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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Nilavum Malarum

From Naanum Oru Thozhilali · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naanum Oru Thozhilali1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Male
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Iru vizhigal ezhudhumWritten by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell
Female
Pen vannam pakkam nirkkum sirppamA womanly form, a sculpture standing close by
Kann vannam thendral konjum pushpamAn eye-colored flower caressed by the breeze
Male
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Iru vizhigal ezhudhumWritten by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell
Female
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Iru vizhigal ezhudhumWritten by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell
Male
Padichaenae naan kooda paatuEven I have sung a song
Idhu paatalla naan podum vaettuThis is not just a song, it's a strike I set off
Padichaenae naan kooda paatuEven I have sung a song
Idhu paatalla naan podum vaettuThis is not just a song, it's a strike I set off
Chorus
……………………………….
Male
Padichaenae naan kooda paatuEven I have sung a song
Idhu paatalla naan podum vaettuThis is not just a song, it's a strike I set off
Female :MaamaaFemale: My dear
Male :Kann thudikudhu penn thudikudhuMale: My eye twitches, the girl twitches with longing
Kai anaichida vaaCome for my arms to embrace you
Female :Pudhu rojaFemale: A new rose
Male :Poothirukudhu kaathirukudhuMale: Has blossomed and is waiting
Naan parichida vaaShall I come pluck it?
Female
Ada nee thaanHey, it's you!
Male :SernthirukanumMale: We must stay together
Female :Naan thaanFemale: It's me!
Male :Kai kudukanumMale: We must hold hands
Female :Nenaichaa mudippaeFemale: If I set my mind to it, I will accomplish it
Idhil nee jeipaaIn this, you will win
Male
Kulunga kulunga nadakkum kodiyaiThe swaying creeper walking gracefully
Valaichi pudichi parattuvenI will hold her gently, curve around her, and praise her
Female
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Iru vizhigal ezhudhumWritten by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell
Male
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Iru vizhigal ezhudhumWritten by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell
Female
Nedunaala yeikaadhae raasaaDon't tease and keep me longing for long, my king
Ennai nenaikadhae nee thaanae lesaaDo not think of me lightly
Nedunaala yeikaadhae raasaaDon't tease and keep me longing for long, my king
Ennai nenaikadhae nee thaanae lesaaDo not think of me lightly
Chorus
…………………………..
Female
Nedunaala yeikaadhae raasaaDon't tease and keep me longing for long, my king
Ennai nenaikadhae nee thaanae lesaaDo not think of me lightly
Male
KannaeMy darling
Female
Un siripilum poonjsiripilumIn your laughter and sweet smile
Paal manakudhu vaaThe fragrance of sweet milk lingers, come
Male
Ilam pennaeYoung woman
Female
Un vasathilum en vasathilumIn your power and in my power
Anbirukuthu vaaLove resides, come
Male
Oru yaekkamA longing
Female
Naan koduthadhuThat I gave
Male
MogamAn infatuation
Female
Nee koduthadhuThat you gave
Male
Thuninja thunivenIf daring is needed, I shall dare
Valaicha valaippenIf bending is needed, I shall bend
Female
Pagalum irvavum arugae arugaeDay and night, side by side
Nerungi nerungi naan aaduvenGetting closer and closer, I will dance
Male
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Iru vizhigal ezhudhumWritten by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell
Female
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Iru vizhigal ezhudhumWritten by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell
Male
Pen vannam pakkam nirkkum sirppamA womanly form, a sculpture standing close by
Kann vannam thendral konjum pushpamAn eye-colored flower caressed by the breeze
Female
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Male :Iru vizhigal ezhudhumMale: Written by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell
Female
Oru nilavum malarumA moon and a flower
Nadanam puriyum kalai arangamAn art stage where they dance
Male :Iru vizhigal ezhudhumMale: Written by two eyes
Kavidhai muzhudhum mandhiramThe entire poem is a magical spell

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oru Nilavum Malarum' from the film 'Naanum Oru Thozhilali' (1986) is a charming and lively romantic duet featuring the voices of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, set to Ilaiyaraaja's soulful composition with lyrics by Vaali. Metaphorically presenting the lovers as a moon and a flower performing on a stage, the song captures their intimate affection and romantic playfulness. The lyric shifts between poetic admiration of beauty—comparing the female lead to a living sculpture and a tender flower—and lighthearted romantic banter. Through vibrant back-and-forth expressions of passion, longing, and dynamic dance metaphors, the song portrays two lovers fully immersed in each other's affection and joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Oru nilavum malarum / Iru vizhigal ezhudhum

The second consonant 'ru' in 'Oru' rhymes with 'ru' in 'Iru', creating traditional Tamil Ethugai.

Metaphor (Uruvagak Ani)

Oru nilavum malarum / Nadanam puriyum kalai arangam

The hero and heroine are metaphorically envisioned as a moon and a flower performing on an artistic stage.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Padichaenae naan kooda paatu / Idhu paatalla naan podum vaettu

The lines end with rhyming sound-alikes ('paatu' / 'vaettu'), establishing dynamic rhythm.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Pen vannam pakkam nirkkum sirppam

Repetition of the initial sound 'P' ('Pen', 'pakkam') enhances alliterative flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naanum Oru Thozhilali' (1986) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vaali. The track showcases the versatility of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, blending poetic high-Tamil imagery with playful, conversational folk elements typical of Vaali's popular songwriting style in the 1980s.

Keep listening

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