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Karpooram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nilave Unakku

From Karpooram · 1957

Lyricist
V. Lakshmanan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
D. B. Ramachandran
Movie name
Karpooram
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
28 Aug 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhu
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothu
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhu
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothu
Female :Amudhae unakkau thadaiyedhu
Amudhae unakkau thadaiyedhu
En aruginil parugida varum bothu
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhu
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothu
Nettri kungumam nilaithathu
Nesa karangal anaithathu
Nettri kungumam nilaithathu
Nesa karangal anaithathu
Male :Pattu kannam sivandhadhu
Pattu kannam sivandhadhu
Paattil thaalam pirandhadhu
Paattil thaalam pirandhadhu
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhu
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothu
Virumbum paadhaiyil pogalaam
Male :Viruppam pol sugam kaanalam
Female :Virumbum paadhaiyil pogalaam
Male :Viruppam pol sugam kaanalam
Female :Karumbhu saattrilae neendhalaam
Male :Kalandhu kalandhu naam paadalaam
Both :Kalandhu kalandhu naam paadalaam
Idhayam endroru medaiyil
Iruvar oruvaraai aaduvoom
Idhayam endroru medaiyil
Iruvar oruvaraai aaduvoom
Male :Udhaiyam aagum pudhu ulagilae
Uravu kondu naam vaazhuvom
Udhaiyam aagum pudhu ulagilae
Uravu kondu naam vaazhuvom
Both :Uravu kondu naam vaazhuvom
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhu
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothu
Female :Amudhae unakkau thadaiyedhu
En aruginil parugida varum bothu
Nilavae unakku kuraiyedhu
Nee ninaithadhum kadhiravan varum bothu
Oh moon, what could you lack,
when the sun comes whenever you wish?
Oh moon, what could you lack,
when the sun comes whenever you wish?
Female: Oh sweet nectar, what could stand in your way,
Oh sweet nectar, what could stand in your way,
when you come close to drink of me?
Oh moon, what could you lack,
when the sun comes whenever you wish?
The kumkum on my forehead is secure,
as loving hands hold me close.
The kumkum on my forehead is secure,
as loving hands hold me close.
Male: Silken cheeks have blushed red,
silken cheeks have blushed red,
and rhythm is born in the song.
and rhythm is born in the song.
Oh moon, what could you lack,
when the sun comes whenever you wish?
We can walk the path we desire,
Male: and find joy as we please.
Female: We can walk the path we desire,
Male: and find joy as we please.
Female: We can swim in sweet sugarcane juice,
Male: and blend together as we sing.
Both: and blend together as we sing.
On the stage of the heart,
the two of us will dance as one.
On the stage of the heart,
the two of us will dance as one.
Male: In this new world that is dawning,
we will live bound together in love.
In this new world that is dawning,
we will live bound together in love.
Both: we will live bound together in love.
Oh moon, what could you lack,
when the sun comes whenever you wish?
Female: Oh sweet nectar, what could stand in your way,
when you come close to drink of me?
Oh moon, what could you lack,
when the sun comes whenever you wish?
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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