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Lyrics & meaning

Aagaya Vennilavae

From Arangetra Velai · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Uma Ramanan, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Arangetra Velai1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aagaaya vennilaavaeOh white moon of the sky,
Tharai meedhu vandhathenoWhy have you descended to the earth?
Female :Azhagaana aadai soodiFemale: Dressed in beautiful attire,
Arangerum velaithaanoIs it the time for your grand debut?
Male
Malar soodum koondhalaeThe flower-adorned hair,
Mazhai kaala megamaai koodaGathering like monsoon clouds,
Female :Uravaadum vizhigalaeFemale: The intimate eyes,
Iru velli meengalaai aadaDancing like two silver fish.
Male
Aagaaya vennilaavaeOh white moon of the sky,
Tharai meedhu vandhathenoWhy have you descended to the earth?
Female :Azhagaana aadai soodiFemale: Dressed in beautiful attire,
Arangerum velaithaanoIs it the time for your grand debut?
Male
Dhevaara sandham konduCarrying the rhythm of Tevaram hymns,
Dhinam paadum thendral ondruA breeze that sings daily,
Poovaaram soodikonduWearing a garland of flowers,
Thalai vaasal vanthadhindruHas arrived at the front door today.
Female
Thenpaandi mannan endruKnowing him as the southern Pandyan king,
Thirumeni vannam kanduSeeing the hue of his divine body,
Madiyeri vazhum penmaiThe womanhood that rests in his lap,
Padiyeri vanthadhindruHas stepped up the stairs today.
Male
Ilaneerum paalum thaenumTender coconut water, milk, and honey,
Idhazhoram vaanga vendumShould be received from the edges of lips.
Female :Koduthaalum kaadhal thaagamFemale: Even if given, the thirst for love,
Kuraiyaamal yenga vendumShould long without ever diminishing.
Male
Kadal pondra aasayilIn desire vast as the ocean,
Madal vazhai meni thaan aadaMay the plantain-leaf-like body sway.
Female :Nadujaama velaiyilFemale: In the midnight hour,
Neduneram nenjamae koodaMay hearts unite for a long time.
Male
Aagaaya vennilaavaeOh white moon of the sky,
Tharai meedhu vandhathenoWhy have you descended to the earth?
Female :Azhagaana aadai soodiFemale: Dressed in beautiful attire,
Arangerum velaithaanoIs it the time for your grand debut?
Female
Dhevaadhi dhevar koottamA divine form praised by,
Thudhi paadum dheivaroopamThe gathering of supreme gods.
Aadhaadhi kesam engumShining from head to toe,
Oliveesum koyil deepamLike a temple lamp spreading light.
Male
Vaadaadha paarijaadhamAn unfading Parijatha flower,
Nadaipodum vanna paadhamColourful feet taking gentle steps.
Kelaadha vaenugaanamAn unheard flute's melody,
Kili pechil ketkka koodumCan be heard in her parrot-like speech.
Female
Adiyaalin jeevan aeviCommanding the soul of this humble servant,
Adhigaaram seivadhennaWhy do you rule over me?
Male :Azhangaara dhevadheviMale: Oh decorative goddess,
Avadhaaram seidhadhennaWhy have you taken incarnation?
Female
Isai veennai vaaduthoIs the musical veena yearning,
Idhamaana kaigalae meettaFor gentle hands to pluck its strings?
Male :Srudhiyodu serumoMale: Will it blend with the pitch,
Sugamaana raagamae kaattaTo reveal a pleasant ragam?
Female
Aagaaya vennilaavaeOh white moon of the sky,
Tharai meedhu vandhathenoWhy have you descended to the earth?
Male :Azhagaana aadai soodiMale: Dressed in beautiful attire,
Arangerum velaithaanoIs it the time for your grand debut?
Female
Malar soodum koondhalaeThe flower-adorned hair,
Mazhai kaala megamaai koodaGathering like monsoon clouds,
Male :Uravaadum vizhigalaeMale: The intimate eyes,
Iru velli meengalaai aadaDancing like two silver fish.
Female
Aagaaya vennilaavaeOh white moon of the sky,
Tharai meedhu vandhathenoWhy have you descended to the earth?
Male :Azhagaana aadai soodiMale: Dressed in beautiful attire,
Arangerum velaithaanoIs it the time for your grand debut?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Aagaaya Vennilaavae' is a classic romantic duet from the movie Arangetra Velai. In this song, the lovers express their admiration for each other using divine imagery, classical metaphors, and romantic poetry. The male protagonist compares his beloved to the moon descending onto earth, describing her hair as dark rain clouds and her eyes as shimmering silver fish.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Aagaaya vennilaavae Tharai meedhu vandhatheno

Compares the beloved woman to the celestial white moon landing on earth.

Simile (Upamai)

Mazhai kaala megamaai kooda

Compares hair adorned with flowers to rain-bearing monsoon clouds.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Iru velli meengalaai aada

Compares playful, expressive eyes to twin silver fish swimming.

Etukai (Second letter rhyme)

Dhevaara sandham kondu / Dhinam paadum thendral ondru

The second consonant sound 'dha' rhymes in 'Dhevaara' and 'Dhinam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aagaaya Vennilaave' was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki with lyrics written by Vaali. The movie 'Arangetra Velai' (1990) starring Prabhu and Revathi is the Tamil remake of the iconic Malayalam comedy film 'Ramji Rao Speaking'.

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