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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kodai Nila Kaayudhu

From Nalla Pambu · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nalla Pambu1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kodai nilaa kaayuthu paalaattamaaSummer moon shines like pouring milk,
Kulir vaadaiyum meyuthu melottamaaAnd the cold north wind gently grazes over.
Kalyaana ponnaththaan konjaatha paavanthaanThe sin of not cuddling the bride,
Theerattum veganthaan saerattumLet the passion exhaust, let us unite!
Female
Kodai nilaa kaayuthu paalaattamaaSummer moon shines like pouring milk,
Kulir vaadaiyum meyuthu melottamaaAnd the cold north wind gently grazes over.
Kalyaana ponnaththaan konjaatha paavanthaanThe sin of not cuddling the bride,
Theerattum veganthaan saerattumLet the passion exhaust, let us unite!
Female
Manjal paaththa menithaanMy body bathed in turmeric,
Maman paakka venunthaanMy beloved uncle needs to look at it.
Thottu paaru rasavaeTouch and see, my dear king,
Pattu poovin vaasam veesumIt wafts the fragrance of a silky flower.
Female
Etti pona mamavaeOh beloved uncle who has walked far away,
Kattil kooda keli pesumEven the bed will mock us.
Ninnu ninnu paakkalaamaShould we just stand and watch again and again?
Neenda neram thaakkalaamaaCan we endure this longing for a long time?
Vetkam vittu ketkkum pothuWhen I ask without any shyness,
Vetti pozhuthu pokkalaamaShould we waste time doing nothing?
Female
Kodai nilaa kaayuthu paalaattamaaSummer moon shines like pouring milk,
Kulir vaadaiyum meyuthu melottamaaAnd the cold north wind gently grazes over.
Kalyaana ponnaththaan konjaatha paavanthaanThe sin of not cuddling the bride,
Theerattum veganthaan saerattumLet the passion exhaust, let us unite!
Female
Kodai nilaa kaayuthu paalaattamaaSummer moon shines like pouring milk,
Kulir vaadaiyum meyuthu melottamaaAnd the cold north wind gently grazes over.
Female
Ravikkai kooda eeramaaEven my blouse is drenched in sweat,
Raavil irukku paaramaaThe night feels so heavy!
Aiyyaa saami thaangaathuOh my lord, I cannot bear it,
Unnaalthaanae noyum theerumOnly through you will this sickness be cured.
Female
Vittaan kaaman poopaanamLord Kamadeva has shot his flower arrow,
Unnaalthaanae kaayam aarumOnly through you will this wound heal.
Ennai neeyum tholil thaanguSupport me on your shoulders,
Enna thevai kettu vaanguAsk and take whatever you need.
Aaga moththam kaigal naaluAltogether, there are four hands,
Alla venum kadhal thenuWe must scoop up the honey of love!
Female
Kodai nilaa kaayuthu paalaattamaaSummer moon shines like pouring milk,
Kulir vaadaiyum meyuthu melottamaaAnd the cold north wind gently grazes over.
Kalyaana ponnaththaan konjaatha paavanthaanThe sin of not cuddling the bride,
Theerattum veganthaan saerattumLet the passion exhaust, let us unite!
Female
Kodai nilaa kaayuthu paalaattamaaSummer moon shines like pouring milk,
Kulir vaadaiyum meyuthu melottamaaAnd the cold north wind gently grazes over.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a newlywed bride's intense romantic longing for her husband under the glow of a summer night moon. She calls out to her beloved, describing her physical beauty, her yearning, and the cool night breeze that amplifies her desire. She playfully urges him not to waste time standing at a distance but to embrace her, heal her romantic distress, and fully partake in the joy of love. The song combines traditional sensory imagery such as turmeric, silk flowers, and Cupid's flower arrows with a sensual melody composed by Shankar-Ganesh and rendered softly by K. S. Chithra.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kodai nilaa kaayuthu paalaattamaa

Compares the smooth white moonlight in summer to milk being poured.

Initial Alliteration (Monai)

Manjal paaththa menithaan / Maman paakka venunthaan

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' in adjacent lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vittaan kaaman poopaanam

Uses the mythological flower arrows of Kamadeva (cupid) as a metaphor for overwhelming romantic desire.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Unnaalthaanae noyum theerum

Exaggerating the emotional state by calling romantic desire a sickness/wound that only her lover can cure.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kodai Nilaa Kaayuthu' is a popular sensual track from the 1987 film 'Nalla Pambu', starring Karthik. Composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and penned by veteran lyricist Vaali, the song showcases K. S. Chithra's expressive vocals which beautifully capture the coy yet passionate tone of the heroine.

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