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Priyanka album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nyabagam Illaiyo Duet

From Priyanka · 1994

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
Ilayaraja, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Priyanka
Movie release year
1994
Lyrics added on
18 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nyaabagam illaiyo
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhum
Kaadhalin ellaiyo
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhum
Alli kulathin karai arugae arugae arugae
Thulli thirindhom en azhagae azhagae azhagae
Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadho
Pon maane yaeno
Nyaabagam illaiyo
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhum
Pulli vaitha vaanil kolam ida ponen
Netriyil pottai vaithu nee azhaithaai
Thulli vandhu kaadhal thoodhu vida ponen
Tholgalai thottu ennai nee anaithaai
Oru naalum maravaadha ullam nee engae
Pirivaalae uyir vaadum paedhai naan ingae
Undhan raagamum endhan geethamum
Ondru serumaa indha ninaivugal unakkae
Nyaabagam illaiyo
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhum
Kaadhalin ellaiyo
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhum
Nyaabagam illaiyo
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhum
Kaadhalin ellaiyo
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhum
Alli kulathin karai arugae arugae arugae
Thulli thirindhom en azhagae azhagae azhagae
Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadho
Pon maane yaeno
Nyaabagam illaiyo
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhum
Vanji mayil igae anjuvadhum yaeno
Vaazhvinil peiyum inba thaen mazhaiyae
Pinju manam thaedum nenjam ondru koodum
Paedhaiyin songam ingu neeralaiyae
Uyir paadhi idhu needhi ullam maaraadhu
Thuyar theerum sugam saerum thogai nogaadhu
Pulli maanudan pillai polavae
Thulli aadinom andha ninaivugal unakkae
Nyaabagam illaiyo
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhum
Kaadhalin ellaiyo
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhum
Alli kulathin karai arugae arugae arugae
Thulli thirindhom en azhagae azhagae azhagae
Andru nadandhadhum indru marandhadho
Pon maane yaeno
Nyaabagam illaiyo
Ennai kandadhum kaadhal kondadhum
Kaadhalin ellaiyo
Kangal paarthadhum kaigal saerthadhum
Don't you remember?
The moment you saw me and fell in love?
Was it the peak of love,
When our eyes met and our hands joined?
Near the edge of the lily pond, so close, so close,
We leaped and wandered, my beauty, my beauty,
Have you forgotten today what happened back then?
Why is that, my golden deer?
Don't you remember?
The moment you saw me and fell in love?
I went to draw patterns across the starry sky,
Wearing a bindi on your forehead, you called out to me,
I came bounding forward to bring a message of love,
You touched my shoulders and held me close in your arms.
Where are you, the heart that never forgets?
Here I am, a helpless girl whose life withers in separation.
Will your melody and my song
Ever unite? Do you...
Not remember?
The moment you saw me and fell in love?
Was it the peak of love,
When our eyes met and our hands joined?
Don't you remember?
The moment you saw me and fell in love?
Was it the peak of love,
When our eyes met and our hands joined?
Near the edge of the lily pond, so close, so close,
We leaped and wandered, my beauty, my beauty,
Have you forgotten today what happened back then?
Why is that, my golden deer?
Don't you remember?
The moment you saw me and fell in love?
Why does this graceful peacock tremble in fear,
O sweet rain of honey showering upon our life?
The hearts sought by innocent minds will surely unite,
A simple girl's sorrow is only a passing ripple on water.
You are half of my soul, this is justice, my heart will never change,
Sorrow will fade, joy will arrive, my sweet bird will hurt no more.
Like innocent children playing with a spotted deer,
We leaped and danced—do those memories...
Not come back to you?
The moment you saw me and fell in love?
Was it the peak of love,
When our eyes met and our hands joined?
Near the edge of the lily pond, so close, so close,
We leaped and wandered, my beauty, my beauty,
Have you forgotten today what happened back then?
Why is that, my golden deer?
Don't you remember?
The moment you saw me and fell in love?
Was it the peak of love,
When our eyes met and our hands joined?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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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