- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Chandrabose
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Movie name
- Vadivangal
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Apr 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Nilavenna Pesumo' is a melancholic, reflective song from the 1982 Tamil film Vadivangal, composed and sung by Chandrabose with lyrics written by Vaali. The protagonist laments their deep existential sorrow, questioning nature and destiny. The lyricism centers on themes of quiet pain, unanswered questions, and the heavy silence that descends when emotional distress becomes overwhelming. Through vivid imagery—such as setting fire to tender shoots in summer cold or asking if a humble street song can ever reach a royal court—Vaali highlights themes of helplessness and social rejection. The emotional trajectory transitions from silent grief to questioning the cruelty of fate, concluding with an echoing rhetorical plea about the silence of words.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Oxymoron / Paradox)
“Kulirkaala kodaiyil / Kodhikkindra vaadaiyil”
Pairs opposing concepts—'Kulirkaalam' (winter/cold season) with 'Kodai' (summer), and 'Kodhikkindra' (boiling/scalding) with 'Vaadai' (cold northern wind)—to express inner turmoil and severe contradiction.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Imai sinthum pookkalae”
Tears shed from eyelashes are poetically metaphorized as falling flowers ('pookkal').
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)
“Theruppaadal aasthaana sabai yaerumo”
The speaker asks whether a simple street song can ever reach a royal court, reflecting the anguish of social disparity and unrecognized pain without expecting a literal answer.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Irul illai iravukku / Porulillai uravukku”
The second letter 'ru' (ரு) in 'Irul' and 'Porul' rhymes across consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic and melancholic sound.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nilavenna Pesumo' is a rare track where Chandrabose served as both the music composer and sole playback singer. Known primarily for his upbeat and folk-influenced compositions in 1980s Rajinikanth hits like 'Manidhan' and 'Raja Chinna Roja', Chandrabose demonstrates his soulful vocal range and emotional depth in this quiet, introspective song from 'Vadivangal' (1982).
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