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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Meettatha Veenai

From Thendral Veesum · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Thendral Veesum
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
10 May 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Meettaadha veenai idhu veesi varum thendral
Vaadadha mullai idhu paadi varum thaeni
Meettaadha veenai idhu veesi varum thendral
Vaadadha mullai idhu paadi varum thaeni
Thevittadha inimai idhu thigattadha pudhumai
Palingaana padhumai idhu pazhagaadha ilamai
Thevittadha inimai idhu thigattadha pudhumai
Palingaana padhumai idhu pazhagaadha ilamai
Meettaadha veenai idhu veesi varum thendral
Vaadadha mullai idhu paadi varum thaeni
Aasiyudan odi varum azhagu mugam ondru
Anjiyae nadungi varum anbu mugam ondru
Paasamalar kondu varum paruva mugam ondru
Paarthavudan naanamena sivandha mugam ondru
Meettaadha veenai idhu veesi varum thendral
Vaadadha mullai idhu paadi varum thaeni
Mai vadiyum kann paarthu malar endru solvaar
Mayangi varum nadai paarthu annanadai enbaar
Kai yazhagu paarthavudan kavidhai mazhai pozhivaar
Kaalamagal pettradhoru kolamayil enbaar
Meettaadha veenai idhu veesi varum thendral
Vaadadha mullai idhu paadi varum thaeni
Hmm mm mm hmm mm ….
This is an untouched veena, a blowing breeze,
This is an unfading jasmine, a singing honeybee.
This is an untouched veena, a blowing breeze,
This is an unfading jasmine, a singing honeybee.
A sweetness that never tires, a freshness that never fades,
A crystal doll, an innocent youth.
A sweetness that never tires, a freshness that never fades,
A crystal doll, an innocent youth.
This is an untouched veena, a blowing breeze,
This is an unfading jasmine, a singing honeybee.
One is a beautiful face running up with blessings,
One is a loving face trembling in fear,
One is a youthful face bringing flowers of affection,
One is a face blushing red with shyness at a single glance.
This is an untouched veena, a blowing breeze,
This is an unfading jasmine, a singing honeybee.
Looking at kohl-lined eyes, they will call them flowers,
Looking at the swaying walk, they will call it a swan's grace,
Seeing the beauty of her hands, they will shower a rain of poems,
They will call her a lovely peacock born to the daughter of time.
This is an untouched veena, a blowing breeze,
This is an unfading jasmine, a singing honeybee.
Hmm mm mm hmm mm...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Meettaadha Veenai Idhu' is a celebration of pristine beauty, innocence, and romantic longing. Through vivid lyrical imagery, the heroine is compared to an untouched veena (lute), a flower that never fades, a crystal statue, and a majestic peacock born of time. The lyrics capture her youthful grace and the delicate emotions of love, fear, and shyness. Written by Kannadasan and composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, the song uses rich Tamil metaphors to describe how her beauty inspires poetry and awe. P. Susheela's soft, expressive vocal rendition enhances the ethereal and poetic atmosphere of the composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

“Meettaadha veenai idhu veesi varum thendral”

Compares the untouched maiden directly to an unplucked veena and an unfading jasmine blossom.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

“Meettaadha veenai idhu veesi varum thendral”

Matching initial consonant sounds in 'Meettaadha' and 'veeni/veesi' creates melodic rhythm within the line.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Ani)

“Kai yazhagu paarthavudan kavidhai mazhai pozhivaar”

Exaggerates the impact of her beauty by describing poets showering a torrential rain of poetry just upon seeing her hands.

Personification

“Kaalamagal pettradhoru kolamayil enbaar”

Attributes motherhood to Time ('Kaalamagal'), describing the heroine as a beautiful peacock born to time.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1962 film 'Thendral Veesum', this song is renowned for P. Susheela's delicate vocal delivery and Kannadasan's timeless classical metaphors. The legendary composer duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy structured the song around subtle, soothing melodic progressions that complement the gentle breeze theme indicated by the movie's title.

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