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Sonnathu Neethana album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Velli Nilavinile

From Sonnathu Neethana · 1978

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
P. Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Sonnathu Neethana
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
22 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Velli nilaavinilae
Tamil veenai vanthathu
Adhu paadum raagam nee raja
Velli nilaavinilae
Tamil veenai vanthathu
Adhu paadum raagam nee raja
Velli nilaavinilae
Vizhiyo karthigai deepam
Oli naan vaa vaa endrathu
Unakkaa ennidam kobam
Adhuthaan yaen yaen vanthathu
Adikkumpothu mirugamadaa
Anikkumpothu manithanadaa
Deivam neeyadaa
Mana theril yaeri vaa raja
Unakken vaaimozhai ondru
Adhuthaan naanthaan allavo
Madimale thoongadaa vanthu
Manaththaal thaai naan allavaa
Viralil enna abhinayamaa
Vizhiyil enna kavi nayamo
Anbil deepamae
Innum aandu nooru nee vaazhga
Velli nilaavinilae
Tamil veenai vanthathu
Adhu paadum raagam nee raja
Velli nilaavinilae…..
In the silver moonlight,
A Tamil veena has arrived,
And you are the melody it sings, my dear.
In the silver moonlight,
A Tamil veena has arrived,
And you are the melody it sings, my dear.
In the silver moonlight...
Your eyes are like Karthigai festival lamps,
Their glow called out to me, saying "Come, come."
Are you angry with me?
Why, oh why, did that anger arise?
When you strike out, you are like a beast,
When you embrace, you are human,
And truly, you are divine!
Come riding the chariot of the heart, my dear.
Why do you need spoken words of your own?
Am I not your voice after all?
Come and sleep upon my lap,
For in my heart, am I not a mother to you?
Is that artistic grace in your fingers?
What poetic beauty shines in your eyes?
O glowing lamp of love,
May you live for a hundred years more!
In the silver moonlight,
A Tamil veena has arrived,
And you are the melody it sings, my dear.
In the silver moonlight...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Velli Nilaavinilae is a gentle and affectionate Tamil song composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by P. Jayachandran, featuring lyrics by Pulamaipithan. The song expresses deep, tender love and maternal affection toward a cherished loved one (addressed as 'raja'). The singer paints a picture of serene silver moonlight and compares the subject's eyes to radiant Karthigai lamps, inviting them to rest peacefully. The lyrics also contain philosophical reflections on human nature, contrasting animalistic aggression with human compassion and divinity. Ultimately, the song serves as a heartfelt wish for longevity, love, and emotional solace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Imagery

“Velli nilaavinilae Tamil veenai vanthathu”

Creates a serene visual picture of silver moonlight and musical elegance.

Metaphor

“Vizhiyo karthigai deepam”

Compares the brightness and divine warmth of the eyes directly to Karthigai festival lamps.

Antithesis / Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Adikkumpothu mirugamadaa / Anikkumpothu manithanadaa”

Contrasts the nature of cruelty (animalistic) with affection (humanity) using rhythmic Tamil second-letter rhyming ('di' in Adikkumpothu and 'ni' in Anikkumpothu).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Viralil enna abhinayamaa / Vizhiyil enna kavi nayamo”

Uses matching initial consonants 'Vi' in Viralil and Vizhiyil to enhance lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track showcases P. Jayachandran's unique vocal warmth in early Ilaiyaraaja collaborations. Lyricist Pulamaipithan blends traditional Tamil poetic imagery, such as 'Karthigai Deepam' and 'Abhinayam', with deeply comforting maternal themes within a romantic melody.

Keep listening

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