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Lyrics & meaning

Jillendru Kaatru

From Nil Kavani Kaathali · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Nil Kavani Kaathali1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sillendru kaatru vandhadhooA cool breeze came along,
Nill endru kaettu kondathooDid it ask me to stop?
Kudai pol imai viriyaAs eyelashes open like an umbrella,
Malar pol vizhi malaraAs eyes blossom like flowers,
Ennodu paesa sonnadhoDid it tell you to talk to me?
Female
Sillendru kaatru vandhadhooA cool breeze came along,
Nill endru kaettu kondathooDid it ask me to stop?
Kudai pol imai viriyaAs eyelashes open like an umbrella,
Malar pol vizhi malaraAs eyes blossom like flowers,
Ennodu paesa sonnadhoDid it tell you to talk to me?
Female
Thannerilae semmeengalaeRed fish in the water,
Alaigalil aadi sellumDancing along with the waves,
Azhagenna azhagooWhat a beauty it is!
Male
Un polvae penn meengalumJust like you, female fish too,
Thunaiyondru thaedi kollumSeek a companion for themselves,
Uravenna uravooWhat a sweet relationship it is!
Male
Sillendru kaatru vandhadhooA cool breeze came along,
Female :Nill endru kaettu kondathooDid it ask me to stop?
Kudai pol imai viriyaAs eyelashes open like an umbrella,
Malar pol vizhi malaraAs eyes blossom like flowers,
Male :Ennodu paesa sonnadhoDid it tell you to talk to me?
Male
Maiyaendhum paarvai konda pennaiA woman with kohl-adorned eyes,
Kaiyaendhum aasai konda ennaiMe, who desires to hold her hands,
Maiyaendhum paarvai konda pennaiA woman with kohl-adorned eyes,
Female :LalalaLalala...
Male :Kaiyaendhum aasai konda ennaiMe, who desires to hold her hands,
Female :LalalaLalala...
Male :Meiyodu meiyanakka koodathooShouldn't body unite with body?
Muthaaram nenjil nindru aadathooWouldn't a necklace of pearls dance on the chest?
Female
Kalloorum poo mugathai kanduSeeing a flower-like face oozing sweet charm,
Ennaeram thaen kidaikkum endruWondering when sweet honey will be obtained,
Kalloorum poo mugathai kanduSeeing a flower-like face oozing sweet charm,
Male :DadadaDadada...
Female :Ennaeram thaen kidaikkum endruWondering when sweet honey will be obtained,
Male :DadadaDadada...
Female :Muthaadum podhu kannam vaadathooWon't cheeks blush soft during a kiss?
Sevvaanam pola vannam maaraadhooWon't the complexion change like the crimson sky?
Male
Sillendru kaatru vandhadhooA cool breeze came along,
Female :Nill endru kaettu kondathooDid it ask me to stop?
Male :Kudai pol imai viriyaAs eyelashes open like an umbrella,
Female :Malar pol vizhi malaraAs eyes blossom like flowers,
Male :Ennodu paesa sonnadhoDid it tell you to talk to me?
Male
Sevvazhai thottam ondru kanduSeeing a red banana plantation,
Female :LalalaLalala...
Male :Neerodai paaivadhangu unduThere is a stream flowing there,
Female :LalalaLalala...
Male :Menmelum vellam vandhu payaadhooWon't a flood stream forth more and more?
Pon meni tholil vandhu saaiyadhooWon't that golden body rest on my shoulders?
Female
Kalloori pdam solli theriyumCollege lessons are taught and learned,
Male :DadadaDadada...
Female :Sollaamal kaadhal paadam puriyumLessons of love are understood without words,
Male :DadadaDadada...
Female :Kannodu kann kalandhu paesadhooWon't eyes meet and converse with eyes?
Kalyaana kolam kondu saeraadhooWon't we unite in wedded bliss?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sillendru Kaatru Vandhadhu from the 1969 film Nil Kavani Kaathali is a romantic duet composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and written by lyricist Vaali. The song captures the playful banter between two lovers surrounded by nature. Inspired by the cool breeze, blooming flowers, and paired fish in water, they reflect on their growing affection and deep mutual attraction. As the duet unfolds, the couple transitions from poetic observations of nature to romantic intimacy. Lyricist Vaali brilliantly contrasts formal academic education with the wordless, intuitive language of love, culminating in an eager anticipation of marriage and lifelong togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Kudai pol imai viriya

Comparing eyelids opening to an umbrella ('Kudai pol imai viriya'), eyes blossoming to flowers ('Malar pol vizhi malara'), and skin blushing to the evening sky ('Sevvaanam pola').

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Sillendru kaatru vandhadhoo

The second letter 'll' matches across lines (Sillendru / Nill endru).

Rhyme / Assonance (Edhugai)

Maiyaendhum paarvai konda pennai

Matching sound structures in 'Maiyaendhum' (kohl-eyed) and 'Kaiyaendhum' (hand-holding).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sevvazhai thottam ondru kandu

Using 'Sevvazhai thottam' (red banana grove) and 'Neerodai' (stream) as metaphors for youthfulness and flowing passion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nil Kavani Kaathali (1969) was a modern suspense thriller directed by C. V. Rajendran, starring Jaishankar and Bharathi. The movie's title was inspired by the standard Indian railway/road safety warning sign 'Stop Look Listen', playfully translated into Tamil as 'Nil, Kavani, Kaathali' (replacing 'listen' with 'love'). The track remains one of the finest classic duets sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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