Oru Nila
From Chikku Bukku · 2010
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- Pravin Mani
- Details
- Chikku Bukku2010
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| …………… | |
| Male | |
| Oru nila thodum dhoorathil | A moon at a touching distance, |
| Irunthum mudiyavillai theenda | Yet I am unable to touch it. |
| Female | |
| Thiruvizha indha nerathil | At this moment of festive celebration, |
| Thayakkam varambukalai thaandu | Cross the boundaries of hesitation. |
| Male | |
| Unai paarthen naan | I looked at you, |
| Enai thotreney | And I lost myself. |
| Female | |
| Uyir kaatrai naan | Like vital breath, |
| Unai yetreney | I welcomed you into my soul. |
| Male | |
| Udan nadakkum nizhal naaney | I am the shadow walking alongside you. |
| Male | |
| Oru nila thodum dhoorathil | A moon at a touching distance, |
| Irunthum mudiyavillai theenda | Yet I am unable to touch it. |
| Unai paarthen naan | I looked at you, |
| Enai thotreney | And I lost myself. |
| Female | |
| Uyir kaatrai naan | Like vital breath, |
| Unai yetreney | I welcomed you into my soul. |
| Male | |
| Udan nadakkum nizhal naaney | I am the shadow walking alongside you. |
| Chorus | |
| Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan | Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan |
| Chan Chanaa chan penne | Chan Chanaa chan, oh girl, |
| Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan | Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan |
| Chan Chanaa chan kanne | Chan Chanaa chan, my dear, |
| Female | |
| Naan vaazhum naal varai | As long as I live, |
| En veeram kai sirai | My bravery is imprisoned in your hands. |
| Male | |
| Kalyana nalanguthaan | The pre-wedding ritual ceremonies, |
| Kanne ore vilanguthaan | My dear, are like gentle shackles. |
| Female | |
| Koodai poovai pani | Like dew drops resting on a basket of flowers, |
| Oosai indrey thodum | Silence touches us today. |
| Male | |
| Oh kaaval meeri varum | Oh, breaking through all guards, |
| Kaatrukkedhu thadam | What boundary can ever stop the wind? |
| Female | |
| Adada enakkore avasthai nee | Oh my, you are such a sweet dilemma to me! |
| Female | |
| Thiruvizha indha nerathil | At this moment of festive celebration, |
| Thayakkam varambukalai thaandu | Cross the boundaries of hesitation. |
| Chorus | |
| Kaal kolusu isai paadum | The anklets on your feet sing music, |
| Kai valaiyalgal asainthadum | The bangles on your wrists sway and dance. |
| Kan vizhiyil oru naalum | In your eyes, every single day, |
| Kaaman avan vidum paanam | Is an arrow shot by Kamadeva, the God of Love. |
| Melam thaalam vedham gosham ketkum | Drums, beats, and Vedic chants resound, |
| Maalai soodidum vaibogam | In the grand festivity of exchanging garlands. |
| Sondham bandham peran pethi yaarum | Kinsmen, relatives, grandsons, and granddaughters, |
| Vaazththu paadidum kalyanam | Celebrate this wedding with singing blessings. |
| Male | |
| Oh thenkasi thooral pol | Oh, like a gentle drizzle in Tenkasi, |
| En kanneer verkiraai | You make my tears flow warmly. |
| Female | |
| Poo vaitha poovaikkul | Inside the girl adorned with flowers, |
| Thee vaithu paarkiraai | You set a fire and watch. |
| Male | |
| Kannil nooru kanaa…aa…. | A hundred dreams in the eyes... |
| Nenjil nooru vinaa | A hundred questions in the heart. |
| Female | |
| Kadhal yaarai vidum…mm…. | Whom does love ever spare? |
| Thedhi paarthaa thodum | Does love check dates on a calendar before touching? |
| Male | |
| Valikkum kaadhal valiyadhu | Love may hurt, but it isn't an unbearable pain. |
| Male | |
| Oru nila thodum dhoorathil | A moon at a touching distance, |
| Irunthum mudiyavillai theenda | Yet I am unable to touch it. |
| Unai paarthen naan | I looked at you, |
| Enai thotreney | And I lost myself. |
| Female | |
| Uyir kaatrai naan | Like vital breath, |
| Unai yetreney | I welcomed you into my soul. |
| Male | |
| Udan nadakkum nizhal naaney | I am the shadow walking alongside you. |
மற்றும் உமா பத்மநாபன்
........................
A moon at a touching distance,
Yet I am unable to touch it.
ஒரு நிலா தொடும் தூரத்தில்
இருந்தும் முடியவில்லை தீண்ட
At this moment of festive celebration,
Cross the boundaries of hesitation.
திருவிழா இந்த நேரத்தில்
தயக்கம் வரம்புகளை தாண்டு
I looked at you,
And I lost myself.
உன்னை பார்த்தேன் நான்
எனை தோற்றேனே
Like vital breath,
I welcomed you into my soul.
உயிர் காற்றாய் நான்
உன்னை ஏற்றேனே
I am the shadow walking alongside you.
உடன் நடக்கும் நிழல் நானே
A moon at a touching distance,
Yet I am unable to touch it.
I looked at you,
And I lost myself.
ஒரு நிலா தொடும் தூரத்தில்
இருந்தும் முடியவில்லை தீண்ட
உன்னை பார்த்தேன் நான்
எனை தோற்றேனே
Like vital breath,
I welcomed you into my soul.
உயிர் காற்றாய் நான்
உன்னை ஏற்றேனே
I am the shadow walking alongside you.
உடன் நடக்கும் நிழல் நானே
Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan
Chan Chanaa chan, oh girl,
Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan
Chan Chanaa chan, my dear,
...............................
As long as I live,
My bravery is imprisoned in your hands.
நான் வாழும் நாள் வரை
என் வீரம் கைச்சிறை
The pre-wedding ritual ceremonies,
My dear, are like gentle shackles.
கல்யாண நலுங்குதான்
கண்ணே ஒர் விலங்குதான்
Like dew drops resting on a basket of flowers,
Silence touches us today.
கூடை பூவை பனி
ஓசை இன்றே தொடும்
Oh, breaking through all guards,
What boundary can ever stop the wind?
ஓ காவல் மீறி வரும்
காற்றுக்கேது தடம்
Oh my, you are such a sweet dilemma to me!
அடடா எனக்கோர் அவஸ்த்தை நீ
At this moment of festive celebration,
Cross the boundaries of hesitation.
திருவிழா இந்த நேரத்தில் தீண்ட
தயக்கம் வரம்புகளை தாண்டு
The anklets on your feet sing music,
The bangles on your wrists sway and dance.
In your eyes, every single day,
Is an arrow shot by Kamadeva, the God of Love.
Drums, beats, and Vedic chants resound,
In the grand festivity of exchanging garlands.
Kinsmen, relatives, grandsons, and granddaughters,
Celebrate this wedding with singing blessings.
கால் கொலுசு இசை பாடும்
கை வளையல்கள் அசைந்தாடும்
கண் விழியில் ஒரு நாளும்
காமன் அவன் விடும் பானம்
மேளம் தாளம் வேதம் கோஷம் கேட்கும்
மாலை சூடிடும் வைபோகம்
சொந்தம் பந்தம் பேரன் பேத்தி யாரும்
வாழ்த்து பாடிடும் கல்யாணம்
Oh, like a gentle drizzle in Tenkasi,
You make my tears flow warmly.
ஓ தென்காசி தூறல் போல்
என் கண்ணீர் வேர்கிறாய்
Inside the girl adorned with flowers,
You set a fire and watch.
பூ வைத்த பூவைக்குள்
தீ வைத்து பார்க்கிறாய்
A hundred dreams in the eyes...
A hundred questions in the heart.
கண்ணில் நூறு கனா....ஆ....
நெஞ்சில் நூறு வினா....
Whom does love ever spare?
Does love check dates on a calendar before touching?
காதல் யாரை விடும்....ம்ம்....
தேதி பார்த்தா தொடும்
Love may hurt, but it isn't an unbearable pain.
வலிக்கும் காதல் வலியது
A moon at a touching distance,
Yet I am unable to touch it.
I looked at you,
And I lost myself.
ஒரு நிலா தொடும் தூரத்தில்
இருந்து முடியவில்லை தீண்ட
உன்னை பார்த்தேன் நான்
எனை தோற்றேனே
Like vital breath,
I welcomed you into my soul.
உயிர் காற்றாய் நான்
உன்னை ஏற்றேனே
I am the shadow walking alongside you.
உடன் நடக்கும் நிழல் நானே
……………
Oru nila thodum dhoorathil
A moon at a touching distance,
Irunthum mudiyavillai theenda
Yet I am unable to touch it.
Thiruvizha indha nerathil
At this moment of festive celebration,
Thayakkam varambukalai thaandu
Cross the boundaries of hesitation.
Unai paarthen naan
I looked at you,
Enai thotreney
And I lost myself.
Uyir kaatrai naan
Like vital breath,
Unai yetreney
I welcomed you into my soul.
Udan nadakkum nizhal naaney
I am the shadow walking alongside you.
Oru nila thodum dhoorathil
A moon at a touching distance,
Irunthum mudiyavillai theenda
Yet I am unable to touch it.
Unai paarthen naan
I looked at you,
Enai thotreney
And I lost myself.
Uyir kaatrai naan
Like vital breath,
Unai yetreney
I welcomed you into my soul.
Udan nadakkum nizhal naaney
I am the shadow walking alongside you.
Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan
Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan
Chan Chanaa chan penne
Chan Chanaa chan, oh girl,
Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan
Chan Chanaa chan Chan Chanaa chan
Chan Chanaa chan kanne
Chan Chanaa chan, my dear,
Naan vaazhum naal varai
As long as I live,
En veeram kai sirai
My bravery is imprisoned in your hands.
Kalyana nalanguthaan
The pre-wedding ritual ceremonies,
Kanne ore vilanguthaan
My dear, are like gentle shackles.
Koodai poovai pani
Like dew drops resting on a basket of flowers,
Oosai indrey thodum
Silence touches us today.
Oh kaaval meeri varum
Oh, breaking through all guards,
Kaatrukkedhu thadam
What boundary can ever stop the wind?
Adada enakkore avasthai nee
Oh my, you are such a sweet dilemma to me!
Thiruvizha indha nerathil
At this moment of festive celebration,
Thayakkam varambukalai thaandu
Cross the boundaries of hesitation.
Kaal kolusu isai paadum
The anklets on your feet sing music,
Kai valaiyalgal asainthadum
The bangles on your wrists sway and dance.
Kan vizhiyil oru naalum
In your eyes, every single day,
Kaaman avan vidum paanam
Is an arrow shot by Kamadeva, the God of Love.
Melam thaalam vedham gosham ketkum
Drums, beats, and Vedic chants resound,
Maalai soodidum vaibogam
In the grand festivity of exchanging garlands.
Sondham bandham peran pethi yaarum
Kinsmen, relatives, grandsons, and granddaughters,
Vaazththu paadidum kalyanam
Celebrate this wedding with singing blessings.
Oh thenkasi thooral pol
Oh, like a gentle drizzle in Tenkasi,
En kanneer verkiraai
You make my tears flow warmly.
Poo vaitha poovaikkul
Inside the girl adorned with flowers,
Thee vaithu paarkiraai
You set a fire and watch.
Kannil nooru kanaa…aa….
A hundred dreams in the eyes...
Nenjil nooru vinaa
A hundred questions in the heart.
Kadhal yaarai vidum…mm….
Whom does love ever spare?
Thedhi paarthaa thodum
Does love check dates on a calendar before touching?
Valikkum kaadhal valiyadhu
Love may hurt, but it isn't an unbearable pain.
Oru nila thodum dhoorathil
A moon at a touching distance,
Irunthum mudiyavillai theenda
Yet I am unable to touch it.
Unai paarthen naan
I looked at you,
Enai thotreney
And I lost myself.
Uyir kaatrai naan
Like vital breath,
Unai yetreney
I welcomed you into my soul.
Udan nadakkum nizhal naaney
I am the shadow walking alongside you.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Oru Nila Thodum Dhoorathil' from the film 'Chikku Bukku' (2010) is a deeply romantic song depicting the ache and ecstasy of emotional closeness mixed with physical distance. The lead protagonist compares his beloved to the moon—tantalizingly close, yet elusive and impossible to hold. Set amidst traditional wedding festivities, the song portrays how true love quietly dismantles ego, overcomes hesitation, and surrenders unconditionally. Legendary lyricist Vaali beautifully balances classical Tamil wedding imagery (melam, thaalam, nalangu) with delicate emotional paradoxes—comparing love's touch to Tenkasi drizzling rain and fire set within a flower. The narrative moves from silent yearning to acceptance of love's sweet pain, concluding that no boundary or calendar date can stop love from taking over two souls destined to walk together like a body and its shadow.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Oru nila thodum dhoorathil”
Compares the beloved to a moon that is within touching distance yet unreachable.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Unai paarthen naan / Enai thotreney”
The second letter 'nai' in both 'Unai' and 'Enai' creates a rhythmic harmony across lines.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kannil nooru kanaa / Nenjil nooru vinaa”
The matching endings 'kanaa' (dreams) and 'vinaa' (questions) create a poetic end rhyme.
Muran (Oxymoron / Contrast)
“Poo vaitha poovaikkul / Thee vaithu paarkiraai”
Contrasts the softness of flowers ('poo') with the intensity of fire ('thee') within the same person.
Simile
“Oh thenkasi thooral pol”
Compares gentle romantic tears and feelings to the famous soft rain drizzling over Tenkasi.
Did you know?
Trivia
The soundtrack for 'Chikku Bukku' (2010) was composed by the famous fusion musical duo Colonial Cousins (Hariharan and Leslie Lewis). 'Oru Nila Thodum Dhoorathil' is one of the standout romantic melodies in the album, featuring soul-stirring vocals by Hariharan himself alongside Sujatha Mohan. Lyricist Vaali crafted the lyrics using rich Tamil cultural tropes associated with traditional South Indian weddings.
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