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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pagalile Oru Nilavinai

From Ninaive Oru Sangeetham · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ninaive Oru Sangeetham1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pagalilae oru nilavinai kandaen adhu karuppu nilaaI saw a moon during the daytime, and it was a black moon.
Pagalilae oru nilavinai kandaen adhu karuppu nilaaI saw a moon during the daytime, and it was a black moon.
Adhu ulavum enthan manam oru vaanam poongaavanamMy mind where it wanders is a sky, a flower garden.
Pudhu megam ival thegam adhil mothum dhinam palavitha sugam tharumHer body is like a fresh cloud; brushing against it brings various pleasures every day.
Female
Pagalilae oru nilavinai kandaen adhu karuppu nilaaI saw a moon during the daytime, and it was a black moon.
Female
Serum kaalam thedi thegam sinthu paadumSeeking the time to unite, the body sings a melody.
Devan vanthu sera thevai solla koosumWhen the lord arrives to join, she feels too shy to voice her needs.
Tholil ondru kooda sogam mella odumWhen embraced shoulder to shoulder, sorrow slowly slips away.
Melam thaalam poda mogam melum koodumAs drums beat the rhythm, desire surges even higher.
Female
Angangal unthan sontham inabam sinthum anbusangamThese limbs belong to you, a union of love spilling happiness.
Paadal ondrai paadum neram paavai ennam vaaduthaeWhile singing a song, the lady's heart droops with longing.
Maara vendum kadhal paaram maalai ondru malaradi vizhunthidaThe heavy weight of love must transform as a wedding garland falls at her floral feet.
Female
Pagalilae oru nilavinai kandaen adhu karuppu nilaaI saw a moon during the daytime, and it was a black moon.
Female
…………………
Female
Kaattril aadum koondhal kadhal solli aadaHair dancing in the breeze sways to speak of love.
Kadhal konda kaaman kaigal vanthu koodaAs the hands of Cupid, full of love, come to join.
Thegam endra kovil poojai neram thedaThe temple called the body seeks the time for divine worship.
Thaagam mogam paada thaalam raagam paadaThirst and passion sing while rhythm and melody play.
Female
Yaedhetho ennam vanthu solli solli ennai killiSo many fleeting thoughts come speaking to me and teasingly pinching me.
Yaettrum inbam kodi kodi yaekkam thannai kaattuthaeKindling millions of pleasures, it showcases deep longing.
Kaattrum ennai koodi koodu kadhal enum kanavugal kalanthidaMay the wind gather around me as dreams of love blend together.
Female
Pagalilae…ae…ae…ae…yaeh….In the daytime... oh... yeah...
Pagalilae oru nilavinai kandaen adhu karuppu nilaaI saw a moon during the daytime, and it was a black moon.
Adhu ulavum enthan manam oru vaanam poongaavanamMy mind where it wanders is a sky, a flower garden.
Pudhu megam ival thegam adhil mothum dhinam palavitha sugam tharumHer body is like a fresh cloud; brushing against it brings various pleasures every day.
Female
Pagalilae oru nilavinai kandaen adhu karuppu nilaaI saw a moon during the daytime, and it was a black moon.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Pagalilae Oru Nilavinai Kandaen' is a romantic expression sung by S. Janaki under Ilaiyaraaja's music direction. It uses vivid poetic metaphors, comparing a dark-complexioned beloved to a mysterious 'black moon' visible during the day. The woman expresses her deep romantic yearning, describing her body as a temple awaiting love's worship and her mind as a blossoming garden filled with passion and desire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Oxymoron / Metaphor

Pagalilae oru nilavinai kandaen adhu karuppu nilaa

Describing a moon appearing during the daytime and referring to it as a 'black moon' (Karuppu Nilaa) creates a striking oxymoronic poetic imagery.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Pudhu megam ival thegam adhil mothum dhinam palavitha sugam tharum

Comparing the human body directly to a cloud ('Pudhu megam ival thegam') and a temple ('Thegam endra kovil').

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kaattril aadum koondhal kadhal solli aada / Kadhal konda kaaman kaigal vanthu kooda

The second letter consonant 'da' / 'dha' repeats across line starts ('Kaattril' / 'Kadhal').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is renowned for S. Janaki's expressive vocal nuances and Gangai Amaran's evocative lyrics using the unique oxymoron 'Karuppu Nilaa' (Black Moon) to describe dark skin beauty.

Keep listening

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