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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalaiyum Neeye

From Then Nilavu · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
A. M. Rajah, S. Janaki
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Details
Then Nilavu1961

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Aaaaaa…………Aaaaaa...
Male
KaalaiyumThe morning too,
Neeyae maalaiyumIs you; the evening too,
NeeyaeIs you.
Female
Aaaaa……..Aaaaa...
Male
{ Kaalaiyum{ The morning too,
Neeyae maalaiyumIs you; the evening too,
Neeyae kaatrumIs you; the wind too,
Neeyae kadalum neeyae } (2)Is you; the sea too is you. } (2)
Male
KaalaiyumThe morning too,
Neeyae maalaiyumIs you; the evening too,
NeeyaeIs you.
Male
AalaiyaThe temple's
Manivai osaiyumSound of the bell's mouth too,
NeeyaeIs you.
Female
Aaaaaa………………..Aaaaaa...
Male
AalaiyaThe temple's
Manivai osaiyumSound of the bell's mouth too,
Neeyae arul vadivaagumIs you; grace personified
Deivamum neeyaeDeity too is you.
Male
KaalaiyumThe morning too,
Neeyae maalaiyumIs you; the evening too,
Neeyae kaatrumIs you; the wind too,
Neeyae kadalum neeyaeIs you; the sea too is you.
Male
KaalaiyumThe morning too,
Neeyae maalaiyumIs you; the evening too,
NeeyaeIs you.
Male
{ Paalil{ Like fruits
Vizhuntha pazhangalaiFallen into milk,
Polae paruvam uruvamFilling youthfulness and beauty,
Nirainthaval neeyae } (2)You are the complete one. } (2)
Male
ManadhilIn the heart,
Medai amaithavalThe one who set up a stage,
NeeyaeIs you.
Female
Aaaaaaa………………..Aaaaaaa...
Male
Aaaaaaaaa………………..Aaaaaaaaa...
Male
ManadhilIn the heart,
Medai amaithavalThe one who set up a stage,
Neeyae mangalaIs you, who came to perform
Naadagam aada vanthaayaeAn auspicious play.
Female
KaalaiyumThe morning too,
Neeyae maalaiyumIs you; the evening too,
Neeyae kaatrumIs you; the wind too,
Neeyae kadalum neeyaeIs you; the sea too is you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaalaiyum Neeyae is a classic romantic melody from the movie Then Nilavu (1961), penned by Kannadasan. The song expresses the omnipresence of the beloved in the eyes of the lover. The protagonist envisions his beloved in every aspect of nature and time—the morning, the evening, the gentle breeze, and the vast ocean—as well as in divine experiences like the resonant chime of temple bells and grace personified. Kannadasan uses rich imagery, comparing the perfection of the beloved's youth and beauty to delicious fruits fallen into rich milk. The heart is visualized as a theater stage where the beloved enters to enact a divine and auspicious play of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora (Repetition)

“Kaalaiyum Neeyae maalaiyum Neeyae kaatrum Neeyae kadalum neeyae”

The word 'Neeyae' (You alone / You are) is repeatedly emphasized throughout the song to signify that the beloved encompasses every form and sensation.

Simile (Upamai)

“Paalil vizhuntha pazhangalai polae paruvam uruvam nirainthaval neeyae”

The beloved's complete beauty and youth are compared to sweet fruits dropped into milk using the comparative marker 'polae' (like).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Manadhil medai amaithaval neeyae mangala naadagam aada vanthaayae”

The human mind/heart is metaphorically called a stage ('medai') where an auspicious play ('mangala naadagam') of romance is enacted.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai and Ethukai)

“Kaalaiyum Neeyae maalaiyum Neeyae kaatrum Neeyae kadalum neeyae”

Rhythmic Tamil poetic elements are used with matching initial and second sounds across time and nature concepts (Kaalaiyum, Maalaiyum, Kaatrum, Kadalum).

Did you know?

Trivia

Then Nilavu (1961), directed by C. V. Sridhar, was one of the earliest South Indian films to be extensively shot on location in Jammu & Kashmir. The film marked singer A. M. Rajah's acclaimed work as a music director, featuring hit duets alongside P. Susheela.

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