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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Munbe Vaa

From Sillunu Oru Kadhal · 2006

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Naresh Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Sillunu Oru Kadhal2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Oonae vaa uyirae vaaCome as my flesh, come as my life.
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Poo poovaai poopom vaa..Come, let us bloom flower by flower..
Female
Naan naana keten ennai naanaeI asked myself if I was still myself,
Naan neeya nenjam sonnathaeMy heart answered that I am now you.
Female
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Oonae vaa uyirae vaaCome as my flesh, come as my life.
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Poo poovaai poopom vaa..Come, let us bloom flower by flower..
Female
Rango rangoli kolangal nee pottaiYou drew colorful rangoli patterns,
Kolam pottaval kaigal vaazhiBlessed be the hands of the woman who drew the rangoli!
Valaiyal sathamThe sound of bangles,
Jal jalJingle jingle,
Rango rangoli kolangal nee pottaiYou drew colorful rangoli patterns,
Kolam pottaval kaigal vaazhiBlessed be the hands of the woman who drew the rangoli!
Sunthara malligaiBeautiful jasmine,
Santhana malligaiSandalwood-fragrant jasmine,
Sithira Punnagai vannam minna..A picturesque smile sparkling with colors..
Female
: Poo vaithaai poo vaithaai: You adorned with flowers, you adorned with flowers,
Nee poovaikoor poo vaithaaiYou placed a flower for the maiden,
Mana poovaithu poovaithuIn the flower of my heart,
Poovaikkul thee vaithaai oohh ohhYou set a fire inside the flower, oohh ohh.
Male
Nee nee nee mazhaiyil aadaWhen you dance in the rain,
Naan naan nnan nanainthae vaadaI get drenched and wither away in passion.
En naanathil un rathamYour blood flows through my shyness,
Naadikkul un sathamYour sound resonates within my pulse,
Uyire ohooooOh my life, ohoooo!
Female
Thozhil oru sila naalilIf I am separated for a few days from your shoulders,
Thaniyena aanal tharaiyinil meen.hmm..hmmI become like a fish stranded on land..hmm..hmm.
Female
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Oonae vaa uyirae vaaCome as my flesh, come as my life.
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Male :Poo poovaai poopom vaa..Male: Come, let us bloom flower by flower..
Female
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Poo poovaai poopom vaa..ahhhCome, let us bloom flower by flower..ahhh
Male
Nilavidam vaadagai vaangiRenting the moon from the sky,
Vizhi veetinil kudi vaikkalaama..?Shall we invite it to reside inside the house of our eyes..?
Naam vaazhum veetukulInside the house where we live together,
Veraarum vanthalae thaguma..?Is it fair if anyone else enters..?
Female
Then malai thekkukku neethaan..You are the sweet honey rain to the south..
Unthan thozhgalil idam tharalaama..?Can you grant me space upon your shoulders..?
Naan saayum thozhmelUpon the shoulder where I lean,
Veraarum sainthalae..thaguma ..?Is it fair if anyone else leans..?
Male
Neerum senbula cherumLike water mixing with red soil,
Kalanthathu polae kalanthavar naam..We are two souls who merged into one..
Female
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Oonae vaa uyirae vaaCome as my flesh, come as my life.
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Poo poovaai poopom vaa..Come, let us bloom flower by flower..
Male
Naan naana keten ennai naanaeI asked myself if I was still myself,
Naan neeya nenjam sonnathaeMy heart answered that I am now you.
Female
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Oonae vaa uyirae vaaCome as my flesh, come as my life.
Munbae vaa en anbae vaaCome before me, my love, come.
Poo poovaai poopom vaa..Come, let us bloom flower by flower..
Female
{Rango rangoli kolangal nee pottai{You drew colorful rangoli patterns,
Kolam pottaval kaigal vaazhiBlessed be the hands of the woman who drew the rangoli!
Valaiyal sathamThe sound of bangles,
Jal jalJingle jingle,
Rango rangoli kolangal nee pottaiYou drew colorful rangoli patterns,
Kolam pottaval kaigal vaazhiBlessed be the hands of the woman who drew the rangoli!
Sunthara malligaiBeautiful jasmine,
Santhana malligaiSandalwood-fragrant jasmine,
Sithira Punnagai vannam minna..} (2)A picturesque smile sparkling with colors..} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Munbe Vaa' is an iconic romantic duet from Sillunu Oru Kadhal that portrays deep intimacy, surrender, and eternal love. The lovers describe how their separate identities have dissolved into a single soul, expressing how every breath, pulse, and emotion is intertwined with each other. The lyrics elegantly capture both soft romantic affection and passionate longing through vivid imagery of nature, rain, flowers, and moonlight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Sangam Classical Allusion / Metaphor

Neerum senbula cherum kalan thathu polae kalanthavar naam..

The line 'Neerum senbula cherum kalanthathu polae' directly borrows from classical Sangam literature (Kuruntokai 40: 'Sembula peyal neer pola'), comparing the merging of lovers' hearts to rainwater mingling seamlessly with red soil.

Oxymoron / Imagery

Poovaikkul thee vaithaai oohh ohh

Placing 'thee' (fire) inside 'poo' (flower) creates a stark contrast between delicate tenderness and burning passion.

Simile

Thaniyena aanal tharaiyinil meen.hmm..hmm

Compares the pain of temporary separation from the lover's embrace to a fish suffering on dry land.

Emonai / Rhythmic Alliteration

Munbae vaa en anbae vaa / Oonae vaa uyirae vaa

Rhyming starting sounds ('Munbae vaa', 'Oonae vaa') and end rhythms generate a hypnotic musical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by legendary poet Vaali, 'Munbe Vaa' features vocals by Shreya Ghoshal and Naresh Iyer. Vaali's inclusion of the classical Kuruntokai metaphor 'Senbula peyal neer' won widespread critical acclaim from Tamil literary scholars for bridging ancient Sangam poetry with contemporary film music.

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