Aan Kaviyai Vella
From Vanambadi · 1963
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vanambadi1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kall thondri mann thondrum | Oh Tamil language, born before |
| Munn thondru thamizhae | the appearance of rocks and soil! |
| Kavi mazhaiyil aadi varum | Dancing and arriving in a shower of poetry, |
| Kanni ilamayilae | like a youthful peacock! |
| Sollodu porul yendhi | Carrying words and their meanings, |
| Vilayaada vandhen | I have come to play; |
| Thunai vendum thaayae | I need your support, Mother Tamil, |
| Ninn thiruvadigal vaazhga | Long live your holy feet! |
| Female | |
| Podhigai malai uchiyilae | Originating from the peak of the Podhigai mountains, |
| Purapatta thamizhae | Oh Tamil language! |
| Poongkavidhai vaan yeri | Ascending the sky of beautiful poetry, |
| Thavazhndhu varum nilavae | like a crawling moon! |
| Madhi ariyaa sirumagalum | Even an ignorant young girl like me, |
| Kavi paada vandhen | has come to sing poetry; |
| Mandrathil thunai nindru | Stand by me in this assembly, |
| Vaazhthuvaai thaayae | and bless me, Mother Tamil! |
| Male | |
| Aang nadakattum | Yes, let it proceed! |
| Male | |
| {Aan kaviyai vella vandha | Welcome, female poet who came to conquer |
| Penn kaviyae varuga | the male poet! |
| Nee arindhavatrai | Whatever you know, |
| Maraindhu nindru | standing behind the veil, |
| Sabaiyinilae tharuga} (2) | grant it to this assembly! |
| Female | |
| {Penn kaviyai vella vandha | Welcome, noble gentleman who came to conquer |
| Perumaganae varuga | the female poet! |
| Ungal pettagathai | Open your treasure chest of wisdom, |
| Thirandhu vaithu | and offer its wealth generously! |
| Porulai alli tharuga} (2) | What flower blossoms without any leaves, |
| Male | |
| {Ilai illaamal pootha malar | what flower is that, my lady? |
| Enna malarammaa} (2) | That is the maiden flower brimming with youthfulness, |
| Female :{Adhu ilamai ponga | residing in beauty, sir! |
| Veetrirukkum kanni malar aiyaa} (2) | Which country catches fish without using a net? |
| Male | |
| {Valai illaamal meenai pidikum | What country is that? |
| Dhesam enna dhesam} (2) | That is the country called love, |
| Female :{Adhu vaalibarin kannil ulla | found in the eyes of young men! |
| Kaadhal ennum dhesam} (2) | Welcome, female poet who came to conquer |
| Male | |
| Aan kaviyai vella vandha | the male poet! |
| Penn kaviyae varuga | Open your treasure chest of wisdom, |
| Female :Ungal pettagathai | and offer its wealth generously! |
| Thirandhu vaithu | When love strikes, |
| Porulai alli tharuga | what happens to the body? |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal vandhaal | Upon seeing maiden beauty, |
| Meniyilae enna undaagum | the legs will stagger and falter! |
| Female :Adhu kanniyarai kandavudan | If love vanishes after loving someone, |
| Kaalgal thallaadum | what becomes of life? |
| Male | |
| Kaadhalithaal maraindhuvittaal | Where affection is shown, |
| Vaazhvu ennaagum | love will blossom again! |
| Female :Anbu kaatugindra veridathil | Love happens only once, |
| Kaadhal undaagum | that is Tamil culture and tradition! |
| Male | |
| Oru muraidhaan | Which one is that true love? |
| Kaadhal varum thamizhar panpaadu | That is the question now! |
| Female : Andha ondru edhu | If whatever comes along is loved, |
| Enbadhudhaan kelvi ippodhu | Welcome, female poet who came to conquer |
| Male | |
| Varuvadhellaam kaadhalithaal | the male poet! |
| Male | |
| Aan kaviyai vella vandha | Open your treasure chest of wisdom, |
| Penn kaviyae varuga | and offer its wealth generously! |
| Female :Ungal pettagathai | She has answered all your questions, |
| Thirandhu vaithu | so now she can ask her questions, right? |
| Porulai alli tharuga | Mm, ask her to fire her question! |
| Male | |
| Unnudaiya kelvikellaam | A slave carrying a message... |
| Avanga badhil sollittaanga | will bring harm... |
| Inimae avanga kelvi kekalaamilla | a parrot will not speak... |
| Male :Mm kekka sollunga | a message sent repeatedly... |
| Female | |
| Thaadhi thudhu | will not go far... |
| Theedhu thathum | What is that? |
| Thathai sollaadhu | Seeking bad deeds... |
| Thoodhu thudhu othithadhu | no deity will appear... |
| Thudhu sellaadhu | Oh ho ho! |
| Male :Ennadhu | Today with praises overflowing... |
| Female | |
| Thedhu thithu thothu | for the parrot to live sweetly... |
| Theedhu dheivam varaadhu | What is this, man? |
| Male :Ohoo hooo | Is this a question or is she babbling nonsense? |
| Female :Indru thuthi thathum | Hmm, she is not babbling anything, |
| Thathai vaazha thithithathodhu | it is you who are faltering! |
| Male | |
| {Ennappaa idhu | Me, faltering? As if! |
| Kelviyaa idhu enna ularraanga | Then if you want, accept defeat! |
| Male | |
| Hmm avanga onnum ularala | They themselves will explain the meaning! |
| Needhaan thinarraa | First ask them to explain the meaning, |
| Male:Naan thinarra dhaavadhu | then let us talk! |
| Male | |
| Pinna enna venumnaa | Alright, tell us the meaning! |
| Nee tholviya oppuka | A slave sent as a messenger is useless, |
| Avangalae artham solraanga | and trained parrots cannot speak real feelings; |
| Male | |
| Mudhalla arthathai | If a loving female friend goes as a messenger, |
| Solla sollunga appuram pesalaam | it will not reach swiftly! |
| Male :Sari sollunga} (Dialogue) | Worshipping only God without action... |
| Female | |
| {Adimai thudhu | will yield no benefit! |
| Payanpadaadhu kiligal pesaadhu | To make a young maiden with delicate skin live happily, |
| Anbu thozhi thudhu sendraal | tell us something sweet! |
| Viraivil sellaadhu} (2) | Welcome, noble gentleman who came to conquer |
| Female | |
| {Deivathaiyae thozhudhu | the female poet! |
| Nindraal payanirukaadhu} (2) | Open your treasure chest of wisdom, |
| {Ilam themal konda kanni vaazha | and offer its wealth generously! |
| Iniyadhu kooru} (2) | |
| Female | |
| Penn kaviyai vella vandha | |
| Perumaganae varuga | |
| Ungal pettagathai | |
| Thirandhu vaithu | |
| Porulai alli tharuga | |
கல் தோன்றி மண் தோன்றும்
முன் தோன்று தமிழே
கவி மழையில் ஆடி வரும்
கன்னி இளமையிலே
சொல்லோடு பொருள் ஏந்தி
விளையாட வந்தேன்
துணை வேண்டும் தாயே
நின் திருவடிகள் வாழ்க
Oh Tamil language, born before
the appearance of rocks and soil!
Dancing and arriving in a shower of poetry,
like a youthful peacock!
Carrying words and their meanings,
I have come to play;
I need your support, Mother Tamil,
Long live your holy feet!
பொதிகை மலை உச்சியிலே
புறப்பட்ட தமிழே
பூங்கவிதை வான் ஏறி
தவழ்ந்து வரும் நிலவே
மதி அறியா திருமகளும்
கவி பாட வந்தேன்
மன்றத்தில் துணை நின்று
வாழ்த்துவாய் தாயே
Originating from the peak of the Podhigai mountains,
Oh Tamil language!
Ascending the sky of beautiful poetry,
like a crawling moon!
Even an ignorant young girl like me,
has come to sing poetry;
Stand by me in this assembly,
and bless me, Mother Tamil!
ஆங் நடக்கட்டும்
Yes, let it proceed!
{ஆண் கவியை வெல்ல வந்த
பெண் கவியே வருக
நீ அறிந்தவற்றை
மறைந்து நின்று
சபையினிலே தருக} (2)
Welcome, female poet who came to conquer
the male poet!
Whatever you know,
standing behind the veil,
grant it to this assembly!
{பெண் கவியை வெல்ல வந்த
பெருமகனே வருக
உங்கள் பெட்டகத்தை
திறந்து வைத்து
பொருளை அள்ளி தருக} (2)
Welcome, noble gentleman who came to conquer
the female poet!
Open your treasure chest of wisdom,
and offer its wealth generously!
What flower blossoms without any leaves,
{இலை இல்லாமல் பூத்த மலர்
என்ன மலரம்மா} (2)
{அது இளமை பொங்க
வீற்றிருக்கும் கன்னி மலர் ஐயா} (2)
what flower is that, my lady?
That is the maiden flower brimming with youthfulness,
residing in beauty, sir!
Which country catches fish without using a net?
{வலை இல்லாமல் மீனை பிடிக்கும்
தேசம் என்ன தேசம்} (2)
{அது வாலிபரின் கண்ணில் உள்ள
காதல் என்னும் தேசம்} (2)
What country is that?
That is the country called love,
found in the eyes of young men!
Welcome, female poet who came to conquer
ஆண் கவியை வெல்ல வந்த
பெண் கவியே வருக
உங்கள் பெட்டகத்தை
திறந்து வைத்து
பொருளை அள்ளி தருக
the male poet!
Open your treasure chest of wisdom,
and offer its wealth generously!
When love strikes,
what happens to the body?
காதல் வந்தால்
மேனியிலே என்ன உண்டாகும்
அது கன்னியரை கண்டவுடன்
கால்கள் தள்ளாடும்
Upon seeing maiden beauty,
the legs will stagger and falter!
If love vanishes after loving someone,
what becomes of life?
காதலித்தாள் மறைந்துவிட்டாள்
வாழ்வு என்னாகும்
அன்பு காட்டுகின்ற வேறிடத்தில்
காதல் உண்டாகும்
Where affection is shown,
love will blossom again!
Love happens only once,
that is Tamil culture and tradition!
ஒரு முறைதான்
காதல் வரும் தமிழர் பண்பாடு
அந்த ஒன்று எது
என்பதுதான் கேள்வி இப்போது
Which one is that true love?
That is the question now!
If whatever comes along is loved,
Welcome, female poet who came to conquer
வருவதெல்லாம் காதலித்தால்
வாழ்வது எவ்வாறு
the male poet!
தன் வாழ்க்கையையே
காதலித்தால் புரியும் அப்போது
Open your treasure chest of wisdom,
and offer its wealth generously!
She has answered all your questions,
so now she can ask her questions, right?
Mm, ask her to fire her question!
ஆண் கவியை வெல்ல வந்த
பெண் கவியே வருக
உங்கள் பெட்டகத்தை
திறந்து வைத்து
பொருளை அள்ளி தருக
A slave carrying a message...
will bring harm...
a parrot will not speak...
a message sent repeatedly...
உன்னுடைய கேள்விக்கெல்லாம்
அவங்க பதில் சொல்லிட்டாங்க
இனிமே அவங்க கேள்வி கேக்கலாமில்ல
ம்ம் கேக்க சொல்லுங்க
will not go far...
What is that?
Seeking bad deeds...
no deity will appear...
Oh ho ho!
Today with praises overflowing...
தாதி தூது
தீது தத்தும்
தத்தை சொல்லாது
தூதி தூது ஒத்தித்தது
தூது செல்லாது
என்னாது
for the parrot to live sweetly...
What is this, man?
Is this a question or is she babbling nonsense?
Hmm, she is not babbling anything,
it is you who are faltering!
தேது தித்து தொத்து
தீது தெய்வம் வராது
ஓஹோ ஹோ
இன்று துத்தி தத்தும்
தத்தை வாழ தித்திததோது
Me, faltering? As if!
Then if you want, accept defeat!
{என்னப்பா இது
கேள்வியா இது என்ன உளறாங்க
They themselves will explain the meaning!
First ask them to explain the meaning,
then let us talk!
ஹ்கும்ம் அவங்க ஒன்னும் உளறல
நீதான் திணர்ற
நான் திணர்றதாவது
Alright, tell us the meaning!
A slave sent as a messenger is useless,
and trained parrots cannot speak real feelings;
பின்ன என்ன வேணுமனா
நீ தோல்விய ஒப்புக்க
அவங்களே அர்த்தம் சொல்றாங்க
If a loving female friend goes as a messenger,
it will not reach swiftly!
Worshipping only God without action...
முதல்ல அர்த்தத்தை
சொல்ல சொல்லுங்க அப்புறம் பேசலாம்
சரி சொல்லுங்க} (டயலாக்)
will yield no benefit!
To make a young maiden with delicate skin live happily,
tell us something sweet!
Welcome, noble gentleman who came to conquer
{அடிமை தூது
பயன்படாது கிளிகள் பேசாது
அன்பு தோழி தூது சென்றால்
விரைவில் செல்லாது} (2)
the female poet!
Open your treasure chest of wisdom,
and offer its wealth generously!
{தெய்வத்தையே தொழுது
நின்றால் பயன் இருக்காது} (2)
{இளம் தேமல் கொண்ட கன்னி வாழ
இனியது கூறு} (2)
பெண் கவியை வெல்ல வந்த
பெருமகனே வருக
உங்கள் பெட்டகத்தை
திறந்து வைத்து
பொருளை அள்ளி தருக
Kall thondri mann thondrum
Oh Tamil language, born before
Munn thondru thamizhae
the appearance of rocks and soil!
Kavi mazhaiyil aadi varum
Dancing and arriving in a shower of poetry,
Kanni ilamayilae
like a youthful peacock!
Sollodu porul yendhi
Carrying words and their meanings,
Vilayaada vandhen
I have come to play;
Thunai vendum thaayae
I need your support, Mother Tamil,
Ninn thiruvadigal vaazhga
Long live your holy feet!
Podhigai malai uchiyilae
Originating from the peak of the Podhigai mountains,
Purapatta thamizhae
Oh Tamil language!
Poongkavidhai vaan yeri
Ascending the sky of beautiful poetry,
Thavazhndhu varum nilavae
like a crawling moon!
Madhi ariyaa sirumagalum
Even an ignorant young girl like me,
Kavi paada vandhen
has come to sing poetry;
Mandrathil thunai nindru
Stand by me in this assembly,
Vaazhthuvaai thaayae
and bless me, Mother Tamil!
Aang nadakattum
Yes, let it proceed!
{Aan kaviyai vella vandha
Welcome, female poet who came to conquer
Penn kaviyae varuga
the male poet!
Nee arindhavatrai
Whatever you know,
Maraindhu nindru
standing behind the veil,
Sabaiyinilae tharuga} (2)
grant it to this assembly!
{Penn kaviyai vella vandha
Welcome, noble gentleman who came to conquer
Perumaganae varuga
the female poet!
Ungal pettagathai
Open your treasure chest of wisdom,
Thirandhu vaithu
and offer its wealth generously!
Porulai alli tharuga} (2)
What flower blossoms without any leaves,
{Ilai illaamal pootha malar
what flower is that, my lady?
Enna malarammaa} (2)
That is the maiden flower brimming with youthfulness,
Female :{Adhu ilamai ponga
residing in beauty, sir!
Veetrirukkum kanni malar aiyaa} (2)
Which country catches fish without using a net?
{Valai illaamal meenai pidikum
What country is that?
Dhesam enna dhesam} (2)
That is the country called love,
Female :{Adhu vaalibarin kannil ulla
found in the eyes of young men!
Kaadhal ennum dhesam} (2)
Welcome, female poet who came to conquer
Aan kaviyai vella vandha
the male poet!
Penn kaviyae varuga
Open your treasure chest of wisdom,
Female :Ungal pettagathai
and offer its wealth generously!
Thirandhu vaithu
When love strikes,
Porulai alli tharuga
what happens to the body?
Kaadhal vandhaal
Upon seeing maiden beauty,
Meniyilae enna undaagum
the legs will stagger and falter!
Female :Adhu kanniyarai kandavudan
If love vanishes after loving someone,
Kaalgal thallaadum
what becomes of life?
Kaadhalithaal maraindhuvittaal
Where affection is shown,
Vaazhvu ennaagum
love will blossom again!
Female :Anbu kaatugindra veridathil
Love happens only once,
Kaadhal undaagum
that is Tamil culture and tradition!
Oru muraidhaan
Which one is that true love?
Kaadhal varum thamizhar panpaadu
That is the question now!
Female : Andha ondru edhu
If whatever comes along is loved,
Enbadhudhaan kelvi ippodhu
Welcome, female poet who came to conquer
Varuvadhellaam kaadhalithaal
the male poet!
Aan kaviyai vella vandha
Open your treasure chest of wisdom,
Penn kaviyae varuga
and offer its wealth generously!
Female :Ungal pettagathai
She has answered all your questions,
Thirandhu vaithu
so now she can ask her questions, right?
Porulai alli tharuga
Mm, ask her to fire her question!
Unnudaiya kelvikellaam
A slave carrying a message...
Avanga badhil sollittaanga
will bring harm...
Inimae avanga kelvi kekalaamilla
a parrot will not speak...
Male :Mm kekka sollunga
a message sent repeatedly...
Thaadhi thudhu
will not go far...
Theedhu thathum
What is that?
Thathai sollaadhu
Seeking bad deeds...
Thoodhu thudhu othithadhu
no deity will appear...
Thudhu sellaadhu
Oh ho ho!
Male :Ennadhu
Today with praises overflowing...
Thedhu thithu thothu
for the parrot to live sweetly...
Theedhu dheivam varaadhu
What is this, man?
Male :Ohoo hooo
Is this a question or is she babbling nonsense?
Female :Indru thuthi thathum
Hmm, she is not babbling anything,
Thathai vaazha thithithathodhu
it is you who are faltering!
{Ennappaa idhu
Me, faltering? As if!
Kelviyaa idhu enna ularraanga
Then if you want, accept defeat!
Hmm avanga onnum ularala
They themselves will explain the meaning!
Needhaan thinarraa
First ask them to explain the meaning,
Male:Naan thinarra dhaavadhu
then let us talk!
Pinna enna venumnaa
Alright, tell us the meaning!
Nee tholviya oppuka
A slave sent as a messenger is useless,
Avangalae artham solraanga
and trained parrots cannot speak real feelings;
Mudhalla arthathai
If a loving female friend goes as a messenger,
Solla sollunga appuram pesalaam
it will not reach swiftly!
Male :Sari sollunga} (Dialogue)
Worshipping only God without action...
{Adimai thudhu
will yield no benefit!
Payanpadaadhu kiligal pesaadhu
To make a young maiden with delicate skin live happily,
Anbu thozhi thudhu sendraal
tell us something sweet!
Viraivil sellaadhu} (2)
Welcome, noble gentleman who came to conquer
{Deivathaiyae thozhudhu
the female poet!
Nindraal payanirukaadhu} (2)
Open your treasure chest of wisdom,
{Ilam themal konda kanni vaazha
and offer its wealth generously!
Iniyadhu kooru} (2)
Penn kaviyai vella vandha
Perumaganae varuga
Ungal pettagathai
Thirandhu vaithu
Porulai alli tharuga
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the movie 'Vanambadi' (1963) represents a classic Tamil 'Kavi Mandram' or 'Pattimandram' (poetic duel/debate). It opens with a traditional invocation praising the ancient origins and beauty of the Tamil language. The lead male and female characters engage in a witty back-and-forth poetic competition, challenging each other's intellect through riddles, wordplay, and philosophical questions about love, youth, and human relations. The second half features complex lip-praising / tongue-twisting poetic meter ('Thani-thathai' style riddles using restricted consonants like 'tha'), leading to a lighthearted spoken dialogue exchange. When decoded, the maiden's riddle reveals deep truths about messenger-doves, true friendship, and love, concluding in mutual respect and poetic harmony.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Kall thondri mann thondrum / Munn thondru thamizhae”
Matching second consonants across lines, e.g., 'Kall' / 'Munn', 'Sollodu' / 'Vilayaada'.
Thodai / Mohnai (Initial alliteration)
“Thaadhi thudhu / Theedhu thathum / Thathai sollaadhu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Th' in tongue-twister verses.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Adhu vaalibarin kannil ulla / Kaadhal ennum dhesam”
Comparing love to a land caught in maiden eyes and maidenhood to a flower blooming without leaves.
Did you know?
Trivia
This poetic debate sequence is one of Kannadasan's most famous literary compositions for Tamil cinema. The tongue-twister section ('Thaadhi thudhu...') uses a specialized medieval Tamil poetic structure known as 'Nirottaga Yamakam' or constrained consonant play where lips/tongue follow strict rhythmic patterns, showcasing Kannadasan's mastery over ancient Tamil prosody.
Keep listening
More from Vanambadi
Vanambadi
Vanambadi
Vanambadi
Vanambadi
Vanambadi
Vanambadi