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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponnoonjal Aaduthu

From Amman Kovil Vaasalile · 1996

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Sirpy
Details
Amman Kovil Vaasalile1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………....
Male
Ponnoonjal aaduthu paal nilaaThe milky moon swings on a golden swing.
Paniyil nanaiyum pennilaaThe womanly moon gets drenched in the dew.
Female :Sangeetham paaduthu thaen nilaaFemale: The honeyed moon sings sweet music.
Tharaiyil thavazhum vennilaaThe white moon crawls upon the ground.
Male
Mandram varum intha manjal nilaaThis turmeric moon comes to the wedding hall.
Female :Mannan madi dhinam konjum nilaaFemale: The moon that fondles on her king's lap every day.
Male :Intha kannaana kadhalan kalyaana naayaganMale: This precious lover, the hero of the marriage,
Munnaalum pinnaalum muththaadum maalai nilaaThe evening moon kissing both before and behind.
Female
Ponnoonjal aaduthu paal nilaaThe milky moon swings on a golden swing.
Paniyil nanaiyum pennilaaThe womanly moon gets drenched in the dew.
Male :Sangeetham paaduthu thaen nilaaMale: The honeyed moon sings sweet music.
Tharaiyil thavazhum vennilaaThe white moon crawls upon the ground.
Chorus
………………....
Male
Azhagaana thegam muzhuthaaga paarkkaTo view the beautiful body in its entirety,
Thadai podum thanga nilaaThe golden moon places an obstacle.
Female :Manamaalai soodum marunaalil inguFemale: Here, on the day after wearing the wedding garland,
Kadai podum mangai nilaaThe maiden moon sets up a shop of desires.
Male
Senthaenum paalum….mm….mm….mm….Pure honey and milk... mm... mm... mm...
Female :Sevvaayil oorum…mm….mm….mmm…Female: Water in the red lips... mm... mm... mm...
Male :Ooyaamal neeyum parimaarum neramMale: When you endlessly serve these delicacies,
Female :Oru paathi pasiyaari alaipaayum aasai nilaaFemale: The moon of desire sates half its hunger and ebbs away.
Male
Ponnoonjal aaduthu paal nilaaThe milky moon swings on a golden swing.
Paniyil nanaiyum pennilaaThe womanly moon gets drenched in the dew.
Female :Sangeetham paaduthu thaen nilaaFemale: The honeyed moon sings sweet music.
Tharaiyil thavazhum vennilaaThe white moon crawls upon the ground.
Chorus
………………....
Female
Paai pottu aadum vlaiyaattu ennaWhat is this game played by spreading the bed?
Puriyaatha pillai nilaaThe innocent child moon cannot understand.
Male :Iravaana pinbu enai thediMale: Seeking me after night falls,
Mella varavendum vellai nillaaThe pure white moon must come gently.
Female
Singaara leelaiThe play of romantic ecstasy,
Male :Kondaadum velaiMale: At the time of celebration,
Female :Needhaanae enthan idai soodum selaiFemale: You alone are the saree draped around my waist.
Male :Oru pothum piriyaatha varam ketkum vanji nilaaMale: The young woman moon asks for a boon to never be parted.
Male
Ponnoonjal aaduthu paal nilaaThe milky moon swings on a golden swing.
Paniyil nanaiyum pennilaaThe womanly moon gets drenched in the dew.
Female :Sangeetham paaduthu thaen nilaaFemale: The honeyed moon sings sweet music.
Tharaiyil thavazhum vennilaaThe white moon crawls upon the ground.
Male
Mandram varum intha manjal nilaaThis turmeric moon comes to the wedding hall.
Female :Mannan madi dhinam konjum nilaaFemale: The moon that fondles on her king's lap every day.
Male :Intha kannaana kadhalan kalyaana naayaganMale: This precious lover, the hero of the marriage,
Munnaalum pinnaalum muththaadum maalai nilaaThe evening moon kissing both before and behind.
Chorus
………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from the film 'Amman Kovil Vaasalile' portrays the intimate and joyful moments between newly married lovers. Penned by lyricist Vaali, the song extensively uses the moon ('Nilaa') as a central motif, attaching varied poetic epithets to express beauty, warmth, innocence, and romantic desire. Musically tuned by Sirpy and rendered by SPB and KS Chithra, the couple affectionately tease and express their love, comparing the bride to various gentle forms of the moon.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme / Epiphora)

Ponnoonjal aaduthu paal nilaa / Paniyil nanaiyum pennilaa

Extensive repetition of the word 'Nilaa' at the end of nearly every line, paired with descriptive adjectives (Paal nilaa, Pennilaa, Thaen nilaa, Vennilaa).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Mandram varum intha manjal nilaa

Comparing the heroine and her romantic emotions directly to different characteristics of the moon, such as 'Manjal Nilaa' (turmeric moon) and 'Aasai Nilaa' (moon of desire).

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ponnoonjal / Paniyil / Paal

Use of matching initial consonants in consecutive words across lines, creating a rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track is from the 1996 rural drama film 'Amman Kovil Vaasalile' starring Ramarajan and Sangita. Composed by Sirpy, the song became immensely popular for Vaali's clever linguistic pattern where almost every line creatively appends the word 'Nilaa'.

Keep listening

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