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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilavu Thoongum Neram Male

From Kunguma Chimil · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kunguma Chimil1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nilavu thoongum neramWhen the moon goes to sleep,
Ninaivu thoongidathuMemories do not sleep.
Iravu thoonginaalumEven if the night falls asleep,
Uravu thoongidathuThe relationship does not sleep.
Male
Idhu oru thodar kathaiThis is a continuing story,
Dhinam dhinam valar piraiA waxing moon growing day by day.
Nilavu thoongum neramWhen the moon goes to sleep...
Male
Naangu kannil indruIn four eyes today,
Oru kaatchiyaanathaeIt has become a single vision.
Vaanam kaatru boomiThe sky, wind, and earth,
Ivai saatchiyaanathaeThese have become witnesses.
Male
Naan unnai paarthathuMe seeing you
Poorva jenma banthamIs a bond from a past life.
Neenda naal ninaivilaeIn long-held memories,
Vaazhum indha sonthamThis bond will live on.
Male
Naan ini nee..From now on, I am you..
Nee ini naanYou are now me.
Vaazhvom vaa kannaeCome, my darling, let us live together.
Male
Nilavu thoongum neramWhen the moon goes to sleep,
Ninaivu thoongidathuMemories do not sleep.
Iravu thoonginaalumEven if the night falls asleep,
Uravu thoongidathuThe relationship does not sleep.
Male
Idhu oru thodar kathaiThis is a continuing story,
Dhinam dhinam valar piraiA waxing moon growing day by day.
Nilavu thoongum neram…When the moon goes to sleep...
Male
Geethai pola kaadhalLove, like the Gita,
Miga punithamaanathuIs deeply sacred.
Kothai nenjil aadum inthaSwaying in a maiden's heart,
Siluvai pondrathuIt is like a holy cross.
Male
Vaazhvilum thaazhvilumIn life's highs and lows,
Vilagidaatha nesamAn inseparable love.
Vaalibam thendralaaiYouth, like a gentle breeze,
Endrum ingu veesumWill forever blow here.
Male
Yen mayakkam…..Why this trance/dizziness...
Yen thayakkamWhy this hesitation?
Kannae vaa ingae…Come here, my darling...
Male
Nilavu thoongum neramWhen the moon goes to sleep,
Ninaivu thoongidathuMemories do not sleep.
Iravu thoonginaalumEven if the night falls asleep,
Uravu thoongidathuThe relationship does not sleep.
Male
: Idhu oru thodar kathaiThis is a continuing story,
Dhinam dhinam valar piraiA waxing moon growing day by day.
Nilavu thoongum neramWhen the moon goes to sleep,
Ninaivu thoongidathu…Memories do not sleep...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the context, this famous track from 'Kunguma Chimil' (1985) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by the legendary duo S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. Lyricist Vaali uniquely blended secular and cross-religious metaphors (comparing love to both the Gita and the Cross) within a mainstream romantic duet.

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