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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aayiram Nilave Vaa

From Adimai Penn · 1969

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Adimai Penn1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Aayiram nilavae vaaCome, a thousand moons, come!
Oar aayiram nilavae vaaCome, oh a thousand moons, come!
Idhazhoram suvai thedaSeeking taste at the edge of the lips,
Puthu paadal vizhi paada paada } (2)As the eyes sing a brand new song...
Male
Aayiram nilavae vaaCome, a thousand moons, come!
Oar aayiram nilavae vaaCome, oh a thousand moons, come!
Male
{ Nalliravu thunaiyirukaWith the midnight keeping us company,
Naamiruvar thaniyirukaWith the two of us alone together,
Naanamenna bhaavamennaWhy this shyness? Why this hesitation?
Nadai thalarndhu ponadhenna } (2)Why have your steps faltered?
Male
{ Illai urakam oraeThere is no sleep at all,
Manam ennaasai paaraayo } (2)Won't you look at the desire in my heart?
En uyirilae unnai ezhudhaTo write your name upon my soul,
Ponmeni thaaraayoWon't you offer your golden body?
Male
Aayiram nilavae vaaCome, a thousand moons, come!
Oar aayiram nilavae vaaCome, oh a thousand moons, come!
Female
{ Mannavanin tholThe king's shoulders...
Irandai mangai endhan kaiAs my maiden arms embrace both...
Thazhuva kaar kuzhalumMy dark hair...
Paai virikum kan sivandhuSpreads out like a bed, eyes redden,
Vaai velukum } (2)And lips turn pale...
Female
{ Indha mayakamThis intoxication...
Ezhil mugamWon't this beautiful face...
Muthaaga verkaadho } (2)Perspire like pearls?
Female
Andha ninaivilLost in that thought,
Vandhu vizhundhenI came and fell,
Kothaana poovaagaLike a cluster of flowers.
Female
Aayiram nilavae vaaCome, a thousand moons, come!
Oar aayiram nilavae vaaCome, oh a thousand moons, come!
Idhazhoram suvai thedaSeeking taste at the edge of the lips,
Puthu paadal vizhi paada paadaAs the eyes sing a brand new song...
Male
Poigai enumThe water nymph...
NeermagalumKnown as the pond...
Poovaadai porthirundhaalWas draped in a garment of flowers.
Female
Thendral enumWhen her lover, the southern breeze...
Kaadhalanin kai vilakaPushed it aside with his hand,
Verthu nindraalShe stood there, breaking into sweat.
Male
Aaa… poigai enumAh... the water nymph...
NeermagalumKnown as the pond...
Poovaadai porthirundhaalWas draped in a garment of flowers.
Female
Aaa… thendral enumAh... when her lover, the southern breeze...
Kaadhalanin kai vilakaPushed it aside with his hand,
Verthu nindraalShe stood there, breaking into sweat.
Male
{ Enna thudipoWhat a throbbing excitement!
Aval nilai nee unara maataayo } (2)Will you not understand her state?
Female
Andha nilaiyilIn that state,
Male
Andha sugathaiThat bliss...
Female
Naan unara kaataayoWon't you show it to me so I may feel it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Aayiram Nilave Vaa' is a classic romantic song set during a quiet midnight hour where two lovers exchange intimate expressions of romance, desire, and emotional connection. The song poetically weaves human intimacy with nature, comparing a pond draped in flowers to a shy maiden whose flower-garment is gently pulled aside by her lover, the southern breeze.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagam)

Poigai enum Neermagalum ... Thendral enum Kaadhalanin

The pond is personified as a 'water maiden' (Neermagal) and the southern breeze as her 'lover' (Kaadhalan).

Simile (Upamaana)

Vandhu vizhundhen Kothaana poovaaga

The heroine compares herself falling softly into her lover's arms to a cluster of blooming flowers.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Nalliravu thunaiyiruka / Illai urakam orae

Repetition of the second consonant 'll' across consecutive lines for melodic harmony.

Moonaal / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Poigai enum / Poovaadai porthirundhaal

Matching starting sounds in adjacent phrases to create internal rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song marked the Tamil playback singing debut of legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. SPB fell severely ill with typhoid right before the scheduled recording date, but actor M. G. Ramachandran insisted on waiting for him to recover rather than replacing him, launching SPB's illustrious career in Tamil cinema.

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