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Nilave Nee Saatchi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nilave Nee Saatchi Male

From Nilave Nee Saatchi · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Nilave Nee Saatchi
Movie release year
1970
Lyrics added on
6 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nilavae… nee saatchi…
Mana nimmadhi naadum…
Uyirgalukkellaam…
Nilavae… nee saatchi…
Nilavae…
Nilavae…
Nee saatchi…
Saatchi…
Mana
Nilavae nee saatchi
Mana nimmadhi naadum
Uyirgalukkellaam
Nilavae nee saatchi
Paadhaigal irandu sandhippadhum
Adhil payanam selbavan sindhippadhum
Paadhaigal irandu sandhippadhum
Adhil payanam selbavan sindhippadhum
Kaadhalil kooda nadappadhundu
Angae kaalathin dhevan sirippadhundu
Kaalathin dhevan sirippadhundu
Nilavae nee saatchi
Mana nimmadhi naadum
Uyirgalukkellaam
Nilavae nee saatchi
Oru sila illathil suvai pechu
Sila ullangalil yaeno perum moochu
Oru sila illathil suvai pechu
Sila ullangalil yaeno perum moochu
Iruvarai inaithu thirai pottu
Idhu iraivan nadathum vilaiyaattu
Iraivan nadathum vilaiyaattu
Nilavae nee saatchi
Mana nimmadhi naadum
Uyirgalukkellaam
Nilavae nee saatchi
O moon... you are the witness...
Seeking peace of mind...
for all living beings...
O moon... you are the witness...
O moon...
O moon...
You are the witness...
Witness...
Mind...
O moon, you are the witness,
Seeking peace of mind
for all living beings,
O moon, you are the witness.
Two paths crossing each other,
and the traveler pausing to think—
Two paths crossing each other,
and the traveler pausing to think—
Even in love, this happens,
and there, the God of Time smiles.
The God of Time smiles.
O moon, you are the witness,
Seeking peace of mind
for all living beings,
O moon, you are the witness.
In some homes, there is sweet conversation,
yet in some hearts, there are only heavy sighs.
In some homes, there is sweet conversation,
yet in some hearts, there are only heavy sighs.
Bringing two people together, then drawing a curtain between them,
this is a game played by God.
A game played by God.
O moon, you are the witness,
Seeking peace of mind
for all living beings,
O moon, you are the witness.
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic philosophical Tamil song composed with lyrics by Kannadasan reflects on human destiny, love, and life's inherent contrasts, calling upon the moon as a silent witness to all living beings who seek mental peace. Kannadasan explores how humans meet at life's crossroads and contemplate their fates, while 'Time' looks on with a knowing smile at human expectations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Nilavae… nee saatchi…

Addressing the moon ('Nilavae') as a conscious being that acts as a witness ('saatchi') to human life.

Iyaipu (Rhyming ends)

Paadhaigal irandu sandhippadhum / Adhil payanam selbavan sindhippadhum

The lines end with rhythmic matching sounds 'sandhippadhum' and 'sindhippadhum'.

Muran (Antithesis)

Oru sila illathil suvai pechu / Sila ullangalil yaeno perum moochu

Contrasts happiness ('suvai pechu' - pleasant speech) in some houses with grief ('perum moochu' - deep sighs) in some hearts.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the 1970 movie 'Nilave Nee Saatchi', the song's title line serves as the central thematic motif and title of the film starring Jaishankar.

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