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Isaimozhi
Pavithra album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Azhagu Nilave

From Pavithra · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Pavithra
Movie release year
1994
Lyrics added on
15 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{Azhagu nilavae kadhavu thiranthu
Arugil vanthaayae
Enathu kanavai unathu vizhiyil
Eduthu vanthaayae
Oru paalaivanamaai kidantha vayitril
Paalai vaarthaayae
En paathi uyirai thiruppi tharavae
Paranthu vanthaayae
Intha paavi unnai chumanthathillai
Naanum un thaayae….} (2)
Sonthangal enbathu thaai thanthathu
Intha banthangal enbathu yaar thanthathu
Innoru thaaimai thaan naan kandathu
Ada un vizhi yenada neer kondathu
Anbu thaan thiyaagamae
Azhugai thaan gnayaanamae
Unakkum enakkum ulla uravu
Oorukku puriyathae…
{Azhagu nilavae kadhavu thiranthu
Arugil vanthaayae
Enathu kanavai unathu vizhiyil
Eduthu vanthaayae
Oru paalaivanamaai kidantha vayitril
Paalai vaarthaayae
En paathi uyirai thiruppi tharavae
Paranthu vanthaayae
Intha paavi unnai chumanthathillai
Naanum un thaayae….}(2)
Boomiyai nesikkum ver polavae
Un poo mugam nesippen thaayaagavae
Neerukkul swaasikum meen polavae
Un nesathil vaazhuven naanaaghavae
Ulagham thaan maarumae
Uravugal vaazhumae
Kadalai vidavum aazham enthan
Kanneer thuli ondrae…
Azhagu nilavae kadhavu thiranthu
Arugil vanthaayae
Enathu kanavai unathu vizhiyil
Eduthu vanthaayae
Oru paalaivanamaai kidantha vayitril
Paalai vaarthaayae
En paathi uyirai thiruppi tharavae
Paranthu vanthaayae
Intha paavi unnai chumanthathillai
Naanum un thaayae..
O beautiful moon, opening the door,
you came close to me.
Carrying my dreams in your eyes,
you brought them to me.
Into my womb that lay like a barren desert,
you poured soothing milk.
To give me back half my life,
you came flying to me.
Though this poor soul never carried you,
I too am your mother...
Kinship is what a mother gives,
but who gave us this bond?
It is a second motherhood that I have found.
Oh my boy, why have your eyes filled with tears?
Love is nothing but sacrifice,
and tears bring true wisdom.
The bond between you and me,
the world will never understand...
O beautiful moon, opening the door,
you came close to me.
Carrying my dreams in your eyes,
you brought them to me.
Into my womb that lay like a barren desert,
you poured soothing milk.
To give me back half my life,
you came flying to me.
Though this poor soul never carried you,
I too am your mother...
Just like roots that love the earth,
I will love your flower-like face as a mother.
Just like a fish that breathes inside water,
I will live purely on your love.
The world will surely change,
but our bonds will live on.
Deeper than the vast ocean
is a single drop of my tears...
O beautiful moon, opening the door,
you came close to me.
Carrying my dreams in your eyes,
you brought them to me.
Into my womb that lay like a barren desert,
you poured soothing milk.
To give me back half my life,
you came flying to me.
Though this poor soul never carried you,
I too am your mother...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Azhagu Nilave from the movie Pavithra (1994) is a poignant lullaby celebrating maternal affection that transcends biological ties. The protagonist addresses the child as her 'beautiful moon' who rejuvenated her desolate, desert-like life and restored her purpose. Even though she did not carry the child in her womb, she feels an eternal, spiritual connection of motherhood that societal definitions cannot measure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

“Oru paalaivanamaai kidantha vayitril”

Compares her empty, childless life/womb to a desert ('paalaivanam') which was refreshed with life upon the arrival of the child.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Boomiyai nesikkum ver polavae / Neerukkul swaasikum meen polavae”

Uses 'polavae' (like) to compare her motherly affection to a root nourishing the earth and a fish breathing beneath water.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

“Kadalai vidavum aazham enthan Kanneer thuli ondrae…”

Exaggerates the emotion by describing a single teardrop as deeper than the ocean.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Anbu thaan thiyaagamae / Azhugai thaan gnayaanamae”

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Anbu' and 'Azhugai' to create rhythmic poetic beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung touchingly by K. S. Chithra, this track from Pavithra (1994) is widely regarded as one of Tamil cinema's finest songs dedicated to non-biological maternal bonds.

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