Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Jeeva Gana Veenai

From Boologa Rambai – 1958 · 1958

Lyricist
Villiputhan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
C. N. Pandurangan
Details
Boologa Rambai – 19581958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa aa aa aa aa aaAh ah ah ah ah ah
Jeeva gaana veenai naanI am the veena of the song of life
Thaen suvai nadham neerYou are the music sweet as honey
Serndhaal vaazhvilaeWhen we unite in life
Samarasa geetha gyaanameIt becomes the harmonious wisdom of song
Female
Jeeva gaana veenai naanI am the veena of the song of life
Thaen suvai nadham neerYou are the music sweet as honey
Serndhaal vaazhvilaeWhen we unite in life
Samarasa geetha gyaanameIt becomes the harmonious wisdom of song
Female
Aaruyir thozhanin aasaiyinaaleDue to the desire of the beloved friend
Aaruyir thozhanin aasaiyinaaleDue to the desire of the beloved friend
Sogam meeri naalumaeSorrow overflows every day
Yaazhin sruthiyil veen baedhamaIs there a futile discord in the tune of the harp?
Female
Jeeva gaana veenai naanI am the veena of the song of life
Thaen suvai nadham neerYou are the music sweet as honey
Serndhaal vaazhvilaeWhen we unite in life
Samarasa geetha gyaanameIt becomes the harmonious wisdom of song
Female
Anbenum vaanilae inbam kaanavaeTo experience joy in the sky of love
Anbenum vaanilae inbam kaanavaeTo experience joy in the sky of love
Idhuvelai sahana raaga geetham yenoWhy is there a song of Sahana ragam at this hour?
Idhuvelai sahana raaga geetham yenoWhy is there a song of Sahana ragam at this hour?
Inimai kalyaniSweetness of Kalyani ragam
Female
Jeeva gaana veenai naanI am the veena of the song of life
Thaen suvai nadham neerYou are the music sweet as honey
Serndhaal vaazhvilaeWhen we unite in life
Samarasa geetha gyaanameIt becomes the harmonious wisdom of song
Female
Jeeva gaana veenai naanI am the veena of the song of life
Thaen suvai nadham neerYou are the music sweet as honey
Serndhaal vaazhvilaeWhen we unite in life
Samarasa geetha gyaanameIt becomes the harmonious wisdom of song

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic composition from Boologa Rambai (1958), the protagonist compares herself to a veena—the musical instrument of life—and her beloved to the sweet sound of music. The lyrics express how the union of instrument and sound yields harmony and spiritual wisdom in life. Amidst longing, love, and sadness, the song eloquently weaves references to classical Carnatic ragas like Sahana and Kalyani to represent changing emotional landscapes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Jeeva gaana veenai naan

The singer metaphorically describes herself as a veena (instrument) playing the song of life.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Thaen suvai nadham neer

The beloved is equated directly to honey-sweet musical sound.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Anbenum vaanilae inbam kaanavae

Love is conceptualized as an expansive sky in which true happiness is discovered.

Raga Mention / Cultural Allusion

Idhuvelai sahana raaga geetham yeno

References Sahana and Kalyani ragas to evoke emotional nuances of longing and sweet grace.

Did you know?

Trivia

Boologa Rambai (1958) was a popular Tamil fantasy film starring Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi, directed by D. Yoganand. The music for this track was composed by C. N. Pandurangan and rendered with classical precision by legendary singer P. Susheela.

Keep listening

More from Boologa Rambai – 1958