Nila Adhu Vanathumele
From Nayagan · 1987
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Nayagan1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii | Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii |
| Male & Female : | Male & Female : |
| Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii | Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii |
| Male | |
| Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae | The moon is up in the sky, |
| Palaanathu odaththu melae | Reflected on the wooden boat, |
| Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae | The moon is up in the sky, |
| Palaanathu odaththu melae | Reflected on the wooden boat, |
| Male | |
| Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna | It comes dancing, searching for you, |
| Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi | Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi! |
| Pozhuthaanaa pothum thuna onnu venum | When night falls, one needs a companion, |
| Elankaala aattam vidinjaathaan pogum… | This youthful dance will end only when dawn breaks... |
| Male | |
| Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae | The moon is up in the sky, |
| Palaanathu odaththu melae | Reflected on the wooden boat, |
| Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna | It comes dancing, searching for you, |
| Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi | Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi! |
| Male | |
| Odura nariyila oru nari | Among the running foxes, one fox |
| Kezha narithaan | is an old fox, |
| Female :Achum achum achum | Female: Achum achum achum |
| Male :Ingu aadura nariyila | Male: Among the foxes dancing here, |
| Pala nari kulla narithaan | many foxes are cunning foxes, |
| Female :Achum achum achum | Female: Achum achum achum |
| Male | |
| Ahaa odura nariyila oru nari | Aha, among the running foxes, one fox |
| Kezha narithaan | is an old fox, |
| Female :Achum achum achum | Female: Achum achum achum |
| Male :Ingu aadura nariyila | Male: Among the foxes dancing here, |
| Pala nari kulla narithaan | many foxes are cunning foxes, |
| Female :Achum achum achum | Female: Achum achum achum |
| Male | |
| Ponnukkum ponnukkum | Over gold and woman, |
| Adithadithaan | there is endless conflict, |
| Mannukku pogira olagathilae | in a world where everyone eventually turns to dust. |
| Pasikkuthu pasikkuthu dhenam | Hunger strikes, hunger strikes every |
| Dhenamthaan | single day, |
| Thinnaa pasiyathu theernthiduthaa | does eating once ever permanently satisfy hunger? |
| Adi aathaadi naan paattaali | Oh my goodness, I am a working laborer, |
| Un koottaali…hoi | and I am your comrade... hoi! |
| Male | |
| Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae | The moon is up in the sky, |
| Palaanathu odaththu melae | Reflected on the wooden boat, |
| Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna | It comes dancing, searching for you, |
| Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi | Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi! |
| Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi | Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi! |
| Male | |
| Thudikkira aattaththa | The energetic dance moves |
| Theraiyila paathirukken | I have seen on the silver screen, |
| Female :Achum achum achum | Female: Achum achum achum |
| Male :Visil adikkira koottathil | Male: Amidst the whistling crowd, |
| Tharaiyila aadirukken | I have danced down on the floor, |
| Female :Achum achum achum | Female: Achum achum achum |
| Male | |
| Ahaa thudikkira aattaththa | Aha, the energetic dance moves |
| Theraiyila paathirukken | I have seen on the silver screen, |
| Female :Achum achum achum | Female: Achum achum achum |
| Male :Visil adikkira koottathil | Male: Amidst the whistling crowd, |
| Tharaiyila aadirukken | I have danced down on the floor, |
| Female :Achum achum achum | Female: Achum achum achum |
| Male | |
| Kaattula mettula ozhachavan naan | I am one who has worked hard in forests and high lands, |
| Aadida paadida vendaamaa | Shouldn't I get to dance and sing? |
| Varumaiyin kodumaiya paathavan thaan | I am someone who has seen the harshness of poverty, |
| Un udaiyila varumaiyum vendaamaa | Should your clothes show such poverty of fabric too? |
| Adi aaththaadi naan paattaalli | Oh my goodness, I am a working laborer, |
| Un koottaalli hoi… | and I am your comrade hoi... |
| Male | |
| Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae | The moon is up in the sky, |
| Palaanathu odaththu melae | Reflected on the wooden boat, |
| Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae | The moon is up in the sky, |
| Palaanathu odaththu melae | Reflected on the wooden boat, |
| Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna | It comes dancing, searching for you, |
| Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi | Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi! |
| Male | |
| Pozhuthaanaa pothum | When night falls, |
| Thuna onnu venum | one needs a companion, |
| Elankaala aattam | This youthful dance |
| Vidinjaathaan pogum… | will end only when dawn breaks... |
| Male | |
| Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae | The moon is up in the sky, |
| Palaanathu odaththu melae | Reflected on the wooden boat, |
| Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna | It comes dancing, searching for you, |
| Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi | Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi! |
ஓய்யா ஹோய்
ஓய்யா ஹோய்
பெண் மற்றும் ஆண் :
ஓய்யா ஹோய்
ஓய்யா ஹோய்
Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii
Male & Female :
Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii
நிலா அது வானத்து மேலே
பல்லானது ஓடத்து மேலே
நிலா அது வானத்து மேலே
பல்லானது ஓடத்து மேலே
The moon is up in the sky,
Reflected on the wooden boat,
The moon is up in the sky,
Reflected on the wooden boat,
வந்தாடுது தேடுது உன்ன
ஒய்யா ஹோய் அது என்னா ஹோய்
பொழுதானா போதும்
துணை ஒன்னு வேணும்
இளங்காள ஆட்டம்
விடிஞ்சாதான் போகும்
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
When night falls, one needs a companion,
This youthful dance will end only when dawn breaks...
நிலா அது வானத்து மேலே
பல்லானது ஓடத்து மேலே
வந்தாடுது தேடுது உன்ன
ஒய்யா ஹோய் அது என்னா ஹோய்
The moon is up in the sky,
Reflected on the wooden boat,
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
ஓடுர நரியில
ஒரு நரி கிழ நரிதான்
அஜும் அஜும் அஜும்
இங்கு ஆடுற நரியில
பல நரி குள்ள நரிதான்
அஜும் அஜும் அஜும்
Among the running foxes, one fox
is an old fox,
Female: Achum achum achum
Male: Among the foxes dancing here,
many foxes are cunning foxes,
Female: Achum achum achum
ஆஹா ஓடுர நரியில
ஒரு நரி கிழ நரிதான்
அஜும் அஜும் அஜும்
இங்கு ஆடுற நரியில
பல நரி குள்ள நரிதான்
அஜும் அஜும் அஜும்
Aha, among the running foxes, one fox
is an old fox,
Female: Achum achum achum
Male: Among the foxes dancing here,
many foxes are cunning foxes,
Female: Achum achum achum
பொண்ணுக்கும் பொண்ணுக்கும்
அடிதடிதான்
மண்ணுக்குப் போகிற உலகத்திலே
பசிக்குது பசிக்குது தினம்தினம்தான்
தின்னா பசியது தீர்ந்திடுதா
அடி ஆத்தாடி நான் பாட்டாளி
உன் கூட்டாளி ஹோய்....
Over gold and woman,
there is endless conflict,
in a world where everyone eventually turns to dust.
Hunger strikes, hunger strikes every
single day,
does eating once ever permanently satisfy hunger?
Oh my goodness, I am a working laborer,
and I am your comrade... hoi!
நிலா அது வானத்து மேலே
பல்லானது ஓடத்து மேலே
வந்தாடுது தேடுது உன்ன
ஒய்யா ஹோய் அது என்னா ஹோய்
ஒய்யா ஹோய் அது என்னா ஹோய்
The moon is up in the sky,
Reflected on the wooden boat,
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
துடிக்கிற ஆட்டத்த
திரையில பார்த்திருக்கேன்
அஜும் அஜும் அஜும்
விசில் அடிக்கிற கூட்டத்தில்
தரையில ஆடிருக்கேன்
அஜும் அஜும் அஜும்
The energetic dance moves
I have seen on the silver screen,
Female: Achum achum achum
Male: Amidst the whistling crowd,
I have danced down on the floor,
Female: Achum achum achum
ஆஹா துடிக்கிற ஆட்டத்த
திரையில பார்த்திருக்கேன்
அஜும் அஜும் அஜும்
விசில் அடிக்கிற கூட்டத்தில்
தரையில ஆடிருக்கேன்
அஜும் அஜும் அஜும்
Aha, the energetic dance moves
I have seen on the silver screen,
Female: Achum achum achum
Male: Amidst the whistling crowd,
I have danced down on the floor,
Female: Achum achum achum
காட்டுல மேட்டுல
உழைச்சவன் நான்
ஆடிட பாடிட வேண்டாமா
வறுமையின் கொடுமைய
பார்த்தவன் தான்
உன் உடையில வறுமையும் வேண்டாமா
அடி ஆத்தாடி நான் பாட்டாளி
உன் கூட்டாளி ஹோய்...
I am one who has worked hard in forests and high lands,
Shouldn't I get to dance and sing?
I am someone who has seen the harshness of poverty,
Should your clothes show such poverty of fabric too?
Oh my goodness, I am a working laborer,
and I am your comrade hoi...
நிலா அது வானத்து மேலே
பல்லானது ஓடத்து மேலே
நிலா அது வானத்து மேலே
பல்லானது ஓடத்து மேலே
The moon is up in the sky,
Reflected on the wooden boat,
The moon is up in the sky,
Reflected on the wooden boat,
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
வந்தாடுது தேடுது உன்ன
ஒய்யா ஹோய் அது என்னா ஹோய்
பொழுதானா போதும்
துணை ஒன்னு வேணும்
இளங்காள ஆட்டம்
விடிஞ்சாதான் போகும்....
When night falls,
one needs a companion,
This youthful dance
will end only when dawn breaks...
நிலா அது வானத்து மேலே
பல்லானது ஓடத்து மேலே
வந்தாடுது தேடுது உன்ன
ஒய்யா ஹோய் அது என்னா ஹோய்
The moon is up in the sky,
Reflected on the wooden boat,
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
ஒய்யா ஹோய் அது என்னா ஹோய்
ஒய்யா ஹோய் அது என்னா ஹோய்
Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii
Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii
Male & Female :
Male & Female :
Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii
Hoiyaa hoi ..hoiyaa hoiii
Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae
The moon is up in the sky,
Palaanathu odaththu melae
Reflected on the wooden boat,
Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae
The moon is up in the sky,
Palaanathu odaththu melae
Reflected on the wooden boat,
Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
Pozhuthaanaa pothum thuna onnu venum
When night falls, one needs a companion,
Elankaala aattam vidinjaathaan pogum…
This youthful dance will end only when dawn breaks...
Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae
The moon is up in the sky,
Palaanathu odaththu melae
Reflected on the wooden boat,
Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
Odura nariyila oru nari
Among the running foxes, one fox
Kezha narithaan
is an old fox,
Female :Achum achum achum
Female: Achum achum achum
Male :Ingu aadura nariyila
Male: Among the foxes dancing here,
Pala nari kulla narithaan
many foxes are cunning foxes,
Female :Achum achum achum
Female: Achum achum achum
Ahaa odura nariyila oru nari
Aha, among the running foxes, one fox
Kezha narithaan
is an old fox,
Female :Achum achum achum
Female: Achum achum achum
Male :Ingu aadura nariyila
Male: Among the foxes dancing here,
Pala nari kulla narithaan
many foxes are cunning foxes,
Female :Achum achum achum
Female: Achum achum achum
Ponnukkum ponnukkum
Over gold and woman,
Adithadithaan
there is endless conflict,
Mannukku pogira olagathilae
in a world where everyone eventually turns to dust.
Pasikkuthu pasikkuthu dhenam
Hunger strikes, hunger strikes every
Dhenamthaan
single day,
Thinnaa pasiyathu theernthiduthaa
does eating once ever permanently satisfy hunger?
Adi aathaadi naan paattaali
Oh my goodness, I am a working laborer,
Un koottaali…hoi
and I am your comrade... hoi!
Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae
The moon is up in the sky,
Palaanathu odaththu melae
Reflected on the wooden boat,
Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
Thudikkira aattaththa
The energetic dance moves
Theraiyila paathirukken
I have seen on the silver screen,
Female :Achum achum achum
Female: Achum achum achum
Male :Visil adikkira koottathil
Male: Amidst the whistling crowd,
Tharaiyila aadirukken
I have danced down on the floor,
Female :Achum achum achum
Female: Achum achum achum
Ahaa thudikkira aattaththa
Aha, the energetic dance moves
Theraiyila paathirukken
I have seen on the silver screen,
Female :Achum achum achum
Female: Achum achum achum
Male :Visil adikkira koottathil
Male: Amidst the whistling crowd,
Tharaiyila aadirukken
I have danced down on the floor,
Female :Achum achum achum
Female: Achum achum achum
Kaattula mettula ozhachavan naan
I am one who has worked hard in forests and high lands,
Aadida paadida vendaamaa
Shouldn't I get to dance and sing?
Varumaiyin kodumaiya paathavan thaan
I am someone who has seen the harshness of poverty,
Un udaiyila varumaiyum vendaamaa
Should your clothes show such poverty of fabric too?
Adi aaththaadi naan paattaalli
Oh my goodness, I am a working laborer,
Un koottaalli hoi…
and I am your comrade hoi...
Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae
The moon is up in the sky,
Palaanathu odaththu melae
Reflected on the wooden boat,
Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae
The moon is up in the sky,
Palaanathu odaththu melae
Reflected on the wooden boat,
Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
Pozhuthaanaa pothum
When night falls,
Thuna onnu venum
one needs a companion,
Elankaala aattam
This youthful dance
Vidinjaathaan pogum…
will end only when dawn breaks...
Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae
The moon is up in the sky,
Palaanathu odaththu melae
Reflected on the wooden boat,
Vandhaaduthu thedudhu onna
It comes dancing, searching for you,
Hoiyaa hoi adhu ennaa hoi
Hoiyaa hoi, what is that, hoi!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
"Nilaa Adhu Vaanathu Melae" is an energetic cabaret dance song from Mani Ratnam's 1987 classic *Nayagan*. Set in a Mumbai nightclub environment, the song juxtaposes playful dance rhythms with cheeky working-class social commentary. Through urban slang and lively folk-pop beats, the lyrics describe the deceits of society (comparing opportunistic people to cunning foxes) and the inevitable struggles of poor working laborers who seek relief through music and dance. The protagonist identifies as a hardworking laborer ("paattaali") who finds momentary escape and joy in the night's festivities alongside a companion. The recurring imagery of the moon shining above a boat symbolizes passing time and fleeting night life, celebrating the thrill of living in the present despite hardship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Nilaa adhu vaanathu melae / Palaanathu odaththu melae”
The second consonant 'la' in 'Nilaa' and 'Palaanathu' rhymes, creating a traditional Tamil rhythm structure.
Metaphor
“Ingu aadura nariyila pala nari kulla narithaan”
Societal opportunists and deceitful people in the crowd are metaphorically referred to as 'kulla nari' (cunning foxes).
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Adi aathaadi naan paattaali / Un koottaali…hoi”
The matching end sounds 'paattaali' (laborer) and 'koottaali' (companion) form an engaging end-rhyme that reinforces class camaraderie.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nilaa Adhu Vaanathu Melae' from *Nayagan* (1987) features music composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who also wrote the lyrics for this track using authentic urban folk dialect. In the movie, the song is picturized on Kamal Haasan and Janagaraj inside a Mumbai cabaret venue, highlighting the gritty nightlife atmosphere of the city's underworld.
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