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Lyrics & meaning

Nilave Nilave Thaalam Podu

From Thai Poranthachu · 2000

Lyricist
Ilayakamban
Singer
Hariharan
Music director
Deva
Details
Thai Poranthachu2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
……………….O moon, O moon, keep the rhythm
Male
Nilave nilave thaalam poduI am going to sing a song
Paattonnu paada poraenO flower, O flower, searching for a melody
Malare malare raagam thediI am going to sing a song
Paattonnu paada poraenO star, come along, come along
Male
Natchaththramae kooda vaa kooda vaaTo sing about my sister's daughter, come, come
Akkaa magala paada vaa paada vaaIsn't she the very melody that I sing?
Naan paadum raagam aval allavaa…aa…aa…O moon, O moon, keep the rhythm
Male
Nilave nilave thaalam poduI am going to sing a song
Paattonnu paada poraenO flower, O flower, searching for a melody
Malare malare raagam thediI am going to sing a song
Paattonnu paada poraenWithout Kolar gold
Male
Kolaaru thangam illaamalHer body shines brilliantly, my dear
Ava maeni jolikkumadiWithout a Koh-i-Noor diamond
Ghoginur vairam illaamalHer nose ring shines brilliantly, my dear
Ava mookku jolikkumadiWithout Kolar gold
Male
Kolaaru thangam illaamalHer body shines brilliantly, my dear
Ava maeni jolikkumadiWithout a Koh-i-Noor diamond
Ghoginur vairam illaamalHer nose ring shines brilliantly, my dear
Ava mookku jolikkumadiIn the garden of my home
Male
En veettu thottaththilaeI have planted a jasmine plant
Malligaippoo chedi onnu vahirukkaenAll my innermost desires
Ennoda aasaiyaiththaanI have poured out into the blooming flowers
Pooththirukkum pookkalil kotti vachchenFixing an auspicious date in the month of Aani
Male
Aaniyila nalla naal kurichchiOffering the formal proposal betel nut in Aavani
Aavaniyil oru paakku vachchiShe is my elder sister's daughter
En akkaa maga avalaththaanI am going to take her hand in marriage
Kai pudikka poraenO moon, O moon, keep the rhythm
Male
Nilave nilave thaalam poduI am going to sing a song
Paattonnu paada poraenO flower, O flower, searching for a melody
Malare malare raagam thediI am going to sing a song
Paattonnu paada poraenEven if the sky splits into two
Male
Aagaayam rendu pattaalumI will remain merged in her flesh
Ava mchchil kalanthiruppaenEven if rain falls on her
Ava melae mazhai vizhunthaalumI will ache as if I were struck
Adipattu naan thudippaenFor as long as I live
Male
Vaazhvirukkum kaalam ellaamI will remain as a protective shadow to her
Avalukku nizhalaa naan iruppeanAll the paths she walks upon
Aval nadakkum paadhaiyellaamI will clean with flowers every single day
Anudhinam poovaal naan thudaippaenI will build a temple inside my eyes
Male
Kannukkullae koyil katti vaippaenI will enthrone my darling inside it
Kanmaniya adhil vittu vaippaenTo remain as the anklet adorning her feet
Ava kaal kolusaa naan irukkaI am willing to take seven births
Jenmam yaezhu eduppaenO moon, O moon, keep the rhythm
Male
Nilave nilave thaalam poduI am going to sing a song
Paattonnu paada poraenO flower, O flower, searching for a melody
Malare malare raagam thediI am going to sing a song
Paattonnu paada poraenO star, come along, come along
Male
Natchaththramae kooda vaa kooda vaaTo sing about my sister's daughter, come, come
Akkaa magala paada vaa paada vaaIsn't she the very melody that I sing?
Naan paadum raagam aval allavaa…aa…aa…
Male
………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nilave Nilave Thaalam Podu is a celebratory romantic song from the film Thai Poranthachu (2000). The protagonist calls upon elements of nature—the moon, flowers, and stars—to join him in celebration as he sings about his beloved cousin (his elder sister's daughter, a customary marital relation in traditional Tamil culture). He compares her natural beauty to precious elements like Kolar gold and Koh-i-Noor diamonds, declaring that her inherent charm outshines all material riches. As the song progresses, he expresses his deep devotion, promising to cherish and protect her throughout his life. He sings of building a temple for her within his eyes and taking multiple births just to be close to her. The song captures a joyful blend of traditional rural romance, festive anticipation of marriage, and unyielding affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagam)

Nilave nilave thaalam podu / Malare malare raagam thedi

Nature elements like the moon and flowers are personified as musicians keeping beat and searching for melodies to accompany the protagonist's song.

Hyperbole (Uvamai / Nadappikku Appaarpatta Varnippu)

Kolaaru thangam illaamal ava maeni jolikkumadi / Ghoginur vairam illaamal ava mookku jolikkumadi

Exaggerated praise describing her skin as brighter than Kolar gold and her nose as naturally more brilliant than the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Sound Repetition)

Aaniyila nalla naal kurichchi / Aavaniyil oru paakku vachchi

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'Aa' at the beginning of consecutive lines.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Nilave nilave... / Malare malare...

The words 'Nilave' and 'Malare' are repeated back-to-back to heighten poetic rhythm and affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thai Poranthachu (2000) is a Tamil family drama directed by K. Rajan, starring Prabhu Deva and Kausalya. The soundtrack was composed by Deva, with this popular melody sung by Hariharan and penned by lyricist Ilayakamban.

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