa.. a. aa....
Female :Haa…Female: Haa...
Both :Haaa….aaa….Both: Haaa.... aaa....
Male
Aadai katti vandha nilavooIs she the moon draped in fine garments?
Kannil medai katti aadum ezhilooIs she beauty dancing on a stage set within the eyes?
Kulir odaiyil midhakkum malarA flower floating in a cool stream,
Jaadaiyil sirikkum ivalShe smiles through subtle gestures and glances;
Kaadu vittu vandha mayilooIs she a peacock that left the forest?
Nenjil koodu katti vaazhum kuyilooIs she a cuckoo living by building a nest in the heart?
Ival aadai katti vandha nilavooShe is the moon draped in fine garments,
Kannil medai katti aadum ezhilooIs she beauty dancing on a stage set within the eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aadai Katti Vandha Nilavo from Amuthavalli (1959) is a classical-tinted romantic duet composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram. The male protagonist admires his beloved using vivid nature imagery, wondering if she is the moon wearing clothes, a flower floating down a cool stream, a peacock out of the forest, or a cuckoo nesting in his heart. The song explores the depth of their devotion, noting that just as a Veena cannot produce music without the strumming fingers, love cannot blossom without the togetherness of two willing hearts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aadai katti vandha nilavoo

Compares the beloved directly to the moon clad in garments, highlighting her radiant beauty.

Nature Imagery / Rhetorical Questions

Kaadu vittu vandha mayiloo / Nenjil koodu katti vaazhum kuyiloo

Employs poetic queries equating the heroine to natural phenomena like peacocks, floating flowers, and cuckoos.

Analogy (Uvamai)

Veenai mattum irundhaal naadham illai / Mettum viralgal pirindhaal gaanam illai

Compares the harmony of love to a Veena instrument and strumming fingers, illustrating that one cannot produce melody without the other.

Rhyme / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Thulli thulli aaduminba loga mangai / Sondhamulla raaniyaval naaga mangai

Use of repeating musical word endings (mangai / mangai) to enhance rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song showcases the lyrical ingenuity of Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, who was known for blending folk rhythms and classical poetic tropes seamlessly. It features T. R. Mahalingam's high-pitch vocal capability paired gracefully with P. Susheela's melodious rendition under the baton of the Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo.

Keep listening

More from Amuthavalli