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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanathil Aadum Oor Nilavu (Female)

From Manam Virumbuthe Unnai · 1999

Lyricist
Ponnadiyan
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manam Virumbuthe Unnai1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavuA single moon dances in the sky,
En kaiyilae iru nilavuThere are two moons in my hands.
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavuA single moon dances in the sky,
En kaiyilae iru nilavuThere are two moons in my hands.
Thaei piraiyo angaeIs that a waning moon over there?
Valar piraigal ingaeThese are waxing moons over here.
Female
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavuA single moon dances in the sky,
En kaiyilae iru nilavuThere are two moons in my hands.
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavuA single moon dances in the sky,
En kaiyilae iru nilavuThere are two moons in my hands.
Female
Muththu vilaindhidum then kadalilIn the southern sea where pearls are born,
Un punnagai muththu illaiyaeYour smile is a pearl unmatched.
Kaththum kuyil osai then malaiyilThe cuckoo's song in the southern hills,
Nee sindhidum mozhi illaiyaeIs nothing compared to the words you speak.
Female
Thendral mayangum undhan paechilThe gentle breeze grows intoxicated by your speech,
Angu thondrum sindhu paattilIn the Sindhu song that springs forth there,
Nenjam inikkudhu senthamizhaeMy heart fills with sweetness, O pure Tamil!
Female
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavuA single moon dances in the sky,
En kaiyilae iru nilavuThere are two moons in my hands.
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavuA single moon dances in the sky,
En kaiyilae iru nilavuThere are two moons in my hands.
Thaei piraiyo angaeIs that a waning moon over there?
Valar piraigal ingaeThese are waxing moons over here.
Female
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavuA single moon dances in the sky,
En kaiyilae iru nilavuThere are two moons in my hands.
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavuA single moon dances in the sky,
En kaiyilae iru nilavu….There are two moons in my hands....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender poetic celebration of beauty and love, comparing a cherished loved one to celestial and natural wonders. The speaker contrasts the distant single moon in the sky with the 'two moons' held closely in their hands, suggesting that the beloved's presence easily surpasses the heavens in radiance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

En kaiyilae iru nilavu

The speaker metaphorically contrasts the solitary moon in the sky with 'two moons' in hand, representing the radiant face or eyes of the beloved.

Contrast (Ethirmai)

Thaei piraiyo angae / Valar piraigal ingae

Pitches 'Thaei pirai' (waning crescent) in the distant sky against 'Valar pirai' (waxing crescent) close at hand, symbolizing growing joy.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Muththu vilaindhidum then kadalil / Kaththum kuyil osai then malaiyil

The second consonant 'th-th' is repeated between 'Muththu' and 'Kaththum', adhering to classical Tamil prosody.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1999 romantic drama film 'Manam Virumbuthe Unnai', directed by M. Sivachandran. Lyricist Ponnadiyan infuses classical Sangam-style imagery—referencing southern pearl seas, cuckoos, and pure Tamil ('Senthamizhae')—to give the song a traditional literary feel.

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