Nil Gavani Purappadu
From Vanambadi · 1963
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- A. L. Raghavan, Kamala
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vanambadi1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nil gavani purappadu..(2) | Stop, look, and proceed... (x2) |
| Male | |
| Aayiram voltu minsaaram | A thousand volts of electricity |
| Adangi irukkudhu udambukullae | Is contained inside this body |
| Aayiram voltu minsaaram | A thousand volts of electricity |
| Adangi irukkudhu udambukullae | Is contained inside this body |
| Male | |
| Kaiyai thotta shock adikkum | If you touch her hand, you will get a shock |
| Kavanichu poo konjam kavanichu poo | Be careful and go, be a little careful and proceed |
| Kaiyai thotta shock adikkum | If you touch her hand, you will get a shock |
| Kavanichu poo konjam kavanichu poo | Be careful and go, be a little careful and proceed |
| Chorus | |
| {Kavanichu poo | {Be careful and go |
| Konjam kavanichu poo} (2) | Be a little careful and proceed} (x2) |
| Female | |
| Vendaam vendaam enbavarae | O gentleman who pretends to say 'No, no' |
| Vilundhu vilundhu paarpavarae | Yet keeps falling over to stare |
| Vendaam vendaam enbavarae | O gentleman who pretends to say 'No, no' |
| Vilundhu vilundhu paarpavarae | Yet keeps falling over to stare |
| Female | |
| Adangi kidakka mudiyalaiyaa | Can't you keep yourself under control? |
| Aiya odambu seri illaiyaa | Sir, is your health not doing well? |
| Ohh adangi kidakka mudiyalaiyaa | Ohh, can't you keep yourself under control? |
| Aiya odambu seri illaiyaa | Sir, is your health not doing well? |
| Female | |
| Melam vaasikka naalirukku | There are auspicious days to beat the wedding drums |
| Veetula pesikka idamirukku | There is a proper home environment to talk about marriage |
| Melam vaasikka naalirukku | There are auspicious days to beat the wedding drums |
| Veetula pesikka idamirukku | There is a proper home environment to talk about marriage |
| Male | |
| Rajaa raani ragasiyama | Is this secret drama of King and Queen |
| Ingae nadathura naadagam avasiyama | Being staged here really necessary? |
| Rajaa raani ragasiyama | Is this secret drama of King and Queen |
| Ingae nadathura naadagam avasiyama | Being staged here really necessary? |
| Chorus | |
| {Kavanichu poo | {Be careful and go |
| Konjam kavanichu poo} (2) | Be a little careful and proceed} (x2) |
| Female | |
| {Aiyaa udambu | {Sir's body |
| Kothikkuthadi | Is boiling over with desire, girl! |
| Kannam apple pazham pol | His cheeks, just like an apple fruit, |
| Sivakkuthadi} (2) | Are turning bright red, girl!} (x2) |
| Female | |
| Aakka poruthaal kanniyadi | He waited for the food to be cooked, my girl, |
| Adhu aara porukkavum illaiyadi | Yet he couldn't wait even a moment for it to cool down! |
| Aakka poruthaal kanniyadi | He waited for the food to be cooked, my girl, |
| Adhu aara porukkavum illaiyadi | Yet he couldn't wait even a moment for it to cool down! |
| Female | |
| Adiyae kannu paarthukkadi | Hey girl, pay close attention and watch, |
| Ava anubavapattava kettukadi | Listen to her, she is an experienced woman! |
| Adiyae kannu paarthukkadi | Hey girl, pay close attention and watch, |
| Ava anubavapattava kettukadi | Listen to her, she is an experienced woman! |
| Female | |
| Padipadiyaaga therinjukkadi | Learn these things step by step, girl, |
| Adhu pazhakathilae varum purinjikkadi | Understand that wisdom comes with practice! |
| Padipadiyaaga therinjukkadi | Learn these things step by step, girl, |
| Adhu pazhakathilae varum purinjikkadi | Understand that wisdom comes with practice! |
| Chorus | |
| {Kavanichu poo | {Be careful and go |
| Konjam kavanichu poo} (2) | Be a little careful and proceed} (x2) |
நில் கவனி புறப்படு...(2)
Stop, look, and proceed... (x2)
ஆயிரம் வால்ட் மின்சாரம்
அடங்கி இருக்குது உடம்புக்குள்ளே
ஆயிரம் வால்ட் மின்சாரம்
அடங்கி இருக்குது உடம்புக்குள்ளே
A thousand volts of electricity
Is contained inside this body
A thousand volts of electricity
Is contained inside this body
கையை தொட்டா ஷாக் அடிக்கும்
கவனிச்சு போ கொஞ்சம் கவனிச்சு போ
கையை தொட்டா ஷாக் அடிக்கும்
கவனிச்சு போ கொஞ்சம் கவனிச்சு போ
If you touch her hand, you will get a shock
Be careful and go, be a little careful and proceed
If you touch her hand, you will get a shock
Be careful and go, be a little careful and proceed
{கவனிச்சு போ
கொஞ்சம் கவனிச்சு போ} (2)
{Be careful and go
Be a little careful and proceed} (x2)
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
நில் கவனி புறப்படு...(2)
O gentleman who pretends to say 'No, no'
Yet keeps falling over to stare
O gentleman who pretends to say 'No, no'
Yet keeps falling over to stare
வேண்டாம் வேண்டாம் என்பவரே
விழுந்து விழுந்து பார்ப்பவரே
வேண்டாம் வேண்டாம் என்பவரே
விழுந்து விழுந்து பார்ப்பவரே
Can't you keep yourself under control?
Sir, is your health not doing well?
Ohh, can't you keep yourself under control?
Sir, is your health not doing well?
அடங்கி கிடக்க முடியலையா
ஐயா ஒடம்பு சரி இல்லையா
ஒஹ் அடங்கி கிடக்க முடியலையா
ஐயா ஒடம்பு சரி இல்லையா
There are auspicious days to beat the wedding drums
There is a proper home environment to talk about marriage
There are auspicious days to beat the wedding drums
There is a proper home environment to talk about marriage
மேளம் வாசிக்க நாளிருக்கு
வீட்டுல பேசிக்க இடமிருக்கு
மேளம் வாசிக்க நாளிருக்கு
வீட்டுல பேசிக்க இடமிருக்கு
Is this secret drama of King and Queen
Being staged here really necessary?
Is this secret drama of King and Queen
Being staged here really necessary?
ராஜா ராணி ரகசியமா
இங்கே நடத்துற நாடகம் அவசியமா
ராஜா ராணி ரகசியமா
இங்கே நடத்துற நாடகம் அவசியமா
{Be careful and go
Be a little careful and proceed} (x2)
{கவனிச்சு போ
கொஞ்சம் கவனிச்சு போ} (2)
{Sir's body
Is boiling over with desire, girl!
His cheeks, just like an apple fruit,
Are turning bright red, girl!} (x2)
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
நில் கவனி புறப்படு...(2)
He waited for the food to be cooked, my girl,
Yet he couldn't wait even a moment for it to cool down!
He waited for the food to be cooked, my girl,
Yet he couldn't wait even a moment for it to cool down!
{ஐயா உடம்பு
கொதிக்குதடி
கன்னம் ஆப்பிள் பழம் போல்
சிவக்குதடி} (2)
Hey girl, pay close attention and watch,
Listen to her, she is an experienced woman!
Hey girl, pay close attention and watch,
Listen to her, she is an experienced woman!
ஆக்க பொறுத்தாள் கன்னியடி
அது ஆற பொறுக்கவும் இல்லையடி
ஆக்க பொறுத்தாள் கன்னியடி
அது ஆற பொறுக்கவும் இல்லையடி
Learn these things step by step, girl,
Understand that wisdom comes with practice!
Learn these things step by step, girl,
Understand that wisdom comes with practice!
அடியே கண்ணு பார்த்துக்கடி
அவ அனுபவப்பட்டவ கேட்டுக்கடி
அடியே கண்ணு பார்த்துக்கடி
அவ அனுபவப்பட்டவ கேட்டுக்கடி
{Be careful and go
Be a little careful and proceed} (x2)
படிப்படியாக தெரிஞ்சுக்கடி
அது பழக்கத்திலே வரும் புரிஞ்சுக்கடி
படிப்படியாக தெரிஞ்சுக்கடி
அது பழக்கத்திலே வரும் புரிஞ்சுக்கடி
{கவனிச்சு போ
கொஞ்சம் கவனிச்சு போ} (2)
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
நில் கவனி புறப்படு...(2)
Nil gavani purappadu..(2)
Stop, look, and proceed... (x2)
Aayiram voltu minsaaram
A thousand volts of electricity
Adangi irukkudhu udambukullae
Is contained inside this body
Aayiram voltu minsaaram
A thousand volts of electricity
Adangi irukkudhu udambukullae
Is contained inside this body
Kaiyai thotta shock adikkum
If you touch her hand, you will get a shock
Kavanichu poo konjam kavanichu poo
Be careful and go, be a little careful and proceed
Kaiyai thotta shock adikkum
If you touch her hand, you will get a shock
Kavanichu poo konjam kavanichu poo
Be careful and go, be a little careful and proceed
{Kavanichu poo
{Be careful and go
Konjam kavanichu poo} (2)
Be a little careful and proceed} (x2)
Vendaam vendaam enbavarae
O gentleman who pretends to say 'No, no'
Vilundhu vilundhu paarpavarae
Yet keeps falling over to stare
Vendaam vendaam enbavarae
O gentleman who pretends to say 'No, no'
Vilundhu vilundhu paarpavarae
Yet keeps falling over to stare
Adangi kidakka mudiyalaiyaa
Can't you keep yourself under control?
Aiya odambu seri illaiyaa
Sir, is your health not doing well?
Ohh adangi kidakka mudiyalaiyaa
Ohh, can't you keep yourself under control?
Aiya odambu seri illaiyaa
Sir, is your health not doing well?
Melam vaasikka naalirukku
There are auspicious days to beat the wedding drums
Veetula pesikka idamirukku
There is a proper home environment to talk about marriage
Melam vaasikka naalirukku
There are auspicious days to beat the wedding drums
Veetula pesikka idamirukku
There is a proper home environment to talk about marriage
Rajaa raani ragasiyama
Is this secret drama of King and Queen
Ingae nadathura naadagam avasiyama
Being staged here really necessary?
Rajaa raani ragasiyama
Is this secret drama of King and Queen
Ingae nadathura naadagam avasiyama
Being staged here really necessary?
{Kavanichu poo
{Be careful and go
Konjam kavanichu poo} (2)
Be a little careful and proceed} (x2)
{Aiyaa udambu
{Sir's body
Kothikkuthadi
Is boiling over with desire, girl!
Kannam apple pazham pol
His cheeks, just like an apple fruit,
Sivakkuthadi} (2)
Are turning bright red, girl!} (x2)
Aakka poruthaal kanniyadi
He waited for the food to be cooked, my girl,
Adhu aara porukkavum illaiyadi
Yet he couldn't wait even a moment for it to cool down!
Aakka poruthaal kanniyadi
He waited for the food to be cooked, my girl,
Adhu aara porukkavum illaiyadi
Yet he couldn't wait even a moment for it to cool down!
Adiyae kannu paarthukkadi
Hey girl, pay close attention and watch,
Ava anubavapattava kettukadi
Listen to her, she is an experienced woman!
Adiyae kannu paarthukkadi
Hey girl, pay close attention and watch,
Ava anubavapattava kettukadi
Listen to her, she is an experienced woman!
Padipadiyaaga therinjukkadi
Learn these things step by step, girl,
Adhu pazhakathilae varum purinjikkadi
Understand that wisdom comes with practice!
Padipadiyaaga therinjukkadi
Learn these things step by step, girl,
Adhu pazhakathilae varum purinjikkadi
Understand that wisdom comes with practice!
{Kavanichu poo
{Be careful and go
Konjam kavanichu poo} (2)
Be a little careful and proceed} (x2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Nil Gavani Purappadu' from Vanambadi (1963) is a playful, cheeky dance song featuring female voices teasing lovers and warning men to keep their romantic eagerness in check. Using contemporary metaphors like 'a thousand volts of electricity' and standard traffic warnings ('Stop, Look, Proceed'), the lyrics admonish a restless lover who cannot hide his affection, urging him to show patience and follow traditional decorum instead of staging secret romantic dramas in public. The second half turns into a conversational exchange among women advice-givers, humorously pointing out how the man waited for love to bloom but cannot wait for the right moment to enjoy it (referencing the famous Tamil proverb about food cooking and cooling). Through witty observations, the song celebrates youthful romance, social boundaries, and womanly camaraderie with humor and charm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Hyperbole
“Aayiram voltu minsaaram adangi irukkudhu udambukullae”
Compares a woman's romantic allure and energy to 'a thousand volts of electricity' that gives a shock upon contact.
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Kannam apple pazham pol sivakkuthadi”
Uses 'pol' (like) to compare blushing, heated cheeks directly to a red apple fruit.
Proverbial Allusion (Pazhamozhi)
“Aakka poruthaal kanniyadi adhu aara porukkavum illaiyadi”
Adapts the classical Tamil proverb 'Aakka poruthavanukku aara porukkalai' (He who waited for food to cook couldn't wait for it to cool down) into a playful romantic context.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Melam vaasikka naalirukku / Veetula pesikka idamirukku”
The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('naalirukku' and 'idamirukku').
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Vendaam vendaam enbavarae / Vilundhu vilundhu paarpavarae”
Repetition of the initial letter 'V' sound across the lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed with unknown credits in the query, 'Nil Gavani Purappadu' from the 1963 film 'Vanambadi' features music composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan, lyrics by Kannadasan, and vocals by P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari. The iconic opening line 'Nil Gavani Purappadu' directly adapts the standard Indian Railways and road safety signage ('Stop, Look, Proceed'), blending everyday public infrastructure phrases seamlessly into a hit musical dance track.
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