Mudhal Kanavae
From Majunu · 2001
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Bombay Jayashree, Harish Raghavendra
- Music director
- Harris Jayaraj
- Details
- Majunu2001
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae | First dream, oh first dream |
| Marubadi en vandhaai | Why have you come again? |
| Nee marubadi en vandhaai | Why have you come again? |
| Female | |
| Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae | First dream, oh first dream |
| Marubadi en vandhaai | Why have you come again? |
| Nee marubadi en vandhaai | Why have you come again? |
| Vizhi thiranthathum marubadi kanavugal varuma varuma | Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they? |
| Vizhi thirakkayil kanavennai thurathudhu nijama nijama | When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real? |
| Male | |
| Mudhal kanavu mudhal kanavu | First dream, oh first dream |
| Moochulla varayil varumallava | Will it not last as long as there is breath? |
| Kanavugal theerndu ponaal vazhvillai allava | If dreams come to an end, isn't life lost as well? |
| Kanavalavae kanavalavae kanmani naanum nijam allava | My darling, as much as a dream, am I not real too? |
| Sathiyathil udaithu kaadhal saagadhu allava | Love born of truth will never die, will it? |
| Female | |
| Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae | First dream, oh first dream |
| Marubadi en vandaai | Why have you come again? |
| Nee marubadi en vandaai | Why have you come again? |
| Vizhi thirnthathum marubadi kanavugal varuma varuma | Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they? |
| Vizhi thirakkayil kanavennai thurathudu nijama nijama | When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real? |
| Male | |
| Engae engae nee engae endru | Asking where, where, where are you |
| Kaadu medu thedi odi | Running and searching through forests and hills |
| Iru vizhi iru vizhi tholaithu vitten | I lost both my eyes, both my eyes |
| Female | |
| Ingae ingae nee varuvaai endru | Believing that you would come right here |
| Chinna kangal sindukindra | In the drops shed by these small eyes |
| Thuligalil thuligalil uyir valarpen | In those drops, in those drops, I will nourish my life |
| Male | |
| Tholainda en kangalai parthathum koduthu vittai | The moment you saw my lost eyes, you returned them to me |
| Kangalai koduthu idhayathai eduthuvittai | Having returned my eyes, you took away my heart |
| Female | |
| Ithayathai tholaithadharka en jeevan edukkirai | Is it because I lost my heart that you take my life now? |
| Female | |
| Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae | First dream, oh first dream |
| Marubadi en vandaai | Why have you come again? |
| Nee marubadi en vandaai | Why have you come again? |
| Vizhi thirnthathum marubadi kanavugal varuma varuma | Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they? |
| Vizhi thirakkayil kanavennai thurathudu nijama nijama | When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real? |
| Female | |
| Oodal vendam odalghal vendam | No playful sulking, no conflicts needed |
| Osaiyodu naadham pola | Like melody merged with sound |
| Uyirilae uyirilae kalandhu vidu | Blend into my soul, into my soul |
| Male | |
| Kaneer vendam kaayangal vendam | No tears needed, no wounds needed |
| Aaru matha pillai pola | Like a six-month-old child |
| Madiyilae madiyilae urangividu | Sleep in my lap, in my lap |
| Female | |
| Nila varum neram natchathiram thevai illai | When the moon appears, stars are not required |
| Nee vandha neram nenjil oru oodal illai | When you arrived, there was no quarrel in my heart |
| Vanna pookal verkkum munne varachollu thendralai | Before colorful flowers sweat, tell the gentle breeze to arrive |
| Male | |
| Thamarayae thamarayae neeril oliyaadhae | Oh lotus, oh lotus, do not hide in the water |
| Nee neeril oliyaadhae | Do not hide in the water |
| Dhinam dhinam oru sooriyan pola varuven varuven | Every day like a sun I will come, I will come |
| Anudinam unnai aaryiram kaiyyal thoduven thoduven | Every day with a thousand hands I will touch you, touch you |
| Female | |
| Sooriyanae sooriyanae thamarai mugavari thevai illai | Oh sun, oh sun, the lotus needs no address |
| Vinnil neeyum irundukondae viral neeti thirakkirai | Remaining in the sky, you stretch your fingers to open it |
| Marangothiyae marangothiyae manadhai kothi thulai iduvai | Oh woodpecker, oh woodpecker, peck and bore a hole in my heart |
| Ullathukkul vilakkadithu thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai | Shine a light inside my core and awaken dormant love |
| Thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai | Awaken dormant love |
| Female | |
| Thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai | Awaken dormant love |
| Nee thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai | You awaken dormant love |
| Thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai… | Awaken dormant love... |
முதல் கனவே
முதல் கனவே மறுபடி
ஏன் வந்தாய் நீ மறுபடி
ஏன் வந்தாய்
First dream, oh first dream
Why have you come again?
Why have you come again?
முதல் கனவே
முதல் கனவே மறுபடி
ஏன் வந்தாய் நீ மறுபடி
ஏன் வந்தாய் விழி திறந்ததும்
மறுபடி கனவுகள் வருமா
வருமா விழி திறக்கையில்
கனவென்னை துரத்துது
நிஜமா நிஜமா
First dream, oh first dream
Why have you come again?
Why have you come again?
Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they?
When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real?
முதல் கனவு
முதல் கனவு மூச்சுள்ள
வரையில் வருமல்லவா
கனவுகள் தீர்ந்து போனால்
வாழ்வில்லை அல்லவா
கனவலவே கனவலவே
கண்மணி நானும் நிஜம்
அல்லவா சத்தியத்தில்
முளைத்த காதல் சாகாது
அல்லவா
First dream, oh first dream
Will it not last as long as there is breath?
If dreams come to an end, isn't life lost as well?
My darling, as much as a dream, am I not real too?
Love born of truth will never die, will it?
முதல் கனவே
முதல் கனவே மறுபடி
ஏன் வந்தாய் நீ மறுபடி
ஏன் வந்தாய் விழி திறந்ததும்
மறுபடி கனவுகள் வருமா
வருமா விழி திறக்கையில்
கனவென்னை துரத்துது
நிஜமா நிஜமா
First dream, oh first dream
Why have you come again?
Why have you come again?
Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they?
When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real?
எங்கே எங்கே
நீ எங்கே என்று காடு
மேடு தேடி ஓடி இரு
விழி இரு விழி
தொலைத்து விட்டேன்
Asking where, where, where are you
Running and searching through forests and hills
I lost both my eyes, both my eyes
இங்கே இங்கே
நீ வருவாய் என்று சின்ன
கண்கள் சிந்துகின்ற
துளிகளில் துளிகளில்
உயிர் வளர்ப்பேன்
Believing that you would come right here
In the drops shed by these small eyes
In those drops, in those drops, I will nourish my life
தொலைந்த
என் கண்களை பார்த்ததும்
கொடுத்து விட்டாய் கண்களை
கொடுத்து இதயத்தை
எடுத்து விட்டாய்
The moment you saw my lost eyes, you returned them to me
Having returned my eyes, you took away my heart
இதயத்தை
தொலைத்ததற்கா
என் ஜீவன் எடுக்கிறாய்
Is it because I lost my heart that you take my life now?
முதல் கனவே
முதல் கனவே மறுபடி
ஏன் வந்தாய் நீ மறுபடி
ஏன் வந்தாய் விழி திறந்ததும்
மறுபடி கனவுகள் வருமா
வருமா விழி திறக்கையில்
கனவென்னை துரத்துது
நிஜமா நிஜமா
First dream, oh first dream
Why have you come again?
Why have you come again?
Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they?
When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real?
ஊடல் வேண்டாம்
ஓடல்கள் ஓசையோடு
நாதம் போல உயிரிலே
உயிரிலே கலந்து விடு
No playful sulking, no conflicts needed
Like melody merged with sound
Blend into my soul, into my soul
கண்ணீர் வேண்டாம்
காயங்கள் வேண்டாம்
ஆறு மாத பிள்ளை போல
மடியிலே மடியிலே
உறங்கி விடு
No tears needed, no wounds needed
Like a six-month-old child
Sleep in my lap, in my lap
நிலா வரும்
நேரம் நட்சத்திரம் தேவை
இல்லை நீ வந்த நேரம்
நெஞ்சில் ஒரு ஊடல்
இல்லை வன பூக்கள்
வேர்க்கும் முன்னே வர
சொல்லு தென்றலை வர
சொல்லு தென்றலை
When the moon appears, stars are not required
When you arrived, there was no quarrel in my heart
Before colorful flowers sweat, tell the gentle breeze to arrive
தாமரையே
தாமரையே நீரில்
ஒளியாதே நீ நீரில்
ஒளியாதே தினம்
தினம் ஒரு சூரியன்
போல வருவேன்
வருவேன் அனுதினம்
உன்னை ஆயிரம்
கையால் தொடுவேன்
தொடுவேன்
Oh lotus, oh lotus, do not hide in the water
Do not hide in the water
Every day like a sun I will come, I will come
Every day with a thousand hands I will touch you, touch you
சூரியனே
சூரியனே தாமரை
முகவரி தேவை இல்லை
விண்ணில் நீயும் இருந்து
கொண்டே விரல் நீட்டி
திறக்கிறாய் மரக்கொத்தியே
மரக்கொத்தியே மனதை
கொத்தி துளை இடுவாய்
உள்ளத்துக்குள் விளக்கடித்து
தூங்கும் காதல் எழுப்புவாய்
தூங்கும் காதல் எழுப்புவாய்
Oh sun, oh sun, the lotus needs no address
Remaining in the sky, you stretch your fingers to open it
Oh woodpecker, oh woodpecker, peck and bore a hole in my heart
Shine a light inside my core and awaken dormant love
Awaken dormant love
தூங்கும் காதல்
எழுப்புவாய் நீ தூங்கும்
காதல் எழுப்புவாய்
தூங்கும் காதல் எழுப்புவாய்
Awaken dormant love
You awaken dormant love
Awaken dormant love...
Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae
First dream, oh first dream
Marubadi en vandhaai
Why have you come again?
Nee marubadi en vandhaai
Why have you come again?
Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae
First dream, oh first dream
Marubadi en vandhaai
Why have you come again?
Nee marubadi en vandhaai
Why have you come again?
Vizhi thiranthathum marubadi kanavugal varuma varuma
Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they?
Vizhi thirakkayil kanavennai thurathudhu nijama nijama
When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real?
Mudhal kanavu mudhal kanavu
First dream, oh first dream
Moochulla varayil varumallava
Will it not last as long as there is breath?
Kanavugal theerndu ponaal vazhvillai allava
If dreams come to an end, isn't life lost as well?
Kanavalavae kanavalavae kanmani naanum nijam allava
My darling, as much as a dream, am I not real too?
Sathiyathil udaithu kaadhal saagadhu allava
Love born of truth will never die, will it?
Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae
First dream, oh first dream
Marubadi en vandaai
Why have you come again?
Nee marubadi en vandaai
Why have you come again?
Vizhi thirnthathum marubadi kanavugal varuma varuma
Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they?
Vizhi thirakkayil kanavennai thurathudu nijama nijama
When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real?
Engae engae nee engae endru
Asking where, where, where are you
Kaadu medu thedi odi
Running and searching through forests and hills
Iru vizhi iru vizhi tholaithu vitten
I lost both my eyes, both my eyes
Ingae ingae nee varuvaai endru
Believing that you would come right here
Chinna kangal sindukindra
In the drops shed by these small eyes
Thuligalil thuligalil uyir valarpen
In those drops, in those drops, I will nourish my life
Tholainda en kangalai parthathum koduthu vittai
The moment you saw my lost eyes, you returned them to me
Kangalai koduthu idhayathai eduthuvittai
Having returned my eyes, you took away my heart
Ithayathai tholaithadharka en jeevan edukkirai
Is it because I lost my heart that you take my life now?
Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae
First dream, oh first dream
Marubadi en vandaai
Why have you come again?
Nee marubadi en vandaai
Why have you come again?
Vizhi thirnthathum marubadi kanavugal varuma varuma
Will dreams return once the eyes are opened, will they?
Vizhi thirakkayil kanavennai thurathudu nijama nijama
When opening my eyes, the dream chases me, is it real, is it real?
Oodal vendam odalghal vendam
No playful sulking, no conflicts needed
Osaiyodu naadham pola
Like melody merged with sound
Uyirilae uyirilae kalandhu vidu
Blend into my soul, into my soul
Kaneer vendam kaayangal vendam
No tears needed, no wounds needed
Aaru matha pillai pola
Like a six-month-old child
Madiyilae madiyilae urangividu
Sleep in my lap, in my lap
Nila varum neram natchathiram thevai illai
When the moon appears, stars are not required
Nee vandha neram nenjil oru oodal illai
When you arrived, there was no quarrel in my heart
Vanna pookal verkkum munne varachollu thendralai
Before colorful flowers sweat, tell the gentle breeze to arrive
Thamarayae thamarayae neeril oliyaadhae
Oh lotus, oh lotus, do not hide in the water
Nee neeril oliyaadhae
Do not hide in the water
Dhinam dhinam oru sooriyan pola varuven varuven
Every day like a sun I will come, I will come
Anudinam unnai aaryiram kaiyyal thoduven thoduven
Every day with a thousand hands I will touch you, touch you
Sooriyanae sooriyanae thamarai mugavari thevai illai
Oh sun, oh sun, the lotus needs no address
Vinnil neeyum irundukondae viral neeti thirakkirai
Remaining in the sky, you stretch your fingers to open it
Marangothiyae marangothiyae manadhai kothi thulai iduvai
Oh woodpecker, oh woodpecker, peck and bore a hole in my heart
Ullathukkul vilakkadithu thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai
Shine a light inside my core and awaken dormant love
Thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai
Awaken dormant love
Thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai
Awaken dormant love
Nee thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai
You awaken dormant love
Thoongum kaathal ezhuppuvai…
Awaken dormant love...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Mudhal Kanave' is a soulful romantic duet from the film Majunu (2001), expressing deep yearning, emotional union, and eternal love. The lovers metaphorically refer to each other as their 'first dream' and ponder how a dream so tender can continue to chase and exist in waking reality. They describe their bond as unbreakable and natural, longing to dissolve into one another's presence without conflict or pain. Through rich natural imagery—such as the sun touching the lotus with rays like hands, and melody blending seamlessly with sound—lyricist Vairamuthu articulates how true love restores lost hope and revives dormant feelings. The song highlights how love acts as a light illuminating the deepest, quietest corners of the human heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Osaiyodu naadham pola”
Compares the seamless union of the lovers' souls to the natural blending of sound and melody.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Mudhal kanavae mudhal kanavae”
Refers to the beloved as the 'first dream' that stays alive as long as there is breath.
Metaphor & Imagery
“Anudinam unnai aaryiram kaiyyal thoduven thoduven”
Compares the sun's rays to 'a thousand hands' reaching down from the sky to open the blooming lotus.
Repetition / Anaphora (Edugai/Monaistyle repetition)
“Engae engae nee engae endru”
Repetition of words like 'Engae engae' and 'Thuligalil thuligalil' enhances the emotional intensity and musical rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Harris Jayaraj, 'Mudhal Kanave' features vocals by Bombay Jayashri and Harish Raghavendra. It became one of the most celebrated Tamil romantic tracks of the early 2000s, praised particularly for Vairamuthu's poetic imagery connecting nature and human emotions.
Keep listening