Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Innum Yaen Varavillai

From Pudhiya Pathai – 1960 · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Master Venu
Details
Pudhiya Pathai – 19601960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamaeWhy haven't you arrived yet, my joy?
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamaeWhy haven't you arrived yet, my joy?
Sonnathai maranthaayoDid you forget what you promised?
Sothikka thuninthaayoOr did you dare to test me?
Female
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamae…Why haven't you arrived yet, my joy?...
Female
Kannudan kann pesi karuththinil kalanthaayaeYou spoke eye to eye and merged into my thoughts,
Kannudan kann pesi karuththinil kalanthaayaeYou spoke eye to eye and merged into my thoughts,
Kadhal mozhiyaalae inbamum thanthaauaeThrough the language of love, you gave me bliss.
Kangal kulamaagi nenjam kanalaagiMy eyes becoming a pool of tears, my heart turning to embers,
Kalangida ennai thaniyae viduththaayae…You left me alone in my grief...
Female
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamaeWhy haven't you arrived yet, my joy?
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamaeWhy haven't you arrived yet, my joy?
Female
Sengathir kaanaatha thaamarai polaeLike a lotus that has not seen the red rays of the sun,
Sengathir kaanaatha thaamarai polaeLike a lotus that has not seen the red rays of the sun,
Thaen kuyil koovaatha poonjolai polaeLike a flower garden where the sweet cuckoo does not sing,
Female
Ingae unnaalae yaengum en melaeHere, upon me who yearns because of you,
Ingae unnaalae yaengum en melaeHere, upon me who yearns because of you,
Yaenintha varmam idhuvum muraiyo…Why this grudge? Is this proper or fair?...
Female
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamaeWhy haven't you arrived yet, my joy?
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamaeWhy haven't you arrived yet, my joy?
Sonnathai maranthaayoDid you forget what you promised?
Sothikka thuninthaayoOr did you dare to test me?
Female
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamae…Why haven't you arrived yet, my joy?...
Innum yaen varavillai en inbamae…Why haven't you arrived yet, my joy?...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the deep pain, longing, and subtle reproach of a woman waiting for her beloved who has failed to show up. She wonders whether he has forgotten his promise or is deliberately testing her endurance. Reminiscing about how they connected intimately through silent glances and affectionate words, she contrasts her past happiness with her current suffering—her eyes brimming with tears like a pond and her heart burning like embers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Sengathir kaanaatha thaamarai polae

Compares her yearning state to a lotus deprived of sunlight and a flower garden deprived of cuckoo songs.

Antithesis / Vivid Imagery

Kangal kulamaagi nenjam kanalaagi

Contrasts water ('kulam' - pool/pond) in the eyes with fire ('kanal' - burning ember) in the heart to depict extreme emotional agony.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Sonnathai maranthaayo / Sothikka thuninthaayo

Uses matching rhyming endings 'maranthaayo' and 'thuninthaayo' to establish a lyrical and rhythmic flow.

Alliteration (Monai)

Kannudan kann pesi karuththinil kalanthaayae

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words in the line for phonetic beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Innum Yaen Varavillai' from Pudhiya Pathai (1960) is a timeless classical Tamil melody composed by Master Venu with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. P. Susheela's emotive rendition perfectly captures the anguish of separation ('viraha thaapam'), making it one of the early iconic solo tracks of her prolific career in the 1960s.

Keep listening

More from Pudhiya Pathai – 1960