Nila Kayuthu Neram Nalla
From Sakalakala Vallavan 1982 · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sakalakala Vallavan 19821982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| {Nilaa kaayuthu | The moonlight is shining bright, |
| Neram nalla neram | The time is opportune and auspicious, |
| Nenjil paayuthu | Piercing straight through the heart, |
| Kaman vidum baanam} (2) | Is the love arrow shot by Lord Kama! (2) |
| Female | |
| Thookam varla mamma | Sleep is nowhere in sight, my dear, |
| Kakka vaikkalaamaa | Should we keep love waiting? |
| Aakkivachcha sotha aarappodalaamaa | Should we let freshly served hot food go cold? |
| Male | |
| Nilaa kaayuthu | The moonlight is shining bright, |
| Neram nalla neram | The time is opportune and auspicious, |
| Nenjil paayuthu | Piercing straight through the heart, |
| Kaman vidum baanam | Is the love arrow shot by Lord Kama! |
| Female | |
| Thennankeetrum poongkaatrum | The coconut fronds and the gentle breeze, |
| Enna pannuthoo | What are they up to? |
| Male :Unnappola thozhaa thottu | Male: Just like you, my friend, touching, |
| Pinnikkolluthoo | And entwining with each other! |
| Female | |
| Thennankeetrum poongkaatrum | The coconut fronds and the gentle breeze, |
| Enna pannuthoo | What are they up to? |
| Male :Unnappola thozhaa thottu | Male: Just like you, my friend, touching, |
| Pinnikkolluthoo | And entwining with each other! |
| Female | |
| Vetkkam pidikkuthu | Shyness overcomes me, |
| Poruthukkaiyaa | Please bear with me, my dear sir, |
| Athu vilagi ponathum | Once this bashfulness recedes, |
| Eduthukkaiyaa | You may take what is yours, my sir! |
| Male | |
| Kattil pottathum | Once the bed is prepared, |
| Therinjikkanum | You must understand, |
| Kollai pakkam othungida | To step aside into privacy, |
| Purinjikkanum | You ought to comprehend! |
| Female | |
| Ammaadi athukkenna avasaramoo | Oh my, what is the rush for that? |
| Male | |
| Nilaakaayuthuu…..Female :Aaaa… | The moonlight is shining... Female: Ah... |
| Neram nalla neram……….Female :Aaaa..haa.. | The time is opportune... Female: Ah... ha... |
| Nenjil paayuthuu………….Female :Aaaa… | Piercing through the heart... Female: Ah... |
| Kaman vidum baanamm….. | Is the love arrow shot by Kama... |
| Female | |
| Mhum…….mmhhhum…… | Mhum... mmhhhum... |
| Mmmhum…..mmkkukumm.. | Mmmhum... mmkkukumm.. |
| Mmmhum….mmkkukumm….kkum. | Mmmhum... mmkkukumm... kkum. |
| Aaaa….chechechechaaa… | Aaaa... chechechechaaa... |
| Aaaaaa chechechechechaaa… | Aaaaaa chechechechechaaa... |
| Aa…aa..aa..aa…aha ahaahahahahahahahahah…… | Aa... aa.. aa.. aa... aha ahaahahahahahahahahah... |
| Aaaaaaaaaaa….chchiiiii…. | Aaaaaaaaaaa... chchiiiii... |
| Male | |
| Thanneer ketkumae | It yearns for water, |
| Kannae thagham thaninjithaa | My dear, has your thirst been quenched? |
| Female | |
| Aththan thevai naan thanthen | I have provided everything my beloved needed, |
| Aasai koranjjuthaa | Has your deep desire eased now? |
| Male | |
| Kottikidakkuthu ooralavu | There is an abundance equal to a whole town lying around, |
| Ithil vetti eduthathu oralavuu | Out of which what we gathered is just a single measure, |
| Female | |
| Indru paduthuthu ithuvaraikkum | Until today, it teased and troubled us thus far, |
| Ini nalai irupathu iruvarukkumm | From tomorrow, whatever remains belongs to both of us! |
| Male | |
| Anbae neee.. | My beloved, you are... |
| Adisaiya churangamadii.. | A miraculous treasure mine... |
| Female | |
| Nilaa kaayuthuu…..Male :Mmmm | The moonlight is shining... Male: Mmmm |
| Neram nalla neram | The time is opportune and auspicious, |
| Nenjil paayuthuu ………Male :Aaaaaa… | Piercing through the heart... Male: Ahhh... |
| Kaman vidum banamm | Is the love arrow shot by Kama! |
| Female | |
| Thookam varla mamma | Sleep is nowhere in sight, my dear, |
| Kakka vaikkalaamaa | Should we keep love waiting? |
| Aakkivachcha sotha aarappodalaamaa | Should we let freshly served hot food go cold? |
| Male | |
| Nilaakaayuthuu…..Female :Aaaa… | The moonlight is shining... Female: Ah... |
| Neram nalla neram……….Female :Aaaa..haa.. | The time is opportune... Female: Ah... ha... |
| Nenjil paayuthuu………….Female :Aaaa… | Piercing through the heart... Female: Ah... |
| Kaman vidum baanamm….. | Is the love arrow shot by Kama... |
{ நிலா காயுது
நேரம் நல்ல நேரம்
நெஞ்சில் பாயுது காமன்
விடும் பானம் } (2)
The moonlight is shining bright,
The time is opportune and auspicious,
Piercing straight through the heart,
Is the love arrow shot by Lord Kama! (2)
தூக்கம் வரல
மாமா காக்க வைக்கலாமா
ஆக்கிவச்ச சோத்த ஆறப்
போடலாமா
Sleep is nowhere in sight, my dear,
Should we keep love waiting?
Should we let freshly served hot food go cold?
நிலா காயுது
நேரம் நல்ல நேரம்
நெஞ்சில் பாயுது காமன்
விடும் பானம்
The moonlight is shining bright,
The time is opportune and auspicious,
Piercing straight through the heart,
Is the love arrow shot by Lord Kama!
தென்னங் கீற்றும்
பூங் காற்றும் என்ன
பண்ணுதோ
உன்னப் போல
தோளைத் தொட்டு
பின்னிக் கொள்ளுதோ
The coconut fronds and the gentle breeze,
What are they up to?
Male: Just like you, my friend, touching,
And entwining with each other!
தென்னங் கீற்றும்
பூங் காற்றும் என்ன
பண்ணுதோ
உன்னப் போல
தோளைத் தொட்டு
பின்னிக் கொள்ளுதோ
The coconut fronds and the gentle breeze,
What are they up to?
Male: Just like you, my friend, touching,
And entwining with each other!
வெட்கம் பிடிக்குது
பொறுத்துக்கையா அது
விலகி போனதும்
எடுத்துக்கையா
கட்டில் போட்டதும்
தெரிஞ்சிக்கணும் கொல்லை
பக்கம் ஒதுங்கிட புரிஞ்சுக்கணும்
Shyness overcomes me,
Please bear with me, my dear sir,
Once this bashfulness recedes,
You may take what is yours, my sir!
அம்மாடி
அதுக்கென்ன அவசரமோ
Once the bed is prepared,
You must understand,
To step aside into privacy,
You ought to comprehend!
நிலா காயுது பெண் :
ஆஆ
நேரம் நல்ல நேரம் பெண் :
ஆஆ ஹா
நெஞ்சில் பாயுது பெண் :
ஆஆ
காமன் விடும் பானம்
Oh my, what is the rush for that?
...............................
The moonlight is shining... Female: Ah...
The time is opportune... Female: Ah... ha...
Piercing through the heart... Female: Ah...
Is the love arrow shot by Kama...
தண்ணீர் கேட்குமே
கண்ணே தாகம் தனிஞ்சதா
Mhum... mmhhhum...
Mmmhum... mmkkukumm..
Mmmhum... mmkkukumm... kkum.
Aaaa... chechechechaaa...
Aaaaaa chechechechechaaa...
Aa... aa.. aa.. aa... aha ahaahahahahahahahahah...
Aaaaaaaaaaa... chchiiiii...
அத்தான் தேவை
நான் தந்தேன் ஆசை
குறைஞ்சுதா
It yearns for water,
My dear, has your thirst been quenched?
கொட்டிக்கிடக்குது
ஊரளவு இதில் வெட்டி
எடுத்தது ஓரளவு
I have provided everything my beloved needed,
Has your deep desire eased now?
இன்று படுத்துது
இதுவரைக்கும் இனி நாளை
இருப்பது இருவருக்கும்
அன்பே நீ அதிசய
சுரங்கமடி
There is an abundance equal to a whole town lying around,
Out of which what we gathered is just a single measure,
நிலா காயுது ஆண் :
ம்ம்ம்
நேரம் நல்ல நேரம்
நெஞ்சில் பாயுது ஆண் :
ஆஆ
காமன் விடும் பானம்
Until today, it teased and troubled us thus far,
From tomorrow, whatever remains belongs to both of us!
தூக்கம் வரல
மாமா காக்க வைக்கலாமா
ஆக்கிவச்ச சோத்த ஆறப்
போடலாமா
My beloved, you are...
A miraculous treasure mine...
நிலா காயுது பெண் :
ஆஆ
நேரம் நல்ல நேரம் பெண் :
ஆஆ ஹா
நெஞ்சில் பாயுது பெண் :
ஆஆ
காமன் விடும் பானம்
The moonlight is shining... Male: Mmmm
The time is opportune and auspicious,
Piercing through the heart... Male: Ahhh...
Is the love arrow shot by Kama!
Sleep is nowhere in sight, my dear,
Should we keep love waiting?
Should we let freshly served hot food go cold?
The moonlight is shining... Female: Ah...
The time is opportune... Female: Ah... ha...
Piercing through the heart... Female: Ah...
Is the love arrow shot by Kama...
{Nilaa kaayuthu
The moonlight is shining bright,
Neram nalla neram
The time is opportune and auspicious,
Nenjil paayuthu
Piercing straight through the heart,
Kaman vidum baanam} (2)
Is the love arrow shot by Lord Kama! (2)
Thookam varla mamma
Sleep is nowhere in sight, my dear,
Kakka vaikkalaamaa
Should we keep love waiting?
Aakkivachcha sotha aarappodalaamaa
Should we let freshly served hot food go cold?
Nilaa kaayuthu
The moonlight is shining bright,
Neram nalla neram
The time is opportune and auspicious,
Nenjil paayuthu
Piercing straight through the heart,
Kaman vidum baanam
Is the love arrow shot by Lord Kama!
Thennankeetrum poongkaatrum
The coconut fronds and the gentle breeze,
Enna pannuthoo
What are they up to?
Male :Unnappola thozhaa thottu
Male: Just like you, my friend, touching,
Pinnikkolluthoo
And entwining with each other!
Thennankeetrum poongkaatrum
The coconut fronds and the gentle breeze,
Enna pannuthoo
What are they up to?
Male :Unnappola thozhaa thottu
Male: Just like you, my friend, touching,
Pinnikkolluthoo
And entwining with each other!
Vetkkam pidikkuthu
Shyness overcomes me,
Poruthukkaiyaa
Please bear with me, my dear sir,
Athu vilagi ponathum
Once this bashfulness recedes,
Eduthukkaiyaa
You may take what is yours, my sir!
Kattil pottathum
Once the bed is prepared,
Therinjikkanum
You must understand,
Kollai pakkam othungida
To step aside into privacy,
Purinjikkanum
You ought to comprehend!
Ammaadi athukkenna avasaramoo
Oh my, what is the rush for that?
Nilaakaayuthuu…..Female :Aaaa…
The moonlight is shining... Female: Ah...
Neram nalla neram……….Female :Aaaa..haa..
The time is opportune... Female: Ah... ha...
Nenjil paayuthuu………….Female :Aaaa…
Piercing through the heart... Female: Ah...
Kaman vidum baanamm…..
Is the love arrow shot by Kama...
Mhum…….mmhhhum……
Mhum... mmhhhum...
Mmmhum…..mmkkukumm..
Mmmhum... mmkkukumm..
Mmmhum….mmkkukumm….kkum.
Mmmhum... mmkkukumm... kkum.
Aaaa….chechechechaaa…
Aaaa... chechechechaaa...
Aaaaaa chechechechechaaa…
Aaaaaa chechechechechaaa...
Aa…aa..aa..aa…aha ahaahahahahahahahahah……
Aa... aa.. aa.. aa... aha ahaahahahahahahahahah...
Aaaaaaaaaaa….chchiiiii….
Aaaaaaaaaaa... chchiiiii...
Thanneer ketkumae
It yearns for water,
Kannae thagham thaninjithaa
My dear, has your thirst been quenched?
Aththan thevai naan thanthen
I have provided everything my beloved needed,
Aasai koranjjuthaa
Has your deep desire eased now?
Kottikidakkuthu ooralavu
There is an abundance equal to a whole town lying around,
Ithil vetti eduthathu oralavuu
Out of which what we gathered is just a single measure,
Indru paduthuthu ithuvaraikkum
Until today, it teased and troubled us thus far,
Ini nalai irupathu iruvarukkumm
From tomorrow, whatever remains belongs to both of us!
Anbae neee..
My beloved, you are...
Adisaiya churangamadii..
A miraculous treasure mine...
Nilaa kaayuthuu…..Male :Mmmm
The moonlight is shining... Male: Mmmm
Neram nalla neram
The time is opportune and auspicious,
Nenjil paayuthuu ………Male :Aaaaaa…
Piercing through the heart... Male: Ahhh...
Kaman vidum banamm
Is the love arrow shot by Kama!
Thookam varla mamma
Sleep is nowhere in sight, my dear,
Kakka vaikkalaamaa
Should we keep love waiting?
Aakkivachcha sotha aarappodalaamaa
Should we let freshly served hot food go cold?
Nilaakaayuthuu…..Female :Aaaa…
The moonlight is shining... Female: Ah...
Neram nalla neram……….Female :Aaaa..haa..
The time is opportune... Female: Ah... ha...
Nenjil paayuthuu………….Female :Aaaa…
Piercing through the heart... Female: Ah...
Kaman vidum baanamm…..
Is the love arrow shot by Kama...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Nilaa Kaayuthu' is a romantic duet from the movie Sakalakala Vallavan (1982). Set on a moonlit night, the song captures the playful banter, sensual eagerness, and intimate courtship between two lovers. Lyricist Vaali uses colloquial Tamil idioms and rustic metaphors, comparing romantic fulfillment to enjoying a freshly cooked hot meal before it cools down. The emotional arc progresses from initial flirtation and bashfulness to complete expression of affection and togetherness. With imagery of coconut trees swaying together in the breeze and lovers sharing their desires, the song celebrates intimacy, mutual understanding, and the joyous union of two souls.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)
“Nilaa kaayuthu / Neram nalla neram / Nenjil paayuthu”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Ne/Ni' ('N' sound) across consecutive lines creates an agreeable rhythmic flow.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Aakkivachcha sotha aarappodalaamaa”
Lovemaking and intimacy are metaphorically compared to hot cooked food ('Aakkivachcha soru') that should be enjoyed immediately rather than left to grow cold.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kakka vaikkalaamaa / aarappodalaamaa”
Both lines end with the rhyming suffix '-laamaa', enhancing the playful melodic structure of the chorus.
Personification
“Thennankeetrum poongkaatrum... Unnappola thozhaa thottu Pinnikkolluthoo”
The coconut fronds swaying in the wind are personified as lovers touching and embracing each other.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nilaa Kaayuthu' from Sakalakala Vallavan (1982) is composed by Ilaiyaraaja and famously rendered by Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki. The song features Kamal Haasan and Ambika. Lyricist Vaali received immense popularity for combining playful, everyday domestic imagery with romantic allure, making this song one of the iconic dance and romance tracks of 1980s Tamil cinema.
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