Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pillai Nila (Female)

From Neengal Kettavai · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Neengal Kettavai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pillai nilaChild moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :LalalaaChorus: Lalalaa
Female :Pillai nilaFemale: Child moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :LalalaaChorus: Lalalaa
Female
Alai polavae vilayaadumaeThey play like waves
Sugam nooraagumaeJoy will multiply a hundredfold
Mann melae thullum maan polaeLike deer prancing on the earth
Female
Pillai nilaChild moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :LalalaaChorus: Lalalaa
Female :Pillai nilaFemale: Child moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Female
Malaimelae mazhai adikkaAs rain falls on the mountain
Chorus :Malaimelae mazhai adikkaChorus: As rain falls on the mountain
Female :Maan thoppil kudai pidikkaHolding an umbrella in the mango grove
Chorus :Maan thoppil kudai pidikkaChorus: Holding an umbrella in the mango grove
Female
AavaramAavaram flowers
Chorus :KattukullaChorus: Inside the forest
Female :Aayiram pooFemale: A thousand flowers
Chorus :PoothirukkaChorus: Have bloomed
Female :MangaathaFemale: Unfadingly
Chorus :KaathirundhaChorus: Having waited
Female :MammanoduFemale: With the uncle
Chorus :PooparikkaChorus: To pluck flowers
Thana thanana thananadha thananaThana thanana thananadha thanana
Thana thanana thananadha thananaThana thanana thananadha thanana
Thaa naa naa naaa…..Thaa naa naa naaa…..
Female
Ennaalum nammai vittuNever from us
Pogaathu vasanthamSpring will not depart
Tholodu roja rendu urangumTwo roses sleep shoulder to shoulder
Female
Thallaadum pookal elaamAll the swaying flowers
Vilayaada azhaikkumInvite us to play
Yethetho ezhai manam ninaikkumThe poor heart dreams of various things
Female
Thennai ilancholaiThe young coconut grove
Paalai vidum naalaiWill yield spathes tomorrow
Thennai ilancholaiThe young coconut grove
Paalai vidum naalaiWill yield spathes tomorrow
Female
Kai irandil alli konduGathering them up in both hands
Kaathodu annai manamWhispering close to ears, mother's heart
Paadum kangal moodumSings as eyes close
Female
Pillai nilaChild moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :LalalaaaChorus: Lalalaaa
Female
Alai polavae vilayaadumaeThey play like waves
Sugam nooraagumaeJoy will multiply a hundredfold
Mann melae thullum maan polaeLike deer prancing on the earth
Male
Thandhana thandhaThandhana thandha
Chorus :Thandhana thandhaChorus: Thandhana thandha
Male :Thaara thandhaMale: Thaara thandha
Chorus :Thaara thandhaChorus: Thaara thandha
Male :Thandhana thandhaMale: Thandhana thandha
Chorus :Thandhana thandhaChorus: Thandhana thandha
Male :Thana naana naa naaMale: Thana naana naa naa
Female
Aalaana singam rendumWhen both full-grown lions
Kai veesi nadanthaalWalk swinging their arms
Kaaladiyil boomi elaam adangumThe entire earth will yield beneath their feet
Female
Singaara thangam rendumWhen these two golden treasures
Thaer pola valanthaalGrow up tall like temple chariots
Aagayam vanthu ingae vanangumThe sky itself will come down to bow
Female
Ungalaal thaanaeOnly because of you
Uyir sumanthenaeI bore life
Ungalaal thaanaeOnly because of you
Uyir sumanthenaeI bore life
Female
Kanthalilae muthu charamA string of pearls wrapped in rags
Kaapaathi katti vechuSafely kept and tied
Naanae paasam thaanaeI am love personified
Female
Pillai nilaChild moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :LalalaaaChorus: Lalalaaa
Alai polavae vilayaadumaeThey play like waves
Sugam nooraagumaeJoy will multiply a hundredfold
Mann melae thullum maan polaeLike deer prancing on the earth
Chorus
{La laa laaa{La laa laaa
HahahahaHahahaha
La la laa laa laaa} (2)La la laa laa laaa} (2)
Ha haahahah hahah ha ha….Ha haahahah hahah ha ha….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic lullaby-style tender duet from 'Neengal Kettavai' celebrates parental affection and unconditional love towards two children. The lyrics compare the young children to pristine white moons, dancing waves, and playful deer on earth. The parents express boundless hope for their future, imagining a spring season that never leaves their home, while dreaming of their children growing up strong as lions and grand as temple chariots before whom the world will bow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Pillai nila Irandum vellai nila / Mann melae thullum maan polae

Comparing children to innocent white moons and playful deer on earth using 'polavae' and 'polae'.

Uruvagamb (Metaphor)

Tholodu roja rendu urangum / Kanthalilae muthu charam

Describing children metaphorically as two roses resting on shoulders and pearls inside torn rags.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Singaara thangam rendum Thaer pola valanthaal Aagayam vanthu ingae vanangum

Exaggerating the future stature of the children by stating the sky will bow down to them when they grow up.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Malaimelae mazhai adikka / Maan thoppil kudai pidikka

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'M' across line segments.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. Janaki and K. J. Yesudas, 'Pillai Nila Irandum Vellai Nila' remains one of Tamil cinema's most revered lullabies and affection-themed songs. Directed by Balu Mahendra, 'Neengal Kettavai' (1984) showcased a unique blend of commercial elements and sensitive character portrayals.

Keep listening

More from Neengal Kettavai