Nilave Nilave
From Periyanna · 1999
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- Hariharan, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Bharani
- Details
- Periyanna1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hoo hooo hoo ooo Lala lalaa laa laa | Hoo hooo hoo ooo Lala lalaa laa laa |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………… | |
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu | O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song. |
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu | O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song. |
| Male | |
| Unnai ovvoru Iravilum thedugiren Nee theigindra naalil vaadugiren Un mounathil aayiram paattu Naan mayangugiren adhai kettu Nee maalaiyil varuvathum Kaalaiyil maraivathum Ennadi vilaiyaattu | I search for you every night, and I wither on the days you wane. There are a thousand songs in your silence, and I swoon hearing them. What playful game is this, appearing in the evening and disappearing in the morning? |
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu | O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song. |
| Chorus | |
| Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm | Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal pesum Vayathukku vantha nila Unai nenjai theenda Anumadhi thantha nila Than manathai sollivida Thayanguthu thanga nila | This moon has come of age to speak of love; it gave permission to touch the heart, yet the golden moon hesitates to reveal its heart. |
| Male | |
| Ada aadham yevaal Paarthathu pazhaiya nila En aasai nenjai Eerthathu pudhiya nila | Ah, the ancient moon was witnessed by Adam and Eve; but this new moon has captivated my yearning heart. |
| Female | |
| Than kanavugalai Mella munagum nilaMale :En aayulaiyae Alli parugum nilaFemale :Pagaludan iravum Pathinettu varudam Valarnthathu indha nila Ithu unakkae sondha nila | The moon softly mumbles its dreams. [Male] It scoops up and drinks my lifespan. [Female] Growing through day and night for eighteen years, this moon belongs solely to you. |
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu | O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song. |
| Chorus | |
| Laaa lalalaaaaa Lala laaa lala laaaa…… Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm | Laaa lalalaaaaa Lala laaa lala laaaa…… Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm |
| Male | |
| Kannil kannil Kanavugal poosugiraai En kaadhal nenjil Ninaivugal veesugiraai Thoda thoda naan varugaiyilae Tholaivinil odugiraai | You paint dreams upon my eyes, and blow tender memories into my loving heart; yet as I reach out to touch you, you run away into the distance. |
| Female | |
| Ada naanum unnai Paarppathu theriyaatha Naan pesum vaarthai Unakkathu puriyaatha | Ah, don't you know that I am gazing at you? Don't you understand the words I speak? |
| Male | |
| Adi naan irunthen Un gnyabagamaaiFemale :Adhu sollugiren Naan soosagamaaiMale :Arugil naanum Tholaivil neeyum Irunthaal kaadhal edhu Manam ketkum kelvi idhu | Oh, I lived on as your memory. [Female] I am expressing that subtly. [Male] If I am near and you are far, how can that be love? This is the question my heart asks. |
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu | O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song. |
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu | O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song. |
| Male | |
| Unnai ovvoru Iravilum thedugiren Nee theigindra naalil vaadugiren Un mounathil aayiram paattu Naan mayangugiren adhai kettu Nee maalaiyil varuvathum Kaalaiyil maraivathum Ennadi vilaiyaattu | I search for you every night, and I wither on the days you wane. There are a thousand songs in your silence, and I swoon hearing them. What playful game is this, appearing in the evening and disappearing in the morning? |
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu | O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song. |
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஓஒ
லல லலா லா லா
Hoo hooo hoo ooo Lala lalaa laa laa
................................
நிலவே நிலவே
சரிகம பதநி பாடு
என் கனவைத் திருடி
பல்லவி வரியாய்ப் போடு
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
நிலவே நிலவே
சரிகம பதநி பாடு
என் கனவைத் திருடி
பல்லவி வரியாய்ப் போடு
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
உன்னை ஒவ்வொரு
இரவிலும் தேடுகிறேன்
நீ தேய்கின்ற நாளில் வாடுகிறேன்.....
உன் மௌனத்தில் ஆயிரம் பாட்டு
நான் மயங்குகிறேன் அதைக் கேட்டு
நீ மாலையில் வருவதும்
காலையில் மறைவதும்
என்னடி விளையாட்டு
I search for you every night, and I wither on the days you wane. There are a thousand songs in your silence, and I swoon hearing them. What playful game is this, appearing in the evening and disappearing in the morning?
நிலவே நிலவே
சரிகம பதநி பாடு
என் கனவைத் திருடி
பல்லவி வரியாய்ப் போடு
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm
காதல் பேசும்
வயதுக்கு வந்த நிலா
உன்னை நெஞ்சைத் தீண்ட
அனுமதி தந்த நிலா
தன் மனதைச் சொல்லிவிட
தயங்குது தங்க நிலா
This moon has come of age to speak of love; it gave permission to touch the heart, yet the golden moon hesitates to reveal its heart.
அட ஆதாம் ஏவாள்
பார்த்தது பழைய நிலா
என் ஆசை நெஞ்சை
ஈர்த்தது புதிய நிலா
Ah, the ancient moon was witnessed by Adam and Eve; but this new moon has captivated my yearning heart.
தன் கனவுகளை
மெல்ல முனகும் நிலா
என் ஆயுளையே
அள்ளிப் பருகும் நிலா
பகலுடன் இரவும்
பதினெட்டு வருடம்
வளர்ந்தது இந்த நிலா
இது உனக்கே சொந்த நிலா
The moon softly mumbles its dreams. [Male] It scoops up and drinks my lifespan. [Female] Growing through day and night for eighteen years, this moon belongs solely to you.
நிலவே நிலவே
சரிகம பதநி பாடு
என் கனவைத் திருடி
பல்லவி வரியாய்ப் போடு
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
லா லலலலா
லல லல லல லா......
லா லலலலா
லல லல லல லா......
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
Laaa lalalaaaaa Lala laaa lala laaaa…… Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm
கண்ணில் கண்ணில்
கனவுகள் பூசுகிறாய்
என் காதல் நெஞ்சில்
நினைவுகள் வீசுகிறாய்
தொட தொட நான் வருகையிலே
தொலைவினில் ஓடுகிறாய்
You paint dreams upon my eyes, and blow tender memories into my loving heart; yet as I reach out to touch you, you run away into the distance.
அட நானும் உன்னை
பார்ப்பது தெரியாதா
நான் பேசும் வார்த்தை
உனக்கது புரியாதா
Ah, don't you know that I am gazing at you? Don't you understand the words I speak?
அடி நான் இருந்தேன்
உன் ஞாபகமாய்
அதை சொல்லுகிறேன்
நான் சூசகமாய்
அருகில் நானும்
தொலைவில் நீயும்
இருந்தால் காதல் எது
மனம் கேட்கும் கேள்வி இது
Oh, I lived on as your memory. [Female] I am expressing that subtly. [Male] If I am near and you are far, how can that be love? This is the question my heart asks.
நிலவே நிலவே
சரிகம பதநி பாடு
என் கனவைத் திருடி
பல்லவி வரியாய்ப் போடு
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
நிலவே நிலவே
சரிகம பதநி பாடு
என் கனவைத் திருடி
பல்லவி வரியாய்ப் போடு
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
உன்னை ஒவ்வொரு
இரவிலும் தேடுகிறேன்
நீ தேய்கின்ற நாளில் வாடுகிறேன்
உன் மௌனத்தில் ஆயிரம் பாட்டு
நான் மயங்குகிறேன் அதைக் கேட்டு
நீ மாலையில் வருவதும்
காலையில் மறைவதும்
என்னடி விளையாட்டு
I search for you every night, and I wither on the days you wane. There are a thousand songs in your silence, and I swoon hearing them. What playful game is this, appearing in the evening and disappearing in the morning?
நிலவே நிலவே
சரிகம பதநி பாடு
என் கனவைத் திருடி
பல்லவி வரியாய்ப் போடு
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
Hoo hooo hoo ooo Lala lalaa laa laa
Hoo hooo hoo ooo Lala lalaa laa laa
…………………………
Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
Unnai ovvoru Iravilum thedugiren Nee theigindra naalil vaadugiren Un mounathil aayiram paattu Naan mayangugiren adhai kettu Nee maalaiyil varuvathum Kaalaiyil maraivathum Ennadi vilaiyaattu
I search for you every night, and I wither on the days you wane. There are a thousand songs in your silence, and I swoon hearing them. What playful game is this, appearing in the evening and disappearing in the morning?
Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm
Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm
Kaadhal pesum Vayathukku vantha nila Unai nenjai theenda Anumadhi thantha nila Than manathai sollivida Thayanguthu thanga nila
This moon has come of age to speak of love; it gave permission to touch the heart, yet the golden moon hesitates to reveal its heart.
Ada aadham yevaal Paarthathu pazhaiya nila En aasai nenjai Eerthathu pudhiya nila
Ah, the ancient moon was witnessed by Adam and Eve; but this new moon has captivated my yearning heart.
Than kanavugalai Mella munagum nilaMale :En aayulaiyae Alli parugum nilaFemale :Pagaludan iravum Pathinettu varudam Valarnthathu indha nila Ithu unakkae sondha nila
The moon softly mumbles its dreams. [Male] It scoops up and drinks my lifespan. [Female] Growing through day and night for eighteen years, this moon belongs solely to you.
Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
Laaa lalalaaaaa Lala laaa lala laaaa…… Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm
Laaa lalalaaaaa Lala laaa lala laaaa…… Hmm mm mm mmm Hmm mm mm mm mm
Kannil kannil Kanavugal poosugiraai En kaadhal nenjil Ninaivugal veesugiraai Thoda thoda naan varugaiyilae Tholaivinil odugiraai
You paint dreams upon my eyes, and blow tender memories into my loving heart; yet as I reach out to touch you, you run away into the distance.
Ada naanum unnai Paarppathu theriyaatha Naan pesum vaarthai Unakkathu puriyaatha
Ah, don't you know that I am gazing at you? Don't you understand the words I speak?
Adi naan irunthen Un gnyabagamaaiFemale :Adhu sollugiren Naan soosagamaaiMale :Arugil naanum Tholaivil neeyum Irunthaal kaadhal edhu Manam ketkum kelvi idhu
Oh, I lived on as your memory. [Female] I am expressing that subtly. [Male] If I am near and you are far, how can that be love? This is the question my heart asks.
Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
Unnai ovvoru Iravilum thedugiren Nee theigindra naalil vaadugiren Un mounathil aayiram paattu Naan mayangugiren adhai kettu Nee maalaiyil varuvathum Kaalaiyil maraivathum Ennadi vilaiyaattu
I search for you every night, and I wither on the days you wane. There are a thousand songs in your silence, and I swoon hearing them. What playful game is this, appearing in the evening and disappearing in the morning?
Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu En kanavai thirudi Pallavi variyaai podu
O moon, O moon, sing the musical notes; steal my dream and turn it into the opening verse of a song.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nilavae Nilavae is a romantic track from the 1999 Tamil film Periyanna, where the moon serves as a central motif symbolizing the beloved, her beauty, her mystery, and the evolving feelings of love. The song captures the sweet interplay between lovers—one expressing deep admiration and yearning, while the other playfully hesitates and responds in subtle hints. Through musical metaphors like 'Sarigama pathani' and poetic imagery of waxing and waning moons, the lyrics convey the longing, beauty, and emotional closeness felt despite physical or hesitational distance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Nilavae nilavae Sarigama pathani paadu”
The moon ('Nilavae') is personified as a musician capable of singing musical notes (Swaras) and weaving dreams into song lines.
Metaphor
“Pagaludan iravum Pathinettu varudam Valarnthathu indha nila”
The heroine herself is metaphorically referred to as a moon that has grown over eighteen years.
Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)
“Kannil kannil Kanavugal poosugiraai”
Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words creates a melodic rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Periyanna (1999) featured music composed by Bharathwaj, with lyrics written by the renowned poet Pulamaipithan. The film starred Vijayakanth alongside Suriya in one of his early prominent roles.
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