- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Sankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Deivapiravi
- Movie release year
- 1985
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Sept 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Nil Nil Nil Ilan Thendralae' from the 1985 film 'Deivapiravi' is a romantic and emotionally rich duet celebrating marital bliss, domestic harmony, and the deep emotional bond between husband and wife. Set against a backdrop of nature imagery—comparing their family life to a flourishing garden and their love to merging ocean waves—the couple expresses their shared anticipation of welcoming a child ('mazhalai selvam'). The wife reflects traditional cultural sentiments, expressing her wish to live a blessed married life and depart the world before her husband while still wearing her auspicious bindi ('pottodu povadhu'). In turn, the husband reveres his wife as a divine creation ('deiva piravi') and his eternal companion across lifetimes. Vaali's lyrics beautifully capture tenderness, devotion, and the sacred values associated with family life in Tamil culture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai Ani (Simile)
“Malarai polae konjam thozhilae”
Compares a child being cradled gently on shoulders to a delicate flower using the comparative marker 'polae'.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Unnodu vaazhvadhu naan seidha punniyam / Pottodu povadhu naan konda latchiyam”
The second consonant sound 'tt' ('Unnodu' / 'Pottodu') rhymes across consecutive couplets.
Metaphor (Rupaka Ani)
“Engal solai endrum malara”
Metaphorically compares the family's happiness and household to a flourishing garden ('solai').
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Nil nil nil ilan thendralae / Sol sol sol oru paadalae”
Repetition of identical initial consonants and words ('Nil', 'Sol') creating rhythmic lyrical flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Nil Nil Nil Ilan Thendralae' is from the 1985 movie 'Deivapiravi', starring Mohan and Urvashi in lead roles. The film featured music composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and featured popular renditions by iconic playback singers S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. Lyricist Vaali penned the song incorporating quintessential cultural tropes of Tamil marital tradition, such as 'manjal' (turmeric) and 'pottu' (bindi/vermilion), which symbolize wedded bliss.
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