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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nizhalai Nizhalai Varava

From Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Movie name
Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
1 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam
Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam
Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum
Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam
Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam
Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum
Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Thaanda koodathaiyaa paar manjakodu
Sattam thatti ketkum idhu sarkar roadu
Thaanda koodathaiyaa paar manjakodu
Sattam thatti ketkum idhu sarkar roadu
Kaadhalin padhaiyil kodugal yedhu
Kanvazhi kaalgalum pogindra podhu
Adhigam adhigam unadhu speedu
Thadaigal irukkum paarthu oodu
Male :Haan melum vegam koottum idhu
Break illaadha oottam
Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Male :Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam
Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam
Female :Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum
Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Male :Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Nirkka sollum ingae red signal paaru
Nirkkaa vittaal modhum bus motor caru
Nirkka sollum ingae red signal paaru
Nirkkaa vittaal modhum bus motor caru
Female :Boomiyil nirkkum paadhangal mattum
Naan kondaa aasai vaanathai ettum
Ilamai thodangi mudhumai varaikkum
Iruvar payanam thodarnthu nadakkum
Female :Neenda thooram sellum
Namn nesam ennum vellam
Nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Female :Vedikkai paarkkuthu aagaayam
Paarkattum namakkadhu aadhaayam
Male :Ulagam muzhudhum uravai ariyum
Unakkoru nizhalaai nizhalaai varavaa
Female :Medhuvaai medhuvaai thodavaa
Shall I come along as your shadow?
Shall I gently, softly touch you?
The sky is looking on at us!
Let it look, that works in our favor!
The whole world will know of our bond.
Shall I come along as a shadow for you?
Shall I gently, softly touch you?
The sky is looking on at us!
Let it look, that works in our favor!
The whole world will know of our bond.
Shall I come along as a shadow for you?
Shall I gently, softly touch you?
You shouldn't cross the yellow line, look!
The law will question you, this is a public road!
You shouldn't cross the yellow line, look!
The law will question you, this is a public road!
What boundary lines exist on the path of love,
when our feet just follow where the eyes lead?
Your speed is getting way too high!
There will be obstacles ahead, watch where you go!
Male: Ah, it will only speed up even more—
this is a ride without any brakes!
Shall I come along as your shadow?
Shall I gently, softly touch you?
Male: The sky is looking on at us!
Let it look, that works in our favor!
Female: The whole world will know of our bond.
Shall I come along as a shadow for you?
Male: Shall I gently, softly touch you?
Look, the red traffic light says to stop here!
If you don't stop, buses and cars will crash into you!
Look, the red traffic light says to stop here!
If you don't stop, buses and cars will crash into you!
Female: Only my feet are resting on the ground,
the desire in my heart reaches right up to the sky!
From our youth all the way into old age,
the journey of the two of us will carry on.
Female: It will flow for a very long way,
this surging flood of our love!
Shall I come along as your shadow?
Shall I gently, softly touch you?
Female: The sky is looking on at us!
Let it look, that works in our favor!
Male: The whole world will know of our bond.
Shall I come along as a shadow for you?
Female: Shall I gently, softly touch you?
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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