Set Nila !!! ~ யானை தந்தம் போலே பிறை நிலா

 

Know what is Set Nila !!  Long ago ! saw a Cinema shooting – time was around 1030 pm – Heroine Devayani was standing in the balcony with Full moon in the background – it was not a Pournami day !!  - then as it was about to be taken – from the next building terrace – one of the Assistants unfolded a round White slightly shining round object tied with a black thread to a stick .. .. and the angle ensured that only the actress and the (hanging) Moon was visible !! 

Moon has enamoured mankind since centuries !  - Mathi, venmathi, thanmathi, thingal, ambuli, nila, chandamama and more – all names of that shining cool one seen in the sky in the night – Chandran ! -the moon. Luna  by the Romans, Selene and Artemis by the Greeks, and many other names in other mythologies. The Moon is revered liked and held high since prehistoric times.

Yesterday was  Pournami, full moon day, in India. Remember - the moon does not emit its own light but reflects that of the sun and partly that reflected by the Earth–phenomenon of ashen light.

Ever heard this Tamil song !!  

யானை தந்தம் போலே பிறை நிலா

வானிலே ஜோதியாய் வீசுதே

 

தேவ அமுதம் நீரே கலை மணி

பூவிலே அசையாமலே வண்டு தூங்குதே

 

The song    "Yaanai Thandham Pole" is from the 1952 Tamil film Amarakavi. Sung by MK Thiyagaraja Bagavathar and P Leela, to the music of G Ramanathan.    

While women’s beauty, face, and the like are often compared with Moon – found it somewhat odd with the comparison of  பிறை நிலா with யானை தந்தம்

The analogy – is  visual analogy (உவமை)   a core element of classical Tamil poetry. The lyricist Suratha, was widely celebrated   as Uvamaikignar.  Here the most direct logic is the geometric similarity. A crescent moon during its early phases curves gently into a sharp, tapered point on both ends. This perfectly mirrors the natural curve and pointed tip of an elephant's tusk. An elephant tusk is famed for its smooth, milky white ivory texture. In the song,   ivory white of the tusk is used to emphasize the pristine, pure white glow of the moon glowing against the dark night sky. In culture and literature, elephants represent majesty, royalty, and grace. By associating the moon—a classic romantic symbol—with an elephant's tusk, the poet elevates the visual imagery, making the romantic setting feel grand, regal, and deeply rooted in classic poetic traditions.

The October full Moon, traditionally known as the Hunter’s Moon, is in the news today. It is not a supermoon.  In India, Hunter's Moon's peak illumination, which is the exact moment it is 100% full, occurs at 9:41 am IST on October 26. Meaning, the Moon will technically be at its fullest during daylight hours, so you won't see the peak moment.  

At Triplicane, today too the sky was not clear – in the misty haze, the Moon appeared a bit Orange or Golden.  When the Moon is near the horizon, its light travels through more of Earth's atmosphere, which scatters blue light more strongly and allows more reddish light to reach our eyes. The shadows that usually outline craters during other phases tend to fade away because the light hits the lunar disk straight on. Instead, it is an ideal time to spot the dark, smooth volcanic plains, often called lunar "seas", as well as bright streaks radiating from young craters left behind by ancient asteroid impacts.

                     Happy moon viewing ! –here are couple of photos taken from my terrace at around 7 pm .. ..  

 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

26.10.2026