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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilave Mugam

From Ejamaan · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ejamaan1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nilavae mugam kaatu yennai paarthu oli veesuO Moon, show your face, look at me and shine your light.
Alai pol suthi meetu inidhaana mozhi pesuSwirl like waves, play sweet music, and speak sweet words.
Ilam poonkodiyae … ae idhu thaai madiyaeO young tender creeper, this is like a mother's lap.
Female
Nilavae mugam kaatu yennai paarthu oli veesuO Moon, show your face, look at me and shine your light.
Alai pol suthi meetu inidhaana mozhi pesuSwirl like waves, play sweet music, and speak sweet words.
Anaithen unaiyae … ae idhu thaai madiyae … aeI embraced you, this is like a mother's lap.
Male
Nilavae mugam kaatuO Moon, show your face.
Female
Pani polae neerin odaiyae kalangiyathenna mamaWhy is the stream of water troubled like dew, my uncle?
Inidhaana thendral unnaiyaeCan the sweet gentle breeze itself...
Oorum kurai sollalaama...be blamed or criticized by the town?
Male
Kaalam maarum kalakam yenammaTimes will change, why worry, my dear?
Iravillamal pagalum yethammaIs there a day without a night, my dear?
Naan un pillai thaanammaI am indeed your child, my dear.
Female
Naanum kanda kanavu nooraiyaaI too have dreamt a hundred dreams, sir.
Yenathu thaayum neengal thaanaiyaaAren't you like my own mother too, sir?
Ini un thunai naanaiyaaAm I not your companion from now on, sir?
Male
Yenai sernthadhu kodi mullaiyaeThe jasmine vine has joined me.
Idhu polae thunaiyum illaiyaeThere is no companion equal to this.
Ini nee yen tholil pillaiyaeFrom now on, you are a child resting on my shoulder.
Male
Nilavae mugam kaatu yennai paarthu oli veesuO Moon, show your face, look at me and shine your light.
Female
Anaithen unnaiyae idhu thaai madiyaeI embraced you, this is like a mother's lap.
Male
Sumai pottu pesum oorendraalIf the town talks and burdens you with gossip,
Manam thavithidum maanaeMy heart suffers in anguish, my deer-like one.
Imai neerum kannin neerendraalIf the moisture on your eyelashes is tears,
Dhinam kudipavan naanaeI am the one who will swallow those tears every day.
Female
Maalaiyodu nadakum theraiyaaAre you the grand temple chariot decorated with garlands?
Nadakum podhu vanangum ooraiyaaDoes the whole village bow down when you walk?
Unnai meera yaaraiyaaWho is there to defy or surpass you, sir?
Male
Maman tholil saaindha mullaiyaeO jasmine flower leaning on your uncle's shoulder,
Mayangi mayangi pesum killaiyaeO parrot speaking in sweet, mesmerized tones,
Nee en vaazhvin ellaiyaeYou are the ultimate destination of my life.
Female
Idhai meeriya thavam illaiyaeThere is no penance greater than this.
Ini yendha kuraiyum illaiyaeFrom now on, there is no sorrow or defect.
Dhinam theerum theerum thollaiyaeDay by day, all troubles will vanish completely.
Nilavae mugam kaatu yennai paarthu oli veesuO Moon, show your face, look at me and shine your light.
Alai pol suthi meetu inidhaana mozhi pesuSwirl like waves, play sweet music, and speak sweet words.
Male
Ilam poonkodiyae idhu thaai madiyaeO young tender creeper, this is like a mother's lap.
Nilavae mugam kaatu yennai paarthu oli veesuO Moon, show your face, look at me and shine your light.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nilavae Mugam Kaatu from the 1993 film Ejamaan is a deeply touching duet that conveys emotional solace, affection, and comforting devotion between the lead characters. The song features the male protagonist comforting his distressed bride, assuring her that his shoulder is as safe and comforting as a mother's lap, while reassuring her against village gossip and past griefs.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Nilavae mugam kaatu yennai paarthu oli veesu

Compares the beloved's radiant face directly to the moon ('Nilavu').

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Alai pol suthi meetu inidhaana mozhi pesu

Uses 'pol' (like) to compare the rhythmic flow of sweet conversation to the movement of ocean waves.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Pani polae neerin odaiyae kalangiyathenna mama

Compares the emotional disturbance of the mind to a dew-laden water stream getting clouded.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Naanum kanda kanavu nooraiyaa / Yenathu thaayum neengal thaanaiyaa / Ini un thunai naanaiyaa

End-rhyming pattern featuring identical line endings ('nooraiyaa', 'thaanaiyaa', 'naanaiyaa').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Yenai sernthadhu kodi mullaiyae / Idhu polae thunaiyum illaiyae / Ini nee yen tholil pillaiyae

End-rhyming pattern with lines ending in 'mullaiyae', 'illaiyae', and 'pillaiyae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the song context prompt, the soundtrack for Ejamaan (1993) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with vocals rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The lyrics were penned by legendary poet Vaali, and the film starred Superstar Rajinikanth and Meena.

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