- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Aayiram Roobai
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In 'Nilavukkum Nizhal Undu', lyricist Kannadasan presents a philosophical contemplation on perception, love, and human nature. The song highlights that surface appearances can be deceptive; just as a crow and a cuckoo look identical in dark plumage, or a mirage resembles water from afar, true character cannot be judged merely by sight. True understanding requires the clarity of rational thought and looking at others through the eyes of the mind rather than superficial appearance. Set to K. V. Mahadevan's evocative music and rendered with deep emotion by P. Susheela, the song serves as a reminder that genuine love and goodness exist beyond outer labels. It urges listeners to cultivate inner vision and discernment, asserting that wisdom and true affection are found by looking deeper into the heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Nilavukkum nizhal undu”
Repetition of the initial 'Ni' sound in 'Nilavukkum' and 'nizhal'.
Metaphor / Analogy
“Kakkaiyum kuyilum orr niramae / Verum kaanalum neerum orr vadivae”
Using the outer similarity of a crow and cuckoo, and a mirage and water, as metaphors for deceptive surface appearances in human character.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Idhayathin vaasal vizhiyallava / Adhil iruppadhu anbin vazhiyallava”
Rhyming ends with 'allava' across consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nilavukkum Nizhal Undu' from the 1964 film 'Aayiram Roobai' features music by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics by Kannadasan. Performed by P. Susheela, it is celebrated as one of Kannadasan's timeless philosophical songs about human perception and true inner beauty.
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