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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Sollavidil

From Kuravanji · 1960

Lyricist
R. Krishnamurthy
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Kuravanji1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nee sollavidilIf you do not tell,
Yaar solluvaar nilavaeWho else will tell, O moon?
Mmmm mmmm mmm mmmmMmmm mmmm mmm mmmm
Nee sollavidilIf you do not tell,
Yaar solluvaar nilavaeWho else will tell, O moon?
Male
Naeril nadanthathellaam …haaEverything that happened right before your eyes... haa
Naeril nadanthathellaamEverything that happened right before your eyes,
Vaedikkai paarthittaAs you stood watching it like a spectator,
Nee sollavidilIf you do not tell,
Yaar solluvaar nilavaeWho else will tell, O moon?
Male
Poochoriyum solaithanaiyae naadiSeeking the flower-laden grove,
Poochoriyum solaithanaiyae naadiSeeking the flower-laden grove,
Poongodi meedhu oonjalaadum podhuWhen swinging upon the flowering vine,
Poongodi meedhu oonjalaadum podhuWhen swinging upon the flowering vine,
Kannaa…unnai ennaalumO my beloved... you, for all time...
Kannaa…unnai ennaalum maravaen endruSaying 'O my beloved... I will never forget you forever,'
Pirindhu sendra en thalaiviyidam sendruGo to my lady love who parted and left, and tell her.
Nee sollavidilIf you do not tell,
Yaar solluvaar nilavaeWho else will tell, O moon?
Male
Paadi paranthitta padarvana kuyilumThe cuckoo bird that sang and flew in the sprawling forest,
Paadi paranthitta padarvana kuyilumThe cuckoo bird that sang and flew in the sprawling forest,
Aadi nadamitta azhagaana mayilumThe beautiful peacock that danced with grace,
Paadi paranthitta padarvana kuyilumThe cuckoo bird that sang and flew in the sprawling forest,
Aadi nadamitta azhagaana mayilumThe beautiful peacock that danced with grace,
Koodi kulaviya kumudhavizhi kiliyumThe lotus-eyed parrot that gathered and caressed fondly,
Koodi kulaviya kumudhavizhi kiliyumThe lotus-eyed parrot that gathered and caressed fondly,
Thedi sendrida thiran illai adhanaalDo not have the ability to go and search for her; therefore,
Male
Nee sollavidilIf you do not tell,
Yaar solluvaar nilavaeWho else will tell, O moon?
Naeril nadanthathellaam …haa..aaaEverything that happened right before your eyes... haa..aaa
Naeril nadanthathellaamEverything that happened right before your eyes,
Vaedikkai paarthittaAs you watched as a silent spectator,
Nee sollavidilIf you do not tell,
Yaar solluvaar nilavae…nilavae…nilavaeWho else will tell, O moon... moon... moon?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song follows the classical Sangam Tamil poetic tradition of 'Nila Thoodhu' (sending the moon as a messenger of love). The hero addresses the moon, who silently witnessed the intimate moments he shared with his beloved in a flower-filled garden before she parted from him. He recalls how she promised never to forget him while swinging on a floral vine.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe / Personification

Nee sollavidil Yaar solluvaar nilavae

Addressing the moon directly as a conscious witness and potential messenger of love.

Edukki (Second Letter Rhyme)

Paadi paranthitta... / Aadi nadamitta...

Rhyming of second consonant sounds across consecutive lines ('di' sound in Paadi and Aadi).

Moni (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Paadi paranthitta padarvana kuyilum

Repetition of initial 'p' sounds creating poetic rhythm.

Nature Imagery

Poochoriyum solaithanaiyae naadi Poongodi meedhu oonjalaadum podhu

Vivid depiction of romantic garden scenes featuring cuckoos, peacocks, parrots, and swinging vines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is set in the classic 'Nila Thoodhu' format popular in ancient Sangam literature and Tamil opera dramas. Rendered by C. S. Jayaraman in his distinct expressive style, the music was composed by T. R. Pappa for the 1960 movie Kuravanji, which featured Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri.

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