Nalama Nalama
From Ival Oru Pournami · 1987
- Lyricist
- Manimudi
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- T. K. Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Ival Oru Pournami1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thaththeem thaththeem thaththeem thaththeem | [Rhythmic solkattu syllables] |
| Female :Aa….aaa….aa… | [Vocalizing melodic notes] |
| Chorus :Thaamthirathinnaa theemthirathinnaa | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Female :Saasaasasanisa nisasasasakasa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Chorus :Thaamthari thagajunu thagathimi | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Thaamthari thagajunu thagathimi | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Female :Kaagamasasaninisa kaagamasasaninisa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Chorus | |
| Thaamthaamthagatharithagathimi | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Thaamthaamthagatharithagathimi | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Female :Jamjam thagutharithagathimi | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Jamjam thagutharithagathimi | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Aaa…..aaa….aa….aaa…..aa….aa….. | [Vocalizing melodic notes] |
| Samagasa sagasani nisanipa papanisa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Chorus :Thalaanguthom thalaanguthom | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Thalaanguthom thalaanguthom | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Female | |
| Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa | Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too? |
| Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa | Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too? |
| Idhu devan koyil veenai | This is a veena from the Lord's temple |
| Pudhu raagam paadum velai | It is the time to sing a new melody |
| Antha iraivanin anbu thirumugam | Has the loving sacred face of that God |
| Vanthu tharisanam thanthatho…oo…oo…oo…. | Appeared and blessed me with a vision? |
| Female | |
| Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa….. | Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too? |
| Chorus | |
| Sagamapanisakarisa kapapani sagamasasaa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Female :Thikkuthai thikkuthai thikkithai thaa | [Rhythmic beat syllables] |
| Chorus :Papanini sasaga | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Female :Saga padhapaga magarigarisa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Chorus :Sasani sanisa nipamapamaaga | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Female :Risaga sathapa kabatha padhasa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Chorus :Sagasathasani saanipanisaga magamagasa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Female :Risariga | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Chorus :Kasakasani | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Female :Sathasathapa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Chorus :Panisarisaga sagamathanisa | [Swaras/Musical notes] |
| Female :Aa….aaa….aa….aa…. | [Vocalizing melodic notes] |
| Female | |
| Idhayaththil pani vizhunthathu | Dew fell upon the heart |
| Kann imaigalum konjam nanainthathu | The eyelashes also became slightly wet |
| Aa….aaa….aa….aa….Aa….aaa….aa….aa…. | [Vocalizing melodic notes] |
| Female | |
| Idhayaththil pani vizhunthathu | Dew fell upon the heart |
| Kann imaigalum konjam nanainthathu | The eyelashes also became slightly wet |
| Idhuvarai manam kettathu | What the heart heard until now |
| Indru iru vizhigalil pooththathu | Has blossomed today in both eyes |
| Female | |
| Kannil yaenintha perum sogamo | Why is there such immense sorrow in those eyes? |
| Adhai arinthida nenjam thavikkuthu | The heart yearns deeply to understand it |
| Female | |
| Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa….aa… | Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too? |
| Female | |
| Engiruntha pothum | Wherever he may be |
| En iraivan vaazha vendum | My divine lord must live long and well |
| Engiruntha pothum | Wherever he may be |
| En iraivan vaazha vendum | My divine lord must live long and well |
| Ingirunthu kondae | Remaining right here |
| Manam iniya malargal thoovum | My mind will shower sweet flowers of blessing |
| Female | |
| Entha devanodu deviyai | Beside which god, his goddess... |
| Kangal saernthu kaana vendum…..mmm…… | These eyes wish to see them together... |
| Female | |
| Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa…. | Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too? |
| Female | |
| Paadidum intha paavai | This maiden who sings |
| Pirar paarvaikku oru cholai | Is a lush garden in the eyes of others |
| Paadidum intha paavai | This maiden who sings |
| Pirar paarvaikku oru cholai | Is a lush garden in the eyes of others |
| Female | |
| Kalaimagal thantha medai | A stage bestowed by Goddess Saraswati herself |
| Iru kaalgalil silamposai | With the sound of anklets resounding on both feet |
| Aayinum ival ramanai | Yet she is like Sita |
| Enni vaazhnthi oru seedhai | Living her life thinking only of her Rama |
| Female | |
| Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa…. | Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too? |
| Idhu devan koyil veenai | This is a veena from the Lord's temple |
| Pudhu raagam paadum velai | It is the time to sing a new melody |
| Antha iraivanin anbu thirumugam | Has the loving sacred face of that God |
| Vanthu tharisanam thanthatho…oo…oo…oo…. | Appeared and blessed me with a vision? |
தத்தீம் தத்தீம் தத்தீம் தத்தீம்
ஆ....ஆஆ....ஆ...
குழு :
தாம்திரதின்னா தீம்திரதின்னா
ஸாஸாஸஸநிஸ நிஸஸஸஸகஸ
குழு :
தாம்தரி தகஜூனு தகதிமி
தாம்தரி தகஜூனு தகதிமி
காகமஸஸநிநிஸ காகமஸஸநிநிஸ
[Rhythmic solkattu syllables]
[Vocalizing melodic notes]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
தாம்தாம்தகதரிதகதிமி
தாம்தாம்தகதரிதகதிமி
ஜம்ஜம் தகுதரிதகதிமி
ஜம்ஜம் தகுதரிதகதிமி
ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.....ஆ.......ஆஆ......ஆ.....ஆ.....
சமகச சகசநி நிசநிப பபநிச
குழு :
தளாங்குதோம் தளாங்குதோம்
தளாங்குதோம் தளாங்குதோம்
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Vocalizing melodic notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
நலமா நலமா துணையும் சுகமா
நலமா நலமா துணையும் சுகமா
இது தேவன் கோயில் வீணை
புது ராகம் பாடும் வேளை
அந்த இறைவனின் அன்பு திருமுகம்
வந்து தரிசனம் தந்ததோ...ஓ....ஓ.....ஒ.....
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
This is a veena from the Lord's temple
It is the time to sing a new melody
Has the loving sacred face of that God
Appeared and blessed me with a vision?
நலமா நலமா துணையும் சுகமா......
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
ஸகமபநிஸகரிச கபபநி ஸகமஸஸா
திக்குதை திக்குதை திக்குதை தா
குழு :
பபநிநி ஸஸக
ஸக பதபக மகரிகரிச
குழு :
சசநி சநிஸ நிபமபமாக
ரிசக சதப கபத பதச
குழு :
சகசதசநி சாநிபநிசக மகமகச
ரிசரிக
குழு :
கசகசனி
சதசதப
குழு :
பநிஸரிஸக ஸகமதநிச...
ஆ.....ஆஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ....
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Swaras/Musical notes]
[Vocalizing melodic notes]
இதயத்தில் பனி விழுந்தது
கண் இமைகளும் கொஞ்சம் நனைந்தது
ஆஆ......ஆ.....ஆ.......ஆஆ......ஆஆ......ஆஆ......ஆஆ...
Dew fell upon the heart
The eyelashes also became slightly wet
[Vocalizing melodic notes]
இதயத்தில் பனி விழுந்தது
கண் இமைகளும் கொஞ்சம் நனைந்தது
இதுவரை மனம் கேட்டது
இன்று இரு விழிகளில் பூத்தது
Dew fell upon the heart
The eyelashes also became slightly wet
What the heart heard until now
Has blossomed today in both eyes
கண்ணில் ஏனிந்த பெரும் சோகமோ
அதை அறிந்திட நெஞ்சம் தவிக்குது
Why is there such immense sorrow in those eyes?
The heart yearns deeply to understand it
நலமா நலமா துணையும் சுகமா......ஆ.....
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
எங்கிருந்த போதும்
என் இறைவன் வாழ வேண்டும்
எங்கிருந்த போதும்
என் இறைவன் வாழ வேண்டும்
இங்கிருந்து கொண்டே
மனம் இனிய மலர்கள் தூவும்
Wherever he may be
My divine lord must live long and well
Wherever he may be
My divine lord must live long and well
Remaining right here
My mind will shower sweet flowers of blessing
எந்த தேவனோடு தேவியை
கண்கள் சேர்ந்து காண வேண்டும்...ம்ம்ம்....
Beside which god, his goddess...
These eyes wish to see them together...
நலமா நலமா துணையும் சுகமா.....
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.....ஆ........ஆஆ....ஆஆ....
ஆஆ.....ஆ........ஆஆ....ஆஆ.........
This maiden who sings
Is a lush garden in the eyes of others
This maiden who sings
Is a lush garden in the eyes of others
பாடிடும் இந்த பாவை
பிறர் பார்வைக்கு ஒரு சோலை
பாடிடும் இந்த பாவை
பிறர் பார்வைக்கு ஒரு சோலை
A stage bestowed by Goddess Saraswati herself
With the sound of anklets resounding on both feet
Yet she is like Sita
Living her life thinking only of her Rama
கலைமகள் தந்த மேடை
இரு கால்களில் சிலம்போசை
ஆயினும் இவள் ராமனை
எண்ணி வாழ்ந்திடும் ஒரு சீதை
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
This is a veena from the Lord's temple
It is the time to sing a new melody
Has the loving sacred face of that God
Appeared and blessed me with a vision?
நலமா நலமா துணையும் சுகமா
இது தேவன் கோயில் வீணை
புது ராகம் பாடும் வேளை
அந்த இறைவனின் அன்பு திருமுகம்
வந்து தரிசனம் தந்ததோ...ஓ.....ஓ...ஒ.....
Thaththeem thaththeem thaththeem thaththeem
[Rhythmic solkattu syllables]
Female :Aa….aaa….aa…
[Vocalizing melodic notes]
Chorus :Thaamthirathinnaa theemthirathinnaa
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Female :Saasaasasanisa nisasasasakasa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Chorus :Thaamthari thagajunu thagathimi
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Thaamthari thagajunu thagathimi
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Female :Kaagamasasaninisa kaagamasasaninisa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Thaamthaamthagatharithagathimi
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Thaamthaamthagatharithagathimi
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Female :Jamjam thagutharithagathimi
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Jamjam thagutharithagathimi
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Aaa…..aaa….aa….aaa…..aa….aa…..
[Vocalizing melodic notes]
Samagasa sagasani nisanipa papanisa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Chorus :Thalaanguthom thalaanguthom
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Thalaanguthom thalaanguthom
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
Idhu devan koyil veenai
This is a veena from the Lord's temple
Pudhu raagam paadum velai
It is the time to sing a new melody
Antha iraivanin anbu thirumugam
Has the loving sacred face of that God
Vanthu tharisanam thanthatho…oo…oo…oo….
Appeared and blessed me with a vision?
Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa…..
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
Sagamapanisakarisa kapapani sagamasasaa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Female :Thikkuthai thikkuthai thikkithai thaa
[Rhythmic beat syllables]
Chorus :Papanini sasaga
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Female :Saga padhapaga magarigarisa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Chorus :Sasani sanisa nipamapamaaga
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Female :Risaga sathapa kabatha padhasa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Chorus :Sagasathasani saanipanisaga magamagasa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Female :Risariga
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Chorus :Kasakasani
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Female :Sathasathapa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Chorus :Panisarisaga sagamathanisa
[Swaras/Musical notes]
Female :Aa….aaa….aa….aa….
[Vocalizing melodic notes]
Idhayaththil pani vizhunthathu
Dew fell upon the heart
Kann imaigalum konjam nanainthathu
The eyelashes also became slightly wet
Aa….aaa….aa….aa….Aa….aaa….aa….aa….
[Vocalizing melodic notes]
Idhayaththil pani vizhunthathu
Dew fell upon the heart
Kann imaigalum konjam nanainthathu
The eyelashes also became slightly wet
Idhuvarai manam kettathu
What the heart heard until now
Indru iru vizhigalil pooththathu
Has blossomed today in both eyes
Kannil yaenintha perum sogamo
Why is there such immense sorrow in those eyes?
Adhai arinthida nenjam thavikkuthu
The heart yearns deeply to understand it
Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa….aa…
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
Engiruntha pothum
Wherever he may be
En iraivan vaazha vendum
My divine lord must live long and well
Engiruntha pothum
Wherever he may be
En iraivan vaazha vendum
My divine lord must live long and well
Ingirunthu kondae
Remaining right here
Manam iniya malargal thoovum
My mind will shower sweet flowers of blessing
Entha devanodu deviyai
Beside which god, his goddess...
Kangal saernthu kaana vendum…..mmm……
These eyes wish to see them together...
Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa….
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
Paadidum intha paavai
This maiden who sings
Pirar paarvaikku oru cholai
Is a lush garden in the eyes of others
Paadidum intha paavai
This maiden who sings
Pirar paarvaikku oru cholai
Is a lush garden in the eyes of others
Kalaimagal thantha medai
A stage bestowed by Goddess Saraswati herself
Iru kaalgalil silamposai
With the sound of anklets resounding on both feet
Aayinum ival ramanai
Yet she is like Sita
Enni vaazhnthi oru seedhai
Living her life thinking only of her Rama
Nalamaa nalamaa thunaiyum sugamaa….
Are you fine? Are you doing well, and is your companion well too?
Idhu devan koyil veenai
This is a veena from the Lord's temple
Pudhu raagam paadum velai
It is the time to sing a new melody
Antha iraivanin anbu thirumugam
Has the loving sacred face of that God
Vanthu tharisanam thanthatho…oo…oo…oo….
Appeared and blessed me with a vision?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Nalamaa Nalamaa' from the movie 'Ival Oru Pournami' (1987) is a classical Tamil song centered on selfless love, devotion, and poignant longing. The protagonist lovingly inquires about her beloved's wellbeing and that of his life partner. She expresses that no matter where he lives, her blessings and good wishes will always follow him. She compares her public persona as an artist—dancing on stage with anklets—to a garden for the world to admire, while internally remaining as devoted as Sita was to Rama. Her devotion is portrayed as a sacred song originating from a divine temple veena, accepting her deep emotional sorrow with graceful dignity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Idhu devan koyil veenai Pudhu raagam paadum velai”
Compares the heroine's body/heart to a temple veena that plays a new melody upon seeing her beloved divine figure.
Alliteration (Moanai)
“Engiruntha pothum / En iraivan vaazha vendum”
Repetition of the vowel sound 'E' at the beginning of words in consecutive lines.
Allusion (Purana Uvamai)
“Aayinum ival ramanai / Enni vaazhnthi oru seedhai”
References the mythological devotion of Sita (Seedhai) towards Rama (Raman) to describe unconditional loyalty.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ival Oru Pournami' (1987) features classical dance compositions rich in Carnatic jathis (solkattu) and swara structures. Lyrics written by Manimudi highlight traditional Tamil poetic tropes of selfless love reminiscent of classic Sangam and epic traditions.
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