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Kannukkul Nilavu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nilavu Paatu

From Kannukkul Nilavu · 2000

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
Hariharan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kannukkul Nilavu
Movie release year
2000
Lyrics added on
24 Nov 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nilavu paattu nilavu paattu…
Orr naal ketten
Moongil kaattil moongil kaattil…
Naalum padiththen
{Nilavu paattu nilavu paattu…
Orr naal ketten
Moongil kaattil moongil kaattil…
Naalum padiththen} (2)
Andha isaiyin ragasiyam
Iru uyirukku purindhadhu
Iru uyirukku purindhadhu
Ingu yaarukkuth therindhadhu
Isaiyil kalandhu midhakkum thendralae
Isaiyin magalai paarththadhillaiyo
Nilavu paattu nilavu paattu…
Orr naal ketten
Moongil kaattil moongil kaattil…
Naalum padiththen
Kanavugal varuvadhu
Vizhigalin viruppamaa
Kavidhaigal varuvadhu
Kavinjanin viruppamaa
Kuyilgalin iruppidam
Isaiyaal ariyalaam
Malarndhidum malargalai
Vaasanai sollalaam
Kuyilgalum malargalum adhisayam
Kanavugal kavidhaigal ragasiyam
Nilavu paattu nilavu paattu…
Orr naal ketten
Moongil kaattil moongil kaattil…
Naalum padiththen
Nilavondru nadandhadhu
Suvadugal manadhilae
Mazhai vandhu nanaiththadhu
Isai yennai seviyilae
Kolusugal keerththanai
Yaarandha dhevadhai
Vizhigalil virigiraal
Yaarandha thaamarai
Idhu oru pudhuvidha paravasam
Mayakkudhu isaiyennum adhisayam
Nilavu paattu nilavu paattu…
Orr naal ketten
Moongil kaattil moongil kaattil…
Naalum padiththen
Andha isaiyin ragasiyam
Iru uyirukku purindhadhu
Iru uyirukku purindhadhu
Ingu yaarukkuth therindhadhu
Isaiyil kalandhu midhakkum thendralae
Isaiyin magalai paarththadhillaiyo
{Nilavu paattu nilavu paattu…
Orr naal ketten
Moongil kaattil moongil kaattil…
Naalum padiththen} (2)
A song of the moon, a song of the moon,
one day, I heard it.
In the bamboo forest, in the bamboo forest,
every day, I sang it.
{A song of the moon, a song of the moon,
one day, I heard it.
In the bamboo forest, in the bamboo forest,
every day, I sang it.} (2)
The secret of that music,
two souls understood.
Two souls understood,
who else here knew it?
O gentle breeze drifting blended with music,
haven't you seen the daughter of music?
A song of the moon, a song of the moon,
one day, I heard it.
In the bamboo forest, in the bamboo forest,
every day, I sang it.
Do dreams come
by the wish of the eyes?
Do poems come
by the wish of the poet?
Where the cuckoos live
can be known by their song.
The flowers that bloom
can be told by their fragrance.
Cuckoos and flowers are a wonder,
dreams and poems are a secret.
A song of the moon, a song of the moon,
one day, I heard it.
In the bamboo forest, in the bamboo forest,
every day, I sang it.
A moon walked by,
leaving footprints in my heart.
Rain came and drenched me,
as music poured into my ears.
Her anklets sing a sweet melody,
who is that angel?
She blossoms before my eyes,
who is that lotus?
This is a new kind of joy,
this wonder called music enchants me.
A song of the moon, a song of the moon,
one day, I heard it.
In the bamboo forest, in the bamboo forest,
every day, I sang it.
The secret of that music,
two souls understood.
Two souls understood,
who else here knew it?
O gentle breeze drifting blended with music,
haven't you seen the daughter of music?
{A song of the moon, a song of the moon,
one day, I heard it.
In the bamboo forest, in the bamboo forest,
every day, I sang it.} (2)
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Nilavu Paattu' is a soulful, poetic track from the movie Kannukkul Nilavu that expresses a deep, mystical connection between music, nature, and love. The protagonist reflects on hearing a captivating melody resonating through a bamboo forest, a song whose secret meaning is shared and understood only by two kindred souls. Nature serves as the backdrop and metaphor for romance—dreams, blooming flowers, calling cuckoos, and gentle breezes reflect the inner ecstasy and mystery of falling in love. The song portrays love as an ethereal musical experience that washes over the senses like rain and leaves an everlasting footprint on the heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

“Nilavu paattu nilavu paattu... / Moongil kaattil moongil kaattil...”

Repetition of words consecutively to create rhythm and emphasize the mystical nature of the moonlit song and bamboo forest.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Nilavondru nadandhadhu / Suvadugal manadhilae”

Comparing the arrival of the beloved to a walking moon that leaves emotional footprints on the protagonist's heart.

Rhetorical Question

“Vizhigalin viruppamaa / Kavinjanin viruppamaa”

Questioning whether dreams arise out of the eyes' longing or poems from a poet's desire, heightening the poetic beauty of human emotion.

Personification

“Isaiyil kalandhu midhakkum thendralae / Isaiyin magalai paarththadhillaiyo”

Addressing the breeze as a living entity that floats through music and asking if it has met 'music's daughter'.

Keep listening

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