Anbe Vaa Anbe
From Ezhai Jaathi · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Muthu mandabam …natta naduvae | In the very middle of a pearl pavilion... |
| Sithira kili thannanthaniyae | A picture-like parrot stands all alone. |
| Thunai kittumaa…aa…vandhu saerumaa | Will a companion be found... ah... will he come and join? |
| Female | |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you. |
| Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam | Searching and searching all day long, |
| Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu | If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure? |
| Thendral veesa naalaanaal | If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing, |
| Poondhaegam vaazhadhu | This flower-like body cannot survive. |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you. |
| Female | |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you. |
| Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam | Searching and searching all day long, |
| Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu | If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure? |
| Thendral veesa naalaanaal | If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing, |
| Poondhaegam vaazhadhu | This flower-like body cannot survive. |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you. |
| Female | |
| Ennai nambhi vaazhavillai | I did not live relying on myself, |
| En vasathil naanum illai | Nor am I in control of my own life. |
| Unnai nambhi vaazhgindren | I live relying only on you, |
| Pesum deivamae | Oh my speaking deity! |
| Female | |
| Kaalam dhorum kaval nindru | Standing guard through all times, |
| Kanni ennai kaapadhendru | That you would protect me, a maiden, |
| Neeyum sonna vaarthai indru | The words you spoke back then, |
| Nenjil aadumae | Dance in my heart today. |
| Female | |
| Thoodhu poga thozhi illai | There is no female friend to go as a messenger, |
| Saedhi solla yaarum illai | There is no one to convey the news. |
| Aana podhum nee illadha | Even so, without you around, |
| Naanum inghu vaazhvaedhu | How am I to live here? |
| Female | |
| Thaedinen thaedinen | I searched, I searched, |
| Dhegamae vaadinen thaeipirai aaginen | My body withered, I became like a waning moon. |
| Unnai pol ullam ondru | Thinking that a heart like yours |
| Ennai kaakka ullathendru paadinen | Exists to protect me, I sang. |
| Female | |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you. |
| Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam | Searching and searching all day long, |
| Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu | If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure? |
| Thendral veesa naalaanaal | If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing, |
| Poondhaegam vaazhadhu | This flower-like body cannot survive. |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you. |
| Female | |
| Naalu pakkam theeyai vaithu | Setting fire on all four sides, |
| Naduvil indha poovai vaithu | And placing this flower in the middle, |
| Kaalam seiyum leelai inghu | Is this play played by destiny here |
| Nyaayam aagumaa | Ever fair? |
| Female | |
| Kaayum poovum vaadi nirkka | While both the fruit and flower stand withered, |
| Vaadum poovai vaazha vaikka | To make this fading flower live, |
| Neeyum vandhu saervadharkku | Will it take time |
| Naeram aagumaa | For you to come and join me? |
| Female | |
| Vaasal thaedi vaazhthu paadi | Seeking the doorstep, singing blessings, |
| Varuvadhendru vaanam paadi | Calling like a skylark that you will come, |
| Innum innum naanum vaadi | As I wither more and more, |
| Ennavaagum jeeva nadi | What will become of my life's river? |
| Female | |
| Podhumae…sodhanai | Enough of this trial... |
| Naan padum vedhanai koodava maadhenai | Will you not ease the pain that I suffer? |
| Unnai andri innoruvan | Other than you, if another man |
| Kaigal thoda pattu vidum poongodi | Touches me with his hands, this flowering creeper will wither away. |
| Female | |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you. |
| Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam | Searching and searching all day long, |
| Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu | If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure? |
| Thendral veesa naalaanaal | If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing, |
| Poondhaegam vaazhadhu | This flower-like body cannot survive. |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you. |
முத்து மண்டபம்... நட்ட நடுவே...
சித்திரக் கிளி... தன்னந்தனியே...
துணை கிட்டுமா... ஆஅ ...வந்து சேருமா...
In the very middle of a pearl pavilion...
A picture-like parrot stands all alone.
Will a companion be found... ah... will he come and join?
அன்பே வா அன்பே வா
உன்னோடு நான் வாழ
தேடித் தேடி நாளெல்லாம்
கண் தேய்ந்தாள் பூ மாது
தென்றல் வீச நாளானால்
பூந்தேகம் வாழாது
அன்பே வா அன்பே வா
உன்னோடு நான் வாழ
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you.
Searching and searching all day long,
If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure?
If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing,
This flower-like body cannot survive.
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you.
அன்பே வா அன்பே வா
உன்னோடு நான் வாழ
தேடித் தேடி நாளெல்லாம்
கண் தேய்ந்தாள் பூ மாது
தென்றல் வீச நாளானால்
பூந்தேகம் வாழாது
அன்பே வா அன்பே வா
உன்னோடு நான் வாழ
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you.
Searching and searching all day long,
If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure?
If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing,
This flower-like body cannot survive.
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you.
என்னை நம்பி வாழவில்லை
என் வசத்தில் நானும் இல்லை
உன்னை நம்பி வாழுகின்றேன்
பேசும் தெய்வமே
I did not live relying on myself,
Nor am I in control of my own life.
I live relying only on you,
Oh my speaking deity!
காலம் தோறும் காவல் நின்று
கன்னி என்னை காப்பதென்று
நீயும் சொன்ன வார்த்தை இன்று
நெஞ்சில் ஆடுமே
Standing guard through all times,
That you would protect me, a maiden,
The words you spoke back then,
Dance in my heart today.
தூது போக தோழி இல்லை
சேதி சொல்ல யாரும் இல்லை
ஆன போதும் நீ இல்லாது
நானும் இங்கு வாழ்வதேது
There is no female friend to go as a messenger,
There is no one to convey the news.
Even so, without you around,
How am I to live here?
தேடினேன்... தேடினேன்...
தேகமே வாடினேன் தேய்பிறை ஆகினேன்
உன்னைப் போல உள்ளம் ஒன்று
என்னைக் காக்க உள்ளதென்று பாடினேன்...
I searched, I searched,
My body withered, I became like a waning moon.
Thinking that a heart like yours
Exists to protect me, I sang.
அன்பே வா அன்பே வா
உன்னோடு நான் வாழ
தேடித் தேடி நாளெல்லாம்
கண் தேய்ந்தாள் பூ மாது
தென்றல் வீச நாளானால்
பூந்தேகம் வாழாது
அன்பே வா அன்பே வா
உன்னோடு நான் வாழ
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you.
Searching and searching all day long,
If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure?
If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing,
This flower-like body cannot survive.
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you.
நாலு பக்கம் தீயை வைத்து
நடுவில் இந்த பூவை வைத்து
காலம் செய்யும் லீலை இங்கு
நியாயம் ஆகுமா
Setting fire on all four sides,
And placing this flower in the middle,
Is this play played by destiny here
Ever fair?
காயும் பூவும் வாடி நிற்க
வாடும் பூவை வாழ வைக்க
நீயும் வந்து சேர்வதற்கு
நேரம் ஆகுமா
While both the fruit and flower stand withered,
To make this fading flower live,
Will it take time
For you to come and join me?
வாசல் தேடி வாழ்த்து பாடி
வருவதென்று வானம்பாடி
இன்னும் இன்னும் நானும் வாடி
என்னவாகும் ஜீவ நாடி
Seeking the doorstep, singing blessings,
Calling like a skylark that you will come,
As I wither more and more,
What will become of my life's river?
போதுமே... சோதனை...
நான் படும் வேதனை கூடவா மாதெனை
உன்னை அன்றி இன்னொருவன்
கைகள் தொடப் பட்டு விடும் பூங்கொடி...
Enough of this trial...
Will you not ease the pain that I suffer?
Other than you, if another man
Touches me with his hands, this flowering creeper will wither away.
அன்பே வா அன்பே வா
உன்னோடு நான் வாழ
தேடித் தேடி நாளெல்லாம்
கண் தேய்ந்தாள் பூ மாது
தென்றல் வீச நாளானால்
பூந்தேகம் வாழாது
அன்பே வா அன்பே வா
உன்னோடு நான் வாழ
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you.
Searching and searching all day long,
If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure?
If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing,
This flower-like body cannot survive.
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you.
Muthu mandabam …natta naduvae
In the very middle of a pearl pavilion...
Sithira kili thannanthaniyae
A picture-like parrot stands all alone.
Thunai kittumaa…aa…vandhu saerumaa
Will a companion be found... ah... will he come and join?
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you.
Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam
Searching and searching all day long,
Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu
If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure?
Thendral veesa naalaanaal
If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing,
Poondhaegam vaazhadhu
This flower-like body cannot survive.
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you.
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you.
Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam
Searching and searching all day long,
Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu
If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure?
Thendral veesa naalaanaal
If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing,
Poondhaegam vaazhadhu
This flower-like body cannot survive.
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you.
Ennai nambhi vaazhavillai
I did not live relying on myself,
En vasathil naanum illai
Nor am I in control of my own life.
Unnai nambhi vaazhgindren
I live relying only on you,
Pesum deivamae
Oh my speaking deity!
Kaalam dhorum kaval nindru
Standing guard through all times,
Kanni ennai kaapadhendru
That you would protect me, a maiden,
Neeyum sonna vaarthai indru
The words you spoke back then,
Nenjil aadumae
Dance in my heart today.
Thoodhu poga thozhi illai
There is no female friend to go as a messenger,
Saedhi solla yaarum illai
There is no one to convey the news.
Aana podhum nee illadha
Even so, without you around,
Naanum inghu vaazhvaedhu
How am I to live here?
Thaedinen thaedinen
I searched, I searched,
Dhegamae vaadinen thaeipirai aaginen
My body withered, I became like a waning moon.
Unnai pol ullam ondru
Thinking that a heart like yours
Ennai kaakka ullathendru paadinen
Exists to protect me, I sang.
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you.
Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam
Searching and searching all day long,
Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu
If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure?
Thendral veesa naalaanaal
If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing,
Poondhaegam vaazhadhu
This flower-like body cannot survive.
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you.
Naalu pakkam theeyai vaithu
Setting fire on all four sides,
Naduvil indha poovai vaithu
And placing this flower in the middle,
Kaalam seiyum leelai inghu
Is this play played by destiny here
Nyaayam aagumaa
Ever fair?
Kaayum poovum vaadi nirkka
While both the fruit and flower stand withered,
Vaadum poovai vaazha vaikka
To make this fading flower live,
Neeyum vandhu saervadharkku
Will it take time
Naeram aagumaa
For you to come and join me?
Vaasal thaedi vaazhthu paadi
Seeking the doorstep, singing blessings,
Varuvadhendru vaanam paadi
Calling like a skylark that you will come,
Innum innum naanum vaadi
As I wither more and more,
Ennavaagum jeeva nadi
What will become of my life's river?
Podhumae…sodhanai
Enough of this trial...
Naan padum vedhanai koodava maadhenai
Will you not ease the pain that I suffer?
Unnai andri innoruvan
Other than you, if another man
Kaigal thoda pattu vidum poongodi
Touches me with his hands, this flowering creeper will wither away.
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you.
Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam
Searching and searching all day long,
Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu
If her eyes wear out, how can this flower-like woman endure?
Thendral veesa naalaanaal
If days pass without the gentle breeze blowing,
Poondhaegam vaazhadhu
This flower-like body cannot survive.
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song depicts the deep anguish and helplessness of a woman yearning for her beloved's presence and protection. She compares herself to an isolated parrot in a pavilion and a tender flower trapped in a circle of fire, conveying the emotional and physical ordeal she suffers in his absence. Resting her faith entirely on his past promise to guard her, she questions the fairness of fate and pleads for his timely return before she completely fades away.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvam (Metaphor)
“Sithira kili thannanthaniyae”
Compares the heroine to a solitary, artistic parrot ('sithira kili') trapped in isolation.
Uruvam (Metaphor)
“Dhegamae vaadinen thaeipirai aaginen”
Compares the heroine's physical decline from longing to the fading light of a waning moon ('thaeipirai').
Visual Imagery & Hyperbole
“Naalu pakkam theeyai vaithu / Naduvil indha poovai vaithu”
Creates a vivid, dramatic image of extreme vulnerability by imagining a delicate flower surrounded by fire on four sides.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thaedinen thaedinen / Dhegamae vaadinen thaeipirai aaginen”
The second consonant 'd' (ட/து) rhymes across consecutive lines ('Thaedinen' / 'Dhegamae'), providing poetic rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ezhai Jaathi' (1993) is a political drama film directed by Liaquat Ali Khan, starring Vijayakanth and Jaya Prada. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, this song features a soul-stirring solo rendition by singer Minmini.
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