Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Keeravani

From Paadum Paravaigal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paadum Paravaigal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Saa nisari saaniSaa nisari saani (Swaras)
Male :Aa… haa… haa…Male :Aa… haa… haa…
Male :Saa nisamagaa mariMale :Saa nisamagaa mari (Swaras)
Male :Haa… aaa…Male :Haa… aaa…
Male :Padhasaa nisari saaniMale :Padhasaa nisari saani (Swaras)
Male :Aa… haa… haa…Male :Aa… haa… haa…
Male :Saa nisamagaa mariMale :Saa nisamagaa mari (Swaras)
Male :Haa… aaa… aaa..aa…Male :Haa… aaa… aaa..aa…
Male :Padha sasasani riririsaMale :Padha sasasani riririsa (Swaras)
Gagagari mamamaga paa…Gagagari mamamaga paa… (Swaras)
Male :Aa… aaa… aaa… aaaaMale :Aa… aaa… aaa… aaaa
Male :Saa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa niMale :Saa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa ni (Swaras)
Male
KeeravaaniOh Keeravani, queen of music and my song
Iravilae kanavilaeIn the quiet of the night, inside my dreams
Paada vaa neeCome to sing, my dear
Idhayamae urugudhaeMy heart is melting for you
Adi yenadi sodhanaiOh why this ordeal for me?
Dhinam vaaliba vedhanaiThis daily agony of youthful longing
Thanimaiyil en gadhi ennadiIn solitude, what is to become of my fate?
Sangadhi solladi vaaniTell me what is on your mind, Vaani
KeeravaaniOh Keeravani
Iravilae kanavilaeIn the night, in dreams
Paada vaa neeCome to sing, my dear
Idhayamae urugudhae…ae….My heart is melting...
Male
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male :Garisa pamaga paaniMale :Garisa pamaga paani (Swaras)
Sariga rigasa nee paaSariga rigasa nee paa (Swaras)
Male
Nee paarthadhaal thaanadiOnly because you looked my way
Soodaandhu maargazhiThe cold month of Maargazhi became warm
Nee sonnadhaal thaanadiOnly because you spoke
Poo poothadhu poongodiThe flowering vine blossomed
Female
Thavam puriyaamalaeWithout performing any penance
Oru varam ketkkiraaiYou ask for a divine boon
Ival madi meedhilaeUpon her loving lap
Oru idam ketkkiraaiYou ask for a place to rest
Varuvaai peruvaai medhuvaaiYou shall come, you shall receive it softly
Thalaivanai ninaindhadhumThinking of her beloved
Thalaiyanai nanaindhadhenWhy was her pillow soaked with tears?
Adharkkoru vidai tharuvaaiGive me an answer to that
Female
KeeravaaniOh Keeravani
Iravilae kanavilaeIn the night, in dreams
Paada vaa neeCome to sing, my dear
Idhayamae urugudhaeMy heart is melting for you
Adi yenadi sodhanaiOh why this ordeal for me?
Dhinam vaaliba vedhanaiThis daily agony of youthful longing
Thanimaiyil en gadhi ennadiIn solitude, what is to become of my fate?
Sangadhi solladi vaaniTell me what is on your mind, Vaani
KeeravaaniOh Keeravani
Iravilae kanavilaeIn the night, in dreams
Paada vaa neeCome to sing, my dear
Idhayamae urugudhae…ae….My heart is melting...
Male
Puli vettaikku vandhavanThe one who came to hunt tigers
Kuyil vettai thaan aadinenEnded up hunting cuckoos instead
Puyal polavae vandhavanThe one who arrived like a fierce storm
Poonthendralaai maarinenTransformed into a gentle floral breeze
Female
Indha vanam engilumAll across this vast forest
Oru suram thaedinenI searched for a melodic note
Ingu unai paarthadhumThe moment I saw you here
Adhai dhinam paadinenI began singing it every single day
Malaril malaraai malarndhenI blossomed as a flower among flowers
Paravaigal ivaladhuThinking that these birds
Uravugal yena dhinamAre her true companions every day
Kanavugal pala valarthenI nurtured many sweet dreams
Female
KeeravaaniOh Keeravani
Iravilae kanavilaeIn the night, in dreams
Paada vaa neeCome to sing, my dear
Idhayamae urugudhaeMy heart is melting for you
Male
Adi yenadi sodhanaiOh why this ordeal for me?
Dhinam vaaliba vedhanaiThis daily agony of youthful longing
Thanimaiyil en gadhi ennadiIn solitude, what is to become of my fate?
Sangadhi solladi vaaniTell me what is on your mind, Vaani
KeeravaaniOh Keeravani
Iravilae kanavilaeIn the night, in dreams
Paada vaa neeCome to sing, my dear
Idhayamae urugudhae…ae….My heart is melting...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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.

Keep listening

More from Paadum Paravaigal