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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaadhal Nilave Kanmani Radha

From Hello Mister Zamindar · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Hello Mister Zamindar1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaadhal nilavaeOh moon of my love,
Kanmani raadhaMy precious Radha,
Nimmadhiyaaga thoonguSleep peacefully.
Male
Kaadhal nilavaeOh moon of my love,
Kanmani raadhaMy precious Radha,
Nimmadhiyaaga thoonguSleep peacefully.
Male
Kanavilum naanaeEven in your dreams, I
Marubadi varuvenwill come again,
Kavalai illaamal thoonguso sleep without any worries.
Male
Kaadhal nilavaeOh moon of my love,
Kanmani raadhaMy precious Radha,
Nimmadhiyaaga thoonguSleep peacefully.
Male
Aahaa..aahaa..Aahaa..aahaa..
Aahaa..aahaa..hahaa..Aahaa..aahaa..hahaa..
Male
Kodi selvar endraalumWhether they are billionaires with crores,
Thaedum kalvar endraalumor thieves searching for loot,
Yaarum aadipaadi oiyndhuvidumeveryone ceases their singing and dancing to rest
Kaarirul velaiduring the dark hours of night.
Male
Unn kannathin meedhaeJust because upon your cheek
Naanum kannam veipadhaalI place my cheek as well,
Ivan kalvan endru ennaido not think of me
Neeyum enni vidaadheas a thief, my dear.
Male
Kaadhal nilavaeOh moon of my love,
Kanmani raadhaMy precious Radha,
Nimmadhiyaaga thoonguSleep peacefully.
Male
Naalum thookam illaamalWithout sleep every day,
Odum nadhiyinai polaelike a flowing river,
Unmai thookamindri kaathiruppentruly I will wait sleeplessly,
Aasaiyinaalaedriven by desire.
Male
Naalum thookam illaamalWithout sleep every day,
Odum nadhiyinai polaelike a flowing river,
Unmai thookamindri kaathiruppentruly I will wait sleeplessly,
Aasaiyinaalaedriven by desire.
Male
Kaadhal paatu paaduvenI will sing love songs,
Thaalaatu paaduvenI will sing lullabies,
Unn paarvai sollum jaadayilaeand guided by the subtle gestures of your eyes,
Ulagai velluvenI will conquer the world.
Male
Kaadhal nilavaeOh moon of my love,
Kanmani raadhaMy precious Radha,
Nimmadhiyaaga thoonguSleep peacefully.
Male
Aahaa..aahaa..aahahaahaaAahaa..aahaa..aahahaahaa
Aahaa..aahaa..aahahaahaaAahaa..aahaa..aahahaahaa
Male
Yaarum thetra vandhaalumEven if someone comes to comfort me,
Ennai maatra vandhaalumor comes to change my mind,
Unnai serndhuvitta nenjam ondrumthis heart that has joined with you
Maarividaadhuwill never change.
Male
Adhu kadamai endraalumEven if it is declared a duty,
Andha kadavul sonnaalumor if God Himself commands it,
Ondru kalandhuvitta namadhuour bond, which has merged as one,
Sondham pirindhuvidaadhushall never separate.
Male
Kaadhal nilavaeOh moon of my love,
Kanmani raadhaMy precious Radha,
Nimmadhiyaaga thoonguSleep peacefully.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kaadhal Nilave' from the film 'Hello Mister Zamindar' (1965) is a soothing romantic lullaby sung by the male protagonist to his beloved, Radha, reassuring her to rest peacefully. He addresses her as the moon of his love and promises that even in her dreams he will stay by her side. He observes how night brings stillness to everyone regardless of wealth or status, lightheartedly asking her not to consider him a thief for leaning close to her cheek. The protagonist vows eternal devotion, comparing his sleepless state to an endlessly flowing river. He expresses confidence that her love gives him the strength to conquer the world and affirms that their souls are so inextricably linked that neither worldly duty nor divine intervention can ever break their bond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Kaadhal nilavae

Directly compares the beloved to the moon ('Kaadhal nilavae'), evoking beauty, cool comfort, and brightness.

Simile (Upama Alankaram / Uvamai)

Odum nadhiyinai polae

Compares his endless sleepless waiting to a river that flows continuously day and night ('Odum nadhiyinai polae').

Rhyme / Edhugai

Kaadhal paatu paaduven / Thaalaatu paaduven

Parallel sentence construction and end-rhyming structure using 'paaduven' in consecutive lines.

Contrast / Anthesis

Kodi selvar endraalum / Thaedum kalvar endraalum

Juxtaposes extreme opposites in society ('Kodi selvar' - billionaires vs 'Thaedum kalvar' - thieves) to emphasize that darkness brings rest to all equally.

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Trivia

'Hello Mister Zamindar' (1965) stars Gemini Ganesan and Savitri in the lead roles. The music for the film was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, with lyrics written by Kaviarasu Kannadasan, showcasing his signature ability to blend romantic affection with philosophical depth.

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