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Muthal Mariyathai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Antha Nilava Thaan

From Muthal Mariyathai · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Ilayaraja, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Muthal Mariyathai
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
13 Jan 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Antha nilaava thaan
Naan kaiyila pudichen
En raasavukaaga
Sevizhi…..
{Antha nilaava thaan
Naan kaiyila pudichen
En raasavukaaga} (2)
{Enga enga
Konjam naan parkuren
Female :Kannai moodu
Konjam naan katturen} (2)
Antha nilaava thaan
Naan kaiyila pudichen
En raasathikaaga
Mallu vetti katti irukku
Athumela manjal enna otti irukku
Male :Muthazhagi katti pudichi
Mutham kodukka manja vanthu ottikiduchu
Margazhi maasam parthu
Maarula kulirachu
Male :Hmm ethuda vamba pochu
Ravukkaiyum kidaiyathu
Sakkambatti selai katti
Poothirukku poonjolai
Male :Poovu onnu kannadicha
Vandu varum pinnaala
Female :Yekku thappu vendam
Hm..mmm
Antha nilaava thaan
Naan kaiyila pudichen
En raasathikaaga
{Enga enga
Konjam naan parkuren
Male :Kannai moodu
Konjam naan katturen} (2)
Antha nilaava thaan
Naan kaiyila pudichen
Male :En raasathikaaga
Rathinamae mutham vaikkava
Athukaga pattanam poi vakkeel vaikava
Female :Vetkathaiyum pothi vaikkava
Athukaga mandhiyila pandhi vaikava
Odi vaa oodai pakkam
Oliyalaam medhuvaga
Female :Athukulla venanmunga
Aalugha varuvaaga
Kaathadicha thaangathadi
Malligai poo maraappu
Female :Kaiyirukku kaavalukku
Venamunga veerappu
Male :Adi podi pullai ellam doopu
{Antha nilaava thaan
Naan kaiyila pudichen
En raasavukaaga} (2)
That very moon,
I caught in my hands
for my king.
Sevazhi...
That very moon,
I caught in my hands
for my king.
Where is it? Where?
Let me take a look.
Close your eyes,
I will show it to you.
That very moon,
I caught in my hands
for my queen.
You are wearing a fine cotton dhoti,
why is turmeric smeared all over it?
My sweet darling hugged me tight
and kissed me, so the turmeric rubbed off on me!
In this chilly month of Margazhi (winter),
my chest caught a cold.
Hmm, what trouble this is!
You are not even wearing a blouse...
Draped in a simple Sakkampatti saree,
a flower garden has bloomed!
When a flower winks,
a bee is bound to follow!
No funny business now!
Hmm... mmm...
That very moon,
I caught in my hands
for my queen.
Where is it? Where?
Let me take a look.
Close your eyes,
I will show it to you.
That very moon,
I caught in my hands
for my queen.
My precious gem, shall I give you a kiss?
Must I go to town and hire a lawyer for that?
Should I cover up my shyness?
Must I host a grand feast in public for that?
Run over by the stream,
we can quietly hide.
Not so fast, please!
People might come around.
If the wind blows, it will not hold—
this jasmine-soft pallu of your saree!
My hands are here to guard it,
so drop your bravado!
Oh go on, girl, that is all just talk!
That very moon,
I caught in my hands
for my king.
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Antha Nilaava Thaan is a beloved rural romantic duet from the iconic 1985 Tamil film Muthal Mariyathai, directed by Bharathiraja with music by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song presents an intimate and playful exchange between two lovers in a village environment. The core metaphor revolves around capturing the moon in one's hands, symbolizing the joy and pride of holding one's beloved. Through vivid folk imagery, witty banter about traditional attire, and romantic teasing, the song encapsulates innocent rustic romance, modesty, and deep romantic longing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Antha nilaava thaan Naan kaiyila pudichen”

Comparing the beloved to the moon captured in one's hands to express absolute affection and ecstasy.

Visual Imagery

“Sakkambatti selai katti Poothirukku poonjolai”

Paints a vivid rustic image of a flower garden in full bloom represented by a woman draped in a traditional saree.

Personification

“Poovu onnu kannadicha Vandu varum pinnaala”

Attributes human actions like winking to a flower to metaphorically portray romantic flirtation enticing a bee.

Did you know?

Trivia

Muthal Mariyathai (1985) won several awards, including National Film Awards, and its soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja is considered a landmark in Tamil cinema for blending authentic village folk aesthetics with symphonic orchestra elements. The lyrics by Vairamuthu showcase exquisite Tamil village dialect and traditional clothing references like Sakkambatti selai.

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