- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Bhagyalakshmi
- Movie release year
- 1961
- Lyrics added on
- 2 Sept 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this classic song from the movie Bhagyalakshmi (1961), lyricist Kannadasan uses the trope of addressing the moon (Velli Nilave) to express romantic intimacy. The protagonist playfully teases the silver moon, viewing it as a curious intruder who hurried across the night sky to spy on two lovers, only to be left dumbfounded and transfixed by their deep love. The song lightheartedly questions the moon's lack of shyness despite having a feminine maiden's heart, asking it to overcome its fascination and hide behind clouds to grant the couple privacy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification (Uruvagam)
“Kanni ullam unakkirundhum naanamillaiyaa”
Attributing human traits and emotions (shyness, curiosity, standing transfixed) to the inanimate moon.
Apostrophe
“Kaana vandha kaatchi enna velli nilavae”
Directly addressing an abstract object or celestial body, in this case, the 'silver moon'.
Refrain (Irandai / Thodarchiyana Sollatchi)
“Kandu vitta kolam enna velli nilavae”
Repetition of the phrase 'velli nilavae' at the end of lines to establish cadence and musical rhythm.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Ninaithu ninaithu solla vandha”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Bhagyalakshmi' (1961) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Sowcar Janaki, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The music for this film was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. Kannadasan's use of the moon as a silent spectator or messenger is a deep-rooted tradition in classical Tamil Sangam literature (known as 'Thoodhu' literature).
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