Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Joyful Singapore

From Varuvan Vadivelan · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Varuvan Vadivelan1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Joyful singapore…sigapore singaporeJoyful Singapore... Singapore, Singapore
Colorful malaysiya….malaysiya malaysiyaColorful Malaysia... Malaysia, Malaysia
Male
Joyful singapore…Joyful Singapore...
Colorful malaysiya….Colorful Malaysia...
Female
Joyful singapore…Joyful Singapore...
Colorful malaysiya….Colorful Malaysia...
Male
Aagaaya pandhalukkuUnder the canopy of the sky,
Aalavatta megangalClouds drift like royal ceremonial fans.
Azhagaana malai naattilIn this beautiful country of hills,
Moondru mozhi raagangalMelodies resonate in three languages.
Female
Aagaaya pandhalukkuUnder the canopy of the sky,
Aalavatta megangalClouds drift like royal ceremonial fans.
Azhagaana malai naattilIn this beautiful country of hills,
Moondru mozhi raagangalMelodies resonate in three languages.
Male
Seenakkili pol sirikkum azhagaiTo behold the beauty that smiles like a Chinese parrot,
Kaana kankodi ippodhu thaevaiTen million eyes are needed right now.
Female :Neelakkadal pola midhakkum vizhiyilFemale: In eyes floating like the deep blue ocean,
Kaadhal kavipaada vandhaal un paavaiYour maiden has arrived to sing songs of love.
Male
Joyful singapore…Joyful Singapore...
Female :Colorful malaysiya….Female: Colorful Malaysia...
Male
…………………….
Female
………………………
Male
Azhagiya poongaavai polaeLike a gorgeous flower garden,
Adi thirumagal un koondhal melaeOh beautiful lady, upon your long hair,
Oru malar naan sooda vendumI wish to place one flower,
Innoru malar neeyaaga vendumAnd you yourself should blossom as another flower.
Female
Arumbiya kulir kaatru modhumWhen the soft cool breeze strikes,
Arumbiya kulir kaatru modhumWhen the soft cool breeze strikes,
En azhagiya ilamaeni vaadumMy delicate youthful body wilts.
Karumbena idhazh thandha saarumThe sugarcane-sweet nectar offered by your lips,
En karai meerum aasaiyai thoondumKindles my overflowing desires.
Male
Joyful singapore…Joyful Singapore...
Female :Colorful malaysiya….Female: Colorful Malaysia...
Male
……………………..
Female
…………………….
Female
Maraththilum pen pondra gunangalEven the trees possess feminine qualities,
Adhan madiyilum paaloorum idangalWith lap-like places where milky sap flows,
Male
Nizhalukku sugamaana vanangalPleasant forests offering refreshing shade,
Naam nerungida sariyaana idangalAre the perfect spots for us to draw close.
Male
Joyful singapore…Joyful Singapore...
Female :Colorful malaysiya….Female: Colorful Malaysia...
Female
Aaduthottil manjam podumCreating a bed like a swinging cradle,
Thanneer malaiyin pakkam vandhuComing near the cascading waterfall,
Aadu kannaa aadu ingaeDance, my beloved, dance right here!
Male
Naadu vittu naadu vandhuCrossing borders from land to land,
Kaadhalikkum indha vaelaiAt this moment of blossoming love,
Paadu kannae paadu ingaeSing, my beloved, sing right here!
Female
Kaamanudan pottiyittuCompeting in passion with Kamadeva,
Kaikalandhu mei kalandhuHolding hands and intertwining together,
Kaadhalikkum jodi ingaeHere is the couple in love.
Male
Kaalamagal aasai konduAs Mother Time desires,
Pooviriththa methaithannilOn this bed adorned with spread flowers,
Serndhirukka vaadi ingaeCome here, my darling, to unite!
Male
Joyful singapore…Joyful Singapore...
Female :Colorful malaysiya….Female: Colorful Malaysia...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1978 Tamil movie 'Varuvan Vadivelan' serves as a vibrant romantic travelogue celebrating the scenic beauty and multicultural harmony of Singapore and Malaysia. Kannadasan's lyrics painterly capture the landscape—referencing the 'three languages' (Tamil, Malay, Chinese) and natural splendor—while weaving a narrative of two lovers expressing their affection and passion during a foreign journey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Seenakkili pol sirikkum azhagai / Neelakkadal pola midhakkum vizhiyil

Compares the woman's laughter and charm to a 'Chinese parrot' (Seenakkili) and her eyes to the 'blue sea' (Neelakkadal).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aagaaya pandhalukku Aalavatta megangal

Describes the sky as a canopy (Aagaaya pandhal) and drifting clouds as fanning whisks/fans (Aalavatta megangal).

Rhyme (Etukai)

Aaduthottil manjam podum... / Paadu kannae paadu ingae

Second-letter rhyming pattern typical of Tamil poetry ('-da-' sound: Aaduthottil / Paadu / Kaadhalikkum).

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet Kannadasan for the 1978 film 'Varuvan Vadivelan', the song 'Moondru mozhi raagangal' (melodies in three languages) pays homage to the primary ethnic groups and languages—Malay, Chinese, and Tamil—that shape the cultural mosaic of Malaysia and Singapore.

Keep listening

More from Varuvan Vadivelan