Nilave Vaan Nilave
From Maayi · 2000
- Lyricist
- Ilayakamban
- Singer
- Sujatha
- Music director
- S. A. Rajkumar
- Details
- Maayi2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…. | Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…. |
| Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae | Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon! |
| Vaarththai ondrai pesu | Speak a single word. |
| Kannan kaaladiyae radhai ival | Tell him that this Radha's life lies... |
| Vaazhkai endru kooru | ...at Krishna's feet. |
| Female | |
| Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae | Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon! |
| Vaarththai ondrai pesu | Speak a single word. |
| Kannan kaaladiyae radhai ival | Tell him that this Radha's life lies... |
| Vaazhkai endru kooru | ...at Krishna's feet. |
| Female | |
| Penn ullam ennavendru | Does he not know what a woman's heart holds? |
| Ariyaathavano | Is he oblivious? |
| Bedhai manam padum paattai | The turmoil this innocent mind undergoes... |
| Puriyaathavano | Does he not understand it? |
| Female | |
| Antha kaattrum oru naal | One day, even that breeze must... |
| Innisai paadanum | ...sing sweet music. |
| Kannaa en kannaa | Oh Krishna, my Krishna! |
| Female | |
| Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae | Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon! |
| Vaarththai ondrai pesu | Speak a single word. |
| Chorus | |
| Maargazhi pookkalil manthira vaasaththil | Among Margazhi flowers with mystical fragrance, |
| Paalagan varuvaan thaenoda | The young boy will arrive with honey, |
| Aandaal nenjil thaenoda | With honey overflowing in Andal's heart, |
| Azhagar vanthaarae neeraada | Lord Azhagar arrived to bathe. |
| Female | |
| Vaanamazhai illai endraal | If there is no rain from the sky, |
| Vaigai nathi yaedhu | Where is the river Vaigai? |
| Vaigai nathi illaiyendraal | If there is no Vaigai river, |
| Cholai malar yaedhu | Where are the garden blossoms? |
| Female | |
| Kangalai moodi kondaal | If you close your eyes, |
| Velicham irukaathu | There will be no light. |
| Thee naduvil neeye nindraal | If you stand amidst fire, |
| Theervu kidaikkaathu | No resolution will be found. |
| Female | |
| Sooriyan udhippathai niruththikkondaal | If the sun stops rising, |
| Ulagil vidivedhu | How will dawn arrive in the world? |
| Suvaasikkum kaatru vesida maruththaal | If the air we breathe refuses to blow, |
| Uyirgal kidaiyaathu | Living beings cannot survive. |
| Female | |
| Udalai thali uyir ponaal | If the soul leaves the body, |
| Enna seivathu | What can be done? |
| Female | |
| Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae | Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon! |
| Vaarththai ondrai pesu | Speak a single word. |
| Female | |
| Unperai enthan moochchil | In my very breath, |
| Ezhuthi vachchen paaru | Look, I have written your name. |
| Azhikkum nilai vanthaal | If the moment comes to erase it, |
| Enakku aayul irukkaathu | My lifespan will end. |
| Female | |
| Kadalukku oru sonthmendru | As a companion belonging to the sea, |
| Karai irukku paaru | Look, the shore exists. |
| Kannimagal sontham kolla | For this maiden to claim as her own, |
| Unnayandri yaaru | Who is there besides you? |
| Female | |
| Innoru thaayaai naanum maari | Transforming into another mother, |
| Unnai thaangiduven | I shall cradle and protect you. |
| Unnizhagaa vaazhinthida kodi | To live as your shadow, |
| Jenmam vaangiduvaen | I will take a million births. |
| Female | |
| Kannan vaazhntha kaalthadamaai | As the footprint left behind by Lord Krishna, |
| Mannil vaazhgiraen | I live on this earth. |
| Female | |
| Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae | Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon! |
| Vaarththai ondrai pesu | Speak a single word. |
| Kannan kaaladiyae radhai ival | Tell him that this Radha's life lies... |
| Vaazhkkai endru kooru | ...at Krishna's feet. |
| Female | |
| Penn ullam ennavendru | Does he not know what a woman's heart holds? |
| Ariyaathavano | Is he oblivious? |
| Bedhai manam padum paattai | The turmoil this innocent mind undergoes... |
| Puriyaathavano | Does he not understand it? |
| Female | |
| Antha kaattrum oru naal | One day, even that breeze must... |
| Innisai paadanum | ...sing sweet music. |
| Kannaa en kannaa | Oh Krishna, my Krishna! |
ஆ...ஆ.....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ....
நிலவே வான் நிலவே வான் நிலவே
வார்த்தை ஒன்றை பேசு
கண்ணன் காலடியே ராதை இவள்
வாழ்க்கை என்று கூறு
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah….
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Speak a single word.
Tell him that this Radha's life lies...
...at Krishna's feet.
நிலவே வான் நிலவே வான் நிலவே
வார்த்தை ஒன்று பேசு
கண்ணன் காலடியே ராதை இவள்
வாழ்க்கை என்று கூறு
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Speak a single word.
Tell him that this Radha's life lies...
...at Krishna's feet.
பெண் உள்ளம் என்னவென்று
அறியாதவனோ
பேதை மனம் படும் பாட்டை
புரியாதவனோ
Does he not know what a woman's heart holds?
Is he oblivious?
The turmoil this innocent mind undergoes...
Does he not understand it?
அந்த காற்றும் ஒரு நாள்
இன்னிசை பாடனும்
கண்ணா என் கண்ணா
One day, even that breeze must...
...sing sweet music.
Oh Krishna, my Krishna!
நிலவே வான் நிலவே வான் நிலவே
வார்த்தை ஒன்றை பேசு
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Speak a single word.
மார்கழி பூக்களில் மந்திர வாசத்தில்
பாலகன் வருவான் தேனோட
ஆண்டாள் நெஞ்சில் தேனோட
அழகர் வந்தாரே நீராட
Among Margazhi flowers with mystical fragrance,
The young boy will arrive with honey,
With honey overflowing in Andal's heart,
Lord Azhagar arrived to bathe.
வானமழை இல்லை என்றால்
வைகை நதி ஏது
வைகை நதி இல்லையென்றால்
சோலை மலர் ஏது
If there is no rain from the sky,
Where is the river Vaigai?
If there is no Vaigai river,
Where are the garden blossoms?
கண்களை மூடி கொண்டால்
வெளிச்சம் இருக்காது
தீ நடுவில் நீயே நின்றால்
தீர்வு கிடைக்காது
If you close your eyes,
There will be no light.
If you stand amidst fire,
No resolution will be found.
சூரியன் உதிப்பதை நிறுத்திக்கொண்டால்
உலகில் விடிவேது
சுவாசிக்கும் காற்று வீசிட மறுத்தால்
உயிர்கள் கிடையாது
If the sun stops rising,
How will dawn arrive in the world?
If the air we breathe refuses to blow,
Living beings cannot survive.
உடலை தள்ளி உயிர் போனால்
என்ன செய்வது
If the soul leaves the body,
What can be done?
நிலவே வான் நிலவே வான் நிலவே
வார்த்தை ஒன்றை பேசு
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Speak a single word.
உன்பேரை எந்தன் மூச்சில்
எழுதி வச்சேன் பாரு
அழிக்கும் நிலை வந்தால்
எனக்கு ஆயுள் இருக்காது
In my very breath,
Look, I have written your name.
If the moment comes to erase it,
My lifespan will end.
கடலுக்கு ஒரு சொந்தமென்று
கரை இருக்கு பாரு
கன்னிமகள் சொந்தம் கொள்ள
உன்னயன்றி யாரு
As a companion belonging to the sea,
Look, the shore exists.
For this maiden to claim as her own,
Who is there besides you?
இன்னொரு தாயாய் நானும் மாறி
உன்னை தாங்கிடுவேன்
உன்னிழலாக வாழ்ந்திடகோடி
ஜென்மம் வாங்கிடுவேன்
Transforming into another mother,
I shall cradle and protect you.
To live as your shadow,
I will take a million births.
கண்ணன் வாழ்ந்த கால் தடமாய்
மண்ணில் வாழ்கிறேன்
As the footprint left behind by Lord Krishna,
I live on this earth.
நிலவே வான் நிலவே வான் நிலவே
வார்த்தை ஒன்றை பேசு
கண்ணன் காலடியே ராதை இவள்
வாழ்க்கை என்று கூறு
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Speak a single word.
Tell him that this Radha's life lies...
...at Krishna's feet.
பெண் உள்ளம் என்னவென்று
அறியாதவனோ
பேதை மனம் படும் பாட்டை
புரியாதவனோ
Does he not know what a woman's heart holds?
Is he oblivious?
The turmoil this innocent mind undergoes...
Does he not understand it?
அந்த காற்றும் ஒரு நாள்
இன்னிசை மாறனும்
கண்ணா என் கண்ணா
One day, even that breeze must...
...sing sweet music.
Oh Krishna, my Krishna!
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa….
Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah….
Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Vaarththai ondrai pesu
Speak a single word.
Kannan kaaladiyae radhai ival
Tell him that this Radha's life lies...
Vaazhkai endru kooru
...at Krishna's feet.
Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Vaarththai ondrai pesu
Speak a single word.
Kannan kaaladiyae radhai ival
Tell him that this Radha's life lies...
Vaazhkai endru kooru
...at Krishna's feet.
Penn ullam ennavendru
Does he not know what a woman's heart holds?
Ariyaathavano
Is he oblivious?
Bedhai manam padum paattai
The turmoil this innocent mind undergoes...
Puriyaathavano
Does he not understand it?
Antha kaattrum oru naal
One day, even that breeze must...
Innisai paadanum
...sing sweet music.
Kannaa en kannaa
Oh Krishna, my Krishna!
Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Vaarththai ondrai pesu
Speak a single word.
Maargazhi pookkalil manthira vaasaththil
Among Margazhi flowers with mystical fragrance,
Paalagan varuvaan thaenoda
The young boy will arrive with honey,
Aandaal nenjil thaenoda
With honey overflowing in Andal's heart,
Azhagar vanthaarae neeraada
Lord Azhagar arrived to bathe.
Vaanamazhai illai endraal
If there is no rain from the sky,
Vaigai nathi yaedhu
Where is the river Vaigai?
Vaigai nathi illaiyendraal
If there is no Vaigai river,
Cholai malar yaedhu
Where are the garden blossoms?
Kangalai moodi kondaal
If you close your eyes,
Velicham irukaathu
There will be no light.
Thee naduvil neeye nindraal
If you stand amidst fire,
Theervu kidaikkaathu
No resolution will be found.
Sooriyan udhippathai niruththikkondaal
If the sun stops rising,
Ulagil vidivedhu
How will dawn arrive in the world?
Suvaasikkum kaatru vesida maruththaal
If the air we breathe refuses to blow,
Uyirgal kidaiyaathu
Living beings cannot survive.
Udalai thali uyir ponaal
If the soul leaves the body,
Enna seivathu
What can be done?
Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Vaarththai ondrai pesu
Speak a single word.
Unperai enthan moochchil
In my very breath,
Ezhuthi vachchen paaru
Look, I have written your name.
Azhikkum nilai vanthaal
If the moment comes to erase it,
Enakku aayul irukkaathu
My lifespan will end.
Kadalukku oru sonthmendru
As a companion belonging to the sea,
Karai irukku paaru
Look, the shore exists.
Kannimagal sontham kolla
For this maiden to claim as her own,
Unnayandri yaaru
Who is there besides you?
Innoru thaayaai naanum maari
Transforming into another mother,
Unnai thaangiduven
I shall cradle and protect you.
Unnizhagaa vaazhinthida kodi
To live as your shadow,
Jenmam vaangiduvaen
I will take a million births.
Kannan vaazhntha kaalthadamaai
As the footprint left behind by Lord Krishna,
Mannil vaazhgiraen
I live on this earth.
Nilavae vaan nilavae vaan nilavae
Oh moon, sky's moon, sky's moon!
Vaarththai ondrai pesu
Speak a single word.
Kannan kaaladiyae radhai ival
Tell him that this Radha's life lies...
Vaazhkkai endru kooru
...at Krishna's feet.
Penn ullam ennavendru
Does he not know what a woman's heart holds?
Ariyaathavano
Is he oblivious?
Bedhai manam padum paattai
The turmoil this innocent mind undergoes...
Puriyaathavano
Does he not understand it?
Antha kaattrum oru naal
One day, even that breeze must...
Innisai paadanum
...sing sweet music.
Kannaa en kannaa
Oh Krishna, my Krishna!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nilavae Vaan Nilavae is a soulful melody from the film Maayi (2000), composed by S. A. Rajkumar and sung by Sujatha. The heroine addresses the moon, asking it to act as a messenger to convey her unconditional love to her beloved. Drawing a mythological parallel to Radha's deep devotion to Lord Krishna, she expresses how her entire life centers around his feet and how her heart suffers in silent longing. Through poetic imagery of natural cause-and-effect—such as rain nourishing the Vaigai river, sunrise bringing dawn, and breath sustaining life—she underlines that her existence is meaningless without him. She declares her willingness to love him with maternal affection, live as his shadow, and surrender her very life and breath for his presence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Kannan kaaladiyae radhai ival”
Compares her eternal devotion directly to Radha's sacred love for Lord Krishna.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Ariyaathavano / Puriyaathavano”
The lines end with rhyming rhetorical endings 'aathavano', creating a rhythmic musical effect.
Cause and Effect / Analogy
“Vaanamazhai illai endraal Vaigai nathi yaedhu”
Uses nature's interdependence (rain and river) to illustrate how her existence relies completely on her beloved.
Did you know?
Trivia
Maayi (2000) featured Sarathkumar and Meena in lead roles. Composed by S. A. Rajkumar with lyrics by Ilayakamban, 'Nilavae Vaan Nilavae' stands out for Sujatha's expressive vocal delivery and S. A. Rajkumar's signature melodic string arrangements, making it one of the memorable emotional tracks of early 2000s Tamil cinema.
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