Nilave Nilave
From Nilaave Vaa · 1998
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Vijay, Anuradha Sriram
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Details
- Nilaave Vaa1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae nilavae nilavae | Oh moon, oh moon, oh moon, oh moon |
| Nillu nillu thiruvaai mozhigal | Stop, stop and speak your holy words |
| Sollu…sollu | Speak... speak |
| Male | |
| Malarae malarae malarae malarae | Oh flower, oh flower, oh flower, oh flower |
| Sollu sollu manadhai thamizhil | Speak, speak your mind in Tamil |
| Sollu….sollu | Speak... speak |
| Male | |
| Kangal solgindra baashai ellaam | The language that the eyes speak |
| Kandu theligindra gnyanam illai | I do not have the wisdom to understand completely |
| Thangach chevvaayin thaazh thirandhu | Unlatch the lock of your golden red lips |
| Sollu sollu sollu….sollu | Speak, speak, speak... speak |
| Female | |
| Kodi konda arumbu malarvadharkku | For a bud on a vine to bloom |
| Kodiyodu manukkal koduppadhillai | It does not submit petitions to the vine |
| Pazhangal pazhuthadhum paravaikkellaam | When fruits ripen, to all the birds |
| Marangal thandhi ondrum adippadhillai | Trees do not send telegrams |
| Female | |
| Mounathai pol pennin manam uraikka | To express a woman's heart like silence does |
| Manidharin baashaikku valimai illai | Human language lacks the power |
| Mozhiyae po po po… | Oh language, go away, go away, go away... |
| Azhage vaa vaa vaa | Oh beauty, come, come, come |
| Mozhiyae po po po… | Oh language, go away, go away, go away... |
| Azhage vaa vaa vaa | Oh beauty, come, come, come |
| Male | |
| Radhiyae radhiyae radhiyae radhiyae | Oh Rathi, oh Rathi, oh Rathi, oh Rathi |
| Kaadhal ennum kanivaai mozhiyil | If you tell me in sweet words of love |
| Sonnaal…sonnaal | If you speak... if you speak |
| Male | |
| Valarum piraiyae piraiyae piraiyae | Oh growing crescent moon, crescent, crescent |
| Vaanam etti thodavum mudiyum | I can even reach out and touch the sky |
| Ennaal….ennaal | By my power... by my power |
| Male | |
| Vaayil varaindha oru vaarthai sonnaal | If you utter a single word drawn in your mouth |
| Kaatrai kadan vaangi parandhu poven | I will borrow the wind and fly away |
| Kaala veliyodu karaindhu poven | I will dissolve into the space of time |
| Sollu sollu sollu…sollu | Speak, speak, speak... speak |
| Female | |
| Vandugal oliseidhu kettadhundu | We have heard beetles buzzing |
| Malargal sathamittu paarthadhundaa | Have you ever seen flowers making noise? |
| Nadhigal sorpozhivu seivadhundu | Rivers do deliver speeches |
| Karaigalin mounam endrum kalaippadhundaa | Has the silence of the riverbanks ever been broken? |
| Female | |
| Solgira mozhigal theerndhu vidum | Spoken words will come to an end |
| Sollaadha kaadhal theervadhundaa | Will unspoken love ever end? |
| Mozhiyae po po po… | Oh language, go away, go away, go away... |
| Azhage vaa vaa vaa | Oh beauty, come, come, come |
| Mozhiyae po po po… | Oh language, go away, go away, go away... |
| Azhage vaa vaa vaa | Oh beauty, come, come, come |
| Male | |
| Nenjae nenjae nenjae nenjae | Oh heart, oh heart, oh heart, oh heart |
| Kenja kenja innum mounam | Even as I beg and beg, why still this silence? |
| Enna….enna | Why... why? |
| Male | |
| Kanavae kanavae kanavae kanavae | Oh dream, oh dream, oh dream, oh dream |
| Kanneer vatri kannil jeevan | With tears dried up, life shines in the eyes |
| Minna….minna | Shines... shines |
| Male | |
| Vaarthai un vaarthai nindru ponaal | If your words come to a standstill |
| Vaazhkkai en vaazhkkai nindru pogum | My life will come to a standstill |
| Udalai en jeevan udhari pogum | My soul will shed my body and leave |
| Sollu sollu sollu…sollu | Speak, speak, speak... speak |
| Female | |
| Ullangal pesum mozhi arindhaal | If you understand the language spoken by hearts |
| Un jeevan tholaikka thevai illai | There is no need to lose your life |
| Iru kangal pesum baashaigalai | The language spoken by two eyes |
| Irunooru mozhigal solvadhillai | Two hundred languages cannot express |
| Female | |
| Thaan konda kaadhal mozhivadharku | To express the love they possess |
| Thamizh naattup pengal thunivadhillai | Women of Tamil Nadu do not dare |
| Mozhiyae po po po… | Oh language, go away, go away, go away... |
| Azhage vaa vaa vaa | Oh beauty, come, come, come |
| Mozhiyae po po po… | Oh language, go away, go away, go away... |
| Azhage vaa vaa vaa | Oh beauty, come, come, come |
நிலவே நிலவே நிலவே நிலவே
நில்லு நில்லு திருவாய் மொழிகள்
சொல்லு...சொல்லு
Oh moon, oh moon, oh moon, oh moon
Stop, stop and speak your holy words
Speak... speak
மலரே மலரே மலரே மலரே
சொல்லு சொல்லு மனதை தமிழில்
சொல்லு...சொல்லு
Oh flower, oh flower, oh flower, oh flower
Speak, speak your mind in Tamil
Speak... speak
கண்கள் சொல்கின்ற பாஷை எல்லாம்
கண்டு தெளிகின்ற ஞானம் இல்லை
தங்கச் செவ்வாயின் தாழ் திறந்து
சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு
The language that the eyes speak
I do not have the wisdom to understand completely
Unlatch the lock of your golden red lips
Speak, speak, speak... speak
கொடி கொண்ட அரும்பு மலர்வதற்கு
கொடியோடு மனுக்கள் கொடுப்பதில்லை
பழங்கள் பழுத்தும் பறவைக்கெல்லாம்
மரங்கள் தந்தி ஒன்றும் அடிப்பதில்லை
For a bud on a vine to bloom
It does not submit petitions to the vine
When fruits ripen, to all the birds
Trees do not send telegrams
மௌனத்தைப் போல்
பெண்ணின் மனம் உரைக்க
மனிதரின் பாஷைக்கு வலிமை இல்லை
மொழியே போ போ போ
அழகே வா வா வா
மொழியே போ போ போ
அழகே வா வா வா
To express a woman's heart like silence does
Human language lacks the power
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Oh beauty, come, come, come
ரதியே ரதியே ரதியே ரதியே
காதல் எண்ணம் கனிவாய் மொழியில்
சொன்னால் சொன்னால்
Oh Rathi, oh Rathi, oh Rathi, oh Rathi
If you tell me in sweet words of love
If you speak... if you speak
வளரும் பிறையே பிறையே பிறையே
வானம் எட்டி தொடவும் முடியும்
என்னால் என்னால்
Oh growing crescent moon, crescent, crescent
I can even reach out and touch the sky
By my power... by my power
வாயில் வரைந்த
ஒரு வார்த்தை சொன்னால்
காற்றை கடன் வாங்கி பறந்து போவேன்
கால வெளியோடு கரைந்து போவேன்
சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு
If you utter a single word drawn in your mouth
I will borrow the wind and fly away
I will dissolve into the space of time
Speak, speak, speak... speak
வண்டுகள் ஒலி செய்து கேட்டதுண்டு
மலர்கள் சத்தமிட்டு பார்த்ததுண்டா
நதிகள் சொற்பொழிவு செய்வதுண்டு
கரைகளின் மௌனம் என்றும் கலைந்ததுண்டா
We have heard beetles buzzing
Have you ever seen flowers making noise?
Rivers do deliver speeches
Has the silence of the riverbanks ever been broken?
சொல்கிற மொழிகள் தீர்ந்து விடும்
சொல்லாத காதல் தீர்வதுண்டா
மொழியே போ போ போ
அழகே வா வா வா
மொழியே போ போ போ
அழகே வா வா வா
Spoken words will come to an end
Will unspoken love ever end?
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Oh beauty, come, come, come
நெஞ்சே நெஞ்சே நெஞ்சே நெஞ்சே
கெஞ்ச கெஞ்ச இன்னும் மௌனம்
என்ன என்ன
Oh heart, oh heart, oh heart, oh heart
Even as I beg and beg, why still this silence?
Why... why?
கனவே கனவே கனவே கனவே
கண்ணீர் வற்றி கண்ணில் ஜீவன்
மின்ன மின்ன
Oh dream, oh dream, oh dream, oh dream
With tears dried up, life shines in the eyes
Shines... shines
வார்த்தை உன் வார்த்தை நின்று போனால்
வாழ்க்கை என் வாழ்க்கை நின்று போகும்
உடலை என் ஜீவன் உதறிப் போகும்
சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு
If your words come to a standstill
My life will come to a standstill
My soul will shed my body and leave
Speak, speak, speak... speak
உள்ளங்கள் பேசும் மொழி அறிந்தால்
உன் ஜீவன் தொலைக்க தேவை இல்லை
இரு கண்கள் பேசும் பாஷைகளை
இரு நூறு மொழிகள் சொல்வதில்லை
If you understand the language spoken by hearts
There is no need to lose your life
The language spoken by two eyes
Two hundred languages cannot express
தான் கொண்ட காதல் மொழிவதற்கு
தமிழ் நாட்டுப் பெண்கள் துணிவதில்லை
மொழியே போ போ போ
அழகே வா வா வா
மொழியே போ போ போ
அழகே வா வா வா
To express the love they possess
Women of Tamil Nadu do not dare
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Nilavae nilavae nilavae nilavae
Oh moon, oh moon, oh moon, oh moon
Nillu nillu thiruvaai mozhigal
Stop, stop and speak your holy words
Sollu…sollu
Speak... speak
Malarae malarae malarae malarae
Oh flower, oh flower, oh flower, oh flower
Sollu sollu manadhai thamizhil
Speak, speak your mind in Tamil
Sollu….sollu
Speak... speak
Kangal solgindra baashai ellaam
The language that the eyes speak
Kandu theligindra gnyanam illai
I do not have the wisdom to understand completely
Thangach chevvaayin thaazh thirandhu
Unlatch the lock of your golden red lips
Sollu sollu sollu….sollu
Speak, speak, speak... speak
Kodi konda arumbu malarvadharkku
For a bud on a vine to bloom
Kodiyodu manukkal koduppadhillai
It does not submit petitions to the vine
Pazhangal pazhuthadhum paravaikkellaam
When fruits ripen, to all the birds
Marangal thandhi ondrum adippadhillai
Trees do not send telegrams
Mounathai pol pennin manam uraikka
To express a woman's heart like silence does
Manidharin baashaikku valimai illai
Human language lacks the power
Mozhiyae po po po…
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Azhage vaa vaa vaa
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Mozhiyae po po po…
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Azhage vaa vaa vaa
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Radhiyae radhiyae radhiyae radhiyae
Oh Rathi, oh Rathi, oh Rathi, oh Rathi
Kaadhal ennum kanivaai mozhiyil
If you tell me in sweet words of love
Sonnaal…sonnaal
If you speak... if you speak
Valarum piraiyae piraiyae piraiyae
Oh growing crescent moon, crescent, crescent
Vaanam etti thodavum mudiyum
I can even reach out and touch the sky
Ennaal….ennaal
By my power... by my power
Vaayil varaindha oru vaarthai sonnaal
If you utter a single word drawn in your mouth
Kaatrai kadan vaangi parandhu poven
I will borrow the wind and fly away
Kaala veliyodu karaindhu poven
I will dissolve into the space of time
Sollu sollu sollu…sollu
Speak, speak, speak... speak
Vandugal oliseidhu kettadhundu
We have heard beetles buzzing
Malargal sathamittu paarthadhundaa
Have you ever seen flowers making noise?
Nadhigal sorpozhivu seivadhundu
Rivers do deliver speeches
Karaigalin mounam endrum kalaippadhundaa
Has the silence of the riverbanks ever been broken?
Solgira mozhigal theerndhu vidum
Spoken words will come to an end
Sollaadha kaadhal theervadhundaa
Will unspoken love ever end?
Mozhiyae po po po…
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Azhage vaa vaa vaa
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Mozhiyae po po po…
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Azhage vaa vaa vaa
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Nenjae nenjae nenjae nenjae
Oh heart, oh heart, oh heart, oh heart
Kenja kenja innum mounam
Even as I beg and beg, why still this silence?
Enna….enna
Why... why?
Kanavae kanavae kanavae kanavae
Oh dream, oh dream, oh dream, oh dream
Kanneer vatri kannil jeevan
With tears dried up, life shines in the eyes
Minna….minna
Shines... shines
Vaarthai un vaarthai nindru ponaal
If your words come to a standstill
Vaazhkkai en vaazhkkai nindru pogum
My life will come to a standstill
Udalai en jeevan udhari pogum
My soul will shed my body and leave
Sollu sollu sollu…sollu
Speak, speak, speak... speak
Ullangal pesum mozhi arindhaal
If you understand the language spoken by hearts
Un jeevan tholaikka thevai illai
There is no need to lose your life
Iru kangal pesum baashaigalai
The language spoken by two eyes
Irunooru mozhigal solvadhillai
Two hundred languages cannot express
Thaan konda kaadhal mozhivadharku
To express the love they possess
Thamizh naattup pengal thunivadhillai
Women of Tamil Nadu do not dare
Mozhiyae po po po…
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Azhage vaa vaa vaa
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Mozhiyae po po po…
Oh language, go away, go away, go away...
Azhage vaa vaa vaa
Oh beauty, come, come, come
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song is a passionate romantic plea where the protagonist desperately asks his beloved to break her silence and express her love verbally. He addresses her using poetic epithets like the moon, a flower, and the goddess Rathi. He expresses how a single word from her lips would make him fly with joy and reach the skies, emphasizing that her silence is suffocating his spirit.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar (Repetition for emphasis)
“Nilavae nilavae nilavae nilavae”
The word 'Nilavae' is repeated consecutively four times to evoke urgency and endearment.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uvameyam)
“Thangach chevvaayin thaazh thirandhu”
The lover's red lips are metaphorically described as a golden lock that needs to be unlatched to speak.
Imagery and Analogy
“Pazhangal pazhuthadhum paravaikkellaam / Marangal thandhi ondrum adippadhillai”
Vairamuthu uses nature analogies—such as trees not sending telegrams to birds when fruit ripens—to depict the natural, unspoken bond of love.
Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)
“Kaatrai kadan vaangi parandhu poven / Kaala veliyodu karaindhu poven”
Both lines end with the matching phrase 'poven', creating a poetic rhythmic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
The movie 'Nilaave Vaa' (1998) stars Vijay and Suvaluxmi. The music for the film was composed by Vidyasagar, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.
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