Iravu Nilavu
From Anjali · 1990
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. Janaki, Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Anjali1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| {Pababa pap paaba pab paaba..paba…. | (Vocal scatting) |
| Pababa pap paaba pab paaba..paa..} (2) | (Vocal scatting) |
| Female | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Chorus | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Female | |
| Yaarodum dhaan | Without telling |
| Sollamal dhaan | Anyone at all |
| Vaanvittu dhaan | Leaving the sky behind |
| Mannil vandadhu | It came down to the earth |
| Mannai kandu | Seeing the earth |
| Mayangi nindradhu | It stood spellbound |
| Vidiya vidiya vidiya | Until dawn breaks... |
| Female | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Chorus | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Female | |
| Veedhiyengum vanna vanna | Across all the streets, colorful |
| Olivilakku minna minna | Decorative light lamps were shimmering |
| Chorus :Vennilaavum nindru paarthadhu.. | Even the white moon stood and watched.. |
| Female :Ooh …hoi | Ooh... hoi |
| Female | |
| Velli meengal vaira minnal | Silver stars and diamond flashes |
| Ondru serndhu nindradhendru | Seemed to have come together as one |
| Chorus :Kan mayakkum kaatchiyaanadhu.. | It became a mesmerizing sight.. |
| Female :Ooh …hoi.. | Ooh... hoi.. |
| Female | |
| Enna maayamo enna jaalamo | What magic or what illusion is this? |
| Chorus :Endru ennai thottu paarthadhu | Thinking so, it reached out and touched me |
| Female :Thotta velayil shock adithadhum | When touched, it felt like an electric shock |
| Chorus :Pattu kaiyil suttu kondadhu | And burnt its silken hands |
| Female | |
| Vali thaanga mudiyaadhu | Unable to bear the pain |
| Kadaloram ilaippaara | To rest by the seashore |
| Chorus :Vaanam kandadhu vaadi nindradhu | The sky saw this and wilted |
| Female :Megam thannai thoodhu vittadhu… | The cloud sent itself as a messenger... |
| Vidiya vidiya… | Until dawn breaks... |
| Female | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Chorus | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Female | |
| Chinna mullum periya mullum | The small hand and the big hand of the clock |
| Ondru serndhu ottikkolla | Came together to touch each other |
| Chorus :Pannirendu mani adithadhu.. | The clock struck twelve... |
| Female :Ooo…hoi | Ooo... hoi |
| Female | |
| Pazhaya varusham ponadhingu | The old year passed away here |
| Pudhiya varusham poothadhendru | Saying the new year has blossomed |
| Chorus :Oor muzhukka vedi vedithadhu.. | The whole town burst crackers... |
| Female :Ooo..hoi | Ooo... hoi |
| Female | |
| Inbam enbadhu ingu vandadhu | Happiness has arrived here |
| Chorus :Thunba naatkal odi ponadhu | Days of sorrow have run away |
| Female :Indha bhoomidhaan indha naalilae | On this very earth, on this day |
| Chorus :Sorgamaaga maari ponadhu | It has transformed into heaven |
| Female | |
| Nilavodu vilaiyaadum | A cloud that plays with the moon |
| Oru megam andha neram | At that moment |
| Chorus :Vaan thedudhu poraadudhu | Searches the sky and struggles |
| Female :Than kooda vaa endradhu… | And invited it to come along... |
| Vidiya vidiya… | Until dawn breaks... |
| Female | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Chorus | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Female | |
| Yaarodum dhaan | Without telling |
| Sollamal dhaan | Anyone at all |
| Vaanvittu dhaan | Leaving the sky behind |
| Mannil vandadhu | It came down to the earth |
| Mannai kandu | Seeing the earth |
| Mayangi nindradhu | It stood spellbound |
| Vidiya vidiya vidiya | Until dawn breaks... |
| Female | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
| Chorus | |
| Iravu nilavu ulagai | The night moon wanted |
| Rasikka ninaithadhu | To admire and enjoy the world |
| Jolikkum siragai virithu | Spreading its glittering wings |
| Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu | It descended to the ground and walked |
...........................
(Vocal scatting)
(Vocal scatting)
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
யாரோடும்தான்
சொல்லாமல்தான்
வான்விட்டு தான்
மண்ணில் வந்தது
மண்ணைக் கண்டு
மயங்கி நின்றது
விடிய விடிய விடிய
Without telling
Anyone at all
Leaving the sky behind
It came down to the earth
Seeing the earth
It stood spellbound
Until dawn breaks...
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
வீதியெங்கும்
வண்ண வண்ண
ஒளிவிளக்கு மின்ன
மின்ன
குழு :
வெண்ணிலாவும்
நின்று பார்த்தது
ஓ ஹோய்
Across all the streets, colorful
Decorative light lamps were shimmering
Even the white moon stood and watched..
Ooh... hoi
வெள்ளிமீன்கள்
வைரமின்னல் ஒன்று
சேர்ந்து நின்றதென்று
குழு :
கண் மயக்கும்
காட்சியானது
ஓ ஹோய்
Silver stars and diamond flashes
Seemed to have come together as one
It became a mesmerizing sight..
Ooh... hoi..
என்ன மாயமோ
என்ன ஜாலமோ
குழு :
என்று என்னை
தொட்டுப் பார்த்தது
தொட்ட வேளையில்
ஷாக் அடித்ததும்
குழு :
பட்டுக் கையில்
சுட்டுக் கொண்டது
What magic or what illusion is this?
Thinking so, it reached out and touched me
When touched, it felt like an electric shock
And burnt its silken hands
வலி தாங்க
முடியாது கடலோரம்
இளைப்பாற
குழு :
வானம் கண்டது
வாடி நின்றது
மேகம் தன்னை
தூது விட்டது விடிய விடிய
Unable to bear the pain
To rest by the seashore
The sky saw this and wilted
The cloud sent itself as a messenger...
Until dawn breaks...
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
சின்ன முள்ளும்
பெரிய முள்ளும் ஒன்று
சேர்ந்து ஒட்டிக் கொள்ள
குழு :
பன்னிரெண்டு
மணி அடித்தது
ஓ ஹோய்
The small hand and the big hand of the clock
Came together to touch each other
The clock struck twelve...
Ooo... hoi
பழைய வருஷம்
போனதிங்கு புதிய வருஷம்
பூத்ததென்று
குழு :
ஊர் முழுக்க
வெடி வெடித்தது
ஓ ஹோய்
The old year passed away here
Saying the new year has blossomed
The whole town burst crackers...
Ooo... hoi
இன்பம் என்பது
இங்கு வந்தது
குழு :
துன்ப நாட்கள்
ஓடிப் போனது
இந்த பூமிதான்
இந்த நாளிலே
குழு :
சொர்கமாக
மாறிப் போனது
Happiness has arrived here
Days of sorrow have run away
On this very earth, on this day
It has transformed into heaven
நிலவோடு விளையாடும்
ஒரு மேகம் அந்த நேரம்
குழு :
வான் தேடுது போராடுது
தன் கூட வா என்றது
விடிய விடிய
A cloud that plays with the moon
At that moment
Searches the sky and struggles
And invited it to come along...
Until dawn breaks...
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
யாரோடும்தான்
சொல்லாமல்தான்
வான்விட்டு தான்
மண்ணில் வந்தது
மண்ணைக் கண்டு
மயங்கி நின்றது
விடிய விடிய விடிய
Without telling
Anyone at all
Leaving the sky behind
It came down to the earth
Seeing the earth
It stood spellbound
Until dawn breaks...
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
இரவு நிலவு
உலகை ரசிக்க நினைத்தது
ஜொலிக்கும் சிறகை விரித்து
தரையில் இறங்கி நடந்தது
The night moon wanted
To admire and enjoy the world
Spreading its glittering wings
It descended to the ground and walked
{Pababa pap paaba pab paaba..paba….
(Vocal scatting)
Pababa pap paaba pab paaba..paa..} (2)
(Vocal scatting)
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Yaarodum dhaan
Without telling
Sollamal dhaan
Anyone at all
Vaanvittu dhaan
Leaving the sky behind
Mannil vandadhu
It came down to the earth
Mannai kandu
Seeing the earth
Mayangi nindradhu
It stood spellbound
Vidiya vidiya vidiya
Until dawn breaks...
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Veedhiyengum vanna vanna
Across all the streets, colorful
Olivilakku minna minna
Decorative light lamps were shimmering
Chorus :Vennilaavum nindru paarthadhu..
Even the white moon stood and watched..
Female :Ooh …hoi
Ooh... hoi
Velli meengal vaira minnal
Silver stars and diamond flashes
Ondru serndhu nindradhendru
Seemed to have come together as one
Chorus :Kan mayakkum kaatchiyaanadhu..
It became a mesmerizing sight..
Female :Ooh …hoi..
Ooh... hoi..
Enna maayamo enna jaalamo
What magic or what illusion is this?
Chorus :Endru ennai thottu paarthadhu
Thinking so, it reached out and touched me
Female :Thotta velayil shock adithadhum
When touched, it felt like an electric shock
Chorus :Pattu kaiyil suttu kondadhu
And burnt its silken hands
Vali thaanga mudiyaadhu
Unable to bear the pain
Kadaloram ilaippaara
To rest by the seashore
Chorus :Vaanam kandadhu vaadi nindradhu
The sky saw this and wilted
Female :Megam thannai thoodhu vittadhu…
The cloud sent itself as a messenger...
Vidiya vidiya…
Until dawn breaks...
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Chinna mullum periya mullum
The small hand and the big hand of the clock
Ondru serndhu ottikkolla
Came together to touch each other
Chorus :Pannirendu mani adithadhu..
The clock struck twelve...
Female :Ooo…hoi
Ooo... hoi
Pazhaya varusham ponadhingu
The old year passed away here
Pudhiya varusham poothadhendru
Saying the new year has blossomed
Chorus :Oor muzhukka vedi vedithadhu..
The whole town burst crackers...
Female :Ooo..hoi
Ooo... hoi
Inbam enbadhu ingu vandadhu
Happiness has arrived here
Chorus :Thunba naatkal odi ponadhu
Days of sorrow have run away
Female :Indha bhoomidhaan indha naalilae
On this very earth, on this day
Chorus :Sorgamaaga maari ponadhu
It has transformed into heaven
Nilavodu vilaiyaadum
A cloud that plays with the moon
Oru megam andha neram
At that moment
Chorus :Vaan thedudhu poraadudhu
Searches the sky and struggles
Female :Than kooda vaa endradhu…
And invited it to come along...
Vidiya vidiya…
Until dawn breaks...
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Yaarodum dhaan
Without telling
Sollamal dhaan
Anyone at all
Vaanvittu dhaan
Leaving the sky behind
Mannil vandadhu
It came down to the earth
Mannai kandu
Seeing the earth
Mayangi nindradhu
It stood spellbound
Vidiya vidiya vidiya
Until dawn breaks...
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Iravu nilavu ulagai
The night moon wanted
Rasikka ninaithadhu
To admire and enjoy the world
Jolikkum siragai virithu
Spreading its glittering wings
Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu
It descended to the ground and walked
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Iravu Nilavu' from Mani Ratnam's 1990 classic movie 'Anjali' captures a whimsical New Year's Eve celebration from a child's imaginative perspective. Personifying the night moon as a magical winged creature that steps down to earth, the lyrics paint a picture of festive lights, fireworks at midnight, and pure childlike wonder. The song celebrates joy replacing sorrow as the earth momentarily transforms into heaven during the ringing in of the New Year.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification (Uruvagam / Personification)
“Jolikkum siragai virithu / Tharaiyil irangi nadandhadhu”
The moon is personified as a entity with wings that steps down from the sky to walk on the ground and admire the earth.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Veedhiyengum vanna vanna / Olivilakku minna minna”
The second consonant sound 'nn' matches in 'Vannai' and 'Olivilakku' / 'Vennilaavum'.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Vidiya vidiya vidiya”
Repetition of words like 'Vidiya vidiya' emphasizes duration through the night until daybreak.
Metaphor
“Pudhiya varusham poothadhendru”
Comparing the striking of 12 o'clock on New Year's Eve to the blooming of a new year like a flower.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by legendary lyricist Vaali, 'Anjali' is known for its iconic soundtrack featuring songs sung by children and S. Janaki. The film won three National Film Awards and was India's official entry for the Oscar considerations in 1990.
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