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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nillu Nillu Megame

From Bommai Kalyanam · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
P. Susheela, Jamuna Rani, Chorus
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Bommai Kalyanam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…[Vocalizing]
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa… aa…haaa…aa…aa..Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Hmmm mm mm hmm mm mm mm hmm mm mm[Humming]
Female
Nillu nillu megamaeWait, wait, oh cloud!
Nilavai moodi maraikkaadhaeDo not cover and hide the moon!
Ullam magizhum mangaiyar varundhaCausing sorrow to the happy-hearted maidens,
Ulagil irulai iraikkaadhaeDo not scatter darkness upon the world!
Nilavai moodi maraikkaadhaeDo not cover and hide the moon!
Chorus :Nillu nillu megamae megamaeChorus: Wait, wait, oh cloud, oh cloud!
Chorus
Haa…aaa…aaa….[Vocalizing]
Female :Haa..aaa..haaa…aa…Female: [Vocalizing]
Chorus :Haa…aaa…aaa….Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Female :Hoo ooo hoo ooFemale: [Vocalizing]
Female
Allum pagalum thannai marandhuForgetting themselves night and day,
Aanandhamaaga aadi thirindhuDancing and wandering in joy,
Chorus
Aanandhamaaga aadi thirindhuDancing and wandering in joy,
Female
Mullai polae mugam malarndhuWith faces blooming like jasmine blossoms,
Mullai polae mugam malarndhuWith faces blooming like jasmine blossoms,
Ullaasa vaazhvai kuri vaithuAiming for a life filled with delight,
Ullaasa vaazhvai kuri vaithuAiming for a life filled with delight,
Chorus
Ullam magizhum mangaiyar varundhaCausing sorrow to the happy-hearted maidens,
Ulagil irulai iraikkaadhaeDo not scatter darkness upon the world!
Nilavai moodi maraikkaadhaeDo not cover and hide the moon!
Nillu nillu megamae megamaeWait, wait, oh cloud, oh cloud!
Female
Kaalil sadhangai galeer galeer yena…As the anklets on the feet jingle 'galeer galeer',
Aa…aaa…aaa….[Vocalizing]
Chorus :Hoo ooo hoo oo oo…Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Female :Kandavar meni paleer paleer yena…As the radiance of onlookers shines bright 'paleer paleer',
Aa… aa… aa…[Vocalizing]
Chorus :Hoo ooo hoo oo oo…Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Female
Vaalai paruvam idho idho yenaProclaiming youthful charm is right here,
Vaalai paruvam idho idho yenaProclaiming youthful charm is right here,
Vaanavil polae vadivam kaattiDisplaying a form vibrant like a rainbow,
Chorus
Ullam magizhum mangaiyar varundhaCausing sorrow to the happy-hearted maidens,
Ulagil irulai iraikkaadhaeDo not scatter darkness upon the world!
Nilavai moodi maraikkaadhaeDo not cover and hide the moon!
Nillu nillu megamae megamaeWait, wait, oh cloud, oh cloud!
Female
Aasai kanavugal aayiram thondraAs a thousand cherished dreams arise,
Nenjil oonjal aadavaeSwinging gently within the heart,
Chorus
Nenjil oonjal aadavaeSwinging gently within the heart,
Female
Veesum vasantham vaazhvinil endruBelieving a pleasant spring has entered life,
Pesum vizhighal paadavaeAs expressive eyes sing in delight,
Chorus
Pesum vizhighal paadavaeAs expressive eyes sing in delight,
Chorus
Ullam magizhum mangaiyar varundhaCausing sorrow to the happy-hearted maidens,
Ulagil irulai iraikkaadhaeDo not scatter darkness upon the world!
Nilavai moodi maraikkaadhaeDo not cover and hide the moon!
Nillu nillu megamae megamaeWait, wait, oh cloud, oh cloud!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Nillu Nillu Megamae' is an enchanting classic song from the 1958 film Bommai Kalyanam, where young women urge passing clouds not to obscure the glowing moon. The moon's light represents joy, romantic anticipation, and youthfulness, while dark clouds symbolise gloom or unwanted interruption to their celebrations. Throughout the song, the maidens celebrate their youth, full of hopes, lively dancing, jingling anklets, and dreams swinging happily in their hearts. The poetic lyrics by A. Maruthakasi emphasize the radiance of youthful maidenhood blooming like jasmine flowers and colorful rainbows under the moonlight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Mullai polae mugam malarndhu

Compares the joyfully blooming faces of young women to blooming jasmine flowers (Mullai) using the comparison word 'polae'.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Vaanavil polae vadivam kaatti

Compares the beautiful, colorful appearance of youth to a rainbow ('Vaanavil polae').

Onomatopoeia (Oli Kurippu Sol)

Kaalil sadhangai galeer galeer yena…

Uses the sound word 'galeer galeer' to vividly describe the jingling sound of anklets on dancing feet.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Nillu nillu megamae / Nilavai moodi maraikkaadhae

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ni' in 'Nillu' and 'Nilavai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Bommai Kalyanam (1958) was directed by R. M. Krishnaswamy and featured music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The lyrics for this track were penned by the legendary lyricist A. Maruthakasi. The film featured a prominent cast including Sivaji Ganesan, Jamuna, and B. Saroja Devi.

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