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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilaiyaga En Nenjil

From Aada Vantha Deivam · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Aada Vantha Deivam1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nilaiyaaga en nenjil oli veesum deepamYou are the lamp that permanently shines in my heart,
Neeyae ennaalum en kadhal geedhamYou alone are forever my song of love.
Female
Nilaiyaaga en nenjil oli veesum deepamYou are the lamp that permanently shines in my heart,
Neeyae ennaalum en kadhal geedhamYou alone are forever my song of love.
Nilaiyaaga en nenjil oli veesum deepamYou are the lamp that permanently shines in my heart,
Neeyae ennaalum en kadhal geedhamYou alone are forever my song of love.
Female
Nilaimaariyae naan pirinthaegalaamEven if my circumstances change and I depart,
En nesa kaadhal aasaiyellaam kanavaagalaamAnd all my passionate dreams of love turn into a dream,
Female
Nilaimaariyae naan pirinthaegalaamEven if my circumstances change and I depart,
En nesa kaadhal aasaiyellaam kanavaagalaamAnd all my passionate dreams of love turn into a dream,
Eththanai jenmam naaneduththaalumNo matter how many rebirths I take,
Eththanai jenmam naaneduththaalumNo matter how many rebirths I take,
Iniththidum unthan ennam neengumaaWill the sweet thoughts of you ever leave me?
Female
Nilaiyaaga en nenjil oli veesum deepamYou are the lamp that permanently shines in my heart,
Neeyae ennaalum en kadhal geedhamYou alone are forever my song of love.
Female
Anbe…..anbe….My love... my love...
Ondru saernthaalae allaathu vaazhvilaeIs it true that in life, joy comes only when lovers unite?
Kadhalar saernthaalae allaathu vaazhvilaeOnly if lovers unite in life,
Inbam neraathu enbathum illaiyaeIt is not true that happiness cannot happen otherwise.
Kadhalar saernthaalae allaathu vaazhvilaeOnly if lovers unite in life,
Inbam neraathu enbathum illaiyaeIt is not true that happiness cannot happen otherwise.
Female
Ullam kollai kondaSeeking the prosperous life of the beloved
Anbar nalvaazhvai naadumWho stole my heart,
Unmaiyaana thiyaagaththaalum perinbam nerumSupreme bliss can also be attained through true sacrifice.
Female
Ullam kollai kondaSeeking the prosperous life of the beloved
Anbar nalvaazhvai naadumWho stole my heart,
Unmaiyaana thiyaagaththaalum perinbam nerumSupreme bliss can also be attained through true sacrifice.
Female
Theeyintha uyir koottai erinthaalumEven if fire burns down this bodily cage of life,
Adhu neeyirukkum en nenjai nerungaathuIt cannot reach my heart where you reside.
Theeyintha uyir koottai erinthaalumEven if fire burns down this bodily cage of life,
Adhu neeyirukkum en nenjai nerungaathuIt cannot reach my heart where you reside.
Female
Nee endrum vaazha vendumaeYou must live on happily forever,
Un ennam ondrae pothumaeThe thought of you alone is enough for me,
Adhuthaan inbamae en inbamae inbamae…..That alone is bliss, my happiness, my true bliss...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Nilaiyaaga en nenjil oli veesum deepam' is a profound classical Tamil song celebrating selflessness, devotion, and the eternal nature of love. The protagonist addresses her beloved as a permanent lamp illuminating her heart and the song of her soul. She acknowledges that even if fate separates them and turns her earthly desires into mere dreams, her sweet memories of him will transcend lifetimes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Nilaiyaaga en nenjil oli veesum deepam

The lover is metaphorically described as an eternal lamp ('deepam') radiating light inside her heart.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Theeyintha uyir koottai erinthaalum

The human body is metaphorically referred to as a cage holding life ('uyir koodu').

Ethugai (Second letter rhyming)

Nilaiyaaga en nenjil... / Nilaimaariyae naan...

The second letter 'lai' (லை) rhymes in both lines, creating a classic Tamil poetic rhythm.

Monai (Initial letter rhyming)

Nilaiyaaga en nenjil oli veesum deepam / Neeyae ennaalum en kadhal geedham

Alliteration on the initial 'N' sound ('Nilaiyaaga' and 'Neeyae') across the opening couplet.

Rhetorical Question

Iniththidum unthan ennam neengumaa

A dramatic poetic question asking if sweet thoughts of her lover could ever leave her, emphasizing her unwavering devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nilaiyaaga en nenjil oli veesum deepam' is from the 1960 Tamil film 'Aada Vantha Deivam', starring T. R. Mahalingam and Anjali Devi. The song was composed by Thirai Isai Thilagam K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. P. Susheela's poignant vocal rendition highlights the philosophical aspect of love elevated by self-sacrifice, making it one of the classic melodies of 1960s Tamil cinema.

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