Ilavatta Nilavukku Idham
From Unakkaga Oru Roja · 1985
- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Details
- Unakkaga Oru Roja1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku | For the youthful moon and the comforting flower, |
| Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum | How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come? |
| Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku | For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures, |
| Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum | A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart. |
| Male | |
| Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku | For the youthful moon and the comforting flower, |
| Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum | How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come? |
| Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku | For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures, |
| Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum | A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart. |
| Male | |
| Thendralaai ennai azhaikkiraai | You call me like a gentle breeze, |
| En ullaam sillaaga | Making my heart turn cool. |
| Female :Thaerena ennai izhukkiraai | You pull me like a temple chariot, |
| En udalo soodaaga | Making my body turn hot. |
| Male | |
| Ho ho thendralaai ennai azhaikkiraai | Ho ho, you call me like a gentle breeze, |
| En ullaam sillaaga | Making my heart turn cool. |
| Female :Thaerena ennai izhukkiraai | You pull me like a temple chariot, |
| En udalo soodaaga | Making my body turn hot. |
| Male | |
| Malligai villaena nanaththil valainthida | Bending in shyness like a bow made of jasmine, |
| Naanum ambaagavo | Should I become the arrow? |
| Female :Mannavan velena thegaththil paainthida | As the king's spear pierces the body, |
| Naanum poraadavo | Should I battle against it? |
| Male | |
| Intha poril naan vellavo | Shall I emerge victorious in this war? |
| Inba thaenai naan allavo | Shall I scoop up the sweet honey of joy? |
| Female :Naan thottraal vibareethamae | If I lose, it will be disastrous, |
| Nee thottaal abaraathaamae | If you touch me now, it will be an offense. |
| Male | |
| Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku | For the youthful moon and the comforting flower, |
| Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum | How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come? |
| Male | |
| Ponnaadaiyil pooththa thaamarai | O lotus blooming in a golden robe, |
| Un odai naanthaanae | Am I not your stream? |
| Female :Manamedaiyil veettra ramanae | O Lord Rama seated on the wedding dais, |
| Un seedhai naanthaanae | Am I not your Sita? |
| Male | |
| Hmm…..ponnaadaiyil pooththa thaamarai | Hmm... O lotus blooming in a golden robe, |
| Un odai naanthaanae | Am I not your stream? |
| Female :Manamedaiyil veettra ramanae | O Lord Rama seated on the wedding dais, |
| Un seedhai naanthaanae | Am I not your Sita? |
| Male | |
| Sugam peru aasaiyil | In the desire to attain ecstasy, |
| Swaram tharum veenaiyil | On the veena that yields sweet notes, |
| Kaiyai arangaettravo | Shall I debut my hands? |
| Female :Avasara viralgalin abasvara kaanaththai | To the off-key song of hasty fingers, |
| Innum naan ketkavo | Should I keep listening? |
| Male | |
| Sathiraadum ponnaaramae | O dancing golden garland, |
| Jathi sollum idhazh oorumae | Lips reciting rhythmic beats begin to water. |
| Female :Sathi seiyyum en vetkkamae | My shyness conspires against me, |
| Sathiyaagum naal varaikkumae | Until the day our bond becomes solemnized. |
| Male | |
| Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku | For the youthful moon and the comforting flower, |
| Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum | How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come? |
| Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku | For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures, |
| Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum | A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart. |
| Male | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Female :…………….. | ... |
இளவட்ட நிலவுக்கு இதம் தரும் மலருக்குக்கு
எங்கே தூக்கம் வரும் எங்கே தூக்கம் வரும்
விரல் பட்ட இதத்துக்கு வித வித சுகத்துக்கு
நெஞ்சில் ஏக்கம் வரும் நெஞ்சில் ஏக்கம் வரும்
For the youthful moon and the comforting flower,
How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures,
A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart.
இளவட்ட நிலவுக்கு இதம் தரும் மலருக்குக்கு
எங்கே தூக்கம் வரும் எங்கே தூக்கம் வரும்
விரல் பட்ட இதத்துக்கு வித வித சுகத்துக்கு
நெஞ்சில் ஏக்கம் வரும் நெஞ்சில் ஏக்கம் வரும்
For the youthful moon and the comforting flower,
How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures,
A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart.
தென்றலாய் என்னை அழைக்கிறாய்
என் உள்ளம் சில்லாக
தேரென என்னை இழுக்கிறாய்
என் உடலோ சூடாக
You call me like a gentle breeze,
Making my heart turn cool.
You pull me like a temple chariot,
Making my body turn hot.
ஹோ ஹோ தென்றலாய் என்னை அழைக்கிறாய்
என் உள்ளம் சில்லாக
தேரென என்னை இழுக்கிறாய்
என் உடலோ சூடாக
Ho ho, you call me like a gentle breeze,
Making my heart turn cool.
You pull me like a temple chariot,
Making my body turn hot.
மல்லிகை வில்லென நாணத்தில் வளைந்திட
நானும் அம்பாகவோ
மன்னவன் வேலென தேகத்தில் பாய்ந்திட
நானும் போராடவோ
Bending in shyness like a bow made of jasmine,
Should I become the arrow?
As the king's spear pierces the body,
Should I battle against it?
இந்த போரில் நான் வெல்லவோ
இன்ப தேனை நான் அள்ளவோ
நான் தோற்றால் விபரீதமே
நீ தொட்டால் அபராதமே....
Shall I emerge victorious in this war?
Shall I scoop up the sweet honey of joy?
If I lose, it will be disastrous,
If you touch me now, it will be an offense.
இளவட்ட நிலவுக்கு இதம் தரும் மலருக்குக்கு
எங்கே தூக்கம் வரும் எங்கே தூக்கம் வரும் ஹஹான்
For the youthful moon and the comforting flower,
How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
பொன்னாடையில் பூத்த தாமரை
உன் ஓடை நாந்தானே
மணமேடையில் வீற்ற ராமனே
உன் சீதை நான்தானே
O lotus blooming in a golden robe,
Am I not your stream?
O Lord Rama seated on the wedding dais,
Am I not your Sita?
ஹ்ம்ம்......பொன்னாடையில் பூத்த தாமரை
உன் ஓடை நாந்தானே
மணமேடையில் வீற்ற ராமனே
உன் சீதை நான்தானே
Hmm... O lotus blooming in a golden robe,
Am I not your stream?
O Lord Rama seated on the wedding dais,
Am I not your Sita?
சுகம் பெறும் ஆசையில்
ஸ்வரம் தரும் வீணையில்
கையை அரங்கேற்றவோ
அவசர விரல்களின் அபஸ்வர கானத்தை
இன்னும் நான் கேட்கவோ
In the desire to attain ecstasy,
On the veena that yields sweet notes,
Shall I debut my hands?
To the off-key song of hasty fingers,
Should I keep listening?
சதிராடும் பொன்னாரமே
ஜதி சொல்லும் இதழ் ஊறுமே
சதி செய்யும் என் வெட்கமே
சதியாகும் நாள் வரைக்குமே.......
O dancing golden garland,
Lips reciting rhythmic beats begin to water.
My shyness conspires against me,
Until the day our bond becomes solemnized.
இளவட்ட நிலவுக்கு இதம் தரும் மலருக்குக்கு
எங்கே தூக்கம் வரும் எங்கே தூக்கம் வரும்
விரல் பட்ட இதத்துக்கு வித வித சுகத்துக்கு
நெஞ்சில் ஏக்கம் வரும் நெஞ்சில் ஏக்கம் வரும்
For the youthful moon and the comforting flower,
How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures,
A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart.
....................
..........................
...
...
Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku
For the youthful moon and the comforting flower,
Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum
How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku
For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures,
Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum
A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart.
Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku
For the youthful moon and the comforting flower,
Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum
How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku
For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures,
Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum
A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart.
Thendralaai ennai azhaikkiraai
You call me like a gentle breeze,
En ullaam sillaaga
Making my heart turn cool.
Female :Thaerena ennai izhukkiraai
You pull me like a temple chariot,
En udalo soodaaga
Making my body turn hot.
Ho ho thendralaai ennai azhaikkiraai
Ho ho, you call me like a gentle breeze,
En ullaam sillaaga
Making my heart turn cool.
Female :Thaerena ennai izhukkiraai
You pull me like a temple chariot,
En udalo soodaaga
Making my body turn hot.
Malligai villaena nanaththil valainthida
Bending in shyness like a bow made of jasmine,
Naanum ambaagavo
Should I become the arrow?
Female :Mannavan velena thegaththil paainthida
As the king's spear pierces the body,
Naanum poraadavo
Should I battle against it?
Intha poril naan vellavo
Shall I emerge victorious in this war?
Inba thaenai naan allavo
Shall I scoop up the sweet honey of joy?
Female :Naan thottraal vibareethamae
If I lose, it will be disastrous,
Nee thottaal abaraathaamae
If you touch me now, it will be an offense.
Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku
For the youthful moon and the comforting flower,
Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum
How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
Ponnaadaiyil pooththa thaamarai
O lotus blooming in a golden robe,
Un odai naanthaanae
Am I not your stream?
Female :Manamedaiyil veettra ramanae
O Lord Rama seated on the wedding dais,
Un seedhai naanthaanae
Am I not your Sita?
Hmm…..ponnaadaiyil pooththa thaamarai
Hmm... O lotus blooming in a golden robe,
Un odai naanthaanae
Am I not your stream?
Female :Manamedaiyil veettra ramanae
O Lord Rama seated on the wedding dais,
Un seedhai naanthaanae
Am I not your Sita?
Sugam peru aasaiyil
In the desire to attain ecstasy,
Swaram tharum veenaiyil
On the veena that yields sweet notes,
Kaiyai arangaettravo
Shall I debut my hands?
Female :Avasara viralgalin abasvara kaanaththai
To the off-key song of hasty fingers,
Innum naan ketkavo
Should I keep listening?
Sathiraadum ponnaaramae
O dancing golden garland,
Jathi sollum idhazh oorumae
Lips reciting rhythmic beats begin to water.
Female :Sathi seiyyum en vetkkamae
My shyness conspires against me,
Sathiyaagum naal varaikkumae
Until the day our bond becomes solemnized.
Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku
For the youthful moon and the comforting flower,
Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum
How can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku
For the comfort touched by fingers, and for varied pleasures,
Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum
A longing arises in the heart, a longing arises in the heart.
……………..
...
Female :……………..
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic duet depicts an intimate, playful exchange between two lovers overwhelmed by passion and longing during a sleepless night. The male protagonist compares his beloved to a delicate lotus and a cool breeze, expressing his burning desire to hold her. The female protagonist responds with playful hesitation, referencing cultural allegories such as Rama and Sita while expressing her maidenly shyness and desire to wait until their marital union.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)
“Ilavatta nilavukku / Viral patta idhaththukku”
The second consonant 'la' (ல) rhymes across lines 'Ilavatta' and 'Viral', creating a pleasing rhythmic structure typical of classical Tamil songwriting.
Metaphor & Simile (Upama)
“Thendralaai ennai azhaikkiraai / Thaerena ennai izhukkiraai”
The lover is compared to a gentle breeze ('Thendralaai') and a pulling chariot ('Thaerena'), illustrating contrasting feelings of soothing coolness and intense warmth.
Antithesis (Contrast)
“En ullaam sillaaga / En udalo soodaaga”
Direct contrast between cold ('sillaaga') and hot ('soodaaga') to reflect the emotional turbulence caused by romantic arousal.
Alliteration & Rhyme (Monnai & Iyai)
“Naan thottraal vibareethamae / Nee thottaal abaraathaamae”
Internal and end rhymes like 'vibareethamae' and 'abaraathaamae' emphasize the playful tension between the lovers.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed, written, and directed by T. Rajendar, the song features his signature alliterative rhyming style (Edhugai and Monai) in every stanza. T. Rajendar is known in Tamil cinema for writing lyrics where every line rhymes systematically while maintaining musical rhythm.
Keep listening
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