Nila Kaigirathu Female
From Indira · 1995
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Harini
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Indira1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaaa…aaa…aaa… | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Aaaa…aaa…aaa..aaa.. | Ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Aaa..aaa…. | Ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Nila kaaigirathu | The moon shines bright, |
| Niram theigirathu | Its color fades away, |
| Yaarum rasikkavillaiyae | Yet no one seems to admire it. |
| Intha kangal mattum | Only these eyes of mine |
| Unnai kaanum | Will look upon you. |
| Female | |
| Thendral pogindrathu | The gentle breeze drifts past, |
| Solai sirikindrathu | The grove smiles with joy, |
| Yaarum sugikkavillaiyae | Yet no one seems to enjoy it. |
| Chinna kaigal mattum | Only these small hands |
| Unnai theendum | Will reach out to touch you. |
| Female | |
| Kaatru veesum | The wind blows continually, |
| Veyil kaayam kaayum | The harsh sun burns bright, |
| Athil maatram ethum illayae.. | There is no change in that cycle... |
| Aaa..vaanum mannum | Ah... the sky and the earth |
| Nammai vaazha chollum | Tell us to live on, |
| Antha vaazhthu oyavillai | That blessing never ceases, |
| Endrendrum vaanil | Forever in the sky. |
| Female | |
| Nila kaaigirathu | The moon shines bright, |
| Niram theigirathu | Its color fades away, |
| Yaarum rasikkavillaiyae | Yet no one seems to admire it. |
| Intha kangal mattum | Only these eyes of mine |
| Unnai kaanum | Will look upon you. |
| Chorus | |
| Sa ma ga paa | [Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa] |
| Pa ma pa maa ga ri | [Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma ga ri] |
| Saa ri saa ni.. | [Musical notes: Sa ri sa ni...] |
| Sa ma ga paa | [Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa] |
| Pa ma pa maa | [Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma] |
| Sa ma ga paa | [Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa] |
| Pa ma pa maa ga ri | [Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma ga ri] |
| Gaa ri saa ni.. | [Musical notes: Ga ri sa ni...] |
| Sa ma ga paa | [Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa] |
| Sa dha maa | [Musical notes: Sa dha ma] |
| Female :Aaa….aaaa…… | Female Vocalist: Ah... ah... |
| Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma | [Musical notes: Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma] |
| Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma | [Musical notes: Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma] |
| Female | |
| Adho pogindrathu | Look, over there passes |
| Aasai megam | The cloud of desire, |
| Mazhaiyai kettukollungal | Ask it to give you rain. |
| Chorus :Sarigariga gapamaga | Chorus: [Musical notes: Sarigariga gapamaga] |
| Female | |
| Idho kekkindrathu | Listen, right here plays |
| Kuyilin paadal | The song of the cuckoo, |
| Isaiyai kettukkollungal | Ask it to grant you music. |
| Chorus :Sarigariga gagamaa | Chorus: [Musical notes: Sarigariga gagamaa] |
| Female | |
| Intha boomiyae poovanam | This earth itself is a flower garden, |
| Ungal pookkalai thedungal | Search for your own flowers. |
| Intha vaazhkaiyae seethanam | This life itself is a precious gift, |
| Unthan thevaiyai kelungal | Ask for whatever you need. |
| Female | |
| Nila kaaigirathu | The moon shines bright, |
| Niram theigirathu | Its color fades away, |
| Yaarum rasikkavillaiyae | Yet no one seems to admire it. |
| Intha kangal mattum | Only these eyes of mine |
| Unnai kaanum | Will look upon you. |
| Female | |
| Thendral pogindrathu | The gentle breeze drifts past, |
| Solai sirikindrathu | The grove smiles with joy, |
| Yaarum sugikkavillaiyae | Yet no one seems to enjoy it. |
| Chinna kaigal mattum | Only these small hands |
| Unnai theendum | Will reach out to touch you. |
ஆ... ஆஅ.. ஆஅ...
ஆஆ... ஆஅ...ஆஅ...ஆஅ..
ஆஅ...ஆஅ...
Ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah...
நிலா காய்கிறது
நேரம் தேய்கிறது
யாரும் ரசிக்கவில்லையே...
இந்த கண்கள் மட்டும்
உன்னை காணும்...
The moon shines bright,
Its color fades away,
Yet no one seems to admire it.
Only these eyes of mine
Will look upon you.
தென்றல் போகின்றது
சோலை சிரிக்கின்றது
யாரும் சுகிக்கவில்லையே...
சின்ன கைகள் மட்டும்
உன்னை தீண்டும்...
The gentle breeze drifts past,
The grove smiles with joy,
Yet no one seems to enjoy it.
Only these small hands
Will reach out to touch you.
காற்று வீசும் வெய்யில்
காயும் காயும்
அதில் மாற்றம் ஏதும் இல்லையே ...
ஆஆ..வானும் மண்ணும்
நம்மை வாழ சொல்லும்
அந்த வாழ்த்து ஓயவில்லையே
என்றென்றும் வானில்...
The wind blows continually,
The harsh sun burns bright,
There is no change in that cycle...
Ah... the sky and the earth
Tell us to live on,
That blessing never ceases,
Forever in the sky.
நிலா காய்கிறது
நேரம் தேய்கிறது
யாரும் ரசிக்கவில்லையே...
இந்த கண்கள் மட்டும்
உன்னை காணும்...
The moon shines bright,
Its color fades away,
Yet no one seems to admire it.
Only these eyes of mine
Will look upon you.
ச ம க பா
பா ம ப மா க ரி
சா ரி சா நி...
ச ம க பா
பா ம ப மா
ச ம க பா
பா ம ப மா க ரி
க ரி சா நி ..
ச ம க பா
ச த மா
[Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa]
[Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma ga ri]
[Musical notes: Sa ri sa ni...]
[Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa]
[Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma]
[Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa]
[Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma ga ri]
[Musical notes: Ga ri sa ni...]
[Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa]
[Musical notes: Sa dha ma]
Female Vocalist: Ah... ah...
[Musical notes: Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma]
[Musical notes: Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma]
ஆஅ..ஆஆ...
க க ம நி நி த சா நி த ப ம
க க ம நி நி த சா நி த ப ம
Look, over there passes
The cloud of desire,
Ask it to give you rain.
Chorus: [Musical notes: Sarigariga gapamaga]
அதோ போகின்றது
ஆசை மேகம்
மழையை கேட்டுக்கொள்ளுங்கள்
Listen, right here plays
The song of the cuckoo,
Ask it to grant you music.
Chorus: [Musical notes: Sarigariga gagamaa]
சரிகரிக ககமா
This earth itself is a flower garden,
Search for your own flowers.
This life itself is a precious gift,
Ask for whatever you need.
இதோ கேட்கின்றது
குயிலின் பாடல்
இசையை கேட்டுக்கொள்ளுங்கள்
The moon shines bright,
Its color fades away,
Yet no one seems to admire it.
Only these eyes of mine
Will look upon you.
சரிகரிக ககமா
The gentle breeze drifts past,
The grove smiles with joy,
Yet no one seems to enjoy it.
Only these small hands
Will reach out to touch you.
இந்த பூமியே பூவனம்
உங்கள் பூக்களை தேடுங்கள்
இந்த வாழ்க்கையே சீதனம்
உந்தன் தேவையை கேளுங்கள்
நிலா காய்கிறது
நேரம் தேய்கிறது
யாரும் ரசிக்கவில்லையே...
இந்த கண்கள் மட்டும்
உன்னை காணும்...
தென்றல் போகின்றது
சோலை சிரிக்கின்றது
யாரும் சுகிக்கவில்லையே...
சின்ன கைகள் மட்டும்
உன்னை தீண்டும்...
Aaaa…aaa…aaa…
Ah... ah... ah...
Aaaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Aaa..aaa….
Ah... ah...
Nila kaaigirathu
The moon shines bright,
Niram theigirathu
Its color fades away,
Yaarum rasikkavillaiyae
Yet no one seems to admire it.
Intha kangal mattum
Only these eyes of mine
Unnai kaanum
Will look upon you.
Thendral pogindrathu
The gentle breeze drifts past,
Solai sirikindrathu
The grove smiles with joy,
Yaarum sugikkavillaiyae
Yet no one seems to enjoy it.
Chinna kaigal mattum
Only these small hands
Unnai theendum
Will reach out to touch you.
Kaatru veesum
The wind blows continually,
Veyil kaayam kaayum
The harsh sun burns bright,
Athil maatram ethum illayae..
There is no change in that cycle...
Aaa..vaanum mannum
Ah... the sky and the earth
Nammai vaazha chollum
Tell us to live on,
Antha vaazhthu oyavillai
That blessing never ceases,
Endrendrum vaanil
Forever in the sky.
Nila kaaigirathu
The moon shines bright,
Niram theigirathu
Its color fades away,
Yaarum rasikkavillaiyae
Yet no one seems to admire it.
Intha kangal mattum
Only these eyes of mine
Unnai kaanum
Will look upon you.
Sa ma ga paa
[Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa]
Pa ma pa maa ga ri
[Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma ga ri]
Saa ri saa ni..
[Musical notes: Sa ri sa ni...]
Sa ma ga paa
[Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa]
Pa ma pa maa
[Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma]
Sa ma ga paa
[Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa]
Pa ma pa maa ga ri
[Musical notes: Pa ma pa ma ga ri]
Gaa ri saa ni..
[Musical notes: Ga ri sa ni...]
Sa ma ga paa
[Musical notes: Sa ma ga pa]
Sa dha maa
[Musical notes: Sa dha ma]
Female :Aaa….aaaa……
Female Vocalist: Ah... ah...
Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma
[Musical notes: Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma]
Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma
[Musical notes: Ga ga ma ni ni dha saa ni dha pa ma]
Adho pogindrathu
Look, over there passes
Aasai megam
The cloud of desire,
Mazhaiyai kettukollungal
Ask it to give you rain.
Chorus :Sarigariga gapamaga
Chorus: [Musical notes: Sarigariga gapamaga]
Idho kekkindrathu
Listen, right here plays
Kuyilin paadal
The song of the cuckoo,
Isaiyai kettukkollungal
Ask it to grant you music.
Chorus :Sarigariga gagamaa
Chorus: [Musical notes: Sarigariga gagamaa]
Intha boomiyae poovanam
This earth itself is a flower garden,
Ungal pookkalai thedungal
Search for your own flowers.
Intha vaazhkaiyae seethanam
This life itself is a precious gift,
Unthan thevaiyai kelungal
Ask for whatever you need.
Nila kaaigirathu
The moon shines bright,
Niram theigirathu
Its color fades away,
Yaarum rasikkavillaiyae
Yet no one seems to admire it.
Intha kangal mattum
Only these eyes of mine
Unnai kaanum
Will look upon you.
Thendral pogindrathu
The gentle breeze drifts past,
Solai sirikindrathu
The grove smiles with joy,
Yaarum sugikkavillaiyae
Yet no one seems to enjoy it.
Chinna kaigal mattum
Only these small hands
Unnai theendum
Will reach out to touch you.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nila Kaaigirathu from Indira (1995) is a hauntingly beautiful, introspective song that highlights the unappreciated beauty of nature and the gentle innocence of human perception. The lyrics depict how nature's daily marvels—the shining moon, fading hues, whispering breezes, and smiling groves—often go unnoticed by the restless world. However, through a loving gaze and gentle touch, these subtle wonders are acknowledged, cherished, and brought to life. The second half of the song turns into an uplifting, optimistic invitation to embrace life's gifts. By comparing the earth to a garden and life to a dowry of possibilities, Vairamuthu's lyrics encourage us to seek out our desires, listen to nature's harmony, and embrace the joy of existence despite life's unchanging realities.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Solai sirikindrathu”
Attributes the human action of smiling ('sirikindrathu') to a garden grove ('solai').
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Nila kaaigirathu / Niram theigirathu”
The initial letter/sound 'Ni' is repeated across consecutive lines ('Nila' and 'Niram').
Metaphor
“Intha boomiyae poovanam / Intha vaazhkaiyae seethanam”
Compares the earth directly to a flower garden ('poovanam') and life to a precious gift/dowry ('seethanam').
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Intha boomiyae poovanam / Ungal pookkalai thedungal”
The second letter sound ('nth' / 'ng') maintains a rhythmic harmony across lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the music director was not specified in the prompt, this iconic song was composed by A. R. Rahman for Suhasini Maniratnam's directorial debut film 'Indira' (1995). The child version of the song marked a major breakthrough for singer Harini, who won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer at the age of 15 for her soulful rendition.
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