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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Vaigai Nadhi Karai

From Nilave Mugam Kaattu · 1999

Lyricist: Vasan
Singer: Hariharan
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Nilave Mugam Kaattu
Movie release year: 1999
Lyrics added on: 6 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

{Vaigai nadhi karai

Chinna manikuyilae

Vaadi nirpadhenna

Solladi pon mayilae} (2)

Kangal kalangaadhae

Nenjam mayangaadhae

Inghae uravundu

Endrum marakaadhae

Ezhai eliyorai thaan

Bhoomi thaangaadhaa

Vaigai nadhi karai

Chinna manikuyilae

Vaadi nirpadhenna

Solladi pon mayilae

Thunba mazhai thannai thaangum siru kudai

Naan aaven

Venil anal thannil thaagham thanithidum

Neer aaven

Poghum vazhi enghum unnai thodarndhidum

Kaatraaven

Sogham varugayil thunbam thudaithidum

Paattaaven

Yen indha vaazhkai endru

Yengugindra ezhai inghu orr kodi

Yaarukinghae sogham illai

Yaar manadhil bhaaram illai yammaadi

Nalla naatkkal namakirukku

Andha nambikkaithaan vandhu vittaal

Sogham illai..

Vaigai nadhi karai

Chinna manikuyilae

Vaadi nirpadhenna

Solladi pon mayilae

Nenjam ganathidum

Enna sumaigalai thaangaadhae

Indha ulagathai paarka vendum

Endru yengaadhae

Karpanai kottaigal kattum pechukalai

Kaadhil vaanghaadhae

Ottai kudisayil inbam illai

Ena ennaadhae

Ezhaikoru ezhai thunai

Evvuyirkkum deivam thunai pon maanae

Nenjil oru vanjam illai

Nesathirku panjam illai vinmeenae

Nalla vaazhkai vandhu theerum

Varavillai endraal deivangal thaan

Poi adiyo …

Vaigai nadhi karai

Chinna manikuyilae…yeheah..yehyeah..

Vaadi nirpadhenna

Solladi pon mayilae

By the banks of the Vaigai river,

my little cuckoo bird,

why do you stand so sad and faded?

Tell me, my golden peacock.

Do not let your eyes tear up,

do not let your heart lose courage.

You have someone of your own here,

never forget that.

For the poor and the humble,

will this earth not sustain them too?

By the banks of the Vaigai river,

my little cuckoo bird,

why do you stand so sad and faded?

Tell me, my golden peacock.

A little umbrella to shield you from the rain of sorrow,

I will become.

In the scorching summer heat, to quench your thirst,

I will become water.

Following you wherever you go,

I will become the breeze.

When sadness comes, to wipe away your grief,

I will become a song.

Wondering, "Why this life?"

millions of poor souls yearn and cry out here.

Who in this world has no sorrow?

Whose heart is without a heavy burden, my dear?

Good days are in store for us;

once that faith takes hold,

there will be no sorrow.

By the banks of the Vaigai river,

my little cuckoo bird,

why do you stand so sad and faded?

Tell me, my golden peacock.

A weight that makes your heart heavy,

do not carry such burdens.

"I must go see the wide world,"

do not yearn like that.

Talk that builds castles in the air,

do not lend it your ear.

"There is no happiness in a leaky hut,"

do not think that way.

The poor have each other for support,

and God watches over every living soul, my golden deer.

There is no malice in my heart,

and there is no lack of love, my bright star.

A good life is bound to come;

if it does not, then the gods themselves

must be a lie, my dear...

By the banks of the Vaigai river,

my little cuckoo bird...

why do you stand so sad and faded?

Tell me, my golden peacock.

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This uplifting song from the movie Nilave Mugam Kaattu (1999) is a deeply consoling message to someone struggling with grief and hardship. The protagonist uses terms of endearment drawn from nature—cuckoo, peacock, deer, and star—to comfort a loved one, assuring them that they will stand by them as shelter in rain, cooling water in heat, and a soothing song in sadness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம் - Uruvagam)

“Thunba mazhai thannai thaangum siru kudai / Naan aaven”

Compares hardship to a 'rain of sorrow' (Thunba mazhai) and offers to become a 'small umbrella' (siru kudai) for protection.

Endearing Nature Imagery (இயற்கை உவமைகள்)

“Chinna manikuyilae / Solladi pon mayilae”

Addresses the listener using gentle avian and celestial terms like 'Chinna manikuyilae' (little cuckoo), 'pon mayilae' (golden peacock), 'pon maanae' (golden deer), and 'vinmeenae' (star).

Epistrophe / End Rhyme (இயைபு - Iyaibu)

“Naan aaven ... Neer aaven ... Kaatraaven ... Paattaaven”

Repetition of the phrase 'aaven' ('I will become') at the end of successive couplets to reinforce commitment.

Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (மோனை - Monai)

“Ezhaikoru ezhai thunai / Evvuyirkkum deivam thunai”

Repetition of the initial vowel 'E' (Ezhaikoru / Evvuyirkkum) across lines creates rhythmic symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vaigai Nadhi Karai' is a comforting melody composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1999 Tamil drama film Nilave Mugam Kaattu, directed by Kalanjiyam and starring Karthik and Devayani. The lyrics were written by Vasan.

Keep listening

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Sumai ThangiGriefHope

Kanne Unakku1988

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Kuppaiyile Nel1994

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Naan Deivamaa1960

Kavalai Illaadha ManithanPovertyMelancholic

Pachai Vayal Pakkathile1981

Enga Ooru KannagiPovertyGrief

Album Songs 2022NatureFolk Influenced

From the same album

More songs from Nilave Mugam Kaattu

Poonkaathu Adhu1999

Nilave Mugam KaattuJoyful

Suttrathe Bhoomithaye1999

Nilave Mugam KaattuMelancholic

Thannanthaniyaga Oru Theevundu1999

Nilave Mugam KaattuMelancholic

Thendralai Kandukolla1999

Nilave Mugam KaattuRomantic

Chittu Parakkuthu1999

Nilave Mugam KaattuCelebratory

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