Vaanathil Aadum Oor Nilavu (Male)
From Manam Virumbuthe Unnai · 1999
- Lyricist
- Ponnadiyan
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Manam Virumbuthe Unnai1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu | A single moon dancing in the sky |
| En kaiyilae iru nilavu | Two moons in my hands |
| Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu | A single moon dancing in the sky |
| En kaiyilae iru nilavu | Two moons in my hands |
| Thaei piraiyo angae | Is it a waning moon over there? |
| Valar piraigal ingae | Waxing moons are right here |
| Male | |
| Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu | A single moon dancing in the sky |
| En kaiyilae iru nilavu | Two moons in my hands |
| Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu | A single moon dancing in the sky |
| En kaiyilae iru nilavu | Two moons in my hands |
| Male | |
| Muththu vilaindhidum then kadalil | In the southern sea where pearls yield |
| Un punnagai muththu illaiyae | Your smiling pearl is not found |
| Kaththum kuyil osai then malaiyil | The sound of the cuckoo singing on the honeyed mountain |
| Nee sindhidum mozhi illaiyae | Is not as sweet as the words you spill |
| Male | |
| Thendral mayangum undhan paechil | The breeze swoons over your speech |
| Angu thondrum sindhu paattil | In the Sindhu song born there |
| Nenjam inikkudhu senthamizhae | The heart grows sweet, O pure Tamil |
| Male | |
| Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu | A single moon dancing in the sky |
| En kaiyilae iru nilavu | Two moons in my hands |
| Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu | A single moon dancing in the sky |
| En kaiyilae iru nilavu | Two moons in my hands |
| Thaei piraiyo angae | Is it a waning moon over there? |
| Valar piraigal ingae | Waxing moons are right here |
| Male | |
| Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu | A single moon dancing in the sky |
| En kaiyilae iru nilavu | Two moons in my hands |
| Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu | A single moon dancing in the sky |
| En kaiyilae iru nilavu….. | Two moons in my hands... |
வானத்தில் ஆடும் ஓர் நிலவு
என் கையிலே இரு நிலவு
வானத்தில் ஆடும் ஓர் நிலவு
என் கையிலே இரு நிலவு
தேய் பிறையோ அங்கே
வளர்பிறைகள் இங்கே
A single moon dancing in the sky
Two moons in my hands
A single moon dancing in the sky
Two moons in my hands
Is it a waning moon over there?
Waxing moons are right here
வானத்தில் ஆடும் ஓர் நிலவு
என் கையிலே இரு நிலவு
வானத்தில் ஆடும் ஓர் நிலவு
என் கையிலே இரு நிலவு
A single moon dancing in the sky
Two moons in my hands
A single moon dancing in the sky
Two moons in my hands
முத்து விளைந்திடும் தென் கடலில்
உன் புன்னகை முத்து இல்லையே
கத்தும் குயில் ஓசை தென் மலையில்
நீ சிந்திடும் மொழி இல்லையே
In the southern sea where pearls yield
Your smiling pearl is not found
The sound of the cuckoo singing on the honeyed mountain
Is not as sweet as the words you spill
தென்றல் மயங்கும் உந்தன் பேச்சில்
அங்கு தோன்றும் சிந்து பாட்டில்
நெஞ்சம் இனிக்குது செந்தமிழே
The breeze swoons over your speech
In the Sindhu song born there
The heart grows sweet, O pure Tamil
வானத்தில் ஆடும் ஓர் நிலவு
என் கையிலே இரு நிலவு
வானத்தில் ஆடும் ஓர் நிலவு
என் கையிலே இரு நிலவு
தேய் பிறையோ அங்கே
வளர்பிறைகள் இங்கே
A single moon dancing in the sky
Two moons in my hands
A single moon dancing in the sky
Two moons in my hands
Is it a waning moon over there?
Waxing moons are right here
வானத்தில் ஆடும் ஓர் நிலவு
என் கையிலே இரு நிலவு
வானத்தில் ஆடும் ஓர் நிலவு
என் கையிலே இரு நிலவு.....
A single moon dancing in the sky
Two moons in my hands
A single moon dancing in the sky
Two moons in my hands...
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu
A single moon dancing in the sky
En kaiyilae iru nilavu
Two moons in my hands
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu
A single moon dancing in the sky
En kaiyilae iru nilavu
Two moons in my hands
Thaei piraiyo angae
Is it a waning moon over there?
Valar piraigal ingae
Waxing moons are right here
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu
A single moon dancing in the sky
En kaiyilae iru nilavu
Two moons in my hands
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu
A single moon dancing in the sky
En kaiyilae iru nilavu
Two moons in my hands
Muththu vilaindhidum then kadalil
In the southern sea where pearls yield
Un punnagai muththu illaiyae
Your smiling pearl is not found
Kaththum kuyil osai then malaiyil
The sound of the cuckoo singing on the honeyed mountain
Nee sindhidum mozhi illaiyae
Is not as sweet as the words you spill
Thendral mayangum undhan paechil
The breeze swoons over your speech
Angu thondrum sindhu paattil
In the Sindhu song born there
Nenjam inikkudhu senthamizhae
The heart grows sweet, O pure Tamil
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu
A single moon dancing in the sky
En kaiyilae iru nilavu
Two moons in my hands
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu
A single moon dancing in the sky
En kaiyilae iru nilavu
Two moons in my hands
Thaei piraiyo angae
Is it a waning moon over there?
Valar piraigal ingae
Waxing moons are right here
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu
A single moon dancing in the sky
En kaiyilae iru nilavu
Two moons in my hands
Vaanaththil aadum or nilavu
A single moon dancing in the sky
En kaiyilae iru nilavu…..
Two moons in my hands...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poetic track expresses deep admiration for a beloved by contrasting natural wonders with her radiant grace. The singer compares the solitary moon in the sky to the dual brightness present in his hands—a metaphor for her beautiful eyes or glowing face. While the distant celestial moon undergoes waning phases, the presence of his beloved represents ever-flourishing waxing moons. Furthering the romantic praise, the lyrics suggest that the finest pearls of the southern sea cannot match her sweet smile, nor can the song of a cuckoo match her captivating words. The soft breeze itself becomes entranced by her speech, which resonates with the sweetness and majesty of pure classical Tamil.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“En kaiyilae iru nilavu”
Compares the beloved's radiant eyes or face to two moons held closely in hand.
Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)
“Thaei piraiyo angae / Valar piraigal ingae”
Juxtaposes the waning moon (Thaei pirai) in the sky with waxing, flourishing beauty (Valar pirai) nearby.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Thendral mayangum undhan paechil”
Exaggerates the sweetness of her voice by stating that even the gentle breeze swoons when hearing her talk.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Vaanaththil Aadum' from Manam Virumbuthe Unnai (1999) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by poet Ponnadiyan, known for using classical Tamil imagery and poetic tropes comparing female beauty to nature and literature.
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