Adhi Kaalai Nilave
From Urudhi Mozhi · 1990
- Lyricist
- R. V. Udhaya Kumar
- Singers
- Jayachandran, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Urudhi Mozhi1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa... |
| Haa…aaaa…aaa…haaa…aaa… | Haa...aaaa...aaa...haaa...aaa... |
| Haaa…aaaa…aaa…aaaa…aaaa….aa.. | Haaa...aaaa...aaa...aaaa...aaaa....aa.. |
| Male | |
| Adhi kaalai nilavae | Oh moon of the early morning, |
| Alangaara chilaiyae | Oh ornate decorated statue, |
| Pudhu raagam naan paadavaa | Shall I sing a new melody? |
| Female | |
| Isai dhevan isaiyil | In the music of the God of Music, |
| Pudhu paadal thuvangu | Start a new song, |
| Enai aalum kaviyae uyirae..ae…. | Oh poem that rules over me, my life force! |
| Female | |
| Adhi kaalai kadhirae | Oh sunbeam of the early morning, |
| Alangaara chudarae | Oh decorative flame, |
| Pudhu raagam nee paadavaa | Will you sing a new melody? |
| Male | |
| Mani kuruvi unai thazhuva | When the gentle little bird embraces you, |
| Mayakkam pirakkum | An intoxication will be born, |
| Female | |
| Paruva kadhai dhinam padikka | To read the tale of youth every day, |
| Kadhavu thirakkum | The door will open, |
| Male | |
| Mani kuruvi unai thazhuva | When the gentle little bird embraces you, |
| Mayakkam pirakkum | An intoxication will be born, |
| Female | |
| Paruva kadhai dhinam padikka | To read the tale of youth every day, |
| Kadhavu thirakkum | The door will open, |
| Male | |
| Vizhiyae un imai rendum | Oh eyes, both your eyelids, |
| Enai paarthu mayangum | Look at me and get spellbound, |
| Female | |
| Unai paartha mayakkathilum | Even in that trance of looking at you, |
| Mugam poothu malarum | The face blossoms into full bloom, |
| Male | |
| Namai vaazhtha vazhi thaedi | Searching for a way to bless us both, |
| Thamizhum thalai kuniyum | Even Tamil will bow its head in reverence, |
| Female | |
| Adhi kaalai kadhirae | Oh sunbeam of the early morning, |
| Alangaara chudarae | Oh decorative flame, |
| Pudhu raagam nee paadavaa | Will you sing a new melody? |
| Male | |
| Isai dhevan isaiyil | In the music of the God of Music, |
| Asainthaadum kodiyae | Oh swaying gentle vine, |
| Pani thoongum malarae..uyirae…ae.. | Oh flower where dew sleeps, my life force! |
| Male | |
| Adhi kaalai nilavae | Oh moon of the early morning, |
| Alangaara chilaiyae | Oh ornate decorated statue, |
| Pudhu raagam naan paadavaa | Shall I sing a new melody? |
| Female | |
| Azhagu chilai idhayam thanai | This beautiful statue gives its heart |
| Vazhangum unakku | To you, |
| Male | |
| Radhi magalum adi paniyum | Even Rati, the goddess of beauty, bows at your feet, |
| Azhagu unakku | Such is the beauty you possess, |
| Female | |
| Azhagu chilai idhayam thanai | This beautiful statue gives its heart |
| Vazhangum unakku | To you, |
| Male | |
| Radhi magalum adi paniyum | Even Rati, the goddess of beauty, bows at your feet, |
| Azhagu unakku | Such is the beauty you possess, |
| Female | |
| Thavithaen un anaippil dhinam | I yearned daily in your embrace, |
| Thudithaen en uyirae | I throbbed with passion, my life, |
| Male | |
| Inithaen en idhayam thanai | I felt sweet bliss as I united |
| Inaithaen uyirae | My heart with yours, my life, |
| Female | |
| Suvaithaalum thigattaadha | I read poems that never grow cloying, |
| Kavidhaigalai padithaen | No matter how much they are tasted, |
| Male | |
| Adhi kaalai nilavae | Oh moon of the early morning, |
| Alangaara chilaiyae | Oh ornate decorated statue, |
| Pudhu raagam naan paadavaa | Shall I sing a new melody? |
| Female | |
| Isai dhevan isaiyil | In the music of the God of Music, |
| Pudhu paadal thuvangu | Start a new song, |
| Enai aalum kaviyae uyirae..ae…. | Oh poem that rules over me, my life force! |
| Female | |
| Adhi kaalai kadhirae | Oh sunbeam of the early morning, |
| Alangaara chudarae | Oh decorative flame, |
| Pudhu raagam nee paadavaa | Will you sing a new melody? |
ஆஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....
ஹா.....ஆஆ.....ஆஅ....ஹா.....ஆஅ.....
ஹா......ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
Aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...
Haa...aaaa...aaa...haaa...aaa...
Haaa...aaaa...aaa...aaaa...aaaa....aa..
அதிகாலை நிலவே
அலங்காரச் சிலையே
புதுராகம் நான் பாடவா
Oh moon of the early morning,
Oh ornate decorated statue,
Shall I sing a new melody?
இசைதேவன் இசையில்
புது பாடல் துவங்கு
எனை ஆளும் கவியே உயிரே...ஏ....
In the music of the God of Music,
Start a new song,
Oh poem that rules over me, my life force!
அதிகாலை கதிரே
அலங்கார சுடரே
புதுராகம் நீ பாடவா
Oh sunbeam of the early morning,
Oh decorative flame,
Will you sing a new melody?
மணிக்குருவி உனைத் தழுவ
மயக்கம் பிறக்கும்
When the gentle little bird embraces you,
An intoxication will be born,
பருவக்கதை தினம் படிக்க
கதவு திறக்கும்
To read the tale of youth every day,
The door will open,
மணிக்குருவி உனைத் தழுவ
மயக்கம் பிறக்கும்
When the gentle little bird embraces you,
An intoxication will be born,
பருவக்கதை தினம் படிக்க
கதவு திறக்கும்
To read the tale of youth every day,
The door will open,
விழியே உன் இமை இரண்டும்
எனைப் பார்த்து மயங்கும்
Oh eyes, both your eyelids,
Look at me and get spellbound,
உனைப் பார்த்த மயக்கத்திலும்
முகம் பூத்து மலரும்
Even in that trance of looking at you,
The face blossoms into full bloom,
நமை வாழ்த்த வழி தேடி
தமிழும் தலை குனியும்
Searching for a way to bless us both,
Even Tamil will bow its head in reverence,
அதிகாலை கதிரே
அலங்கார சுடரே
புதுராகம் நீ பாடவா
Oh sunbeam of the early morning,
Oh decorative flame,
Will you sing a new melody?
இசைதேவன் இசையில்
அசைந்தாடும் கொடியே
பனி தூங்கும் மலரே....உயிரே.....ஏ...
In the music of the God of Music,
Oh swaying gentle vine,
Oh flower where dew sleeps, my life force!
அதிகாலை நிலவே
அலங்காரச் சிலையே
புதுராகம் நான் பாடவா
Oh moon of the early morning,
Oh ornate decorated statue,
Shall I sing a new melody?
அழகு சிலை இதயம் தனை
வழங்கும் உனக்கு
This beautiful statue gives its heart
To you,
ரதி மகளும் அடிபணியும்
அழகு உனக்கு
Even Rati, the goddess of beauty, bows at your feet,
Such is the beauty you possess,
அழகு சிலை இதயம் தனை
வழங்கும் உனக்கு
This beautiful statue gives its heart
To you,
ரதி மகளும் அடிபணியும்
அழகு உனக்கு
Even Rati, the goddess of beauty, bows at your feet,
Such is the beauty you possess,
தவித்தேன் உன் அணைப்பில் தினம்
துடித்தேன் என் உயிரே....
I yearned daily in your embrace,
I throbbed with passion, my life,
இனித்தேன் என் இதயம் தனை
இணைத்தேன் என் உயிரே
I felt sweet bliss as I united
My heart with yours, my life,
சுவைத்தாலும் திகட்டாத
கவிதைகளை படித்தேன்
I read poems that never grow cloying,
No matter how much they are tasted,
அதிகாலை நிலவே
அலங்காரச் சிலையே
புதுராகம் நான் பாடவா
Oh moon of the early morning,
Oh ornate decorated statue,
Shall I sing a new melody?
இசைதேவன் இசையில்
புது பாடல் துவங்கு
எனை ஆளும் கவியே... உயிரே...ஏ....
In the music of the God of Music,
Start a new song,
Oh poem that rules over me, my life force!
அதிகாலை கதிரே
அலங்கார சுடரே
புதுராகம் நீ பாடவா
Oh sunbeam of the early morning,
Oh decorative flame,
Will you sing a new melody?
Aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...
Haa…aaaa…aaa…haaa…aaa…
Haa...aaaa...aaa...haaa...aaa...
Haaa…aaaa…aaa…aaaa…aaaa….aa..
Haaa...aaaa...aaa...aaaa...aaaa....aa..
Adhi kaalai nilavae
Oh moon of the early morning,
Alangaara chilaiyae
Oh ornate decorated statue,
Pudhu raagam naan paadavaa
Shall I sing a new melody?
Isai dhevan isaiyil
In the music of the God of Music,
Pudhu paadal thuvangu
Start a new song,
Enai aalum kaviyae uyirae..ae….
Oh poem that rules over me, my life force!
Adhi kaalai kadhirae
Oh sunbeam of the early morning,
Alangaara chudarae
Oh decorative flame,
Pudhu raagam nee paadavaa
Will you sing a new melody?
Mani kuruvi unai thazhuva
When the gentle little bird embraces you,
Mayakkam pirakkum
An intoxication will be born,
Paruva kadhai dhinam padikka
To read the tale of youth every day,
Kadhavu thirakkum
The door will open,
Mani kuruvi unai thazhuva
When the gentle little bird embraces you,
Mayakkam pirakkum
An intoxication will be born,
Paruva kadhai dhinam padikka
To read the tale of youth every day,
Kadhavu thirakkum
The door will open,
Vizhiyae un imai rendum
Oh eyes, both your eyelids,
Enai paarthu mayangum
Look at me and get spellbound,
Unai paartha mayakkathilum
Even in that trance of looking at you,
Mugam poothu malarum
The face blossoms into full bloom,
Namai vaazhtha vazhi thaedi
Searching for a way to bless us both,
Thamizhum thalai kuniyum
Even Tamil will bow its head in reverence,
Adhi kaalai kadhirae
Oh sunbeam of the early morning,
Alangaara chudarae
Oh decorative flame,
Pudhu raagam nee paadavaa
Will you sing a new melody?
Isai dhevan isaiyil
In the music of the God of Music,
Asainthaadum kodiyae
Oh swaying gentle vine,
Pani thoongum malarae..uyirae…ae..
Oh flower where dew sleeps, my life force!
Adhi kaalai nilavae
Oh moon of the early morning,
Alangaara chilaiyae
Oh ornate decorated statue,
Pudhu raagam naan paadavaa
Shall I sing a new melody?
Azhagu chilai idhayam thanai
This beautiful statue gives its heart
Vazhangum unakku
To you,
Radhi magalum adi paniyum
Even Rati, the goddess of beauty, bows at your feet,
Azhagu unakku
Such is the beauty you possess,
Azhagu chilai idhayam thanai
This beautiful statue gives its heart
Vazhangum unakku
To you,
Radhi magalum adi paniyum
Even Rati, the goddess of beauty, bows at your feet,
Azhagu unakku
Such is the beauty you possess,
Thavithaen un anaippil dhinam
I yearned daily in your embrace,
Thudithaen en uyirae
I throbbed with passion, my life,
Inithaen en idhayam thanai
I felt sweet bliss as I united
Inaithaen uyirae
My heart with yours, my life,
Suvaithaalum thigattaadha
I read poems that never grow cloying,
Kavidhaigalai padithaen
No matter how much they are tasted,
Adhi kaalai nilavae
Oh moon of the early morning,
Alangaara chilaiyae
Oh ornate decorated statue,
Pudhu raagam naan paadavaa
Shall I sing a new melody?
Isai dhevan isaiyil
In the music of the God of Music,
Pudhu paadal thuvangu
Start a new song,
Enai aalum kaviyae uyirae..ae….
Oh poem that rules over me, my life force!
Adhi kaalai kadhirae
Oh sunbeam of the early morning,
Alangaara chudarae
Oh decorative flame,
Pudhu raagam nee paadavaa
Will you sing a new melody?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Adhi Kaalai Nilave is a romantic duet expressing deep love, devotion, and poetic admiration between two lovers. They address each other through glowing metaphors of dawn, comparing one another to the early morning moon, radiant sunbeams, sculpted statues, and blossoming flowers. The song celebrates their emotional and physical union, painting love as an everlasting melody and a sweet poem that never loses its charm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Adhi kaalai nilavae / Alangaara chilaiyae”
The lover addresses his beloved as 'Adhi kaalai nilavae' (early morning moon) and 'Alangaara chilaiyae' (ornate statue), directly equating her features to beautiful natural and artistic phenomena.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Adhi kaalai kadhirae / Alangaara chudarae”
Repetition of the initial letter 'A' across consecutive lines (Adhi, Alangaara) creates a harmonious rhythmic rhythm in Tamil poetry.
Personification
“Thamizhum thalai kuniyum / Pani thoongum malarae”
Language (Thamizh) and dew (Pani) are given human qualities; Tamil bows its head in admiration of their love, and dew is described as 'sleeping' on the flower.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Adhi Kaalai Nilave' from Urudhi Mozhi (1990) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by director-lyricist R.V. Udhaya Kumar. Sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki, it is widely remembered for its melodious tune and elegant Tamil imagery.
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