Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Nandhavana Theru album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Velli Nilave

From Nandhavana Theru · 1995

Lyricists
Not listed
Singers
S. P, Balasubrahmanyam, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilaiyaraja
Movie name
Nandhavana Theru
Movie release year
1995
Lyrics added on
1 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Velli nilavae…. velli nilavae….
Velli nilvae velli nilavae veen sogam yenadi maanae yenadi
Mullai malarae mullai malarae un baaram theerpavar yaaru kooradi
Minnum silaiyae annai pol varavaa naanum sorutta
Unnaathirunthaal ingae yaar varuvaar unnai seeraata
Velli nilavae velli nilavae veen sogam yenadi maanae yenadi
Vinnil odi thanaal vaadum nilavae naalum urugaathae
Unnai paadi mannil kodi kavithai vaalum maravaathae
Nilaa choru nilaa choru tharavaa neeyum pasiyaara
Kuyil pattu kuyil paattu tharuvom naangal kushiyaaga
Vaanavillum thaanirangi paai podumae neeyum thoonga
Aadum mayil thogai ellaam thaalaattiyae kaatru veesa
Dheva kaniyae theivathenna nee thannaalae
Velli nilvae velli nilavae veen sogam yenadi maanae yenadi
Mullai malarae mullai malarae un baaram theerpavar yaaru kooradi
Sontham yaaru bantham yaaru nilavae paaru enai paaru
Nenjil baram kannil eeram thudaippaar yaaru bathil kooru
Ullam thorum kallam nooru athai nee paarthu edai podu
Unnai kaaka thollai theerkka varuvom naangal thunivodu
Vaanathodu kovam kondu nee povathen paal nilaavae
Vaanam kaakka naangal undu nee nambiyae paar nilaavae
Dheva kanniyae…theivathenna nee thannaalae
Velli nilavu velli nilavu unnodu sernthida thaanae paaduthu
Ullam thiranthu ullam thiranthu than sogam theernthida thaanae theduthu
Minnum nilavae unnalae varuthae paadi sorootta
Thalli nadanthaal veraaru varuvaar ennai kaapaatra
Velli nilavu velli nilavu unnodu sernthida thaanae paaduthu
{Than nan naanaa than nan naanaa than nan naanaaa
Than nan naanaa than nan naanaa than nan naanaaa} (2)
O silver moon... O silver moon...
O silver moon, silver moon, why this needless sorrow, my dear, why?
O jasmine flower, jasmine flower, tell me, who will ease your burden?
Shining beauty, shall I come like a mother to feed you?
If you don't eat, who else will come here to care for you?
O silver moon, silver moon, why this needless sorrow, my dear, why?
O moon drifting in the sky and fading all alone, do not waste away each day.
Don't forget that millions of poems live on earth, singing of you.
Shall I feed you moonlight rice to satisfy your hunger?
We will sing cuckoo songs for you with joy.
Even the rainbow will come down and make a bed for you to sleep.
The dancing peacocks' feathers will fan a gentle breeze like a lullaby.
O sweet divine fruit, why are you fading away all alone?
O silver moon, silver moon, why this needless sorrow, my dear, why?
O jasmine flower, jasmine flower, tell me, who will ease your burden?
Who is truly yours, who is your family? Look, moon, look at me.
Who will wipe away the weight in your heart and the tears in your eyes? Tell me.
There is deceit in every heart; see that and judge for yourself.
We will come boldly to protect you and end your troubles.
Why are you leaving in anger with the sky, my milky-white moon?
We are here to watch over the sky; just trust and see, dear moon.
O divine angel, why are you fading away all alone?
The silver moon sings only to be with you.
Opening its heart, it seeks you only to end its sorrow.
The shining moon comes just for you, singing to feed you.
If you walk away, who else will come to protect me?
The silver moon sings only to be with you.
{Than nan naanaa than nan naanaa than nan naanaa...
Than nan naanaa than nan naanaa than nan naanaa...} (2)
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a tender, comforting lullaby that addresses a loved one experiencing deep grief and burden. Using poetic imagery, the singer compares the protagonist to a silver moon, a jasmine flower, and a divine fruit, pleading with her to let go of her pointless sorrow. The lyrics offer maternal love, protection, and reassurance against the deceptive world outside. Nature imagery—such as rainbows making a bed, peacocks fanning their feathers to create a gentle breeze, and cuckoo birds singing lullabies—is woven throughout to evoke peace and security. It reassures the loved one that she is valued, cherished, and never alone in her struggles.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamanai)

“Velli nilavae velli nilavae veen sogam yenadi maanae yenadi”

Addressing the beloved using tender natural metaphors such as 'Velli nilavae' (silver moon), 'Mullai malarae' (jasmine flower), and 'Dheva kaniyae' (divine fruit).

Personification

“Vaanavillum thaanirangi paai podumae neeyum thoonga”

Attributes human behaviors to natural elements like the rainbow laying a bed mat and peacock feathers singing lullabies.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Mullai malarae mullai malarae un baaram theerpavar yaaru kooradi”

The second consonant sound 'll' repeats across consecutive lines ('Velli' / 'Mullai').

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Nilaa choru nilaa choru tharavaa neeyum pasiyaara”

Repetition of address phrases ('Velli nilavae', 'Mullai malarae', 'Nilaa choru') to create a soothing rhythmic quality.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1995 Tamil drama film 'Nandhavana Theru', starring Karthik and Devayani. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Velli Odam Pole1959
Nalla TheerppuNatureSolitude
Kaiya Pudi2010
MynaaGriefSolitude
Shenbagame Shenbagame (Female Version)1987
Enga Ooru PattukaranTenderHope
Onakkaga Poranthene2014
Pannaiyarum PadminiyumTenderAffectionate
Vennila Vellithattu (Female)1979
Kali Kovil KabaliMotherhoodTender
Mantharapoove Manjal Nilave1985
Needhiyin NizhalNatureAffectionate

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.