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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muzhu Nilavu Kaayum

From Pournami Nilavil · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Pournami Nilavil
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
6 Sept 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Muzhu nilavu kaayum neram
Thaazhai madal poovin vaasanai
Manathil oru kadhal vedhanai
Idhu thaagamo pudhu vegamo
Nillaamal modhumo
Muzhu nilavu kaayum neram
Thaazhai madal poovin vaasanai
Manathil oru kadhal vedhanai
Idhu thaagamo pudhu vegamo
Nillaamal modhumo
Kulirnthidum nilavilae
Kuliththa manam melum eriyuthae
Thulirvidum ninaivilae
Thudiththa sugam kaattril karaiyuthae
Udalellaam thudikkuthae
Unarvinai vadikkuthae
Iravilae vidiyuthae
Ilamaiyo pudhiyathae
Uyiril vantha jeevanaathamo
Koora vendumo vaa vaa vaa vaa
Muzhu nilavu kaayum neram
Thaazhai madal poovin vaasanai
Manathil oru kadhal vedhanai
Idhu thaagamo pudhu vegamo
Nillaamal modhumo
Kaatrilae kalanthoru
Kadhal swaram paadi alaiyuthae
Oottrilae irunthoru
Pudhiya punal odi neliyuthae
Manamenum veenaiyum
Maalaiyil mayanguthae
Mayangiya uravenum
Pudhu kural kodukkuthae
madiyil vizhum neramthaanithu
Malargal thaavuthu vaa vaa vaa vaa
Muzhu nilavu kaayum neram
Thaazhai madal poovin vaasanai
Manathil oru kadhal vedhanai
Idhu thaagamo pudhu vegamo
Nillaamal modhumo
When the full moon shines bright,
The scent of screw-pine blossoms drifts by,
And an ache of love stirs in my heart.
Is this a deep thirst, or a fresh rush of passion?
Will it keep surging without stopping?
When the full moon shines bright,
The scent of screw-pine blossoms drifts by,
And an ache of love stirs in my heart.
Is this a deep thirst, or a fresh rush of passion?
Will it keep surging without stopping?
Even under this cool moonlight,
My bathed heart burns all the more.
In the memories beginning to sprout,
The thrilling pleasure dissolves into the breeze.
My whole body trembles with longing,
Pouring out all my feelings.
Dawn seems to break in the middle of the night,
And my youth feels completely new.
Is this the music of life stirring in my soul?
Do I even need to say it? Come, come, come, come!
When the full moon shines bright,
The scent of screw-pine blossoms drifts by,
And an ache of love stirs in my heart.
Is this a deep thirst, or a fresh rush of passion?
Will it keep surging without stopping?
Blending into the breeze,
A melody of love wanders, singing.
Springing from a hidden source,
A fresh stream flows and ripples along.
The veena (traditional stringed instrument) of my heart
Grows entranced this evening.
Lost in the spell of our bond,
It calls out in a fresh new voice.
This is the time to rest in your lap;
Flowers leap with joy, come, come, come, come!
When the full moon shines bright,
The scent of screw-pine blossoms drifts by,
And an ache of love stirs in my heart.
Is this a deep thirst, or a fresh rush of passion?
Will it keep surging without stopping?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Muzhu Nilavu Kaayum Neram is a sensual and evocative Tamil romantic song composed and written by Gangai Amaran for the movie Kanni Paruvathile (1980), sung beautifully by S. P. Sailaja. Set under a radiant full moon filled with the sweet fragrance of thaazhai flowers, the track captures the deep romantic yearning and passionate awakening of a young woman longing for her lover. Through vivid imagery of cool moonlight, flowing springs, and wind carrying musical notes, the lyrics contrast the cool external setting with the burning romantic desire within her heart. The mind is likened to a veena instrument vibrating with love, calling out for intimacy and union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Manamenum veenaiyum”

Comparing the human mind directly to a musical instrument in 'Manamenum veenaiyum' (the veena that is the mind).

Paradox / Oxymoron

“Kulirnthidum nilavilae / Kuliththa manam melum eriyuthae”

Juxtaposition of cool moonlight causing an inner burning sensation ('Kulirnthidum nilavilae / Kuliththa manam melum eriyuthae').

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

“Idhu thaagamo pudhu vegamo / Nillaamal modhumo”

Use of rhyming end-syllables like 'thaagamo', 'vegamo', 'modhumo' to create a flowing rhythmic cadence.

Assonance / Alliteration (Monai and Ethirai)

“Kulirnthidum nilavilae / Kuliththa manam melum eriyuthae”

Matching initial consonants and second-letter patterns in 'Kulirnthidum' and 'Kuliththa', as well as 'Thulirvidum' and 'Thudiththa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is from the movie 'Kanni Paruvathile' (1980). It stands out as a rare gem where Gangai Amaran handled both the musical composition and lyrical writing, while S. P. Sailaja gave one of her most acclaimed solo vocal performances.

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