Nilavenna Pesum
From Rani Samyuktha · 1962
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Rani Samyuktha1962
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nilavenna pesum kuyilenna paadum | What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing? |
| Malarenna sollum manadhilae | What can a flower express in the heart? |
| Kadhai paesumo inba kavi paadumoo | Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem? |
| Inghu kannodu kann sollum mozhiyilae | In the language spoken when eye meets eye here. |
| Male | |
| Nilavenna pesum kuyilenna paadum | What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing? |
| Malarenna sollum manadhilae | What can a flower express in the heart? |
| Kadhai paesumo inba kavi paadumoo | Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem? |
| Inghu kannodu kann sollum mozhiyilae | In the language spoken when eye meets eye here. |
| Female | |
| Thanga silai pola uravaadum kaalai | The morning that mingles like a golden statue, |
| Azhagil vilaiyaadum ivvelai | At this time playing in beauty, |
| Thanga silai pola uravaadum kaalai | The morning that mingles like a golden statue, |
| Azhagil vilaiyaadum ivvelai | At this time playing in beauty, |
| Male | |
| Vaanagam keezhae vaiyagam melae | The sky below and the earth above, |
| Maarudhal polavae thondruvadhaalae | Because it feels as if everything has flipped upside down, |
| Vaanagam keezhae vaiyagam melae | The sky below and the earth above, |
| Maarudhal polavae thondruvadhaalae | Because it feels as if everything has flipped upside down, |
| Female | |
| Nilavenna pesum kuyilenna paadum | What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing? |
| Malarenna sollum manadhilae | What can a flower express in the heart? |
| Kadhai paesumo inba kavi paadumoo | Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem? |
| Inghu kannodu kann sollum mozhiyilae | In the language spoken when eye meets eye here. |
| Female | |
| Iru karai pola thaniyaagha irundhom | We were separated like two riverbanks, |
| Akkaraiyodu ingae kalandhom | Here we merged together with deep affection, |
| Iru karai pola thaniyaagha irundhom | We were separated like two riverbanks, |
| Akkaraiyodu ingae kalandhom | Here we merged together with deep affection, |
| Male | |
| Varumendru edhirparkkum munnae | Even before I anticipated it, |
| Varum mazhai polae nee vandhaai kannae | You arrived like the welcome rain, my dear, |
| Varumendru edhirparkkum munnae | Even before I anticipated it, |
| Varum mazhai polae nee vandhaai kannae | You arrived like the welcome rain, my dear, |
| Female | |
| Kavalai allavoo kondu vandhen | Did I not bring along only worries? |
| Male :Naan kaadhal kadhai ingae solli thandhen | Male: I taught you the story of love here. |
| Female :Paruvangal ondraagi magizhum nilaiyil | Female: In this joyful state where youth unites, |
| Male :Neelapattaadai pol thondrum vaanodu | Male: With the sky that looks like a blue silk dress, |
| Female | |
| Ulagil nilavenna pesum | What can the moon say in this world? |
| Male :Kuyilenna paadum | Male: What can the cuckoo sing? |
| Female :Malarenna sollum manadhilae | Female: What can a flower express in the heart? |
| Both :Kadhai paesumo inba kavi paadumoo | Both: Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem? |
| Inghu kannodu kann sollum mozhiyilae | In the language spoken when eye meets eye here. |
| Nilavenna pesum | What can the moon say... |
நிலவென்ன பேசும் குயிலென்ன பாடும்
மலரென்ன சொல்லும் மனதிலே
கதை பேசுமோ இன்பக் கவி பாடுமோ
இங்கு கண்ணோடு கண் சொல்லும் மொழியிலே
What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing?
What can a flower express in the heart?
Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem?
In the language spoken when eye meets eye here.
நிலவென்ன பேசும் குயிலென்ன பாடும்
மலரென்ன சொல்லும் மனதிலே
கதை பேசுமோ இன்பக் கவி பாடுமோ
இங்கு கண்ணோடு கண் சொல்லும் மொழியிலே
What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing?
What can a flower express in the heart?
Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem?
In the language spoken when eye meets eye here.
தங்கச்சிலை போல உறவாடும் காளை
அழகில் விளையாடும் இவ்வேளை
தங்கச்சிலை போல உறவாடும் காளை
அழகில் விளையாடும் இவ்வேளை
வானகம் கீழே வையகம் மேலே
மாறுதல் போலவே தோன்றுவதாலே
வானகம் கீழே வையகம் மேலே
மாறுதல் போலவே தோன்றுவதாலே
The morning that mingles like a golden statue,
At this time playing in beauty,
The morning that mingles like a golden statue,
At this time playing in beauty,
நிலவென்ன பேசும் குயிலென்ன பாடும்
மலரென்ன சொல்லும் மனதிலே
கதை பேசுமோ இன்பக் கவி பாடுமோ
இங்கு கண்ணோடு கண் சொல்லும் மொழியிலே
The sky below and the earth above,
Because it feels as if everything has flipped upside down,
The sky below and the earth above,
Because it feels as if everything has flipped upside down,
இரு கரை போல தனியாக இருந்தோம்
அக்கறையோடு இங்கே கலந்தோம்
இரு கரை போல தனியாக இருந்தோம்
அக்கறையோடு இங்கே கலந்தோம்
வருமென்று எதிர்பார்க்கும் முன்னே
வரும் மழை போலே நீ வந்தாய் கண்ணே
வருமென்று எதிர்பார்க்கும் முன்னே
வரும் மழை போலே நீ வந்தாய் கண்ணே
What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing?
What can a flower express in the heart?
Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem?
In the language spoken when eye meets eye here.
கவலை அல்லவோ கொண்டு வந்தேன்
நான் காதல் கதை இங்கே சொல்லித் தந்தேன்
பருவங்கள் ஒன்றாகி மகிழும் நிலையில்
நீலப்பட்டாடை போல் தோன்றும் வானோடு
We were separated like two riverbanks,
Here we merged together with deep affection,
We were separated like two riverbanks,
Here we merged together with deep affection,
உலகில் நிலவென்ன பேசும்
குயிலென்ன பாடும்
மலரென்ன சொல்லும் மனதிலே
இருவர் :
கதை பேசுமோ இன்பக் கவி பாடுமோ
இங்கு கண்ணோடு கண் சொல்லும் மொழியிலே
நிலவென்ன பேசும் ...
Even before I anticipated it,
You arrived like the welcome rain, my dear,
Even before I anticipated it,
You arrived like the welcome rain, my dear,
Did I not bring along only worries?
Male: I taught you the story of love here.
Female: In this joyful state where youth unites,
Male: With the sky that looks like a blue silk dress,
What can the moon say in this world?
Male: What can the cuckoo sing?
Female: What can a flower express in the heart?
Both: Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem?
In the language spoken when eye meets eye here.
What can the moon say...
Nilavenna pesum kuyilenna paadum
What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing?
Malarenna sollum manadhilae
What can a flower express in the heart?
Kadhai paesumo inba kavi paadumoo
Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem?
Inghu kannodu kann sollum mozhiyilae
In the language spoken when eye meets eye here.
Nilavenna pesum kuyilenna paadum
What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing?
Malarenna sollum manadhilae
What can a flower express in the heart?
Kadhai paesumo inba kavi paadumoo
Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem?
Inghu kannodu kann sollum mozhiyilae
In the language spoken when eye meets eye here.
Thanga silai pola uravaadum kaalai
The morning that mingles like a golden statue,
Azhagil vilaiyaadum ivvelai
At this time playing in beauty,
Thanga silai pola uravaadum kaalai
The morning that mingles like a golden statue,
Azhagil vilaiyaadum ivvelai
At this time playing in beauty,
Vaanagam keezhae vaiyagam melae
The sky below and the earth above,
Maarudhal polavae thondruvadhaalae
Because it feels as if everything has flipped upside down,
Vaanagam keezhae vaiyagam melae
The sky below and the earth above,
Maarudhal polavae thondruvadhaalae
Because it feels as if everything has flipped upside down,
Nilavenna pesum kuyilenna paadum
What can the moon say? What can the cuckoo sing?
Malarenna sollum manadhilae
What can a flower express in the heart?
Kadhai paesumo inba kavi paadumoo
Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem?
Inghu kannodu kann sollum mozhiyilae
In the language spoken when eye meets eye here.
Iru karai pola thaniyaagha irundhom
We were separated like two riverbanks,
Akkaraiyodu ingae kalandhom
Here we merged together with deep affection,
Iru karai pola thaniyaagha irundhom
We were separated like two riverbanks,
Akkaraiyodu ingae kalandhom
Here we merged together with deep affection,
Varumendru edhirparkkum munnae
Even before I anticipated it,
Varum mazhai polae nee vandhaai kannae
You arrived like the welcome rain, my dear,
Varumendru edhirparkkum munnae
Even before I anticipated it,
Varum mazhai polae nee vandhaai kannae
You arrived like the welcome rain, my dear,
Kavalai allavoo kondu vandhen
Did I not bring along only worries?
Male :Naan kaadhal kadhai ingae solli thandhen
Male: I taught you the story of love here.
Female :Paruvangal ondraagi magizhum nilaiyil
Female: In this joyful state where youth unites,
Male :Neelapattaadai pol thondrum vaanodu
Male: With the sky that looks like a blue silk dress,
Ulagil nilavenna pesum
What can the moon say in this world?
Male :Kuyilenna paadum
Male: What can the cuckoo sing?
Female :Malarenna sollum manadhilae
Female: What can a flower express in the heart?
Both :Kadhai paesumo inba kavi paadumoo
Both: Will it tell a story, or sing a sweet poem?
Inghu kannodu kann sollum mozhiyilae
In the language spoken when eye meets eye here.
Nilavenna pesum
What can the moon say...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Nilavenna Pesum' from Rani Samyuktha (1962) is a classic romantic duet depicting deep love and silent communication. The song centers on the premise that conventional symbols of poetic beauty—the moon, the cuckoo, and flowers—are rendered voiceless when compared to the profound, silent language spoken between the eyes of two lovers. Their gaze conveys feelings far richer than any spoken poem or song. The emotional narrative journeys from solitude to joyful unity. The lovers recall being separate like two opposing riverbanks, only to be brought together by an unexpected arrival of love that feels like sudden, refreshing rain. Overwhelmed by bliss, their perception of the world turns upside down—the sky feels below and the earth above—framed under a sky draped like a blue silk saree.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai Ani (Simile)
“Thanga silai pola uravaadum kaalai”
Compares the golden morning radiance to a golden statue ('Thanga silai pola') using the explicit comparison word 'pola'.
Muran Ani (Antithesis/Oxymoron)
“Vaanagam keezhae vaiyagam melae”
Contrasts opposites—sky (vaanagam) being below (keezhae) and earth (vaiyagam) being above (melae)—to describe the dizzying disorientation of falling in love.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Nilavenna pesum... / Malarenna sollum...”
The second letter 'la' (ல) rhymes across lines 1 and 2 ('Ni-la-venna' and 'Ma-la-renna').
Metaphor (Uruvagak katchi)
“Neelapattaadai pol thondrum vaanodu”
Metaphorically compares the vast blue sky to a luxurious blue silk garment ('Neelapattaadai').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Rani Samyuktha' (1962) is a historical romance movie starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) as King Prithviraj Chauhan and Padmini as Princess Samyuktha. The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by the legendary poet Kannadasan. The combination of T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela rendered iconic romantic duets throughout the 1960s, and 'Nilavenna Pesum' remains one of their most celebrated classically-inspired melodies.
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