Kalaivaniyo Raniyo
From Villu Pattukaran · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Villu Pattukaran1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| { Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro | Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she? |
| Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2) | Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name? |
| Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum | Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet, |
| Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum | Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song (villupattu). |
| Male | |
| { Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro | Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she? |
| Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2) | Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name? |
| Male | |
| Paadham thodum poonkolusu thaanathandhom paada | The flower-like anklets touching her feet sing in rhythm, |
| Vedhangalum naadhangalum vendi vandhadhu kooda | Even the Vedas and musical notes came seeking her. |
| Paadhangala paathadhumae paarva valiya melae | The moment I looked at her feet, my gaze went upward, |
| Vedhanaigala maathidum ava virinja senbaga sola | She is like a blooming Champak grove that transforms all sorrows. |
| Male | |
| Poothadhaiya poovu adhu kai azhagu | A flower has bloomed, that is the beauty of her hands, |
| Thookudhaiya vaasam adhu mei azhagu | A fragrance wafts, that is the physical beauty of her body. |
| Naan vandhen vaazhthi paada nalladhachonnen raagathoda | I came to sing blessings, I spoke good words with melodic rhythm, |
| Kanden seethapolae | I saw her, like Sita, |
| Kandadhum ninnen silayapolae | Upon seeing her, I stood still like a statue. |
| Indhiralogam chandhiralogam sundaralogam potra | Praised by Indraloka, Chandraloka, and Sundaraloka. |
| Male | |
| { Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro | Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she? |
| Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2) | Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name? |
| Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum | Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet, |
| Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum | Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song. |
| Male | |
| Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro | Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she? |
| Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero | Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name? |
| Male | |
| Kodamazha konduvarum koondhalengira megam | Her hair is like a raincloud bringing monsoon showers, |
| Jaadaiyila yethividum thaagam yengira mogam | Her subtle gestures ignite a passionate thirst. |
| Koodiyila oruthiyamma kolamayil rani | She is unique among thousands, the queen of dancing peacocks, |
| Aadivarum poongkalasam azhagirukum meni | Her graceful body is like a dancing auspicious pot. |
| Male | |
| Thernadandhu theruvil varum oorvalamaa | Is it a temple chariot procession walking down the street? |
| Oor uzhagil avala polae per varuma | Will anyone in this world achieve a fame like hers? |
| Nalla palingu polae siripu manasa parikum pavala viripu | Her smile is like fine crystal, her coral lips captivate the heart, |
| Velangidadha inipu | An inexplicable sweetness, |
| Vevaram purinjidadha thudipu | An inexplicable throbbing of the heart, |
| Chandhirajothi vandhadhupolae | Like the arrival of divine moonlight, |
| Sundara devi jolipu | The radiance of a beautiful goddess. |
| Male | |
| { Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro | Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she? |
| Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2) | Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name? |
| Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum | Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet, |
| Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum | Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song. |
| Male | |
| Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro | Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she? |
| Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero | Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name? |
{ கலைவாணியோ
ராணியோ அவள்தான்
யாரோ சிலை மேனியோ
தேவியோ எதுதான் பேரோ } (2)
அவ மேலழகும் தண்டக் காலழகும்
தினம் பாத்திருந்தா வில்லுப்பாட்டு
வரும்
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet,
Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song (villupattu).
{ கலைவாணியோ
ராணியோ அவள்தான்
யாரோ சிலை மேனியோ
தேவியோ எதுதான் பேரோ } (2)
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
பாதம் தொடும்
பூங்கொலுசு தானதந்தோம்
பாட வேதங்களும் நாதங்களும்
வேண்டி வந்தது கூட பாதங்கள
பாத்ததுமே பார்வ வலிய மேலே
வேதனைகள மாத்திடும் அவ
விரிஞ்ச செண்பகச் சோல
The flower-like anklets touching her feet sing in rhythm,
Even the Vedas and musical notes came seeking her.
The moment I looked at her feet, my gaze went upward,
She is like a blooming Champak grove that transforms all sorrows.
பூத்ததய்யா பூவு
அது கையழகு தூக்குதய்யா
வாசம் அது மெய்யழகு நான்
வந்தேன் வாழ்த்திப் பாட
நல்லத சொன்னேன் ராகத்தோட
கண்டேன் சீதைப்போல கண்டதும்
நின்னேன் சிலையப் போல
இந்திரலோகம் சந்திரலோகம்
சுந்தரலோகம் போற்ற
A flower has bloomed, that is the beauty of her hands,
A fragrance wafts, that is the physical beauty of her body.
I came to sing blessings, I spoke good words with melodic rhythm,
I saw her, like Sita,
Upon seeing her, I stood still like a statue.
Praised by Indraloka, Chandraloka, and Sundaraloka.
{ கலைவாணியோ
ராணியோ அவள்தான்
யாரோ சிலை மேனியோ
தேவியோ எதுதான் பேரோ } (2)
அவ மேலழகும் தண்டக் காலழகும்
தினம் பாத்திருந்தா வில்லுப்பாட்டு
வரும்
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet,
Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song.
கலைவாணியோ
ராணியோ அவள்தான்
யாரோ சிலை மேனியோ
தேவியோ எதுதான் பேரோ
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
கோடை மழை கொண்டு
வரும் கூந்தல் என்கிற மேகம்
ஜாடையில ஏத்தி விடும் தாகம்
என்கிற மோகம் கோடியில
ஒருத்தியம்மா கோலமயில் ராணி
ஆடி வரும் பூங்கலசம் அழகிருக்கும்
மேனி
Her hair is like a raincloud bringing monsoon showers,
Her subtle gestures ignite a passionate thirst.
She is unique among thousands, the queen of dancing peacocks,
Her graceful body is like a dancing auspicious pot.
தேர் நடந்து தெருவில்
வரும் ஊர்வலமா ஊர் உலகில்
அவளப் போல பேர் வருமா
நல்ல பளிங்கு போல சிரிப்பு
மனசப் பறிக்கும் பவள விரிப்பு
விளங்கிடாத இனிப்பு விவரம்
புரிஞ்சிடாத துடிப்பு சந்திர ஜோதி
வந்தது போல சுந்தர தேவி
ஜொலிப்பு
Is it a temple chariot procession walking down the street?
Will anyone in this world achieve a fame like hers?
Her smile is like fine crystal, her coral lips captivate the heart,
An inexplicable sweetness,
An inexplicable throbbing of the heart,
Like the arrival of divine moonlight,
The radiance of a beautiful goddess.
{ கலைவாணியோ
ராணியோ அவள்தான்
யாரோ சிலை மேனியோ
தேவியோ எதுதான் பேரோ } (2)
அவ மேலழகும் தண்டக் காலழகும்
தினம் பாத்திருந்தா வில்லுப்பாட்டு
வரும்
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet,
Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song.
கலைவாணியோ
ராணியோ அவள்தான்
யாரோ சிலை மேனியோ
தேவியோ எதுதான் பேரோ
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
{ Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2)
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum
Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet,
Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum
Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song (villupattu).
{ Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2)
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Paadham thodum poonkolusu thaanathandhom paada
The flower-like anklets touching her feet sing in rhythm,
Vedhangalum naadhangalum vendi vandhadhu kooda
Even the Vedas and musical notes came seeking her.
Paadhangala paathadhumae paarva valiya melae
The moment I looked at her feet, my gaze went upward,
Vedhanaigala maathidum ava virinja senbaga sola
She is like a blooming Champak grove that transforms all sorrows.
Poothadhaiya poovu adhu kai azhagu
A flower has bloomed, that is the beauty of her hands,
Thookudhaiya vaasam adhu mei azhagu
A fragrance wafts, that is the physical beauty of her body.
Naan vandhen vaazhthi paada nalladhachonnen raagathoda
I came to sing blessings, I spoke good words with melodic rhythm,
Kanden seethapolae
I saw her, like Sita,
Kandadhum ninnen silayapolae
Upon seeing her, I stood still like a statue.
Indhiralogam chandhiralogam sundaralogam potra
Praised by Indraloka, Chandraloka, and Sundaraloka.
{ Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2)
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum
Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet,
Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum
Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song.
Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Kodamazha konduvarum koondhalengira megam
Her hair is like a raincloud bringing monsoon showers,
Jaadaiyila yethividum thaagam yengira mogam
Her subtle gestures ignite a passionate thirst.
Koodiyila oruthiyamma kolamayil rani
She is unique among thousands, the queen of dancing peacocks,
Aadivarum poongkalasam azhagirukum meni
Her graceful body is like a dancing auspicious pot.
Thernadandhu theruvil varum oorvalamaa
Is it a temple chariot procession walking down the street?
Oor uzhagil avala polae per varuma
Will anyone in this world achieve a fame like hers?
Nalla palingu polae siripu manasa parikum pavala viripu
Her smile is like fine crystal, her coral lips captivate the heart,
Velangidadha inipu
An inexplicable sweetness,
Vevaram purinjidadha thudipu
An inexplicable throbbing of the heart,
Chandhirajothi vandhadhupolae
Like the arrival of divine moonlight,
Sundara devi jolipu
The radiance of a beautiful goddess.
{ Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero } (2)
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Ava melazhagum thandakaalazhagum
Her upper body's beauty and the beauty of her moving feet,
Dhinam paathirundha villupaatu varum
Observing her daily brings forth a bow-song.
Kalaivaniyo raniyo avaldhaan yaaro
Is she the goddess of art or a queen, who is she?
Silaimeniyo deviyo yedhudhaan pero
Is she a sculpted beauty or a goddess, what is her name?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'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.
Keep listening
More from Villu Pattukaran
Villu Pattukaran
Villu Pattukaran
Villu Pattukaran
Villu Pattukaran
Villu Pattukaran