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Sangu Pushpangal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nila Nila Odi Vaa

From Sangu Pushpangal · 1989

Lyricist
Anbu Kani
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Guna Singh
Movie name
Sangu Pushpangal
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
16 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nila nila oodivaa nilaamal odi vaa
Manam polae vaazhavae malligaipoo soodavaa
Nila nila oodivaa nilaamal odi vaa
Manam polae vaazhavae malligaipoo soodavaa
Thangakili thoongattum thaazhampoo methayilae
Sanga thamil paatteduthu sangeetham paadi vaa
Thangakili thoongattum thaazhampoo methayilae
Sanga thamil paatteduthu sangeetham paadi vaa
Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paada
Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paada
Kannukku mai theeti odi vaa
Kalyaana isai paadi aadi vaa
Kanneeril vennilavu yenginaal
Kannae en ila nenjam thaangumaa
Nenjukkullae un nenaippu
Thathalikkum thaamarai poo
Ninaivae thoongamalae vizhiyil neer thaengumae
Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paada
Aagaya pooparichu yendhi vaa
Athaanin vizhiyoram neendha vaa
Ezhezhu jenmangal sondhamoo
Ennaalum vilagaadha bandhamoo
Nenjukkullae un nenippu
Thathalikkum thaamarai poo
Malarae mayangaamalae mayilae parandhodi vaa
Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paada
Nila nila odivaa nilaamal odi vaa
Manam polae vaazhavae malligai poo soodavaa
Nilaa nilaa odi vaa…
O moon, come running, come running without stopping!
Come wear jasmine flowers to live as your heart desires!
O moon, come running, come running without stopping!
Come wear jasmine flowers to live as your heart desires!
Let the golden parrot sleep on a bed of fragrant screw-pine flowers,
Pick a song of Sangam (ancient Tamil literature) and come singing sweet music.
Let the golden parrot sleep on a bed of fragrant screw-pine flowers,
Pick a song of Sangam (ancient Tamil literature) and come singing sweet music.
Sing, gentle breeze, while I sing a song as sweet as honey.
Sing, gentle breeze, while I sing a song as sweet as honey.
Adorn your eyes with kohl and come running,
Sing wedding tunes and come dancing.
If my bright moon yearns in tears,
My darling, could my young heart ever bear it?
Your memory inside my heart
Is like a struggling lotus flower.
With memories staying awake, tears fill my eyes.
Sing, gentle breeze, while I sing a song as sweet as honey.
Pluck the flowers from the sky and bring them in your hands,
Come swim in the corner of your beloved's eyes.
Is our bond meant for seven lifetimes?
Is this a tie that will never break?
Your memory inside my heart
Is like a struggling lotus flower.
Without losing heart, my flower, come flying like a peacock!
Sing, gentle breeze, while I sing a song as sweet as honey.
O moon, come running, come running without stopping!
Come wear jasmine flowers to live as your heart desires!
O moon, come running...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Nila Nila Odivaa is a soothing, tender romantic lullaby-styled track from the film Sangu Pushpangal (1989). Sung with profound emotion by K. J. Yesudas, the song depicts a lover invoking elements of nature—the moon, breeze, and flowers—to bring peace and sweet music to his beloved. The lyrics tenderly compare the lover to a golden parrot resting peacefully and express a deep emotional bond spanning seven lifetimes. The narrator shares how thoughts of his beloved cause tears of affection to pool in his eyes, emphasizing a deep soul connection that remains unbreakable through time. Composed by Guna Singh with lyrics by Anbu Kani, the song blends classical Tamil poetic themes with gentle, melodious storytelling.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

“Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paada”

Repetition of the initial 'p' sound in 'Poongaatrae', 'paadu', 'pattu', and 'paada'.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Thangakili thoongattum / Sanga thamil paatteduthu”

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'ng' in 'Thangakili' and 'Sanga'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

“Thathalikkum thaamarai poo”

Thoughts of love swirling restlessly inside the heart are directly compared to a lotus flower struggling in water.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Ezhezhu jenmangal sondhamoo / Ennaalum vilagaadha bandhamoo”

Both lines end with the rhyming 'oo' sound ('sondhamoo' and 'bandhamoo').

Did you know?

Trivia

Sangu Pushpangal (1989) features musical composition by Guna Singh with lyrics penned by Anbu Kani. The track is rendered by legendary playback singer K. J. Yesudas, known for bringing classical Tamil poetic imagery to life in romantic lullabies.

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