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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaan Nila Then Nila

From Kavithai Paadum Alaigal · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kavithai Paadum Alaigal1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaha haa haaha haa…Aaha haa haaha haa…
Mmm… mm… hmm… mm…Mmm… mm… hmm… mm…
Aaha haaha haa raara raara raara raa…Aaha haaha haa raara raara raara raa…
Male
Vaan nilaa thaen nilaaThe sky's moon, the sweet honey moon,
Vaadai poo nilaaThe chilly breeze flower moon,
Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaaWithout you, all days are useless wasted days.
Female
Vaan nilaa thaen nilaaThe sky's moon, the sweet honey moon,
Vaadai poo nilaaThe chilly breeze flower moon,
Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaaWithout you, all days are useless wasted days.
Male
Bodhai indha kannilaaIs intoxication in these eyes?
Paadum indha pennilaaOr in this singing maiden?
Poovai vandhu serumWill this flower-like woman come and rest
Mannan maarbilaaUpon the king's chest?
Female
Vaan nilaa thaen nilaaThe sky's moon, the sweet honey moon,
Vaadai poo nilaaThe chilly breeze flower moon,
Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaaWithout you, all days are useless wasted days.
Female
Odum neeril naanum thoodhuI sent a message through the running water,
Sonnen vandhu seraliyoDid it not reach you?
Male
Paadum raagam kaatril serndhuThe singing melody joined the breeze,
Kaadhal kolam podaliyoDid it not draw a pattern of love?
Female
Moodaadha poo vizhiThe unclosing flower-like eyes
Mullaagi ponadhuTurned into thorns.
Mundhaanai baaramaaiThe edge of the saree (garment)
Ippodhu aanadhuHas now become a burden.
Male
Paayilae kan moodinaalWhen I close my eyes on the mat,
Un nyaabagamYour memory comes.
Female :Paadidum un aasaigalFemale: Your singing desires
Munaal varumCome before you.
Maayam thaan enna maayamoWhat magic is this magic?
Male
Vaan nilaa thaen nilaaThe sky's moon, the sweet honey moon,
Vaadai poo nilaaThe chilly breeze flower moon,
Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaaWithout you, all days are useless wasted days.
Female
Bodhai indha kannilaaIs intoxication in these eyes?
Paadum indha pennilaaOr in this singing maiden?
Poovai vandhu serumWill this flower-like woman come and rest
Mannan maarbilaaUpon the king's chest?
Male
Vaan nilaa thaen nilaaThe sky's moon, the sweet honey moon,
Vaadai poo nilaaThe chilly breeze flower moon,
Female :Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaaFemale: Without you, all days are useless wasted days.
Male
Maalai melamGarlands and wedding drums,
Mangalam kaanaTo see auspiciousness,
Manavarai melae nee naanaAre you shy on the wedding dais?
Female
Dhegam dhegamBody and body
Ondraai serndhuUniting as one,
Thaedum sugangal thaan kaanaTo experience the pleasures they seek.
Male
Poovodu thaen enaLike honey with a flower,
Thaenodu paal enaLike milk with honey,
Ondraaga koodalaam inbangal thaedalaamWe can join together and search for joys.
Female
Noolidai pon veedhiyilOn the golden street of a slender waist,
Un sodhanaiIs your test.
Male :Paaradi ippodhu thaanMale: Look now,
Un maamanaiAt your maternal uncle / beloved,
Naanamaa innum vendumaaIs shyness still needed?
Female
Vaan nilaa thaen nilaaThe sky's moon, the sweet honey moon,
Vaadai poo nilaaThe chilly breeze flower moon,
Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaaWithout you, all days are useless wasted days.
Male
Vaan nilaa thaen nilaaThe sky's moon, the sweet honey moon,
Vaadai poo nilaaThe chilly breeze flower moon,
Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaaWithout you, all days are useless wasted days.
Female
Bodhai indha kannilaaIs intoxication in these eyes?
Paadum indha pennilaaOr in this singing maiden?
Poovai vandhu serumWill this flower-like woman come and rest
Mannan maarbilaaUpon the king's chest?
Male
Vaan nilaa thaen nilaaThe sky's moon, the sweet honey moon,
Vaadai poo nilaaThe chilly breeze flower moon,
Female :Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaaFemale: Without you, all days are useless wasted days.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Vaan Nilaa Thaen Nilaa' from the film 'Kavithai Paadum Alaigal' (1990) is a romantic duet expressing deep yearning, intimacy, and the sorrow of separation before union. The lovers compare each other to soothing natural elements like the moon, honey, and chilly breezes. The heroine conveys how unbearable life feels without her beloved, describing how sleep evades her and how her garment feels heavy in his absence. The male protagonist responds with affection, envisioning their grand marital union and romantic bliss, playfully reassuring her to set aside her shyness as they look forward to a blissful future together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vaan nilaa thaen nilaa / Vaadai poo nilaa

The second letters 'aan' in Vaan and 'aada' in Vaadai rhyme across lines, creating rhythmic symmetry in Tamil poetry.

Simile / Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamaai)

Poovodu thaen ena / Thaenodu paal ena

Comparing the union of lovers to honey with a flower ('Poovodu thaen') and milk with honey ('Thaenodu paal').

Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)

Noolidai pon veedhiyil

Comparing a lady's delicate waist to a golden street ('pon veedhi').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vaan nilaa thaen nilaa / Vaadai poo nilaa / Neeyilaa naalelaam veenilaa

Lines ending with repeating rhyming sounds 'nilaa' creating musical resonance.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for 'Kavithai Paadum Alaigal' (1990) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The song showcases classic 1990s Tamil romantic orchestration with rich flute and string arrangements typical of the era.

Keep listening

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