Kaber Vasuki writes a warm story in his song Frangipani. The poet pens lyrics about a friend named Nila and a special night in 2013. Kaber Vasuki and Dilip arrange a gentle acoustic tune for the album Raw Tapes 01.
Released: July 25, 2025
Frangipani
Kaber Vasuki • From “Raw Tapes 01 (Acoustic)”
Raw Tapes 01 (Acoustic)’s Frangipani Tamil Lyrics English Translation
The songwriter uses specific details to build his story. He mentions a jasmine-scented breeze and a paper crane to show the friendship. A key line asks, ‘When you see this, will you think of me?’.
En Friend Peru NilaMy friend’s name is Nila.
Vela Mudichuttu Povom UlaAfter work, we’d go for a stroll.
Vittu Kudukkadha July VedkaiyilaIn the relentless heat of July,
An Time La Azhwarpettayilaback then, in Alwarpet.
Thiduthippunu KooraSuddenly, sharp and swift,
Oru Kaadhu Veesuchu Engamela breeze swept over us.
Andha Kaadhula Kundu Malli VaasamThat wind carried the scent of ‘Kundu Malli’ jasmine,
Ava Kozhandha Pola Sirichaand she laughed just like a child.
Irandaayiradhi PadhimoonuThe year was twenty-thirteen.
Ninaivirukku Annai Ku Full MoonuI remember it was a full moon night.
Theruvilakku VelichathulaIn the glow of the streetlights,
Midhandhu Vandha Poova Pidichashe caught a flower floating by.
Indha Poo Indha PooThis flower, this flower,
Peru Frangipaniits name is Frangipani.
Idha Paakkum PodhuWhen you see this,
Enna Nenachupiyani Nu Ketta“Will you think of me?” she asked.
Indha Poo Indha PooThis flower, this flower,
Peru Frangipaniits name is Frangipani.
Idha Paakkum PodhuWhen you see this,
Enna Nenachupiyaniwill you think of me?
Appappo Nila Kaanama Pova SilaSometimes, Nila would just disappear for a while.
Naalagum VaaramagumIt’d be days, it’d be weeks,
Sila Samayam Maasamagumand sometimes, it’d even be months.
Kaal Panna Phone Switch OffWhen I’d call, her phone was switched off.
Text Panni Paadha No Tick MarkWhen I’d text, there were no delivery ticks.
Machcha Nila Engirukka“Buddy, where is Nila?”
Enakkum Theriyala“I don’t know either.”
Yaarukkum Theriyala“No one knows.”
Theypiraiyil Maraiyum NilavuJust like the moon that fades during its waning phase,
Valarpirai Valam Varuvadhai Poleonly to return during its waxing phase.
Thidernu Kaal Panna Phone EduthenSuddenly she called, and I picked up the phone.
Hi This Is Nila“Hi, this is Nila.”
Vaa Kaber Peachukku Polam“Come on, Kaber, let’s go for a chat.”
Therunaiyellam Biscuit PodaWhile feeding biscuits to the street dogs,
Un Sattu Klinchurukkushe said, “Your shirt is torn.
Pudhu Sattu Na Vaangi TharenI’ll buy you a new one.”
Ennama Padura Nee Haiyyo“Oh my, you sing so beautifully!”
Mei Silirthe PonenI was moved to my very core.
Nee Medai Erumpodhu“When you perform on stage,
Mudhal Varisaiyil Vandhu NippenI’ll be there, standing in the very first row.”
Adhu Irukkattum NilaNever mind that, Nila.
Enga Pona Ithana NaalaWhere were you all this time?
Un Ellarum Thedi PathomeWe’ve all been looking for you,
Aanaalum Theriyalabut we just couldn’t find you.
Adhu Onnu Illa Vilaiyaatta“It was nothing, just a whim,”
Na Suthi Paakka Pona Kolkata“I went to explore Kolkata.”
Nan Aalamnu Try Pennen“I tried to take root and settle,”
But Set Aala Nu Sirichchutashe laughed and said, “but I didn’t fit in.”
Irandaayiradhi PadhimoonuThe year was 2013,
Ninaivirukku Annai Ku Full MoonuI remember there was a full moon.
Maargazhi MazhaiyilIn the ‘winter’ rains of Maargazhi,
Bus Stand Kodaiyilhuddling under a bus stand’s shelter.
Kaikku Edho AndhaShe had something in her hand…
Indha Koku Indha Koku“This crane, this crane,”
Peru Origami“it’s called Origami.”
Idha Paakkum Podhu“When you look at this,”
Enna Nenachupiyani Nu Kettashe asked, “will you think of me?”
Indha Koku Indha Koku“This crane, this crane,”
Peru Origami“it’s called Origami.”
Idha Paakkum Podhu“When you look at this,”
Enna Nenachupiyani“will you think of me?”
Kaalam Maari PochuTimes began to change,
Naanum Ooru Maari Ponenand I moved away to another town.
Naanga Pesuradhu KammiyaachuOur conversations grew sparse,
Methuva Methuvaslowly, bit by bit.
Aadi Amma VaasaOn the ‘sacred new moon’ night of Aadi,
Kaal Panni Kathaigal Pesashe called me to trade stories.
Na En Kathai SolvenI’d share my tales,
Ava Avat Solvaand she’d share hers.
Naalaikku Pesala Nu“Let’s talk tomorrow,”
Rendu Perum Solli Veppomwe’d both promise each other.
Adutha Naal Rendu PerumBut when the next day came,
Marandhe Povomwe’d both just forget.
Aana Pazhaiya NatpuBut an old friendship
Kaanja Sanal Polais like dry ‘jute’ twine.
Oru Pori PattaaleIf even a single spark hits it,
Paththikkum Allavait’ll ignite instantly, won’t it?
Thidernu Oru NaalThen suddenly, one day,
An Time La Oru Kaala call came at an unusual hour.
Yaarraanu PathaTo see who it was,
Apdhullait wasn’t like that.
Enna Machha Epadi IrukkaHey buddy, how are you doing?
Machaan Thagaval Soll KoobdenBuddy, I called to give you some news.
Enna Machaan Enna ThagavalWhat is it, my friend? What’s the news?
Machaan NilaBuddy, it’s about Nila.
Nila Ku Enna DaWhat happened to Nila?
Night Oru Padharai IrukkumIt must’ve been about ten-thirty at night,
Pakkathu Veetu Aandi Ku Ketuchchu Saththamand the lady next door heard a sound.
Ennada Nu Veliya VandhaWhen she came out to see what happened,
Parking Lotil Oli Vattamthere was a circle of light in the parking lot.
Andha Vattathirkul Midhandhirundha NilaNila was floating inside that circle,
Rekka Virichchu Parandhu Pona Nilaspreading her wings and flying away.
Mudhal La Unarndha ThurogamThe first thing I felt was betrayal.
Epadi Ava ParakkalamHow could she just fly away?
Pinna Vandhuchchu KovamThen came the anger.
Epadi Ava ParakkalamHow could she take flight like that?
Mella Ooruchchu SogamSlowly, the sadness crept in.
Epadi Ava ParakkalamHow could she just soar away?
Ippo Sumakkuren PaaramNow, I’m carrying this heavy burden.
Epadi Ava ParakkalamHow could she leave us behind?
Mudhal La Unarndha ThurogamThe first thing I felt was betrayal.
Epadi Ava KuthikkalamHow could she just jump?
Pinna Vandhuchchu KovamThen came the anger.
Epadi Ava KuthikkalamHow could she take that leap?
Mella Ooruchchu SogamSlowly, the sadness crept in.
Epadi Ava KuthikkalamHow could she choose to fall?
Ippo Sumakkuren PaaramNow, I’m carrying this heavy burden.
Epadi Ava KuthikkalamHow could she end it this way?
Eththanai Per KanavukkuFor the dreams of so many people,
Aval Vazhi Kaatiya Oru Karai Vilakkushe was a lighthouse showing the way.
Eththanai Per UravukkuFor the bonds of so many people,
Aval Deepam Thelitha Akal Vilakkushe was an oil lamp that spread warmth and light.
Aval Onnum Punitham IllaShe wasn’t exactly a saint,
Ada Manidharil Yaarai Punitham Sollabut then, who among humans can we truly call a saint?
Irul Vaazhum ManithanukkoFor a person living in the shadows,
Aval Pole Oli Thara Aale Illathere’s no one else who can shine like her.
Nila Na Medai ErinnaWhen Nila would step onto the stage,
Paatu Paadina Varaniyeshe was a ‘goddess of song’ singing her heart out.
Nila Na Thedi PaakkurenNila, I’m searching for you,
Thedi Paakkuren TheriliyeI’m looking everywhere, but I can’t find you.
Nila Na Medai ErurnaNila, if I step onto the stage,
Paatu Paaduraen Kettkudaand sing my song, can you hear it?
Nila Un Mugathai ThediNila, I’m searching for your face,
Thedi Paakkuren TheriyudaI’m looking everywhere, but are you there to see me?
Nila Na Medai EriyumNila, even when I’m on stage,
Paatu Paadiyum Paththaneand even when I sing, it’s just not enough.
Nee Thaan En Kan ImaippadharkulBefore I could even blink an eye,
Nee Maranju Ponaayeyou’ve vanished into the distance.
Nee Oru Kanava KondaYou carried a dream within you,
Indha Oorukku Eduththuttu Vandhaand brought it all the way to this town.
Thaniya Iruppa IravilIf you’re ever alone in the dark of night,
Nilavu Poyi Paarugo out and look at the moon.
Avatt Un Aasa SolluTell her all your desires,
Avatt Un Kanava Keland ask her about your dreams.
Unn KaathiruppaShe’ll be waiting for you,
Kaathiruppawaiting for you,
NilaNila.
Ethanai Per KanavukkuFor so many people’s dreams,
Aval Vazhi Kaatiya Oru Karai Vilakkushe was a lighthouse guiding them to the shore.
Eththanai Per UravukkuFor so many people’s bonds,
Aval Deepam Thelitha Akal Vilakkushe was the lamp that shed a gentle light.
Aval Onnum Punitham IllaShe wasn’t some perfect saint,
Ada Manidharil Yaarai Punitham Sollabut then, who among us humans can truly be called a saint?
Irul Vaazhum ManithanukkoFor a person living in the shadows,
Aval Pole Itham Thara Aale Illathere’s no one else who brings comfort quite like her.
Nila Nila Nee Odi VaaNila, Nila, come running back,
Nillamal Ennai Thedi Vaasearch for me without ever stopping.
Frangipani Music Video
Kaber Vasuki stars in this touching story from Raw Tapes 01. The ‘Frangipani’ lyrics describe a bond that time and distance cannot break.