Nizhalai Nizhalai Varava
From Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu · 1991
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Sankar Ganesh
- Details
- Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa | Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow? |
| Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa | Shall I touch you gently, gently? |
| Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam | The sky is watching the show |
| Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam | Let it watch, that is an advantage for us |
| Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum | The whole world will know our relationship |
| Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa | Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you? |
| Male | |
| Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa | Shall I touch you gently, gently? |
| Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam | The sky is watching the show |
| Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam | Let it watch, that is an advantage for us |
| Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum | The whole world will know our relationship |
| Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa | Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you? |
| Female | |
| Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa | Shall I touch you gently, gently? |
| Female | |
| Thaanda koodathaiyaa paar manjakodu | Look, you shouldn't cross the yellow line, sir |
| Sattam thatti ketkum idhu sarkar roadu | The law will question you, this is a government road |
| Thaanda koodathaiyaa paar manjakodu | Look, you shouldn't cross the yellow line, sir |
| Sattam thatti ketkum idhu sarkar roadu | The law will question you, this is a government road |
| Male | |
| Kaadhalin padhaiyil kodugal yedhu | Are there any lines on the path of love? |
| Kanvazhi kaalgalum pogindra podhu | When feet travel along where the eyes lead? |
| Female | |
| Adhigam adhigam unadhu speedu | Your speed is too high, too high |
| Thadaigal irukkum paarthu oodu | There will be obstacles, drive carefully |
| Male :Haan melum vegam koottum idhu | Male: Haan, this will increase the speed further |
| Break illaadha oottam | A run without brakes |
| Female | |
| Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa | Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow? |
| Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa | Shall I touch you gently, gently? |
| Male :Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam | Male: The sky is watching the show |
| Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam | Let it watch, that is an advantage for us |
| Female :Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum | Female: The whole world will know our relationship |
| Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa | Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you? |
| Male :Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa | Male: Shall I touch you gently, gently? |
| Male | |
| Nirkka sollum ingae red signal paaru | Look at the red signal here telling you to stop |
| Nirkkaa vittaal modhum bus motor caru | If you don't stop, buses, motors, and cars will crash |
| Nirkka sollum ingae red signal paaru | Look at the red signal here telling you to stop |
| Nirkkaa vittaal modhum bus motor caru | If you don't stop, buses, motors, and cars will crash |
| Female :Boomiyil nirkkum paadhangal mattum | Female: Only the feet stand on the earth |
| Naan kondaa aasai vaanathai ettum | But the desire I have reaches the sky |
| Male | |
| Ilamai thodangi mudhumai varaikkum | From youth until old age |
| Iruvar payanam thodarnthu nadakkum | The journey of the two will continue together |
| Female :Neenda thooram sellum | Female: It will go a long distance |
| Namn nesam ennum vellam | The flood of our affection |
| Male | |
| Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa | Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow? |
| Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa | Shall I touch you gently, gently? |
| Female :Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam | Female: The sky is watching the show |
| Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam | Let it watch, that is an advantage for us |
| Male :Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum | Male: The whole world will know our relationship |
| Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa | Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you? |
| Female :Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa | Female: Shall I touch you gently, gently? |
நிழலாய் நிழலாய் வரவா
மெதுவாய் மெதுவாய் தொடவா
வேடிக்கை பார்க்குது ஆகாயம்
பார்க்கட்டும் நமக்கது ஆதாயம்
உலகம் முழுதும் உறவை அறியும்
உனக்கொரு நிழலாய் நிழலாய் வரவா
Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow?
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
The sky is watching the show
Let it watch, that is an advantage for us
The whole world will know our relationship
Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you?
மெதுவாய் மெதுவாய் தொடவா
வேடிக்கை பார்க்குது ஆகாயம்
பார்க்கட்டும் நமக்கது ஆதாயம்
உலகம் முழுதும் உறவை அறியும்
உனக்கொரு நிழலாய் நிழலாய் வரவா..
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
The sky is watching the show
Let it watch, that is an advantage for us
The whole world will know our relationship
Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you?
மெதுவாய் மெதுவாய் தொடவா..
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
தாண்டக் கூடாதய்யா பார் மஞ்சக்கோடு
சட்டம் தட்டிக் கேட்கும் இது சர்க்கார் ரோடு
தாண்டக் கூடாதய்யா பார் மஞ்சக்கோடு
சட்டம் தட்டிக் கேட்கும் இது சர்க்கார் ரோடு
Look, you shouldn't cross the yellow line, sir
The law will question you, this is a government road
Look, you shouldn't cross the yellow line, sir
The law will question you, this is a government road
காதலின் பாதையில் கோடுகள் ஏது
கண்வழி கால்களும் போகின்ற போது
Are there any lines on the path of love?
When feet travel along where the eyes lead?
அதிகம் அதிகம் உனது ஸ்பீடு
தடைகள் இருக்கும் பார்த்து ஓடு
மேலும் வேகம் கூட்டும் இது
ப்ரேக் இல்லாத ஓட்டம்
Your speed is too high, too high
There will be obstacles, drive carefully
Male: Haan, this will increase the speed further
A run without brakes
நிழலாய் நிழலாய் வரவா
மெதுவாய் மெதுவாய் தொடவா
வேடிக்கை பார்க்குது ஆகாயம்
பார்க்கட்டும் நமக்கது ஆதாயம்
உலகம் முழுதும் உறவை அறியும்
உனக்கொரு நிழலாய் நிழலாய் வரவா
மெதுவாய் மெதுவாய் தொடவா
Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow?
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Male: The sky is watching the show
Let it watch, that is an advantage for us
Female: The whole world will know our relationship
Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you?
Male: Shall I touch you gently, gently?
நிற்க சொல்லும் இங்கே ரெட் சிக்னல் பாரு
நிற்காவிட்டால் மோதும் பஸ் மோட்டார் காரு
நிற்க சொல்லும் இங்கே ரெட் சிக்னல் பாரு
நிற்காவிட்டால் மோதும் பஸ் மோட்டார் காரு
Look at the red signal here telling you to stop
If you don't stop, buses, motors, and cars will crash
Look at the red signal here telling you to stop
If you don't stop, buses, motors, and cars will crash
Female: Only the feet stand on the earth
But the desire I have reaches the sky
பூமியில் நிற்கும் பாதங்கள் மட்டும்
நான் கொண்ட ஆசை வானத்தை எட்டும்
From youth until old age
The journey of the two will continue together
Female: It will go a long distance
The flood of our affection
இளமை தொடங்கி முதுமை வரைக்கும்
இருவர் பயணம் தொடர்ந்து நடக்கும்
பெண் : நீண்ட தூரம் செல்லும்
நம் மோகம் என்னும் வெள்ளம்
Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow?
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Female: The sky is watching the show
Let it watch, that is an advantage for us
Male: The whole world will know our relationship
Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you?
Female: Shall I touch you gently, gently?
நிழலாய் நிழலாய் வரவா
மெதுவாய் மெதுவாய் தொடவா
வேடிக்கை பார்க்குது ஆகாயம்
பார்க்கட்டும் நமக்கது ஆதாயம்
உலகம் முழுதும் உறவை அறியும்
உனக்கொரு நிழலாய் நிழலாய் வரவா
மெதுவாய் மெதுவாய் தொடவா
லாலாலலலலலாலா.......
Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow?
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam
The sky is watching the show
Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam
Let it watch, that is an advantage for us
Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum
The whole world will know our relationship
Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you?
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam
The sky is watching the show
Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam
Let it watch, that is an advantage for us
Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum
The whole world will know our relationship
Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you?
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Thaanda koodathaiyaa paar manjakodu
Look, you shouldn't cross the yellow line, sir
Sattam thatti ketkum idhu sarkar roadu
The law will question you, this is a government road
Thaanda koodathaiyaa paar manjakodu
Look, you shouldn't cross the yellow line, sir
Sattam thatti ketkum idhu sarkar roadu
The law will question you, this is a government road
Kaadhalin padhaiyil kodugal yedhu
Are there any lines on the path of love?
Kanvazhi kaalgalum pogindra podhu
When feet travel along where the eyes lead?
Adhigam adhigam unadhu speedu
Your speed is too high, too high
Thadaigal irukkum paarthu oodu
There will be obstacles, drive carefully
Male :Haan melum vegam koottum idhu
Male: Haan, this will increase the speed further
Break illaadha oottam
A run without brakes
Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow?
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Male :Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam
Male: The sky is watching the show
Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam
Let it watch, that is an advantage for us
Female :Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum
Female: The whole world will know our relationship
Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you?
Male :Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Male: Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Nirkka sollum ingae red signal paaru
Look at the red signal here telling you to stop
Nirkkaa vittaal modhum bus motor caru
If you don't stop, buses, motors, and cars will crash
Nirkka sollum ingae red signal paaru
Look at the red signal here telling you to stop
Nirkkaa vittaal modhum bus motor caru
If you don't stop, buses, motors, and cars will crash
Female :Boomiyil nirkkum paadhangal mattum
Female: Only the feet stand on the earth
Naan kondaa aasai vaanathai ettum
But the desire I have reaches the sky
Ilamai thodangi mudhumai varaikkum
From youth until old age
Iruvar payanam thodarnthu nadakkum
The journey of the two will continue together
Female :Neenda thooram sellum
Female: It will go a long distance
Namn nesam ennum vellam
The flood of our affection
Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Shall I come as a shadow, as a shadow?
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Female :Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam
Female: The sky is watching the show
Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam
Let it watch, that is an advantage for us
Male :Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum
Male: The whole world will know our relationship
Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Shall I come as a shadow, a shadow for you?
Female :Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Female: Shall I touch you gently, gently?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nizhalaai Nizhalaai Varavaa is a charming duet written by Vaali for the 1991 movie Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu. The song creatively uses urban traffic terminology—such as yellow lines, red signals, brakes, and speed limits—as metaphors for boundaries and caution in a blossoming romantic relationship. One lover playfully warns about rules and restraint, while the other counters that love knows no boundaries when guided by the eyes and heart. The song captures the playful banter, thrill, and affection shared between lovers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Anaphora / Word Repetition)
“Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa / Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa”
Repeating words like 'nizhalaai' (as a shadow) and 'medhuvaai' (gently) enhances the rhythmic musicality and emphasizes the tenderness of touch and presence.
Iyaipu (Rhyming)
“Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam / Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam”
The line-ending words 'aagaayam' (sky) and 'aadhaayam' (benefit/advantage) create an end-rhyme (Iyaipu) that gives the refrain its catchy cadence.
Extended Metaphor
“Sattam thatti ketkum idhu sarkar roadu”
Modern road signs and traffic regulations ('manjakodu', 'red signal', 'sarkar roadu') serve as a metaphor for social boundaries and personal restraints in romance.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Namn nesam ennum vellam”
Affection ('nesam') is directly equated to a flowing flood ('vellam'), emphasizing its vastness and unstoppable nature.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by legendary lyricist Vaali, the song showcases his unique talent for integrating modern, everyday urban vocabulary (such as traffic signals, speed, break, sarkar road) seamlessly into traditional Tamil poetic meters.
Keep listening
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