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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhage Vaa

From Aandavan Kattalai (1964) · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Aandavan Kattalai (1964)1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Azhagae vaa… arugae vaa…Come, my beautiful one... come near me...
Alaiyae vaa… thalaivaa vaa…Come like a cresting wave... come, my master...
Azhagae vaa…Come, my beautiful one...
Female
Azhagae vaa… arugae vaa…Come, my beautiful one... come near me...
Alaiyae vaa… thalaivaa vaa…Come like a cresting wave... come, my master...
Azhagae vaa… vaa vaaCome, my beautiful one... come, come
Azhagae vaa…Come, my beautiful one...
Female
Azhagae vaa… arugae vaa…Come, my beautiful one... come near me...
Alaiyae vaa… thalaivaa vaa…Come like a cresting wave... come, my master...
Azhagae vaa… vaa vaaCome, my beautiful one... come, come
Azhagae vaa…Come, my beautiful one...
Male
Aalaya kalasam aadhavanaalaeJust as the temple pinnacle shines bright
Minnudhal polae minnudhu ingaeWhen struck by the rays of the sun, something gleams here too
Aalaya kalasam aadhavanaalaeJust as the temple pinnacle shines bright
Minnudhal polae minnudhu ingaeWhen struck by the rays of the sun, something gleams here too
Female
Azhagae vaa… arugae vaa…Come, my beautiful one... come near me...
Alaiyae vaa… thalaivaa vaa…Come like a cresting wave... come, my master...
Azhagae vaa… vaa vaaCome, my beautiful one... come, come
Azhagae vaa…Come, my beautiful one...
Female
Oru kelviyai unnidam kettuvittenI posed a question to you
Naan kettadhai engae poottuvittaaiWhere have you locked away the answer to what I asked?
Enna thaedugindraaiWhat are you searching for?
Engae odugindraaiWhere are you running off to?
Undhan thevaigalai yen moodugindraaiWhy are you suppressing your inner desires?
Undhan thevaigalai yen moodugindraaiWhy are you suppressing your inner desires?
Female
Azhagae vaa… arugae vaa…Come, my beautiful one... come near me...
Alaiyae vaa… thalaivaa vaa…Come like a cresting wave... come, my master...
Azhagae vaa… vaa vaaCome, my beautiful one... come, come
Azhagae vaa…Come, my beautiful one...
Female
Inba aattrinil odam odi varumA boat glides along the river of bliss
Andha odathil ulagam koodi varumAnd in that boat, the whole world unites
Nam munnavargal perum munivarillaiOur ancestors were not grand ascetic sages
Avar thanithirundhaalIf they had chosen to remain alone,
Naam pirappadhillaiWe would not have been born
Avar thanithirundhaalIf they had chosen to remain alone,
Naam pirappadhillaiWe would not have been born
Female
Azhagae vaa… arugae vaa…Come, my beautiful one... come near me...
Alaiyae vaa… thalaivaa vaa…Come like a cresting wave... come, my master...
Azhagae vaa… vaa vaaCome, my beautiful one... come, come
Azhagae vaa…Come, my beautiful one...
Female
Oru mozhi ariyaadha paravaigalumEven birds that possess no spoken language
Inba vazhiariyum indha uravaraiyumUnderstand the joyful path of companionship
Iru vizhi irundhum nalla mozhi irundhumDespite having two eyes, a good tongue,
Ingu vazhi irundhumAnd a clear path right before you,
Yen mayangugiraaiWhy are you so hesitant and confused?
Ingu vazhi irundhumAnd a clear path right before you,
Yen mayangugiraaiWhy are you so hesitant and confused?
Female
Azhagae vaa… arugae vaa…Come, my beautiful one... come near me...
Alaiyae vaa… thalaivaa vaa…Come like a cresting wave... come, my master...
Azhagae vaa… vaa vaaCome, my beautiful one... come, come
Azhagae vaa…Come, my beautiful one...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Azhagae Vaa', the heroine playfully and persuasively beckons her beloved to discard his hesitation and embrace love. She uses vivid analogies from nature, history, and animal instincts to demonstrate that romance and union are natural, essential aspects of human existence. From temple spires glowing in sunlight to birds following their romantic instincts without words, she reminds him that human life itself exists because our ancestors chose connection over isolation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Aalaya kalasam aadhavanaalae Minnudhal polae minnudhu ingae

Compares the inner radiance of love/passion to the golden spire of a temple glistening under the bright morning sun.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Azhagae vaa… arugae vaa… Alaiyae vaa…

Repetition of the 'A' sound in 'Azhagae' and 'Alaiyae' creates a flowing, rhythmic musical cadence.

Rhetorical Questioning

Undhan thevaigalai yen moodugindraai

Kannadasan employs a series of rhetorical queries ('Enna thaedugindraai', 'Yen moodugindraai', 'Yen mayangugiraai') to gently dismantle the lover's reservations.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Inba aattrinil odam odi varum

Compares the journey of life and love to a boat sailing on a river of bliss ('Inba aattrinil odam').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Azhagae Vaa' is a classic romantic song from the 1964 movie 'Aandavan Kattalai', composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and rendered by P. Susheela. Featuring Devika and Sivaji Ganesan, the song is celebrated for Kannadasan's philosophical yet playful lyrics arguing that romantic love is a fundamental force of nature.

Keep listening

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