Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilam Kadhal Veenai

From Vellai Pura Ondru · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vellai Pura Ondru1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Antha amutha paarvaiyaeThat nectar-like gaze
En manathil vithaiyaai ezhunthathuRose like a seed in my heart
Adhu anbu maramaagi valarnthathuIt grew into a tree of love
Aasai malarai pozhinthathuShower flowers of desires
En manamo siragai viriththu paranthathu….My heart spread its wings and flew...
Female
Ilam kadhal veenai isai paadum velaiAt the time when the veena of young love plays music
Ilam kadhal veenai isai paadum velaiAt the time when the veena of young love plays music
Ilamai kanavae valaraathoWill not the dream of youth grow?
Mani medai podu madhu malar ssoodum pennoduSet up a jeweled stage with the woman wearing sweet flowers
Pani paarvai veesi kavithaigal pesum kannoduWith eyes casting a misty look and speaking poetry
Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaCome sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come
Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaCome sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come
Female
Ilam kadhal veenai isai paadum velaiAt the time when the veena of young love plays music
Male
Vannakkili unnai mella thodupothuWhen gently touching you, colorful parrot
Malarudal sivappathum edhanaalaeWhy does the flower-like body turn red?
Female :Mangai ivalodu pongi varum naanamFemale: The shyness that surges within this young woman
Manathinil malaruthu adhanaaleBlossoms in the heart, that is why
Male
Naanamum neegidavae naanunai theendidavaeTo dispel the shyness and to touch you
Naanamum neegidavae naanunai theendidavaeTo dispel the shyness and to touch you
Azhagae amuthae arugae vaaOh beauty, oh nectar, come close
Female :Iravaagumpothu kadhaigalai kooru vilaiyaaduFemale: When night falls, tell stories and play
Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaCome sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come
Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaCome sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come
Male
Ilam kaddhal veenai isai paadum velaiAt the time when the veena of young love plays music
Ilam kaddhal veenai isai paadum velaiAt the time when the veena of young love plays music
Ilamai kanavae valarathoWill not the dream of youth grow?
Mani medai podu madhumalar soodu ennoduSet up a jeweled stage, wear sweet flowers with me
Pani paarvai veesi kavithaigal pesum kannoduWith eyes casting a misty look and speaking poetry
Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaCome sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come
Female
Laallaa laal laaLaallaa laal laa
Male :Laallaa laal laaMale: Laallaa laal laa
Female :Laallaa laal laaFemale: Laallaa laal laa
Male :Laallaa laal laaMale: Laallaa laal laa
Female
…………….....
Male :……………….Male: ...
Female
Inbam pongum naalil endrum inba vaazhvilOn days brimming with happiness, in a joyful life forever
Ulaginil namakkini pirivaethuWhat separation remains for us in this world?
Male :Dheivam vanthu vaazhththum anbu oli yaeththumMale: God will come and bless us, lighting the lamp of love
Subadhinam idhaivida kidaiyaathuThere is no auspicious day better than this
Female
Maamani thaerinilae oorvalam poe varuvomWe shall go on a procession in a grand jeweled chariot
Maamani thaerinilae oorvalam poe varuvomWe shall go on a procession in a grand jeweled chariot
Malar mel panipol uravaaduIntertwine like dew upon a flower
Male :Mayilaadum neram mazhai mugil kaalam paadaathoMale: Won't the rain-cloud season sing when the peacock dances?
Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaCome sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come
Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaCome sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come
Female
Ilam kadhal veenai isai paadum velaiAt the time when the veena of young love plays music
Male :Ilam kadhal veenai isai paadum velaiMale: At the time when the veena of young love plays music
Female :Ilamai kanavae valaraathoFemale: Will not the dream of youth grow?
Male :Mani medai podu madhu malar ssoodum pennoduMale: Set up a jeweled stage with the woman wearing sweet flowers
Female :Pani paarvai veesi kavithaigal pesum kannoduFemale: With eyes casting a misty look and speaking poetry
Both :Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaBoth: Come sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come
Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaaCome sweet bliss, come sweet bliss, my mind, my life, come

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vellai Pura Ondru is a romantic duet composed by Ilaiyaraaja that beautifully illustrates the inception and blooming of youthful love. The lyrics draw rich comparisons from nature, likening a beloved's gaze to a seed that sprouts into a tree of love, shedding flowers of yearning. The song explores playful romance, shyness, and a deep emotional connection between lovers dreaming of an everlasting union. Through poetic descriptions of nature, marriage, and lifelong togetherness, the song conveys a sense of divine bliss, warmth, and joyful companionship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

En manathil vithaiyaai ezhunthathu / Adhu anbu maramaagi valarnthathu

Comparing a sweet glance to a seed planted in the heart that sprouts into a tree of love.

Simile (Uvamai)

Malar mel panipol uravaadu

Comparing the gentle union of lovers to delicate dew resting upon a soft flower.

Personification

Ilam kadhal veenai isai paadum velai

Attributing the ability to play music and express youthful dreams to love through the symbol of a veena.

Anaphora & Alliteration (Monaai)

Sugamae sugamae vaa vaa manamae uyirae vaa vaa

Repetition of words like Sugamae and Vaa to create a rhythmic, musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, this romantic duet is known for its sweet arrangement and melodic synergy between singers S. Janaki and Malaysia Vasudevan.

Keep listening

More from Vellai Pura Ondru