Vatta Nilave
From Ilaiyavan · 2000
- Lyricist
- Mu. Metha
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ilaiyavan2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vatta nilavae | O round moon, |
| Etti etti edhukku paakkura | Why do you reach out and stare? |
| Kutti nilavae | O little moon, |
| Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura | Why do you stare with wide eyes? |
| Manmadhanin thaerottam | This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession, |
| Idhu malliga poo poraattam | This is a battle of jasmine flowers, |
| Raavelaam thookkam pochu | Sleep was lost all night long, |
| Unna thodalaamaa | May I touch you? |
| Male | |
| Vatta nilavae | O round moon, |
| Etti etti edhukku paakkura | Why do you reach out and stare? |
| Kutti nilavae | O little moon, |
| Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura | Why do you stare with wide eyes? |
| Chorus | |
| Janakku janakku jamjam | Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats) |
| Janakku janakku jamjam | Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats) |
| Janakku janakku jamjam | Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats) |
| Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jana | Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jana (Rhythmic beats) |
| Janakku janakku jamjam | Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats) |
| Janakku janakku jamjam | Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats) |
| Janakku janakku jamjam | Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats) |
| Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jam | Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jam (Rhythmic beats) |
| Female | |
| Kanda padi vaada kaathu | The wild northern wind blows, |
| Kanni ponna kaiyaal anaikka | To embrace the young maiden with hands, |
| Kanni nenju maamaa | The maiden's heart, uncle, |
| Haa kanni pogalaamaa | Haa, can youth pass by like this? |
| Male | |
| Kathum kuyil paatta ketten | I listened to the singing cuckoo's song, |
| Kattil maela kiliya paarthen | I saw the parrot upon the bed, |
| Katti kollalaamaa | May I embrace you tight? |
| Konjam thottanaikkalaamaa | May I touch and hold you a little? |
| Female | |
| Oorukkulla aravam kekkudhae | A commotion is heard in the town, |
| Adhukkulla edhukku avasaram | Why the hurry before that? |
| Male | |
| Ullukkulla mansau kekkala | The heart inside isn't listening, |
| Nee mutham kodu kannathil oru tharam | Give a kiss once on my cheek, |
| Female | |
| Adhukkunnu irukku oru naalu | There is a special day reserved for that, |
| Maamaa naan thaan un aalu | Uncle, I am indeed your girl, |
| Appuramaa nee kaelu | Ask me after that, |
| Male | |
| Vatta nilavae | O round moon, |
| Etti etti edhukku paakkura | Why do you reach out and stare? |
| Female :Kutti nilavae | Female: O little moon, |
| Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura | Why do you stare with wide eyes? |
| Male | |
| Manmadhanin thaerottam | This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession, |
| Idhu malliga poo poraattam | This is a battle of jasmine flowers, |
| Female | |
| Raavelaam thookkam pochu | Sleep was lost all night long, |
| Unna thodalaamaa…hoi | May I touch you... hoi? |
| Vatta nilavae | O round moon, |
| Etti etti edhukku paakkura | Why do you reach out and stare? |
| Male | |
| Kutti nilavae | O little moon, |
| Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura | Why do you stare with wide eyes? |
| Male | |
| Kan simittum nilava paaru | Look at the winking moon, |
| Kaadhala nee kettu paaru | Ask love and see, |
| Em manasa kollum | It will captivate my heart, |
| Nilavum aasaiya thaan sollum | Even the moon expresses its desire, |
| Female | |
| Thalaiyil vecha poova kelu | Ask the flower placed on the head, |
| Ulaiyil vecha sotha kelu | Ask the rice cooking in the pot, |
| Pacha pulla manasa | The mind of an innocent child, |
| Maamaa kachidhamaa sollum | Uncle, it will tell you perfectly, |
| Male | |
| Sandhanathu vaasam polavae | Just like the fragrance of sandalwood, |
| Nenjil vandhu paravum nyaabagam | Memories spread across the heart, |
| Female | |
| Thaekku maram | The teak tree, |
| Paakkum podhellaam | Whenever I look at it, |
| Kattudalai thazhuvum nyaabagam | Memories of embracing your well-built body return, |
| Male | |
| Iravae iravae vidiyaadhae | O night, O night, do not dawn! |
| Nilavae nilavae pogaadhae | O moon, O moon, do not depart! |
| Kannai mattum moodi kollu | Just close your eyes, |
| Female | |
| Vatta nilavae | O round moon, |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa | Haa haa, |
| Female | |
| Etti etti edhukku paakkura | Why do you reach out and stare? |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa | Haa haa, |
| Male | |
| Kutti nilavae | O little moon, |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa | Haa haa, |
| Male | |
| Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura | Why do you stare with wide eyes? |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa | Haa haa, |
| Female | |
| Manmadhanin thaerottam | This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession, |
| Idhu malliga poo poraattam | This is a battle of jasmine flowers, |
| Male | |
| Raavelaam thookkam pochu | Sleep was lost all night long, |
| Unna thodalaamaa | May I touch you? |
| Vatta nilavae | O round moon, |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa | Haa haa, |
| Female | |
| Etti etti edhukku paakkura | Why do you reach out and stare? |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa | Haa haa, |
| Male | |
| Kutti nilavae | O little moon, |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa | Haa haa, |
| Male | |
| Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura | Why do you stare with wide eyes? |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa | Haa haa |
வட்ட நிலவே
எட்டி எட்டி எதுக்குப் பாக்குற
குட்டி நிலவே
கொட்டக் கொட்ட முழிச்சு பாக்குற
மன்மதனின் தேரோட்டம்
இது மல்லிகப் பூ போராட்டம்
ராவெல்லாம் தூக்கம் போச்சு
உன்ன தொடலாமா
O round moon,
Why do you reach out and stare?
O little moon,
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession,
This is a battle of jasmine flowers,
Sleep was lost all night long,
May I touch you?
வட்ட நிலவே
எட்டி எட்டி எதுக்குப் பாக்குற
குட்டி நிலவே
கொட்டக் கொட்ட முழிச்சு பாக்குற
O round moon,
Why do you reach out and stare?
O little moon,
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
ஜனக்கு ஜனக்கு ஜம்ஜம்
ஜனக்கு ஜனக்கு ஜம்ஜம்
ஜனக்கு ஜனக்கு ஜம்ஜம்
அஹா ஜனக்கு ஜனக்கு தக்க ஜன
ஜனக்கு ஜனக்கு ஜம்ஜம்
ஜனக்கு ஜனக்கு ஜம்ஜம்
ஜனக்கு ஜனக்கு ஜம்ஜம்
அஹா ஜனக்கு ஜனக்கு தக்க ஜம்
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jana (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jam (Rhythmic beats)
கண்ட படி வாடக் காத்து
கன்னிப் பொண்ண கையால் அணைக்க
கன்னி நெஞ்சு மாமா
ஹா கன்னிப் போகலாமா
The wild northern wind blows,
To embrace the young maiden with hands,
The maiden's heart, uncle,
Haa, can youth pass by like this?
கத்தும் குயில் பாட்டக் கேட்டேன்
கட்டில் மேல கிளியப் பார்த்தேன்
கட்டிக் கொள்ளலாமா
கொஞ்சம் தொட்டணைக்கலாமா
I listened to the singing cuckoo's song,
I saw the parrot upon the bed,
May I embrace you tight?
May I touch and hold you a little?
ஊருக்குள்ள அரவம் கேக்குதே
அதுக்குள்ள எதுக்கு அவசரம்
A commotion is heard in the town,
Why the hurry before that?
உள்ளுக்குள்ள மனசு கேக்கல
நீ முத்தம் கொடு கன்னத்தில் ஒரு தரம்
The heart inside isn't listening,
Give a kiss once on my cheek,
அதுக்குன்னு இருக்கு ஒரு நாளு
மாமா நான் தான் உன் ஆளு
அப்புறமா நீ கேளு
There is a special day reserved for that,
Uncle, I am indeed your girl,
Ask me after that,
வட்ட நிலவே
எட்டி எட்டி எதுக்குப் பாக்குற
குட்டி நிலவே
கொட்டக் கொட்ட முழிச்சு பாக்குற
O round moon,
Why do you reach out and stare?
Female: O little moon,
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
மன்மதனின் தேரோட்டம்
இது மல்லிகப் பூ போராட்டம்
This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession,
This is a battle of jasmine flowers,
ராவெல்லாம் தூக்கம் போச்சு
உன்ன தொடலாமா.....ஹோய்
வட்ட நிலவே
எட்டி எட்டி எதுக்குப் பாக்குற
Sleep was lost all night long,
May I touch you... hoi?
O round moon,
Why do you reach out and stare?
குட்டி நிலவே
கொட்டக் கொட்ட முழிச்சு பாக்குற
O little moon,
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
கண் சிமிட்டும் நிலவப் பாரு
காதல நீ கேட்டுப் பாரு
எம் மனச கொல்லும்
நிலவும் ஆசையத் தான் சொல்லும்
Look at the winking moon,
Ask love and see,
It will captivate my heart,
Even the moon expresses its desire,
தலையில் வெச்ச பூவக் கேளு
உலையில் வெச்ச சோத்தக் கேளு
பச்சப் புள்ள மனச
மாமா கச்சிதமா சொல்லும்
Ask the flower placed on the head,
Ask the rice cooking in the pot,
The mind of an innocent child,
Uncle, it will tell you perfectly,
சந்தனத்து வாசம் போலவே
நெஞ்சில் வந்து பரவும் ஞாபகம்
Just like the fragrance of sandalwood,
Memories spread across the heart,
தேக்கு மரம்
பாக்கும் போதெல்லாம்
கட்டுடலை தழுவும் ஞாபகம்
The teak tree,
Whenever I look at it,
Memories of embracing your well-built body return,
இரவே இரவே விடியாதே
நிலவே நிலவே போகாதே
கண்ணை மட்டும் மூடிக் கொள்ளு
O night, O night, do not dawn!
O moon, O moon, do not depart!
Just close your eyes,
வட்ட நிலவே
O round moon,
ஹா ஹா
Haa haa,
எட்டி எட்டி எதுக்குப் பாக்குற
Why do you reach out and stare?
ஹா ஹா
Haa haa,
குட்டி நிலவே
O little moon,
ஹா ஹா
Haa haa,
கொட்டக் கொட்ட முழிச்சு பாக்குற
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
ஹா ஹா
Haa haa,
மன்மதனின் தேரோட்டம்
இது மல்லிகப் பூ போராட்டம்
This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession,
This is a battle of jasmine flowers,
ராவெல்லாம் தூக்கம் போச்சு
உன்ன தொடலாமா
வட்ட நிலவே
Sleep was lost all night long,
May I touch you?
O round moon,
ஹா ஹா
Haa haa,
எட்டி எட்டி எதுக்குப் பாக்குறே
Why do you reach out and stare?
ஹா ஹா
Haa haa,
குட்டி நிலவே
O little moon,
ஹா ஹா
Haa haa,
கொட்டக் கொட்ட முழிச்சு பாக்குற
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
ஹா ஹா
Haa haa
Vatta nilavae
O round moon,
Etti etti edhukku paakkura
Why do you reach out and stare?
Kutti nilavae
O little moon,
Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
Manmadhanin thaerottam
This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession,
Idhu malliga poo poraattam
This is a battle of jasmine flowers,
Raavelaam thookkam pochu
Sleep was lost all night long,
Unna thodalaamaa
May I touch you?
Vatta nilavae
O round moon,
Etti etti edhukku paakkura
Why do you reach out and stare?
Kutti nilavae
O little moon,
Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
Janakku janakku jamjam
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jana
Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jana (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Janakku janakku jamjam
Janakku janakku jamjam (Rhythmic beats)
Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jam
Ahaa janakku janakku thakka jam (Rhythmic beats)
Kanda padi vaada kaathu
The wild northern wind blows,
Kanni ponna kaiyaal anaikka
To embrace the young maiden with hands,
Kanni nenju maamaa
The maiden's heart, uncle,
Haa kanni pogalaamaa
Haa, can youth pass by like this?
Kathum kuyil paatta ketten
I listened to the singing cuckoo's song,
Kattil maela kiliya paarthen
I saw the parrot upon the bed,
Katti kollalaamaa
May I embrace you tight?
Konjam thottanaikkalaamaa
May I touch and hold you a little?
Oorukkulla aravam kekkudhae
A commotion is heard in the town,
Adhukkulla edhukku avasaram
Why the hurry before that?
Ullukkulla mansau kekkala
The heart inside isn't listening,
Nee mutham kodu kannathil oru tharam
Give a kiss once on my cheek,
Adhukkunnu irukku oru naalu
There is a special day reserved for that,
Maamaa naan thaan un aalu
Uncle, I am indeed your girl,
Appuramaa nee kaelu
Ask me after that,
Vatta nilavae
O round moon,
Etti etti edhukku paakkura
Why do you reach out and stare?
Female :Kutti nilavae
Female: O little moon,
Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
Manmadhanin thaerottam
This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession,
Idhu malliga poo poraattam
This is a battle of jasmine flowers,
Raavelaam thookkam pochu
Sleep was lost all night long,
Unna thodalaamaa…hoi
May I touch you... hoi?
Vatta nilavae
O round moon,
Etti etti edhukku paakkura
Why do you reach out and stare?
Kutti nilavae
O little moon,
Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
Kan simittum nilava paaru
Look at the winking moon,
Kaadhala nee kettu paaru
Ask love and see,
Em manasa kollum
It will captivate my heart,
Nilavum aasaiya thaan sollum
Even the moon expresses its desire,
Thalaiyil vecha poova kelu
Ask the flower placed on the head,
Ulaiyil vecha sotha kelu
Ask the rice cooking in the pot,
Pacha pulla manasa
The mind of an innocent child,
Maamaa kachidhamaa sollum
Uncle, it will tell you perfectly,
Sandhanathu vaasam polavae
Just like the fragrance of sandalwood,
Nenjil vandhu paravum nyaabagam
Memories spread across the heart,
Thaekku maram
The teak tree,
Paakkum podhellaam
Whenever I look at it,
Kattudalai thazhuvum nyaabagam
Memories of embracing your well-built body return,
Iravae iravae vidiyaadhae
O night, O night, do not dawn!
Nilavae nilavae pogaadhae
O moon, O moon, do not depart!
Kannai mattum moodi kollu
Just close your eyes,
Vatta nilavae
O round moon,
Haa haa
Haa haa,
Etti etti edhukku paakkura
Why do you reach out and stare?
Haa haa
Haa haa,
Kutti nilavae
O little moon,
Haa haa
Haa haa,
Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
Haa haa
Haa haa,
Manmadhanin thaerottam
This is Lord Cupid's chariot procession,
Idhu malliga poo poraattam
This is a battle of jasmine flowers,
Raavelaam thookkam pochu
Sleep was lost all night long,
Unna thodalaamaa
May I touch you?
Vatta nilavae
O round moon,
Haa haa
Haa haa,
Etti etti edhukku paakkura
Why do you reach out and stare?
Haa haa
Haa haa,
Kutti nilavae
O little moon,
Haa haa
Haa haa,
Kotta kotta muzhichu paakkura
Why do you stare with wide eyes?
Haa haa
Haa haa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Vatta Nilave is a playful and romantic duet from the Tamil film Ilaiyavan (2000). The song revolves around two lovers expressing their affection and romantic desire under the nocturnal backdrop of the moon. The male protagonist compares his beloved to the radiant round moon and eagerness for intimacy, while the female playfully gently delays him, asking him to wait for the appropriate time after marriage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vatta nilavae... Kutti nilavae”
Addressing the beloved metaphorically as 'Vatta nilave' (Round moon) and 'Kutti nilave' (Little moon).
Repetition / Reduplication (Adukkuthodar)
“Etti etti edhukku paakkura”
Using repeated words like 'Etti etti' and 'Kotta kotta' for dramatic visual emphasis and rhythmic flow.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Sandhanathu vaasam polavae / Nenjil vandhu paravum nyaabagam”
Comparing the spreading of cherished romantic memories in the heart to the soothing aroma of sandalwood.
Personification
“Kan simittum nilava paaru / Nilavum aasaiya thaan sollum”
Attributes human behaviors such as winking and expressing romantic desires to the moon.
Did you know?
Trivia
The soundtrack of Ilaiyavan (2000) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring lyrics penned by the acclaimed Tamil poet and lyricist Mu. Metha.
Keep listening
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