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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilavukku Enmel Ennadi Kobam

From Policekaran Magal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Policekaran Magal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Nilavukku enmel ennadi kobamWhy is the moon so angry at me,
Neruppaai erigiradhuIt burns like a fire!
Indha malarukku enmel ennadi kobamWhy is this flower angry at me,
Mullai maariyadhu} (2)It has turned into a thorn!
Male
Kani mozhikken mel ennadi kobamWhy is your sweet voice angry at me,
Kanalaai kaaikiradhuIt burns hot like embers!
Undhan kangalukken mel ennadi kobamWhy are your eyes angry at me,
Kanaiyaai paaikiradhuThey pierce through me like arrows!
Male
Nilavukku enmel ennadi kobamWhy is the moon so angry at me,
Neruppaai erigiradhuIt burns like a fire!
Indha malarukku enmel ennadi kobamWhy is this flower angry at me,
Mullai maariyadhuIt has turned into a thorn!
Male
Kulungum munthaanaiOh swaying saree pallu,
Sirikkum athaanai virattuvathenadiyoWhy do you chase away your smiling lover?
Kulungum munthaanaiOh swaying saree pallu,
Sirikkum athaanai virattuvathenadiyoWhy do you chase away your smiling lover?
Undhan kodiyidai indruWhy does your slender vine-like waist today
Padai kondu vandhu kolvathumenadiyoBring an entire army to slay me?
Thirumana naalil manavarai meedhuOn the wedding dais on our marriage day,
Iruppavan naan thaanaeAm I not the groom who will stand by you?
Ennai oru murai paarthuLooking at me just once,
Orakkannalae sirippaval neethaanaeAre you not the one who smiles at me from the corner of her eyes?
Male
Nilavukku enmel ennadi kobamWhy is the moon so angry at me,
Neruppaai erigiradhuIt burns like a fire!
Indha malarukku enmel ennadi kobamWhy is this flower angry at me,
Mullai maariyadhuIt has turned into a thorn!
Male
Chithirai nilavaeOh radiant moon of Chithirai,
Athaiyin magalaeOh daughter of my aunt,
Sendrathai marandhu vidu aaaForget what happened in the past, ah...
Chithirai nilavaeOh radiant moon of Chithirai,
Athaiyin magalaeOh daughter of my aunt,
Sendrathai marandhu viduForget what happened in the past,
Undhan bakthiyil thilaikkumTo this cousin who is immersed in devotion to you,
Aththaan enakku paadhaiyai thirandhuviduClear a path forward for me!
Undhan bakthiyil thilaikkumTo this cousin who is immersed in devotion to you,
Aththaan enakku paadhaiyai thirandhuviduClear a path forward for me!
Male
Nilavukku enmel ennadi kobamWhy is the moon so angry at me,
Neruppaai erigiradhuIt burns like a fire!
Indha malarukku enmel ennadi kobamWhy is this flower angry at me,
Mullai maariyadhuIt has turned into a thorn!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Nilavukku Enmel Ennadi Kobam' is a timeless romantic classic from the 1962 Tamil film 'Policekaran Magal'. Rendered tenderly by P. B. Sreenivas, the protagonist expresses his gentle sorrow and confusion over his beloved's sudden anger towards him. He poetically laments that nature's most soothing elements—the cool moonlight, soft flowers, her sweet voice, and loving gaze—now feel like burning fire, sharp thorns, hot coals, and piercing arrows because she is upset with him. Reminding her of their deep emotional bond, childhood closeness as cousins, and their promised future together, he lovingly pleads with her to forget past misunderstandings and clear the path for their love to bloom once again.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Nilavukku enmel ennadi kobam / Neruppaai erigiradhu

Contrasts the inherently cool moon (Nilavu) with the sensation of burning fire (Neruppu) to emphasize emotional torment.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Kanaiyaai paaikiradhu

Metaphorically compares the sharp, piercing glances of the angry beloved to arrows (Kanai) shot at the lover.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kulungum munthaanai / Sirikkum athaanai

The second consonant sound 'lu'/'ri' and structural symmetry rhyme across the lines ('munthaanai' / 'athaanai').

Simile (Upamai)

Kani mozhikken mel ennadi kobam / Kanalaai kaaikiradhu

Compares her voice, usually sweet as fruit (Kani mozhi), to scorching hot embers (Kanal).

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Trivia

'Nilavukku Enmel Ennadi Kobam' remains one of the most celebrated romantic solos of P. B. Sreenivas, composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kaviyarasu Kannadasan. The track is renowned for its lush string arrangements and smooth vocal delivery, perfectly matching actor Muthuraman's on-screen performance.

Keep listening

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