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Mounam Sammadham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyana Thaen Nila

From Mounam Sammadham · 1989

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Mounam Sammadham
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
12 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kalyana thaen nila
Kaaichaatha paal nila
Nee thaanae vaan nilaa
Ennodu vaa nila
Theiyaatha vennila
Un kaadhal kaannila
Aagaayam mannila
Kalyana thaen nila
Kaichaatha paal nila
Thenpaandi koodala
Dhevaara paadala
Theeraadha oodala
Thaen sindhum koodala
En anbu kaadhala
Ennaalum koodala
Perinbam meiyila
Nee theendum kaiyila
Paarppomae aavalaa
Vaa vaa nila…aaaa.aaaaa….
Kalyana thaen nila
Kaichaatha paal nila
Nee thaanae vaan nila
Ennnodu vaa nila
Un dhegam thaekkila
Thaen undhan vaakila
Un paarvai thoondila
Naan kaidhi koondila
Sangeetham paattila
Nee pesum pechila
En jeevan ennila
Un paarvai thannila
Thaen oorum vaer pala
Un sollila…aaaaa….aaaaaaaa…
Kalyana thaen nila
Kaaichaatha paal nila
Nee thaanae vaan nilaa
Ennodu vaa nila
Theiyaatha vennila
Un kaadhal kaannila
Aagaayam mannila…aaaa…
Kalyana thaen nila
Kaichaatha paal nila
Sweet wedding moon,
Pure, fresh milk-white moon,
Aren't you the moon in the sky?
Come with me, my moon!
A bright moon that never wanes,
Is your love moonlight shining in the woods?
Has the sky come down to the earth?
Sweet wedding moon,
Pure, fresh milk-white moon...
Are you the ancient city of Madurai?
Are you a sacred Thevaram hymn?
Are you an endless lovers' quarrel,
Or a honey-sweet union?
My dearest love,
Can we stay together forever?
Does true joy live in the body,
Or in the gentle touch of your hand?
Let us eagerly find out,
Come, oh come, my moon...
Sweet wedding moon,
Pure, fresh milk-white moon,
Aren't you the moon in the sky?
Come with me, my moon!
Is your body carved from teakwood?
Does honey flow in your voice?
Is your gaze a fishing hook,
And am I a prisoner in a cage?
Does music live in a melody,
Or in the words you speak?
Does my life live within me,
Or in your loving gaze?
Is it sweet jackfruit dripping with honey,
flowing in your words...?
Sweet wedding moon,
Pure, fresh milk-white moon,
Aren't you the moon in the sky?
Come with me, my moon!
A bright moon that never wanes,
Is your love moonlight shining in the woods?
Has the sky come down to the earth...?
Sweet wedding moon,
Pure, fresh milk-white moon...
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Female
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Female
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Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kalyana Thaen Nila is a soul-stirring romantic melody from the movie Mounam Sammadham. The song paints a serene, poetic picture of intimate love and emotional union, comparing the beloved to sweet, pure celestial entities like unboiled milk and a non-waning moon. The lyrics fuse classical Tamil literary motifs—referencing ancient Pandian gatherings (Koodal) and holy hymns (Thevaram)—with delicate sensory expressions of affection. As the song unfolds, the singer marvels at the hypnotic charm of the beloved's speech, touch, and gaze, playfully questioning whether their soul belongs to themselves or to their partner. The theme captures a tranquil, eternal state of romantic bliss and spiritual connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Kalyana thaen nila / Kaaichaatha paal nila / Nee thaanae vaan nilaa / Ennodu vaa nila”

The repetition of the word 'nila' at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, hypnotic lulling effect.

Uruvagamb (Metaphor)

“Kalyana thaen nila / Kaaichaatha paal nila”

Directly equating the lover to honeyed moon, unboiled milk moon, and celestial entities.

Vinaa Aani (Rhetorical Questions)

“Sangeetham paattila / Nee pesum pechila / En jeevan ennila / Un paarvai thannila”

Using a series of rhetorical queries to poeticize the mesmerizing quality of the partner's features and presence.

Classical Allusion

“Thenpaandi koodala / Dhevaara paadala”

Referencing ancient Tamil literary heritage like Madurai Pandian Koodal and sacred Tamil literature (Thevaram) to elevate the purity of love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Mounam Sammadham (1990) marked the Tamil cinema debut of Malayalam superstar Mammootty. This iconic romantic song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, written by poet Pulamaipithan, and beautifully rendered by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra.

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