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Paadu Nilave album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Malaiyoram Veesum Kaatru

From Paadu Nilave · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Paadu Nilave
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
31 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaa
Aaaa aaaa aaa aah aaa aah aaa aah
{ Malaiyoram veesum kaathu
Manasodu paadum paatu kekudha kekudha } (2)
Aararo paadinalum aararo aagathamma
Sonthangal thedinalum thandhai thaai aagathamma
Ennoda thaai thantha paatu thaanamma
Malaiyoram veesum kaathu
Manasodu paadum paatu kekudha kekudha
Vaan parantha thaen sittu naan pudika vaaratha
Kallirukum rosa poo kaikalaka koodatha
Raapozhuthu aanaa un raagangal thaanaa
Anbae sol naana thoda aagatha aanaa
Ull moochu vaanginenae
Mul meethu thoonginenae
Illaatha baramellam nenjodu thaanginenae
Nilava naalum thedum vaanam naan
Malaiyoram veesum kaathu
Manasodu paadum paatu kekudha kekudha
Kuthaalathu thaen aruvi sitaada thaan kattaadha
Sitaadaiya katti ezha kaiyil vanthu kittaadha
Aathoram nana poongathodu aada
Aavaram poovil athu dhevaaram paada
Ingae naan kaathiruka en paarvai poothirka
Engeyo nee irunthu en meethu porthoduka
Kollaadhae pavam intha jeevan thaan
{ Malaiyoram veesum kaathu
Manasodu paadum paatu kekudha kekudha } (2)
Aararo paadinalum aararo aagathamma
Sonthangal thedinalum thandhai thaai aagathamma
Ennoda thaai thantha paatu thaanamma
Malaiyoram veesum kaathu
Manasodu paadum paatu kekudha kekudha
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah aah ah aah ah aah
The breeze blowing by the mountainside,
Can you hear the song it sings from the heart? Can you hear it?
Even if someone sings a lullaby, it cannot be a true mother's lullaby,
Even if you search for relatives, they cannot become a father and mother,
This is truly the song my mother gave me!
The breeze blowing by the mountainside,
Can you hear the song it sings from the heart? Can you hear it?
Won't the little sunbird flying in the sky come to my hands?
Can't the rose filled with sweet nectar come together with me?
When night falls, is it only your melodies that play?
Tell me, my love, is it me? Am I not allowed to touch you?
I gasped for breath in deep sorrow,
I slept upon a bed of thorns,
I bore every heavy burden in my heart!
I am the sky that searches for the moon every day,
The breeze blowing by the mountainside,
Can you hear the song it sings from the heart? Can you hear it?
Won't the sweet waterfall of Courtallam drape a simple silk skirt?
Wearing that skirt as it flows, won't it come close into my hands?
Dancing by the riverbank with the fragrant breeze,
Singing sacred songs upon the golden avaaram flowers,
While I wait here, my eyes blossoming in hope,
You stay somewhere far away and wage a war on me!
Do not torment this poor soul to death!
The breeze blowing by the mountainside,
Can you hear the song it sings from the heart? Can you hear it?
Even if someone sings a lullaby, it cannot be a true mother's lullaby,
Even if you search for relatives, they cannot become a father and mother,
This is truly the song my mother gave me!
The breeze blowing by the mountainside,
Can you hear the song it sings from the heart? Can you hear it?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Malaiyoram Veesum Kaathu from Paadu Nilave (1987) is a soulful Tamil song that weaves nature imagery with tender longing and deep filial emotion. The narrator compares the gentle mountain wind to a song that speaks directly to the soul, reflecting on how no love or lullaby in the world can equal that of a parent. It serves as an emotional anchor connecting the singer to motherly affection while expressing a painful yearning for a distant beloved. Through poetic allegories—sleeping on thorns, a sky yearning for its moon, and the wind singing devotional hymns on wild blossoms—lyricist Vaali conveys an unrequited desire and vulnerability. The composition paints a serene yet bittersweet portrait of love, memory, and emotional solitude.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

“Nilava naalum thedum vaanam naan”

The speaker directly compares themselves to a moonless sky constantly longing for the moon to complete it.

Personification (தற்காப்பிய உருவகம்)

“Aavaram poovil athu dhevaaram paada”

The wind is personified as a devotee singing sacred Dhevaaram hymns on Aavaram flowers.

Ethugai / Second-letter Rhyme (எதுகை)

“Ull moochu vaanginenae / Mul meethu thoonginenae”

Repetition of the second consonant 'll' (ள்/ல்) across consecutive lines creates rhythmic harmony.

Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)

“Malaiyoram veesum kaathu / Manasodu paadum paatu”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' (ம) across words in the line gives a soothing musical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the film Paadu Nilave (1987), this song features exceptional renditions by singer Mano and S. Janaki. Mano delivered one of his career's defining early performances with this track, closely mirroring SPB's vocal style as required for the lead character played by Mohan.

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