Vaan Nila Nila
From Pattina Pravesam · 1977
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Pattina Pravesam1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa …. | Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa …. |
| Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa …. | Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa …. |
| Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa …. | Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa …. |
| Male | |
| Vaan nilaa nilaa alla | The moon in the sky is not the real moon, |
| Un vaaalibam nilaa | your youth is the true moon. |
| Vaan nilaa nilaa alla | The moon in the sky is not the real moon, |
| Un vaaalibam nilaa | your youth is the true moon. |
| Male | |
| Thaen nilaa enum nilaa | The moon called the honeymoon, |
| En deviyin nilaa | is my goddess's moon. |
| Thaen nilaa enum nilaa | The moon called the honeymoon, |
| En deviyin nilaa | is my goddess's moon. |
| Nee illaatha naal ellaam | All the days spent without you, |
| Naan theintha venilaa… | I am like a waning moon... |
| Male | |
| Vaan nilaa nilaa alla | The moon in the sky is not the real moon, |
| Un vaaalibam nilaa | your youth is the true moon... |
| Maan illaatha oorilae | In a town where there are no deer, |
| Saayal kannilaa | is her grace found in her eyes? |
| Maan illaatha oorilae | In a town where there are no deer, |
| Saayal kannilaa | is her grace found in her eyes? |
| Poo illaatha mannilae | In a land where there are no flowers, |
| Jaadai pennilaa… | is her subtle gesture found in the maiden? |
| Male | |
| Vaan nilaa nilaa alla | The moon in the sky is not the real moon, |
| Un vaaalibam nilaa… | your youth is the true moon... |
| Male | |
| Deivam kallilaa | Is God inside a stone idol, |
| Oru thogaiyin sollilaa | or in the words of a peacock-like maiden? |
| Deivam kallilaa | Is God inside a stone idol, |
| Oru thogaiyin sollilaa | or in the words of a peacock-like maiden? |
| Male | |
| Ponnilaa pottilaa | Is it in gold, or in the bindi on her forehead? |
| Punnagai mottilaa | Is it in the blossoming bud of her smile? |
| Aval kaattum anbilaa | Is it in the love that she displays? |
| Male | |
| Inbam kattilaa | Is joy found on the bed, |
| Aval dhega kattilaa | or in her physical grace? |
| Inbam kattilaa | Is joy found on the bed, |
| Aval dhega kattilaa | or in her physical grace? |
| Theethilaa kaadhalaa | Is it in pure, flawless love, |
| Oodalaa koodalaa | in affectionate spats and reunions, |
| Aval meettum pannilaa… | or in the musical melody she strums? |
| Male | |
| Vaan nilaa nilaa alla | The moon in the sky is not the real moon, |
| Un vaaalibam nilaa… | your youth is the true moon... |
| Male | |
| Vaazhkai vazhiyilaa | Is life found along the path, |
| Oru mangaiyin oliyilaa | or in the guiding light of a woman? |
| Vaazhkai vazhiyilaa | Is life found along the path, |
| Oru mangaiyin oliyilaa | or in the guiding light of a woman? |
| Male | |
| Oorilaa naattilaa | Is happiness found in the town or the country, |
| Aanandham veettilaa | or inside the home, |
| Aval nenjin yettilaa | or written on the pages of her heart? |
| Male | |
| Sontham irulilaa | Is belonging found in darkness, |
| Oru poovaiyin arulilaa | or in the grace of a maiden? |
| Sontham irulilaa | Is belonging found in darkness, |
| Oru poovaiyin arulilaa | or in the grace of a maiden? |
| Ennilaa aasaigal | Countless desires, |
| Ennilaa kondathu yen | why did they arise within me? |
| Adhai solvaai vennilaa… | Tell me that, oh white moon... |
| Male | |
| Vaan nilaa nilaa alla | The moon in the sky is not the real moon, |
| Un vaaalibam nilaa…aaa… | your youth is the true moon... |
| Thaen nilaa enum nilaa | The moon called the honeymoon, |
| En deviyin nilaa | is my goddess's moon. |
| Nee illaatha naal ellaam | All the days spent without you, |
| Naan theintha venilaa… | I am like a waning moon... |
| Male | |
| Vaan nilaa nilaa alla | The moon in the sky is not the real moon, |
| Un…. vaaalibam nilaa……. | your youth is the true moon....... |
..............................
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
வான் நிலா
நிலா அல்ல உன்
வாலிபம் நிலா வான்
நிலா நிலா அல்ல உன்
வாலிபம் நிலா
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
your youth is the true moon.
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
your youth is the true moon.
தேன் நிலா
எனும் நிலா என்
தேவியின் நிலா
தேன் நிலா எனும்
நிலா என் தேவியின்
நிலா நீ இல்லாத நாள்
எல்லாம் நான் தேய்ந்த
வெண்ணிலா
The moon called the honeymoon,
is my goddess's moon.
The moon called the honeymoon,
is my goddess's moon.
All the days spent without you,
I am like a waning moon...
வான் நிலா
நிலா அல்ல உன்
வாலிபம் நிலா மான்
இல்லாத ஊரிலே
சாயல் கண்ணிலா
மான் இல்லாத ஊரிலே
சாயல் கண்ணிலா பூ
இல்லாத மண்ணிலே
ஜாடை பெண்ணிலா
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
your youth is the true moon...
In a town where there are no deer,
is her grace found in her eyes?
In a town where there are no deer,
is her grace found in her eyes?
In a land where there are no flowers,
is her subtle gesture found in the maiden?
வான் நிலா
நிலா அல்ல உன்
வாலிபம் நிலா
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
your youth is the true moon...
தெய்வம் கல்லிலா
ஒரு தோகையின்
சொல்லிலா தெய்வம்
கல்லிலா ஒரு
தோகையின் சொல்லிலா
Is God inside a stone idol,
or in the words of a peacock-like maiden?
Is God inside a stone idol,
or in the words of a peacock-like maiden?
பொன்னிலா
பொட்டிலா புன்னகை
மொட்டிலா அவள்
காட்டும் அன்பிலா
Is it in gold, or in the bindi on her forehead?
Is it in the blossoming bud of her smile?
Is it in the love that she displays?
இன்பம் கட்டிலா
அவள் தேகம் கட்டிலா
இன்பம் கட்டிலா அவள்
தேகம் கட்டிலா தீதிலா
காதலா ஊடலா கூடலா
அவள் மீட்டும் பன்னிலா
Is joy found on the bed,
or in her physical grace?
Is joy found on the bed,
or in her physical grace?
Is it in pure, flawless love,
in affectionate spats and reunions,
or in the musical melody she strums?
வான் நிலா
நிலா அல்ல உன்
வாலிபம் நிலா
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
your youth is the true moon...
வாழ்க்கை
வழியிலா ஒரு
மங்கையின்
ஒளியிலா வாழ்க்கை
வழியிலா ஒரு
மங்கையின் ஒளியிலா
Is life found along the path,
or in the guiding light of a woman?
Is life found along the path,
or in the guiding light of a woman?
ஊரிலா நாட்டிலா
ஆனந்தம் வீட்டிலா
அவள் நெஞ்சின்
ஏட்டிலா
Is happiness found in the town or the country,
or inside the home,
or written on the pages of her heart?
சொந்தம்
இருளிலா ஒரு
பூவையின் அருளிலா
சொந்தம் இருளிலா ஒரு
பூவையின் அருளிலா
எண்ணிலா ஆசைகள்
என்னிலா கொண்டது
ஏன் அதைச் சொல்வாய்
வெண்ணிலா
Is belonging found in darkness,
or in the grace of a maiden?
Is belonging found in darkness,
or in the grace of a maiden?
Countless desires,
why did they arise within me?
Tell me that, oh white moon...
வான் நிலா
நிலா அல்ல உன்
வாலிபம் நிலா
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
your youth is the true moon...
The moon called the honeymoon,
is my goddess's moon.
All the days spent without you,
I am like a waning moon...
தேன் நிலா
எனும் நிலா என்
தேவியின் நிலா
நீ இல்லாத நாள்
எல்லாம் நான் தேய்ந்த
வெண்ணிலா
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
your youth is the true moon.......
வான் நிலா
நிலா அல்ல உன்
வாலிபம்
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
Lalalalaa lala lalalaaa ….
Vaan nilaa nilaa alla
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
Un vaaalibam nilaa
your youth is the true moon.
Vaan nilaa nilaa alla
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
Un vaaalibam nilaa
your youth is the true moon.
Thaen nilaa enum nilaa
The moon called the honeymoon,
En deviyin nilaa
is my goddess's moon.
Thaen nilaa enum nilaa
The moon called the honeymoon,
En deviyin nilaa
is my goddess's moon.
Nee illaatha naal ellaam
All the days spent without you,
Naan theintha venilaa…
I am like a waning moon...
Vaan nilaa nilaa alla
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
Un vaaalibam nilaa
your youth is the true moon...
Maan illaatha oorilae
In a town where there are no deer,
Saayal kannilaa
is her grace found in her eyes?
Maan illaatha oorilae
In a town where there are no deer,
Saayal kannilaa
is her grace found in her eyes?
Poo illaatha mannilae
In a land where there are no flowers,
Jaadai pennilaa…
is her subtle gesture found in the maiden?
Vaan nilaa nilaa alla
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
Un vaaalibam nilaa…
your youth is the true moon...
Deivam kallilaa
Is God inside a stone idol,
Oru thogaiyin sollilaa
or in the words of a peacock-like maiden?
Deivam kallilaa
Is God inside a stone idol,
Oru thogaiyin sollilaa
or in the words of a peacock-like maiden?
Ponnilaa pottilaa
Is it in gold, or in the bindi on her forehead?
Punnagai mottilaa
Is it in the blossoming bud of her smile?
Aval kaattum anbilaa
Is it in the love that she displays?
Inbam kattilaa
Is joy found on the bed,
Aval dhega kattilaa
or in her physical grace?
Inbam kattilaa
Is joy found on the bed,
Aval dhega kattilaa
or in her physical grace?
Theethilaa kaadhalaa
Is it in pure, flawless love,
Oodalaa koodalaa
in affectionate spats and reunions,
Aval meettum pannilaa…
or in the musical melody she strums?
Vaan nilaa nilaa alla
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
Un vaaalibam nilaa…
your youth is the true moon...
Vaazhkai vazhiyilaa
Is life found along the path,
Oru mangaiyin oliyilaa
or in the guiding light of a woman?
Vaazhkai vazhiyilaa
Is life found along the path,
Oru mangaiyin oliyilaa
or in the guiding light of a woman?
Oorilaa naattilaa
Is happiness found in the town or the country,
Aanandham veettilaa
or inside the home,
Aval nenjin yettilaa
or written on the pages of her heart?
Sontham irulilaa
Is belonging found in darkness,
Oru poovaiyin arulilaa
or in the grace of a maiden?
Sontham irulilaa
Is belonging found in darkness,
Oru poovaiyin arulilaa
or in the grace of a maiden?
Ennilaa aasaigal
Countless desires,
Ennilaa kondathu yen
why did they arise within me?
Adhai solvaai vennilaa…
Tell me that, oh white moon...
Vaan nilaa nilaa alla
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
Un vaaalibam nilaa…aaa…
your youth is the true moon...
Thaen nilaa enum nilaa
The moon called the honeymoon,
En deviyin nilaa
is my goddess's moon.
Nee illaatha naal ellaam
All the days spent without you,
Naan theintha venilaa…
I am like a waning moon...
Vaan nilaa nilaa alla
The moon in the sky is not the real moon,
Un…. vaaalibam nilaa…….
your youth is the true moon.......
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Vaan Nilaa Nilaa Alla' is a iconic romantic song composed by M. S. Viswanathan, sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, and written by Kannadasan for K. Balachander's film Pattina Pravesam (1977). The protagonist compares the literal moon in the sky with the radiance of his beloved, declaring that true beauty and illumination lie in her youth and love rather than in celestial bodies or material objects. Through poetic inquiries, the lyricist explores where divine joy and fulfillment reside—whether in stone idols, wealth, physical comfort, or in the soft speech, smile, and affection of a devoted partner. In her absence, the protagonist describes himself as a waning moon, emphasizing his emotional dependence on her presence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Naan theintha venilaa…”
Directly compares the protagonist's emotional state without his lover to a waning moon (theintha venilaa).
End Rhyme / Iaibu (இயைபுத் தொடை)
“Deivam kallilaa / Oru thogaiyin sollilaa / Ponnilaa pottilaa”
Extensive use of the suffix sound '-ilaa' across successive line endings creates a seamless, lyrical flow.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Deivam kallilaa / Oru thogaiyin sollilaa”
Uses philosophical questions comparing sacred/material concepts to feminine grace to highlight the sublime nature of love.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, 'Vaan Nilaa Nilaa Alla' from Pattina Pravesam (1977) is revered as one of Kannadasan's finest display of end-rhyme scheme (Iaibu Thodai) built continuously around the sound pattern 'ilaa'.
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