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Lyrics & meaning

Karpanai Vaanil Neenthi

From Raja Veettu Kannukkutty · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Raja Veettu Kannukkutty1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Karpanai vaanil neendhi varugindra kadhanaayagiThe heroine who comes swimming in the sky of imagination,
Dhinam soppana geedham paadi varugindra sabaanaayagiThe queen of the stage who comes singing dream songs daily,
Karpanai vaanil neendhi varugindra kadhanaayagiThe heroine who comes swimming in the sky of imagination,
Dhinam soppana geedham paadi varugindra sabaanaayagiThe queen of the stage who comes singing dream songs daily,
Male
Maalaiyida naanum paarththida tholum saerththidaFor me to place a garland, to gaze upon her, and to embrace her shoulders,
Kadhal pooththida nilaa mohiniAs love blossoms, she is the moon enchantress,
Intha nilaa mohini en kadhaanaayagiThis moon enchantress is my heroine,
Intha nilaa mohini en kadhaanaayagiThis moon enchantress is my heroine.
Male
{Kaalidasan yaettil thondriIs she born in the palm-leaf manuscripts of Kalidasa,
Kaalakaalangal nilaiththidumEnduring through all ages,
Kulamagal sagunthalaiyoIs she the noble daughter Shakuntala?
Kannadasan paattil thondriAppearing in the poetry of Kannadasan,
Naadum pooraavum nadanthidumWalking across the entire nation,
Tamizh magal sarasvathiyo} (2)Is she Saraswati, the daughter of Tamil?
Male
Koyil mani osaipol vaarththai pesidumShe speaks words as sweet as the sound of a temple bell,
Kodhaithaan ival silai roobamoIs she a sculpted form of Kodhai (Andal)?
Haha entha silai roobamo inba nilaa dheepamoHaha, which sculpted form is she, or a joyful moon lamp?
Male
Karpanai vaanil neendhi varugindra kadhanaayagiThe heroine who comes swimming in the sky of imagination,
Dhinam soppana geedham paadi varugindra sabaanaayagiThe queen of the stage who comes singing dream songs daily.
Male
{Mela thaalam ketkum kaalamThe time to hear wedding percussion instruments,
Maasam thaimaasam piranthathumAs the auspicious month of Thai arrives,
Varugindra subadhinamoIs it an auspicious day dawning?
Mezhum keezhum mnnal paayumWith flashes of lightning striking above and below,
Maayam naan kaanumIs this magic that I behold
Iravenna thirumana mudhaliravo} (2)The night of our wedding's first night?
Male
Naangu vagai naanam vaainthidaEndowed with the four traditional forms of modesty,
Paanam paainthida maarbil saainthidaAs love's arrow pierces, leaning against my chest,
Mayil thogaiyo intha mayil thogaiyoIs she a peacock's plumage, this beautiful peacock plumage?
Enthan mahadeviyoIs she my supreme goddess?
Male
Karpanai vaanil neendhi varugindra kadhanaayagiThe heroine who comes swimming in the sky of imagination,
Dhinam soppana geedham paadi varugindra sabaanaayagiThe queen of the stage who comes singing dream songs daily,
Karpanai vaanil neendhi varugindra kadhanaayagiThe heroine who comes swimming in the sky of imagination,
Dhinam soppana geedham paadi varugindra sabaanaayagiThe queen of the stage who comes singing dream songs daily,
Male
Maalaiyida naanum paarththida tholum saerththidaFor me to place a garland, to gaze upon her, and to embrace her shoulders,
Kadhal pooththida nilaa mohiniAs love blossoms, she is the moon enchantress,
Intha nilaa mohini en kadhaanaayagiThis moon enchantress is my heroine,
Intha nilaa mohini en kadhaanaayagiThis moon enchantress is my heroine.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Karpanai Vaanil' is an enchanting romantic song from 'Raja Veettu Kannukkutty' (1984), sung passionately by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. In this track, the protagonist glorifies his beloved as the ultimate dream heroine, comparing her grace and virtue to iconic literary and spiritual figures such as Kalidasa's Shakuntala, Kannadasan's poetic Saraswati, and Saint Poetess Kodhai (Andal). The song captures a romantic reverie of love blooming, anticipating marriage during the culturally auspicious month of Thai, and dreaming of their union. Through rich imagery of moonlight, temple bells, and lightning, poet Vaali celebrates feminine beauty and the blissful ecstasy of true love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Karpanai vaanil neendhi varugindra kadhanaayagi

Compares imagination to a vast sky ('Karpanai vaanil') and the beloved to a moon enchantress ('Nilaa mohini').

Simile (Uvamai)

Koyil mani osaipol vaarththai pesidum

Compares the sweet sound of the lady's voice directly to temple bells using the comparison marker 'pol'.

Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Kaalidasan yaettil thondri / Kannadasan paattil thondri

Draws poetic parallels to classical Sanskrit poet Kalidasa, legendary Tamil lyricist Kannadasan, and historical poetess Kodhai (Andal).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaalidasan yaettil thondri / Kaalakaalangal nilaiththidum

Repetition of initial matching sounds ('Kaa') across consecutive lines for melodic rhythm.

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Trivia

This track stands out for lyricist Vaali paying a grand poetic tribute to his contemporary rival and legendary lyricist Kannadasan ('Kannadasan paattil thondri... Tamizh magal sarasvathiyo'), showcasing immense respect within Tamil film literature.

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