- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Gopal Rao, Anuradha Sriram
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Movie name
- Priyam
- Movie release year
- 1996
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Oct 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Dhilrupaa Dhilrubaa is a passionate romantic duet from the 1996 Tamil film Priyam. The song features two lovers expressing their deep longing and affection for each other through poetic metaphors of music, nature, and intimacy. Referring to each other as 'Dilruba' (a traditional string instrument, metaphorically used for a beloved who plays the strings of the heart), the couple sings about the sweet harmony created when four eyes meet and two hearts unite. Throughout the stanzas, the lovers trade evocative lines about gentle touches, evening romance, and the transformative power of love turning pain into joy. Vairamuthu's romantic lyrics portray a deep sensual and emotional harmony between the couple, set against melodic musical phrasing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagamm (Metaphor)
“Dhilrupaa dhilrubaa kadhal nilavae dhilrupaa”
Addressing the beloved as 'kadhal nilavae' (moon of love) and comparing love to soft music ('Kadhalae mellisai allavaa').
Anaphora / Adukku Thodar (Repetition)
“Dhilrupaa dhilrubaa dhilrubaa dhilrubaa”
The rhythmic repetition of the term 'Dhilrupaa dhilrubaa' builds musicality and underscores deep affection.
Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)
“Kangal naangum idhayam irandum / Kalakka vendum sundhari”
Matching initial consonants across words such as 'Kangal', 'Kalakka', creating a flowing rhythmic line.
Iyaibu (Rhyming Couplet)
“Irandu kaiyaal ennai aadhari / Idhayam thiranthu ennai kadhali”
End-rhyme created by paired line endings like 'aadhari' and 'kadhali'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Dhilrupaa Dhilrubaa was composed by Vidyasagar for the 1996 film Priyam starring Vikram and Anju Aravind. The song features lyrics by Vairamuthu and was performed by legend S. P. Balasubrahmanyam along with Sujatha Mohan. The term 'Dilruba' refers to a bowed musical instrument originating from India, cleverly used here as a term of endearment for one's heartthrob.
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