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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilave Unakku

From Karpooram · 1957

Lyricist
V. Lakshmanan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
D. B. Ramachandran
Details
Karpooram1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhuO Moon, what flaw do you have?
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothuWhen the sun appears just as you think of it?
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhuO Moon, what flaw do you have?
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothuWhen the sun appears just as you think of it?
Female :Amudhae unakkau thadaiyedhuFemale: O Nectar, what obstacle do you have?
Amudhae unakkau thadaiyedhuO Nectar, what obstacle do you have?
En aruginil parugida varum bothuWhen coming near me to be savored?
Male
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhuO Moon, what flaw do you have?
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothuWhen the sun appears just as you think of it?
Female
Nettri kungumam nilaithathuThe vermilion mark on the forehead remained steadfast,
Nesa karangal anaithathuThe loving hands embraced,
Nettri kungumam nilaithathuThe vermilion mark on the forehead remained steadfast,
Nesa karangal anaithathuThe loving hands embraced,
Male :Pattu kannam sivandhadhuMale: The silky cheeks blushed red,
Pattu kannam sivandhadhuThe silky cheeks blushed red,
Paattil thaalam pirandhadhuRhythm was born in the song,
Paattil thaalam pirandhadhuRhythm was born in the song,
Male
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhuO Moon, what flaw do you have?
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothuWhen the sun appears just as you think of it?
Female
Virumbum paadhaiyil pogalaamWe can walk on the path we desire,
Male :Viruppam pol sugam kaanalamMale: We can experience joy as we wish,
Female :Virumbum paadhaiyil pogalaamFemale: We can walk on the path we desire,
Male :Viruppam pol sugam kaanalamMale: We can experience joy as we wish,
Female :Karumbhu saattrilae neendhalaamFemale: We can swim in the juice of sweet sugarcane,
Male :Kalandhu kalandhu naam paadalaamMale: We can sing together in harmony,
Both :Kalandhu kalandhu naam paadalaamBoth: We can sing together in harmony,
Female
Idhayam endroru medaiyilOn the stage named the heart,
Iruvar oruvaraai aaduvoomThe two of us will dance as one,
Idhayam endroru medaiyilOn the stage named the heart,
Iruvar oruvaraai aaduvoomThe two of us will dance as one,
Male :Udhaiyam aagum pudhu ulagilaeMale: In the new world that dawns,
Uravu kondu naam vaazhuvomWe will live united in love and bonding,
Udhaiyam aagum pudhu ulagilaeIn the new world that dawns,
Uravu kondu naam vaazhuvomWe will live united in love and bonding,
Both :Uravu kondu naam vaazhuvomBoth: We will live united in love and bonding,
Male
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhuO Moon, what flaw do you have?
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothuWhen the sun appears just as you think of it?
Female :Amudhae unakkau thadaiyedhuFemale: O Nectar, what obstacle do you have?
En aruginil parugida varum bothuWhen coming near me to be savored?
Male
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhuO Moon, what flaw do you have?
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothuWhen the sun appears just as you think of it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Karpooram' (1957) is a romantic duet expressing the profound joy, harmony, and togetherness of two lovers. The lyrics compare the lovers' seamless connection to celestial and sweet elements like the moon, sun, and nectar. The song celebrates marital bliss, symbolised by the permanent vermilion mark, blushing cheeks, and shared rhythm in life, expressing a shared commitment to walk together towards a bright new future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Idhayam endroru medaiyil

The lover's heart is metaphorically framed as a stage where both lovers dance as one single soul.

Hyperbole / Imagery

Karumbhu saattrilae neendhalaam

Extravagant poetic imagery comparing the overwhelming sweetness of their love to swimming in sugarcane juice.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Nettri kungumam nilaithathu / Nesa karangal anaithathu

Repetition of the initial 'N' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic aesthetic in Tamil poetry.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Pattu kannam sivandhadhu / Paattil thaalam pirandhadhu

Both lines end with similar sounding verbal endings ('sivandhadhu' and 'pirandhadhu'), creating lyrical harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Karpooram (1957) is an early classic Tamil film featuring musical compositions by D. B. Ramachandran and lyrics penned by V. Lakshmanan. This duet is rendered by the iconic playback duo P. Susheela and P. B. Sreenivas, showcasing the classic mid-century Tamil cinema duet style.

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