Nila Nila Poguthae
From Aravaan · 2012
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singers
- Vijay Prakash, Harini
- Music director
- Karthik
- Details
- Aravaan2012
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Moon, moon, moon, moon |
| Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Moon, moon, moon, moon |
| Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Moon, moon, moon, moon |
| Male | |
| Nilaa nilaa poguthae | The moon, the moon is moving along, |
| Nillaamal poguthae | It keeps moving without stopping. |
| Ulaa ulaa poguthae | It goes on a stroll, |
| Oorvalamaa poguthae | It goes like a procession. |
| Kaadu malai maedu ellaam | The forests, mountains, and hills, |
| Maranji maranji poguthae | Keep hiding away and disappearing. |
| Male | |
| Nilaa nilaa poguthae | The moon, the moon is moving along, |
| Nillaamal poguthae | It keeps moving without stopping. |
| Ulaa ulaa poguthae | It goes on a stroll, |
| Oorvalamaa poguthae | It goes like a procession. |
| Kaadu malai maedu ellaam | The forests, mountains, and hills, |
| Maranji maranji poguthae | Keep hiding away and disappearing. |
| Male | |
| Inba nilaa poguthae | The delightful moon is passing by, |
| Idam maranthu poguthae | Forgetting its place as it goes, |
| Manal virinthu poguthae | Spreading across the sand, |
| Mayakki mayakki poguthae | Mesmerizing and entrancing everything. |
| Vaan nilava naan thazhuva | As I embrace the moon in the sky, |
| Thaen nilavaa maaruthae | It turns into a moon of sweet honey. |
| Male | |
| Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Moon, moon, moon, moon |
| Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Moon, moon, moon, moon |
| Male | |
| Nilaa nilaa poguthae | The moon, the moon is moving along, |
| Nillaamal poguthae | It keeps moving without stopping. |
| Kaadu malai maedu ellaam | The forests, mountains, and hills, |
| Maranji maranji poguthae | Keep hiding away and disappearing. |
| Male | |
| Maalai velaiyil pookkum poovaiyae | Oh maiden blooming in the evening hour, |
| Manthil pokkishthai vaikkum pezhaiyae | Oh treasure chest holding riches in the heart, |
| Female | |
| Mouna pootinai thirakkum saaviyai | Oh key that unlocks the lock of silence, |
| Kanavai urutti vidum kalla sozhiyae | Oh trickster cowrie shell rolling out dreams, |
| Male | |
| Manjam vantha mathiyae…hae…. | Oh moon that has reached the bridal bed... |
| Manjam vantha mathiyae….. | Oh moon that has reached the bridal bed... |
| En uyirin vithiyae…. | Oh destiny of my soul... |
| Female | |
| Viragathai poottum vizhigalin sathiyae | Oh conspiracy of eyes that lock away longing, |
| Male :Siragugal silaiyae sittrinpa nadhiyae | Male: Oh winged statue, river of sensual pleasure, |
| Male | |
| Nilaa nilaa moga nilaa | Moon, moon, moon of desire, |
| Manjal nilaa pogoguthae | The golden turmeric moon moves along, |
| Moga nilaa poguthae | The moon of desire moves along, |
| Kaadu malai maedu ellaam | The forests, mountains, and hills, |
| Maranji maranji poguthae | Keep hiding away and disappearing. |
| Male | |
| Moondru jaamamum | Through the three watches of the night, |
| Mayangum velaiyil | In this hour of intoxication, |
| Marugi marugi nilaa enna pesutho | What is the agonizing moon whispering? |
| Female | |
| Kadhal kannilae | With love in the eyes, |
| Vetkam nenjilae | And bashfulness in the heart, |
| Irunthum paarvaiyilae jaadai pesutho | Does it still speak in subtle glances? |
| Male | |
| Mangai udal nilavaa….aa…. | Is the maiden's body the moon... |
| Mangai udal nilavaai mounamathil thaeiya | As the maiden's body, like the moon, wanes in silence, |
| Female :Pongi varum oliyaai | Female: As light surging forth, |
| Nungu mazhai paaya | As tender palm-fruit rain pours, |
| Muzhu mathiyo kaaya | As the full moon shines down, |
| Moochu kuzhal theeya… | And the breath burns like a warm flute... |
| Male | |
| Inba nilaa poguthae | The delightful moon is passing by, |
| Idam maranthu poguthae | Forgetting its place as it goes, |
| Manal virinthu poguthae | Spreading across the sand, |
| Mayakki mayakki poguthae | Mesmerizing and entrancing everything. |
| Vaan nilava naan thazhuva | As I embrace the moon in the sky, |
| Thaen nilavaa maaruthae | It turns into a moon of sweet honey. |
| Male | |
| Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Moon, moon, moon, moon |
| Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Moon, moon, moon, moon |
| Female :Mheemm hmmmmmmm | Female: Mheemm hmmmmmmm |
| Male :Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Male: Moon, moon, moon, moon |
| Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa | Moon, moon, moon, moon |
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Moon, moon, moon, moon
நிலா நிலா போகுதே
நில்லாமல் போகுதே
உலா உலா போகுதே
ஊர்வலமா போகுதே
காடு மலை மேடு எல்லாம்
மறஞ்சி மறஞ்சி போகுதே
The moon, the moon is moving along,
It keeps moving without stopping.
It goes on a stroll,
It goes like a procession.
The forests, mountains, and hills,
Keep hiding away and disappearing.
நிலா நிலா போகுதே
நில்லாமல் போகுதே
உலா உலா போகுதே
ஊர்வலமா போகுதே
காடு மலை மேடு எல்லாம்
மறஞ்சி மறஞ்சி போகுதே
The moon, the moon is moving along,
It keeps moving without stopping.
It goes on a stroll,
It goes like a procession.
The forests, mountains, and hills,
Keep hiding away and disappearing.
இன்ப நிலா போகுதே
இடம் மறந்து போகுதே
மணல் விரிந்து போகுதே
மயக்கி மயக்கி போகுதே
வான் நிலவ நான் தழுவ
தேன் நிலவா மாறுதே
The delightful moon is passing by,
Forgetting its place as it goes,
Spreading across the sand,
Mesmerizing and entrancing everything.
As I embrace the moon in the sky,
It turns into a moon of sweet honey.
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Moon, moon, moon, moon
நிலா நிலா போகுதே
நில்லாமல் போகுதே
காடு மலை மேடு எல்லாம்
மறஞ்சி மறஞ்சி போகுதே
The moon, the moon is moving along,
It keeps moving without stopping.
The forests, mountains, and hills,
Keep hiding away and disappearing.
மாலை வேலையில் பூக்கும் பூவையே
மனதில் பொக்கிஷத்தை வைக்கும் பேழையே
Oh maiden blooming in the evening hour,
Oh treasure chest holding riches in the heart,
மௌன பூட்டினை திறக்கும் சாவியை
கனவை உருட்டி விடும் கள்ள சோழியே
Oh key that unlocks the lock of silence,
Oh trickster cowrie shell rolling out dreams,
மஞ்சம் வந்த மதியே.. ஹே....
மஞ்சம் வந்த மதியே.....
என் உயிரின் விதியே
Oh moon that has reached the bridal bed...
Oh moon that has reached the bridal bed...
Oh destiny of my soul...
விரகத்தை பூட்டும் விழிகளின் சதியே
சிறகுள்ள சிலையே சிற்றின்ப நதியே..
Oh conspiracy of eyes that lock away longing,
Male: Oh winged statue, river of sensual pleasure,
நிலா நிலா மோக நிலா..
மஞ்சள் நிலா போகுதே..
மோக நிலா போகுதே......
காடு மலை மேடு எல்லாம்
மறஞ்சி மறஞ்சி போகுதே
Moon, moon, moon of desire,
The golden turmeric moon moves along,
The moon of desire moves along,
The forests, mountains, and hills,
Keep hiding away and disappearing.
மூன்று ஜாமமும்
மயங்கும் வேளையில்…
மருகி மருகி நிலா என்ன பேசுதோ..
Through the three watches of the night,
In this hour of intoxication,
What is the agonizing moon whispering?
காதல் கண்ணிலே..
வெட்கம் நெஞ்சிலே..
இருந்தும் பார்வையிலே ஜாடை பேசுதோ..
With love in the eyes,
And bashfulness in the heart,
Does it still speak in subtle glances?
மங்கை உடல் நிலவா.....ஆ
மங்கை உடல் நிலவாய் மௌனத்தில் தேய
பொங்கி வரும் ஒலியாய்
நுங்கு மழை பாய..
முழு மதியோ காய
மூச்சு குழல் தீய..
Is the maiden's body the moon...
As the maiden's body, like the moon, wanes in silence,
Female: As light surging forth,
As tender palm-fruit rain pours,
As the full moon shines down,
And the breath burns like a warm flute...
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
நிலா நிலா போகுதே
நில்லாமல் போகுதே
உலா உலா போகுதே….
ஊர்வலமா போகுதே
The delightful moon is passing by,
Forgetting its place as it goes,
Spreading across the sand,
Mesmerizing and entrancing everything.
As I embrace the moon in the sky,
It turns into a moon of sweet honey.
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
காடு மலை மேடு எல்லாம்
மறஞ்சி மறஞ்சி போகுதே
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Female: Mheemm hmmmmmmm
Male: Moon, moon, moon, moon
Moon, moon, moon, moon
இன்ப நிலா போகுதே
இடம் மறந்து போகுதே
மணல் விரிந்து போகுதே.
மயக்கி மயக்கி போகுதே
வான் நிலவ நான் தழுவ....
தேன் நிலவா மாறுதே
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
ம்ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
நிலா நிலா நிலா நிலா..
Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Nilaa nilaa poguthae
The moon, the moon is moving along,
Nillaamal poguthae
It keeps moving without stopping.
Ulaa ulaa poguthae
It goes on a stroll,
Oorvalamaa poguthae
It goes like a procession.
Kaadu malai maedu ellaam
The forests, mountains, and hills,
Maranji maranji poguthae
Keep hiding away and disappearing.
Nilaa nilaa poguthae
The moon, the moon is moving along,
Nillaamal poguthae
It keeps moving without stopping.
Ulaa ulaa poguthae
It goes on a stroll,
Oorvalamaa poguthae
It goes like a procession.
Kaadu malai maedu ellaam
The forests, mountains, and hills,
Maranji maranji poguthae
Keep hiding away and disappearing.
Inba nilaa poguthae
The delightful moon is passing by,
Idam maranthu poguthae
Forgetting its place as it goes,
Manal virinthu poguthae
Spreading across the sand,
Mayakki mayakki poguthae
Mesmerizing and entrancing everything.
Vaan nilava naan thazhuva
As I embrace the moon in the sky,
Thaen nilavaa maaruthae
It turns into a moon of sweet honey.
Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Nilaa nilaa poguthae
The moon, the moon is moving along,
Nillaamal poguthae
It keeps moving without stopping.
Kaadu malai maedu ellaam
The forests, mountains, and hills,
Maranji maranji poguthae
Keep hiding away and disappearing.
Maalai velaiyil pookkum poovaiyae
Oh maiden blooming in the evening hour,
Manthil pokkishthai vaikkum pezhaiyae
Oh treasure chest holding riches in the heart,
Mouna pootinai thirakkum saaviyai
Oh key that unlocks the lock of silence,
Kanavai urutti vidum kalla sozhiyae
Oh trickster cowrie shell rolling out dreams,
Manjam vantha mathiyae…hae….
Oh moon that has reached the bridal bed...
Manjam vantha mathiyae…..
Oh moon that has reached the bridal bed...
En uyirin vithiyae….
Oh destiny of my soul...
Viragathai poottum vizhigalin sathiyae
Oh conspiracy of eyes that lock away longing,
Male :Siragugal silaiyae sittrinpa nadhiyae
Male: Oh winged statue, river of sensual pleasure,
Nilaa nilaa moga nilaa
Moon, moon, moon of desire,
Manjal nilaa pogoguthae
The golden turmeric moon moves along,
Moga nilaa poguthae
The moon of desire moves along,
Kaadu malai maedu ellaam
The forests, mountains, and hills,
Maranji maranji poguthae
Keep hiding away and disappearing.
Moondru jaamamum
Through the three watches of the night,
Mayangum velaiyil
In this hour of intoxication,
Marugi marugi nilaa enna pesutho
What is the agonizing moon whispering?
Kadhal kannilae
With love in the eyes,
Vetkam nenjilae
And bashfulness in the heart,
Irunthum paarvaiyilae jaadai pesutho
Does it still speak in subtle glances?
Mangai udal nilavaa….aa….
Is the maiden's body the moon...
Mangai udal nilavaai mounamathil thaeiya
As the maiden's body, like the moon, wanes in silence,
Female :Pongi varum oliyaai
Female: As light surging forth,
Nungu mazhai paaya
As tender palm-fruit rain pours,
Muzhu mathiyo kaaya
As the full moon shines down,
Moochu kuzhal theeya…
And the breath burns like a warm flute...
Inba nilaa poguthae
The delightful moon is passing by,
Idam maranthu poguthae
Forgetting its place as it goes,
Manal virinthu poguthae
Spreading across the sand,
Mayakki mayakki poguthae
Mesmerizing and entrancing everything.
Vaan nilava naan thazhuva
As I embrace the moon in the sky,
Thaen nilavaa maaruthae
It turns into a moon of sweet honey.
Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Female :Mheemm hmmmmmmm
Female: Mheemm hmmmmmmm
Male :Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Male: Moon, moon, moon, moon
Nilaa nilaa nilaa nilaa
Moon, moon, moon, moon
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nilaa Nilaa Poguthae from Aravaan (2012) is a sensuous and evocative duet composed by singer-turned-composer Karthik, featuring lyrics by Na. Muthu Kumar. Set against nocturnal landscapes, the song uses the moon as a central motif to reflect romance, desire, and emotional journeying. As the moon travels over forests, hills, and sands, it parallels the lovers' emotional voyage through love and passion. Rich classical Tamil imagery—such as cowrie shells, turmeric moons, and tender palm rain—creates a lush and romantic atmosphere where nature and human desire blend seamlessly.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Nilaa nilaa poguthae / Nillaamal poguthae”
Repetition of the initial letter sound 'Ni' ('Nilaa' / 'Nillaamal') across consecutive lines creating a melodic rhythm.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Inba nilaa poguthae / Idam maranthu poguthae”
Matching of the second consonant sound across lines to build verse harmony.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vaan nilava naan thazhuva / Thaen nilavaa maaruthae”
Comparing the embrace of the sky's moon directly to a honey moon ('Thaen nilavu') symbolizing intense sweetness and romantic joy.
Did you know?
Trivia
Playback singer Karthik made his full debut as a film music composer with Vasanthabalan's period drama Aravaan (2012). This song features vocals by Vijay Prakash and Harini with lyrics written by Na. Muthu Kumar.
Keep listening
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