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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilave Unadhu

From En Aasai Unnoduthan · 1983

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
En Aasai Unnoduthan1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nilavae unadhu vaanam engaeO Moon, where is your sky?
Nizhalae unadhu dhaegam engaO Shadow, where is your body?
Nilavae unadhu vaanam engaeO Moon, where is your sky?
Nizhalae unadhu dhaegam engaO Shadow, where is your body?
Urugum melugum naanum ondruMelting wax and I are one and the same,
Idhayam muzhuthum yaekkam konduWith a heart completely filled with longing.
Female
Nilavae unadhu vaanam engaeO Moon, where is your sky?
Nizhalae unadhu dhaegam engaO Shadow, where is your body?
Female
Ennaasai unnodu thaanMy desire is only with you,
Endrum nee indha pennodu thaanForever you belong with this woman.
Ennaasai unnodu thaanMy desire is only with you,
Endrum nee indha pennodu thaanForever you belong with this woman.
Imai veru kann veru illaiThe eyelid and the eye are not separate,
Endra ennangal nenjodu thaanSuch thoughts reside within my heart.
Dhinam dhinam undhan orae mugamDay after day, your single face
Manam thanil inba ulaa varumStrolls joyfully inside my mind.
Female
Nilavae unadhu vaanam engaeO Moon, where is your sky?
Nizhalae unadhu dhaegam engaO Shadow, where is your body?
Urugum melugum naanum ondruMelting wax and I are one and the same,
Idhayam muzhuthum yaekkam konduWith a heart completely filled with longing.
Female
Nilavae unadhu vaanam engaeO Moon, where is your sky?
Nizhalae unadhu dhaegam engaO Shadow, where is your body?
Female
Ver vaazha neer vendumaeWater is needed for a root to live,
Ingu naan vaazha nee vendumaeYou are needed for me to live here.
Ver vaazha neer vendumaeWater is needed for a root to live,
Ingu naan vaazha nee vendumaeYou are needed for me to live here.
Kaadhaara naan kaetpathendruWhen will I hear with all my ears
Nalla kalyaana sangeethamaeThe auspicious music of marriage?
Unakkenna mannil pirandhavalShe who was born on earth just for you,
Uyir thunai endru kalandhavalShe who merged with you as your soulmate.
Female
Nilavae unadhu vaanam engaeO Moon, where is your sky?
Nizhalae unadhu dhaegam engaO Shadow, where is your body?
Urugum melugum naanum ondruMelting wax and I are one and the same,
Idhayam muzhuthum yaekkam konduWith a heart completely filled with longing.
Female
Nilavae unadhu vaanam engaeO Moon, where is your sky?
Nizhalae unadhu dhaegam engaO Shadow, where is your body?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track 'Nilavae unadhu vaanam engae' expresses deep love, emotional longing, and devotion. The narrator uses vivid imagery—comparing herself to a moon without its sky, a shadow without a body, and melting wax—to convey how incomplete her life feels without her beloved. Her entire heart is filled with an unbearable yearning for union. She emphasizes the intimate connection they share, describing their bond as inseparable as eyelids and eyes, or roots and water. Looking forward to marriage, she views herself as someone born on earth solely to be his true soulmate, eagerly awaiting the sweet sounds of wedding music to seal their eternal companionship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Nilavae unadhu vaanam engae / Nizhalae unadhu dhaegam enga

Matching initial consonants ('Ni'-'Ni') in 'Nilavae' and 'Nizhalae' across opening lines.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ennaasai unnodu thaan / Endrum nee indha pennodu thaan

The second letter sound ('n') matches in 'Ennaasai' and 'Endrum'.

Metaphor

Urugum melugum naanum ondru

Compares her pining state directly to melting wax.

Simile / Analogy

Ver vaazha neer vendumae / Ingu naan vaazha nee vendumae

Draws an analogy that just as a plant's roots require water to survive, she requires her lover to live.

Imagery

Imai veru kann veru illai

Uses the organic closeness of eyelids and eyes to symbolize absolute inseparability.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics for this track were penned by the veteran Tamil poet Pulamaipithan for the 1983 film 'En Aasai Unnoduthan'.

Keep listening

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