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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nila Nila Odi Vaa

From Sangu Pushpangal · 1989

Lyricist
Anbu Kani
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Guna Singh
Details
Sangu Pushpangal1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nila nila oodivaa nilaamal odi vaaOh moon, come running, come running without stopping!
Manam polae vaazhavae malligaipoo soodavaaShall I wear jasmine flowers to live life as my heart desires?
Male
Nila nila oodivaa nilaamal odi vaaOh moon, come running, come running without stopping!
Manam polae vaazhavae malligaipoo soodavaaShall I wear jasmine flowers to live life as my heart desires?
Male
Thangakili thoongattum thaazhampoo methayilaeLet the golden parrot sleep on a mattress of screwpine flowers.
Sanga thamil paatteduthu sangeetham paadi vaaPick a song from Sangam Tamil literature and come singing music.
Thangakili thoongattum thaazhampoo methayilaeLet the golden parrot sleep on a mattress of screwpine flowers.
Sanga thamil paatteduthu sangeetham paadi vaaPick a song from Sangam Tamil literature and come singing music.
Male
Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paadaOh gentle breeze, you sing, while I sing a sweet song of honey.
Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paadaOh gentle breeze, you sing, while I sing a sweet song of honey.
Male
Kannukku mai theeti odi vaaApply kohl to your eyes and come running.
Kalyaana isai paadi aadi vaaCome dancing while singing festive wedding music.
Kanneeril vennilavu yenginaalIf the white moon yearns amidst tears,
Kannae en ila nenjam thaangumaaOh my darling, can my young heart bear it?
Male
Nenjukkullae un nenaippuInside my heart lies your thought,
Thathalikkum thaamarai pooLike a struggling lotus flower.
Ninaivae thoongamalae vizhiyil neer thaengumaeUnable to sleep due to memories, tears pool in my eyes.
Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paadaOh gentle breeze, you sing, while I sing a sweet song of honey.
Male
Aagaya pooparichu yendhi vaaPluck a flower from the sky and hold it in your hands.
Athaanin vizhiyoram neendha vaaCome swim at the corner of your beloved husband's eyes.
Ezhezhu jenmangal sondhamooIs this a relation spanning seven lifetimes?
Ennaalum vilagaadha bandhamooAn everlasting bond that never breaks?
Male
Nenjukkullae un nenippuInside my heart lies your thought,
Thathalikkum thaamarai pooLike a struggling lotus flower.
Malarae mayangaamalae mayilae parandhodi vaaOh flower, without fainting, oh peacock, fly and come running!
Poongaatrae nee paadu thaen pattu naan paadaOh gentle breeze, you sing, while I sing a sweet song of honey.
Male
Nila nila odivaa nilaamal odi vaaOh moon, come running, come running without stopping!
Manam polae vaazhavae malligai poo soodavaaShall I wear jasmine flowers to live life as my heart desires?
Nilaa nilaa odi vaa…Oh moon, come running...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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