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Isaimozhi
Villu Pattukaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kalaivaniyo Raniyo

From Villu Pattukaran · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Villu Pattukaran
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
30 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2)
Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum
Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum
{ Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2)
Paadham thodum poonkolusu thaanathandhom paada
Vedhangalum naadhangalum vendi vandhadhu kooda
Paadhangala paathadhumae paarva valiya melae
Vedhanaigala maathidum ava virinja senbaga sola
Poothadhaiya poovu adhu kai azhagu
Thookudhaiya vaasam adhu mei azhagu
Naan vandhen vaazhthi paada nalladhachonnen raagathoda
Kanden seethapolae
Kandadhum ninnen silayapolae
Indhiralogam chandhiralogam sundaralogam potra
{ Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2)
Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum
Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum
Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero
Kodamazha konduvarum koondhalengira megam
Jaadaiyila yethividum thaagam yengira mogam
Koodiyila oruthiyamma kolamayil rani
Aadivarum poongkalasam azhagirukum meni
Thernadandhu theruvil varum oorvalamaa
Oor uzhagil avala polae per varuma
Nalla palingu polae siripu manasa parikum pavala viripu
Velangidadha inipu
Vevaram purinjidadha thudipu
Chandhirajothi vandhadhupolae
Sundara devi jolipu
{ Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2)
Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum
Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum
Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero
Is she the goddess of arts or a queen, who could she be?
Is she a living statue or a goddess? What could her name be?
The beauty of her form and the charm of her steps,
If I gaze at her every day, bow-songs (traditional musical storytelling) will flow.
Is she the goddess of arts or a queen, who could she be?
Is she a living statue or a goddess? What could her name be?
As the flower-like anklets touching her feet sing a rhythmic tune,
Sacred chants and musical notes come seeking to join in.
The moment my eyes saw her feet and traveled upward,
She felt like a blooming champak grove that takes away all sorrow.
Like a blossomed flower, such is the beauty of her hands,
A sweet fragrance wafts, such is the beauty of her body.
I came to sing her praises, offering sweet words in melodic tunes.
I saw her looking just like Sita,
And the moment I saw her, I stood frozen like a statue.
While the heavenly worlds and this beautiful earth praise her,
Is she the goddess of arts or a queen, who could she be?
Is she a living statue or a goddess? What could her name be?
The beauty of her form and the charm of her steps,
If I gaze at her every day, bow-songs will flow naturally.
Is she the goddess of arts or a queen, who could she be?
Is she a living statue or a goddess? What could her name be?
Her cloud of dark hair brings the welcome summer rain,
With her subtle gestures, she stirs up a burning desire.
In the whole gathering, she stands unique like a graceful peacock queen,
Her swaying body is like a sacred pot adorned with flowers.
Is it a temple chariot walking down the street in procession?
In all this wide world, could anyone ever match her fame?
Her smile is like clear crystal, her coral lips steal the heart away,
A sweetness that cannot be explained,
A fluttering heartbeat that words cannot describe!
As if a radiant moonlight has arrived,
This beautiful goddess shines with brilliance!
Is she the goddess of arts or a queen, who could she be?
Is she a living statue or a goddess? What could her name be?
The beauty of her form and the charm of her steps,
If I gaze at her every day, bow-songs will flow naturally.
Is she the goddess of arts or a queen, who could she be?
Is she a living statue or a goddess? What could her name be?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Kalaivaniyo Raniyo' from Villu Pattukaran is a poetic celebration of a woman's celestial beauty and captivating aura. The singer wonders if she is Saraswati (Kalaivani), a queen, or a sculpted goddess. Every detail of her persona—from her rhythmic anklets to her cloud-like tresses—serves as a fountain of inspiration for traditional Villupattu folk music. The lyricist Vaali fuses folk sensibilities with classic literary imagery, likening the protagonist to Sita and a walking temple chariot. Her presence brings immense delight and relieves all sorrow, captivating the onlooker so deeply that he stands motionless like a statue in reverence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

“Kanden seethapolae / Kandadhum ninnen silayapolae”

Comparing the protagonist's beauty to Sita ('Kanden seethapolae') and standing frozen in awe like a statue ('Kandadhum ninnen silayapolae').

Urugavam (Metaphor)

“Kodamazha konduvarum koondhalengira megam”

Metaphorically describing her dark long hair as a raincloud ('koondhalengira megam') and her passion as thirst ('thaagam yengira mogam').

Iyaibu (Rhyming)

“Velangidadha inipu / Vevaram purinjidadha thudipu / Sundara devi jolipu”

End-rhymes used across lines to build a rhythmic folk cadence (e.g., 'inipu', 'thudipu', 'jolipu').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Villu Pattukaran' (1992) was directed by Gangai Amaran and starred Ramarajan and Gautami. The film prominently features 'Villu Pattu' (bow-song), an ancient Tamil musical story-telling art form.

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