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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilavennum Aadai

From Parakkum Paavai · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Parakkum Paavai1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nilavennum aadai kondaaloDid she drape herself in a garment made of moonlight?
Aval than nizhaludan nindraaloDid she stand there along with her own shadow?
Kulirennum vaadai kondaaloDid she embrace the cool northern breeze?
Aval than koondhalil maraindhaaloDid she hide within her own flowing hair?
Male
Iravilae thannai thaanaeIn the quiet of the night, all by herself,
Kaana ninaithaaloDid she desire to admire her own beauty?
Male
Ohhaho…Ohhaho…
Male
Ilamaiyai naeril kanduSeeing her own youthfulness face to face,
Yenga ninaithaaloDid she yearn for love?
Male
Hoo hoo hoo ooHoo hoo hoo oo
Male
Pennae pennodu pesumoWill a woman talk about love with another woman?
Sugam ennendru koorumoWill she express what true bliss feels like?
En munnae varaamal theerumoWill this longing end without coming before me?
Nizhal muthangal sindhumo…oo…Will shadows scatter kisses?
Female
Nilavennum maedai kandaanoDid he behold a stage made of moonlight?
Avan en nizhalukku nindraanoDid he stand there waiting for my shadow?
Malarennum vaadai kondaanoDid he catch the fragrant breeze of a flower?
Avan pen mayakkam kondaanoWas he enchanted by a woman's charm?
Female
Paruvathai naeril kanduBeholding my youthfulness in person,
Aada ninaithaanoDid he desire to dance?
Female
Aam…haam…Aam…haam…
Female
Paadinaal koodum endruBelieving that singing would bring us together,
Paadi mudithaano…Did he finish singing his song?
Female
MhuhumMhuhum
Female
Paavam ennenna vaegamoPoor guy, what an intense passion he has!
Nizhal paarthaalum podhumoIs merely seeing a shadow enough for him?
Female
Ival paavam kandaalumEven if he witnesses this poor girl's plight,
PodhumoWill it ever be enough?
Avan ennengal theerumoWill his deep desires ever be fulfilled?
Female
Nilavennum maedai kandaanoDid he behold a stage made of moonlight?
Avan en nizhalukku nindraanoDid he stand there waiting for my shadow?
Malarennum vaadai kondaanoDid he catch the fragrant breeze of a flower?
Avan pen mayakkam kondaanoWas he enchanted by a woman's charm?
Male
Aanmaiyin kaiyil thanaeOnly into the strong hands of manhood,
Penmai vara vendumShould womanhood yield and arrive.
Female
Vandha pin penmai thaanaeOnce she arrives, womanhood itself
Inbam thara vendumMust shower ultimate bliss.
Male
Mannavan kobam kondaalIf the kingly hero becomes angry,
Kanneer vida vendumThe woman must shed tears in soft surrender.
Female
Vanjiyiar vanjam vaithaalIf the young woman holds a feigned grudge,
Paadham thoda vendumHe must touch her feet to appease her.
Female
Nilavennum maedai kandaanoDid he behold a stage made of moonlight?
Avan en nizhalukku nindraanoDid he stand there waiting for my shadow?
Malarennum vaadai kondaanoDid he catch the fragrant breeze of a flower?
Avan pen mayakkam kondaanoWas he enchanted by a woman's charm?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Parakkum Paavai' (1966) is a charming and romantic duet that explores playful banter and romantic anticipation between two lovers. The male lover marvels at the heroine's ethereal beauty, poetically wondering if she is adorned in moonlight and enamored by her own youthful radiance. He wonders if she longs for love as much as he does.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Nilavennum aadai kondaalo

Compares moonlight directly to a garment draped around the heroine ('garment of moonlight').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nilavennum aadai kondaalo / Aval than nizhaludan nindraalo

Lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('kondaalo', 'nindraalo').

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Mannavan kobam kondaal / Vanjiyiar vanjam vaithaal

The second letter 'n' (ன்/ஞ்) rhymes in successive lines ('Ma-n-navan' and 'Va-n-jiyiar').

Personification

Nizhal muthangal sindhumo

Attributes the human act of scattering kisses to intangible shadows.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Parakkum Paavai' (1966) is a popular Tamil film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), B. Saroja Devi, and K. R. Vijaya. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by the iconic Kannadasan. The duet is sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, capturing the quintessential musical flavor of 1960s Tamil cinema.

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