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Nil Kavani Kaathali album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Jillendru Kaatru

From Nil Kavani Kaathali · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Nil Kavani Kaathali
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
19 Aug 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sillendru kaatru vandhadhoo
Nill endru kaettu kondathoo
Kudai pol imai viriya
Malar pol vizhi malara
Ennodu paesa sonnadho
Sillendru kaatru vandhadhoo
Nill endru kaettu kondathoo
Kudai pol imai viriya
Malar pol vizhi malara
Ennodu paesa sonnadho
Thannerilae semmeengalae
Alaigalil aadi sellum
Azhagenna azhagoo
Un polvae penn meengalum
Thunaiyondru thaedi kollum
Uravenna uravoo
Sillendru kaatru vandhadhoo
Female :Nill endru kaettu kondathoo
Kudai pol imai viriya
Malar pol vizhi malara
Male :Ennodu paesa sonnadho
Maiyaendhum paarvai konda pennai
Kaiyaendhum aasai konda ennai
Maiyaendhum paarvai konda pennai
Female :Lalala
Male :Kaiyaendhum aasai konda ennai
Female :Lalala
Male :Meiyodu meiyanakka koodathoo
Muthaaram nenjil nindru aadathoo
Kalloorum poo mugathai kandu
Ennaeram thaen kidaikkum endru
Kalloorum poo mugathai kandu
Male :Dadada
Female :Ennaeram thaen kidaikkum endru
Male :Dadada
Female :Muthaadum podhu kannam vaadathoo
Sevvaanam pola vannam maaraadhoo
Sillendru kaatru vandhadhoo
Female :Nill endru kaettu kondathoo
Male :Kudai pol imai viriya
Female :Malar pol vizhi malara
Male :Ennodu paesa sonnadho
Sevvazhai thottam ondru kandu
Female :Lalala
Male :Neerodai paaivadhangu undu
Female :Lalala
Male :Menmelum vellam vandhu payaadhoo
Pon meni tholil vandhu saaiyadhoo
Kalloori pdam solli theriyum
Male :Dadada
Female :Sollaamal kaadhal paadam puriyum
Male :Dadada
Female :Kannodu kann kalandhu paesadhoo
Kalyaana kolam kondu saeraadhoo
Did a cool breeze arrive?
Did it ask you to stop?
As eyelashes open like an umbrella,
As eyes blossom like flowers,
Did it tell you to speak with me?
Did a cool breeze arrive?
Did it ask you to stop?
As eyelashes open like an umbrella,
As eyes blossom like flowers,
Did it tell you to speak with me?
Look at the red fish in the water,
Dancing through the waves,
Oh, what a beautiful sight!
Just like you, the female fish too
Seek out a companion for themselves,
Oh, what a sweet bond!
Did a cool breeze arrive?
Female: Did it ask you to stop?
As eyelashes open like an umbrella,
As eyes blossom like flowers,
Male: Did it tell you to speak with me?
For the girl with kohl-lined eyes,
And for me, longing with outstretched hands,
For the girl with kohl-lined eyes,
Female: La la la
Male: And for me, longing with outstretched hands,
Female: La la la
Male: Shouldn't our bodies hold each other close?
Won't a necklace of pearls dance upon the chest?
Gazing at a flower-like face dripping with sweet nectar,
Wondering when that honey can be tasted,
Gazing at a flower-like face dripping with sweet nectar,
Male: Da da da
Female: Wondering when that honey can be tasted,
Male: Da da da
Female: When kisses play, won't cheeks blush tenderly?
Won't their color change like the crimson evening sky?
Did a cool breeze arrive?
Female: Did it ask you to stop?
Male: As eyelashes open like an umbrella,
Female: As eyes blossom like flowers,
Male: Did it tell you to speak with me?
Seeing a red banana grove,
Female: La la la
Male: A stream comes flowing by,
Female: La la la
Male: Won't the floodwaters rush and overflow?
Won't that golden form lean upon my shoulder?
College lessons are learned when taught,
Male: Da da da
Female: But love's lesson is understood without words!
Male: Da da da
Female: Won't eyes meet and speak with each other?
Won't we unite in marriage?
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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