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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pillai Nila (Male)

From Neengal Kettavai · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Neengal Kettavai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Ahaaa…aaaa…aaaa…Ahaaa…aaaa…aaaa…
Haaa…aaaa….aaa….aaaa…Haaa…aaaa….aaa….aaaa…
Male
{Pillai nila{Child moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :Lalalaaa} (2)Chorus: Lalalaaa} (2)
Male
Alai polavae vilayaadumaeThey play like ocean waves
Sugam nooraagumaeHappiness multiplies a hundredfold
Mann melae thullum maan polaeLike deer prancing on the ground
Male
{Pillai nila{Child moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :Lalalaaa} (2)Chorus: Lalalaaa} (2)
Chorus
La lalala laaa lala laa la laaLa lalala laaa lala laa la laa
La lalala laaa lala laa la laaLa lalala laaa lala laa la laa
La lalalala lalalalaLa lalalala lalalala
La lalalala lalalalaLa lalalala lalalala
Lalalala lalala laaa…Lalalala lalala laaa…
Male
Ennaalum nammai vittuSpringtime will never leave us
Pogaathu vasanthamAnd go away
Tholodu roja rendu urangumTwo roses sleep against the shoulder
Male
Thallaadum pookal elaamAll the swaying flowers
Vilayaada azhaikkumInvite us to play
Yethetho ezhai manam ninaikkumThe poor heart imagines various dreams
Male
Thennai ilancholaiThe young coconut grove
Paalai vidum naalaiWill blossom with palm spikes tomorrow
Thennai ilancholaiThe young coconut grove
Paalai vidum naalaiWill blossom with palm spikes tomorrow
Male
Kai irandil alli konduGathering them in both hands
Kaathodu annai manamClose to the ear, the mother's heart
Paadum kangal moodumSings and closes her eyes
Male
{Pillai nila{Child moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :Lalalaaa} (2)Chorus: Lalalaaa} (2)
Male
Alai polavae vilayaadumaeThey play like ocean waves
Sugam nooraagumaeHappiness multiplies a hundredfold
Mann melae thullum maan polaeLike deer prancing on the ground
Male
Aalaana singam rendumWhen the two grown lions
Kai veesi nadanthaalWalk swinging their arms
Kaaladiyil boomi elaam adangumThe entire earth will bow beneath their feet
Male
Singaara thangam rendumWhen the two golden treasures
Thaer pola valanthaalGrow tall like majestic chariots
Aagayam vanthu ingae vanangumThe sky itself will come down and bow here
Male
Engalaal thaayaeOh mother, because of us
Uyir sumanthaayaeYou bore life and hardship
Engalaal thaayaeOh mother, because of us
Uyir sumanthaayaeYou bore life and hardship
Male
Kanthalilae muthu charamA string of pearls inside rags
Kaapaathi katti vaithaaiYou protected and bound safely
Neeyae engal thaayaeYou alone are our mother
Male
{Pillai nila{Child moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :Lalalaaa} (2)Chorus: Lalalaaa} (2)
Male
Alai polavae vilayaadumaeThey play like ocean waves
Sugam nooraagumaeHappiness multiplies a hundredfold
Mann melae thullum maan polaeLike deer prancing on the ground
Male
{Pillai nila{Child moons
Irandum vellai nila..Both are white moons..
Chorus :Lalalaaa} (2)Chorus: Lalalaaa} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pillai Nila Irandum Vellai Nila is a deeply emotional song celebrating maternal affection and filial gratitude. The mother lovingly envisions her two young sons as pure white moons, energetic ocean waves, and prancing deer. She dreams of a bright future where her children will grow up tall, strong, and respected by the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

Pillai nila / Irandum vellai nila..

Compares the two young children directly to pristine white moons ('Pillai nila / Irandum vellai nila').

Simile (Uvamai)

Alai polavae vilayaadumae / Mann melae thullum maan polae

Uses 'polavae' and 'pola' to compare the children's innocent playfulness to ocean waves and prancing deer.

Metaphor

Kanthalilae muthu charam / Kaapaathi katti vaithaai

Refers to precious children nurtured amid poverty as a string of pearls kept inside rags ('Kanthalilae muthu charam').

Rhyme / Assonance (Edhukai)

Pillai nila / Irandum vellai nila..

The second letter rhyme ('ll') connects 'Pillai' and 'Vellai' seamlessly across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Neengal Kettavai (1984) was directed by Balu Mahendra. Though listed as unknown in some song credits, the music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The iconic song was recorded separately in both male (K.J. Yesudas) and female (S. Janaki) versions.

Keep listening

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