Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Velli Nila

From Vettaikaaran (1964) Film · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Vettaikaaran (1964) Film
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
15 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Velli nilaa muttrathilae
Vilakkeriya vilakkeriya
Ullamenum thaamaraiyil
Unai edhuthu kondu vandhen
Kondu vandhen hoi…
Velli nilaa muttrathilae
Vilakkeriya vilakkeriya
Ullamenum thaamaraiyil
Unai edhuthu kondu vandhen
Kondu vandhen hoi…
Velli nilaa muttrathilae
Vael edukkum marabilae
Veeram serindha mannilae
Vael edukkum marabilae
Veeram serindha mannilae
Paal kudikka vandhavanae
Nadaiyai kaattu
Varum pagaivargalai vendru vidum
Padaiyai kaattu
Velli nilaa muttrathilae
Vilakkeriya vilakkeriya
Mukkaniyin saareduthu
Muthamizhin thaen eduthu
Mukkaniyin saareduthu
Muthamizhin thaen eduthu
Muppaalilae kalandhu
Eppodhum suvaithiruppaai
Muppaalilae kalandhu
Eppodhum suvaithiruppaai
Naangu pergal pottravum
Naadu unnai vaazhthavum
Naangu pergal pottravum
Naadu unnai vaazhthavum
Maanathodu vaazhvadhu thaan
Suya mariyaadhai
Nalla manamudaiyor kaanbadhu thaan
Thani mariyaadhai
Velli nilaa muttrathilae
Vilakkeriya vilakkeriya
Ullamenum thaamaraiyil
Unai edhuthu kondu vandhen
Kondu vandhen hoi…
Velli nilaa muttrathilae
In the courtyard bathed in silver moonlight,
As the lamps glow and shine bright,
Upon the lotus of my heart,
I carried you and brought you here,
I brought you here, hoy...
In the courtyard bathed in silver moonlight,
As the lamps glow and shine bright,
Upon the lotus of my heart,
I carried you and brought you here,
I brought you here, hoy...
In the courtyard bathed in silver moonlight...
Born into a tradition of spear-wielding warriors,
Upon this land filled with courage,
Born into a tradition of spear-wielding warriors,
Upon this land filled with courage,
You who have come to drink mother's milk,
Show me your proud stride!
To conquer all enemies who come your way,
Show me your mighty army!
In the courtyard bathed in silver moonlight,
As the lamps glow and shine bright...
Gathering the juice of the three royal fruits,
Taking the honey of the three branches of Tamil,
Gathering the juice of the three royal fruits,
Taking the honey of the three branches of Tamil,
Blending them into Muppaal (Tirukkural),
May you always taste and cherish them!
Blending them into Muppaal (Tirukkural),
May you always taste and cherish them!
So that everyone around will praise you,
And the whole country will bless you,
So that everyone around will praise you,
And the whole country will bless you,
Living with pride and honor
Is what true self-respect means.
And what people of pure heart receive
Is a rare and special honor.
In the courtyard bathed in silver moonlight,
As the lamps glow and shine bright,
Upon the lotus of my heart,
I carried you and brought you here,
I brought you here, hoy...
In the courtyard bathed in silver moonlight!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Velli Nilaa Muttrathilae is a deeply affectionate lullaby-like song from the 1964 Tamil movie Vettaikaaran. Sung as a mother's guidance and affection towards a young child, the lyrics urge the child to uphold the glorious traditions of courage, dignity, and Tamil literary heritage. The child is encouraged to walk with pride as an heir to a heroic lineage that defends its land.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Ullamenum thaamaraiyil”

Compares the human heart to a blooming lotus flower (Ullamenum Thaamarai).

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

“Vael edukkum marabilae / Veeram serindha mannilae”

Repetition of the initial 'V' consonant sound across consecutive lines creating poetic harmony.

Cultural Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

“Mukkaniyin saareduthu / Muthamizhin thaen eduthu / Muppaalilae kalandhu”

References the classical Tamil triplets: Mukkani (Mango, Banana, Jackfruit), Muthamizh (Iyal, Isai, Nadagam), and Muppaal (Aram, Porul, Inbam of Thirukkural).

Did you know?

Trivia

Vettaikaaran (1964) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Savitri in lead roles. The film's musical score was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics authored by Kannadasan. The song features vocals by P. Susheela and T. M. Soundararajan and remains a classic example of literary Tamil integrated into film music.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Deepathai Vaithu1963
Kadavulai KandenHopefulPhilosophical
Oru Panbadu1989
Raja Chinna RojaIdentityHopeful
Madhiyaathar Vaasal1956
SatharamDignityDevotion
Pattilum Melliya Pennithu1960
Gnayirum ThingalumTenderLotus
En Vaanathil Aayiram1970
Kaaviya ThalaiviTenderMoonlight
Nilavu Pirantha Nerathile1964
Amma EngeCelebratoryCultural Gathering

From the same album

More songs from Vettaikaaran (1964) Film

View album
En Kannanukkethani1964
Vettaikaaran (1964) FilmRomantic
Seettu Kattu Raja1964
Vettaikaaran (1964) FilmPlayful
Unnai Arinthaal1964
Vettaikaaran (1964) FilmConfident
Katha Naayagan1964
Vettaikaaran (1964) FilmPlayful
Manchal Mugame1964
Vettaikaaran (1964) FilmCelebratory
Methuva Methuva1964
Vettaikaaran (1964) FilmPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.