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Kunguma Chimil album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nilavu Thoongum Neram Male

From Kunguma Chimil · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kunguma Chimil
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
8 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nilavu thoongum neram
Ninaivu thoongidathu
Iravu thoonginaalum
Uravu thoongidathu
Idhu oru thodar kathai
Dhinam dhinam valar pirai
Nilavu thoongum neram
Naangu kannil indru
Oru kaatchiyaanathae
Vaanam kaatru boomi
Ivai saatchiyaanathae
Naan unnai paarthathu
Poorva jenma bantham
Neenda naal ninaivilae
Vaazhum indha sontham
Naan ini nee..
Nee ini naan
Vaazhvom vaa kannae
Nilavu thoongum neram
Ninaivu thoongidathu
Iravu thoonginaalum
Uravu thoongidathu
Idhu oru thodar kathai
Dhinam dhinam valar pirai
Nilavu thoongum neram…
Geethai pola kaadhal
Miga punithamaanathu
Kothai nenjil aadum intha
Siluvai pondrathu
Vaazhvilum thaazhvilum
Vilagidaatha nesam
Vaalibam thendralaai
Endrum ingu veesum
Yen mayakkam…..
Yen thayakkam
Kannae vaa ingae…
Nilavu thoongum neram
Ninaivu thoongidathu
Iravu thoonginaalum
Uravu thoongidathu
: Idhu oru thodar kathai
Dhinam dhinam valar pirai
Nilavu thoongum neram
Ninaivu thoongidathu…
When the moon sleeps,
memories never sleep.
Even if the night falls asleep,
our bond never sleeps.
This is an unending story,
a crescent moon growing day by day.
When the moon sleeps...
In our four eyes today,
there is just one shared vision.
The sky, the wind, and the earth—
they have become our witnesses.
Finding you like this
is a bond from a past life.
In long-lasting memories,
this love lives on.
From now on, I am you...
From now on, you are me...
Come, my love, let us live together.
When the moon sleeps,
memories never sleep.
Even if the night falls asleep,
our bond never sleeps.
This is an unending story,
a crescent moon growing day by day.
When the moon sleeps...
Like the holy Gita, love
is deeply sacred.
Swaying against my beloved's heart,
it is just like this cross.
Through life's highs and lows,
this love will never fade away.
Like a gentle breeze, our youth
will always blow right here.
Why this sweet daze?
Why this hesitation?
Come to me, my love.
When the moon sleeps,
memories never sleep.
Even if the night falls asleep,
our bond never sleeps.
This is an unending story,
a crescent moon growing day by day.
When the moon sleeps,
memories never sleep.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic romantic track captures timeless love that transcends physical sleep, night, and even lifetimes. The lovers express that their emotional bond and memories remain awake and endlessly growing, much like a crescent moon continuously waxing into a full moon. Their union is described as a destiny predestined from past births (poorva jenma bantham) witnessed by elements of nature—the sky, wind, and earth. In the second stanza, lyricist Vaali elevates human romance to a spiritual level by comparing love to the sacred Bhagavad Gita and the holy cross, highlighting its purity and constancy through life's highs and lows. Ultimately, the song celebrates complete unity between two souls who merge their identities, inviting each other to embrace a everlasting journey together without hesitation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Iravu thoonginaalum / Uravu thoongidathu

The second letter 'ra' (ர) in both 'Iravu' and 'Uravu' creates a rhythmic Tamil Ethugai rhyme.

Simile (Upamai)

Geethai pola kaadhal

Love is explicitly compared to the holy scripture 'Gita' using the comparative word 'pola' (like).

Simile (Upamai)

Siluvai pondrathu

Love in a maiden's heart is compared to a sacred cross using the comparative word 'pondrathu'.

Muran (Antithesis)

Vaazhvilum thaazhvilum

Contrasting opposites 'Vaazhvu' (prosperity/rise) and 'Thaazhvu' (adversity/fall) are paired to emphasize unwavering devotion.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Dhinam dhinam valar pirai

The blossoming relationship is metaphorically described as a waxing moon that grows day by day.

Keep listening

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