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Paadum Paravaigal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Keeravani

From Paadum Paravaigal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Paadum Paravaigal
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
16 Apr 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Saa nisari saani
Male :Aa… haa… haa…
Male :Saa nisamagaa mari
Male :Haa… aaa…
Male :Padhasaa nisari saani
Male :Aa… haa… haa…
Male :Saa nisamagaa mari
Male :Haa… aaa… aaa..aa…
Male :Padha sasasani riririsa
Gagagari mamamaga paa…
Male :Aa… aaa… aaa… aaaa
Male :Saa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa ni
Keeravaani
Iravilae kanavilae
Paada vaa nee
Idhayamae urugudhae
Adi yenadi sodhanai
Dhinam vaaliba vedhanai
Thanimaiyil en gadhi ennadi
Sangadhi solladi vaani
Keeravaani
Iravilae kanavilae
Paada vaa nee
Idhayamae urugudhae…ae….
Aa… aa… aa…
Male :Garisa pamaga paani
Sariga rigasa nee paa
Nee paarthadhaal thaanadi
Soodaandhu maargazhi
Nee sonnadhaal thaanadi
Poo poothadhu poongodi
Thavam puriyaamalae
Oru varam ketkkiraai
Ival madi meedhilae
Oru idam ketkkiraai
Varuvaai peruvaai medhuvaai
Thalaivanai ninaindhadhum
Thalaiyanai nanaindhadhen
Adharkkoru vidai tharuvaai
Keeravaani
Iravilae kanavilae
Paada vaa nee
Idhayamae urugudhae
Adi yenadi sodhanai
Dhinam vaaliba vedhanai
Thanimaiyil en gadhi ennadi
Sangadhi solladi vaani
Keeravaani
Iravilae kanavilae
Paada vaa nee
Idhayamae urugudhae…ae….
Puli vettaikku vandhavan
Kuyil vettai thaan aadinen
Puyal polavae vandhavan
Poonthendralaai maarinen
Indha vanam engilum
Oru suram thaedinen
Ingu unai paarthadhum
Adhai dhinam paadinen
Malaril malaraai malarndhen
Paravaigal ivaladhu
Uravugal yena dhinam
Kanavugal pala valarthen
Keeravaani
Iravilae kanavilae
Paada vaa nee
Idhayamae urugudhae
Adi yenadi sodhanai
Dhinam vaaliba vedhanai
Thanimaiyil en gadhi ennadi
Sangadhi solladi vaani
Keeravaani
Iravilae kanavilae
Paada vaa nee
Idhayamae urugudhae…ae….
Sa ni sa ri sa ni
Male: Aa... haa... haa...
Male: Sa ni sa ma ga ma ri
Male: Haa... aah...
Male: Pa dha sa ni sa ri sa ni
Male: Aa... haa... haa...
Male: Sa ni sa ma ga ma ri
Male: Haa... aah... aah..aa...
Male: Pa dha sa sa sa ni ri ri ri sa
Ga ga ga ri ma ma ma ga paa...
Male: Aa... aah... aah... aaaa
Male: Sa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa ni
Keeravani,
In the night, in my dreams,
Come to sing!
My heart is melting...
Why put me through this test, my girl?
Every day brings this youthful ache...
In this loneliness, what will become of me?
Tell me what is in your heart, Vaani!
Keeravani,
In the night, in my dreams,
Come to sing!
My heart is melting...
Aa... aa... aa...
Male: Ga ri sa pa ma ga paa ni
Sa ri ga ri la sa nee paa
Only because you looked at me,
Did the winter month of Margazhi turn warm!
Only because you spoke,
Did the flowering vine burst into bloom!
Without doing any penance,
You ask for a blessing!
Here upon my lap,
You ask for a place to rest!
You will come and receive it slowly...
Thinking of my beloved,
Why has my pillow been soaked in tears?
Give me an answer to that!
Keeravani,
In the night, in my dreams,
Come to sing!
My heart is melting...
Why put me through this test, my girl?
Every day brings this youthful ache...
In this loneliness, what will become of me?
Tell me what is in your heart, Vaani!
Keeravani,
In the night, in my dreams,
Come to sing!
My heart is melting...
I came out to hunt a tiger,
Yet I ended up seeking a singing cuckoo!
I rushed in like a fierce storm,
Yet turned into a gentle fragrant breeze!
All throughout this vast forest,
I searched for a single musical note.
The moment I saw you here,
I began to sing it every day!
Like a blossom among blossoms, I bloomed.
Believing that the birds are
Her cherished companions, every single day,
I nurtured so many dreams!
Keeravani,
In the night, in my dreams,
Come to sing!
My heart is melting...
Why put me through this test, my girl?
Every day brings this youthful ache...
In this loneliness, what will become of me?
Tell me what is in your heart, Vaani!
Keeravani,
In the night, in my dreams,
Come to sing!
My heart is melting...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Keeravaani' is a romantic duet from the movie Paadum Paravaigal (the Tamil dubbed version of the Telugu classic Anveshana), composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Vairamuthu. Set in a lush forest backdrop, the song uses the classical ragam 'Keeravani' as a poetic metaphor for both the music of nature and the beloved heroine. The protagonist expresses his overwhelming longing and passion, describing how his fierce nature softened into a gentle breeze upon meeting his love. The lyrics capture a whimsical dialogue of courtship where winter feels warm and flowers bloom simply at the heroine's gaze or speech. Nature, birds, and melody intertwine as both lovers share their dreams, vulnerabilities, and unspoken desires, creating an atmosphere of deep romance elevated by classical swaras and serene imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Puyal polavae vandhavan Poonthendralaai maarinen”

Comparing the protagonist's arrival as a storm ('Puyal') that softens into a gentle breeze ('Poonthendral') upon falling in love.

Emoni / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

“Puli vettaikku vandhavan Kuyil vettai thaan aadinen”

Use of internal rhyme and alliteration between lines like 'vandhavan' and 'maarinen' or 'Puli vettai' and 'Kuyil vettai'.

Hyperbole

“Nee paarthadhaal thaanadi Soodaandhu maargazhi”

Exaggerating the warmth generated by a lover's gaze making the freezing winter month of Maargazhi feel hot.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the song's context mentions unknown music details, this iconic track was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the film 'Anveshana' (1985), which was dubbed into Tamil as 'Paadum Paravaigal'. The song is actually sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The song is set in the Keeravani raga, cleverly referencing the raga name throughout the chorus.

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