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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nyabagam Illaiyo Duet

From Priyanka · 1994

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
Ilayaraja, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Priyanka1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nyaabagam illaiyoDon't you remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love...
Kaadhalin ellaiyoIs this the limit of love?
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhumOur eyes meeting and our hands joining...
Alli kulathin karai arugae arugae arugaeNear, near, near the banks of the lily pond,
Thulli thirindhom en azhagae azhagae azhagaeWe danced and wandered, my beautiful one, my beautiful one, my beautiful one.
Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadhoHave you forgotten today what happened back then?
Pon maane yaenoWhy is that, my golden deer?
Female
Nyaabagam illaiyoDon't you remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love...
Female
Pulli vaitha vaanil kolam ida ponenI went to draw a rangoli in the starry, dotted sky,
Netriyil pottai vaithu nee azhaithaaiPlacing a bindi on your forehead, you called out to me.
Thulli vandhu kaadhal thoodhu vida ponenI bounded forward to deliver love's message,
Tholgalai thottu ennai nee anaithaaiTouching my shoulders, you embraced me.
Oru naalum maravaadha ullam nee engaeWhere are you, possessing a heart that never forgets?
Pirivaalae uyir vaadum paedhai naan ingaeHere I am, an innocent soul wilting from separation.
Undhan raagamum endhan geethamumYour melody and my song...
Ondru serumaa indha ninaivugal unakkaeWill they unite? Do these memories remain with you?
Female
Nyaabagam illaiyoDon't you remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love...
Kaadhalin ellaiyoIs this the limit of love?
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhumOur eyes meeting and our hands joining...
Male
Nyaabagam illaiyoDon't you remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love...
Kaadhalin ellaiyoIs this the limit of love?
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhumOur eyes meeting and our hands joining...
Alli kulathin karai arugae arugae arugaeNear, near, near the banks of the lily pond,
Thulli thirindhom en azhagae azhagae azhagaeWe danced and wandered, my beautiful one, my beautiful one, my beautiful one.
Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadhoHave you forgotten today what happened back then?
Pon maane yaenoWhy is that, my golden deer?
Male
Nyaabagam illaiyoDon't you remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love...
Male
Vanji mayil igae anjuvadhum yaenoWhy does this slender peacock fear here?
Vaazhvinil peiyum inba thaen mazhaiyaeOh, rain of sweet honey pouring over life!
Pinju manam thaedum nenjam ondru koodumThe tender heart searches, and our souls shall unite,
Paedhaiyin songam ingu neeralaiyaeThe grief of this innocent girl is like a ripple on water.
Uyir paadhi idhu needhi ullam maaraadhuYou are half my soul; this is justice, and my heart will not change.
Thuyar theerum sugam saerum thogai nogaadhuSorrow will end, joy will arrive, and this peacock shall suffer no more.
Pulli maanudan pillai polavaeJust like a child with a spotted deer,
Thulli aadinom andha ninaivugal unakkaeWe danced with joy; do you still hold those memories?
Male
Nyaabagam illaiyoDon't you remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love...
Kaadhalin ellaiyoIs this the limit of love?
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhumOur eyes meeting and our hands joining...
Alli kulathin karai arugae arugae arugaeNear, near, near the banks of the lily pond,
Thulli thirindhom en azhagae azhagae azhagaeWe danced and wandered, my beautiful one, my beautiful one, my beautiful one.
Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadhoHave you forgotten today what happened back then?
Pon maane yaenoWhy is that, my golden deer?
Male
Nyaabagam illaiyoDon't you remember?
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhumSeeing me and falling in love...
Kaadhalin ellaiyoIs this the limit of love?
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhumOur eyes meeting and our hands joining...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Nyaabagam Illaiyo' is a poignant, nostalgic song that portrays the deep longing and heartache of separation between lovers. The singer reminisces about cherished past moments—dancing freely near lily ponds, playful interactions, and affectionate embraces—while gently questioning if the beloved has forgotten those sweet memories.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadho

Rhyming of the second letter 'ndru' in 'Andru' and 'indru'.

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

Thulli thirindhom en azhagae azhagae azhagae

Initial consonant alliteration with the 'Th' sound in 'Thulli' and 'thirindhom'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaazhvinil peiyum inba thaen mazhaiyae

Life's joy is metaphorically described as a sweet, falling rain of honey.

Repetition (Anaphora)

Alli kulathin karai arugae arugae arugae

Repetition of 'arugae' (near) emphasizes proximity, intimacy, and rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Nyaabagam Illaiyo' is from the 1994 Tamil drama film 'Priyanka', starring Revathi, Jayaram, and Prabhu. The film's musical score was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with emotional lyrics penned by the distinguished poet Mu. Metha. Classical imagery such as lily ponds, peacocks, and spotted deer are extensively used in the lyrics to convey romantic innocence.

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