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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Pesa Vandhen

From Palootti Valartha Kili · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Palootti Valartha Kili1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan pesa vandhenI came to speak
Sollathaan or vaarthai illaiBut I have no words to say
Naan pesa vandhenI came to speak
Sollathaan or vaarthai illaiBut I have no words to say
Thiruvaai mozhi thiruvasagamSacred words and holy hymns
Naan kaelaamal enakkaedhu raagangalWithout hearing them from you, what melodies do I have?
Female
Naan pesa vandhenI came to speak
Sollathaan or vaarthai illaiBut I have no words to say
Un vaai mozhi manivasagamWords from your mouth are like precious scriptures
Nee sollaamal en nenjil sollavillaiUnless you speak them, my heart does not speak
Naan pesa vandhenI came to speak
Sollathaan or vaarthai illaiBut I have no words to say
Male
Ezhisai paadum imaigal irandumTwo eyelids that sing the seven musical notes
Pada pada padavena varum baavangalExpressions that arrive fluttering rapidly
Female :Aalilai meedhu thazhuvidum kaattruFemale: The breeze gently caressing a banyan leaf
Sala sala salavena varum geedhangalMelodies that flow rustling softly
Male
Kulamagal naanam udan varum bodhuWhen a virtuous woman's modesty approaches
Maunamae iraivan thoodhuSilence itself becomes God's messenger
Oru kili oomai oru kili paedhaiOne parrot is mute, the other parrot is innocent
Idaiyil theraadha bodhai haa..aa..aa..Between them lies an endless intoxication...
Female
Naan pesa vandhenI came to speak
Sollathaan or vaarthai illaiBut I have no words to say
Un vaai mozhi manivasagamWords from your mouth are like precious scriptures
Nee sollaamal en nenjil sollavillaiUnless you speak them, my heart does not speak
Naan pesa vandhenI came to speak
Sollathaan or vaarthai illaiBut I have no words to say
Female
Kaar kuzhal megam moodiya nenjilOn the chest covered by dark cloud-like tresses
Kala kala kalavena varum vannangalVibrant colors that emerge joyfully
Male :Oviyam theetti kaattidum kannamMale: Cheeks that display a painted portrait
Pala pala palavena varum kinnangalGolden cups glowing brilliantly
Female
Soll ena kannum ..The eyes say 'speak'...
Nil ena nenjamThe heart says 'stop'
Soll ena kannumThe eyes say 'speak'
Nil ena nenjamThe heart says 'stop'
Solvadhae pennin thollaiExpressing this conflict is a woman's dilemma
Sirukadhai orr naal thodarkadhai aanaalIf a short story becomes a continuous saga one day
Adhu dhaan aanandha ellaiThat indeed is the pinnacle of joy
Male
Naan pesa vandhenI came to speak
Sollathaan or vaarthai illaiBut I have no words to say
Female :Un vaai mozhi manivasagamFemale: Words from your mouth are like precious scriptures
Nee sollaamal en nenjil sollavillaiUnless you speak them, my heart does not speak

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Naan Pesa Vandhen' from 'Palootti Valartha Kili' (1976) is a romantic duet capturing the shy hesitancy and profound unspoken emotions between two lovers. Both express how love leaves them rendered speechless, where words fall short and silence itself becomes a sacred language of expression.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irattai Kilavi (Onomatopoeia)

Pada pada padavena varum baavangal

Use of doubled rhythm words (pada pada, sala sala, kala kala, pala pala) to imitate quick motions, breeze sound, cheerful expressions, and shining radiance.

Metaphor / Literary Allusion

Un vaai mozhi manivasagam

Comparing the lover's spoken words to 'Thiruvasagam' and 'Manivasagam', elevating romantic discourse to the status of sacred Tamil literature.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kaar kuzhal megam moodiya nenjil

Comparing dense dark hair to rain clouds ('Kaar kuzhal megam').

Antithesis / Internal Conflict

Soll ena kannum / Nil ena nenjam

Contrasting commands of eyes wanting to express versus the hesitant heart wanting to hold back.

Did you know?

Trivia

Released in 1976, this song comes from Ilaiyaraaja's debut year in Tamil cinema. Lyricist Kannadasan ingeniously weaves devotional Saivite references like 'Thiruvasagam' (sacred hymns by Saint Manikkavasagar) into a romantic duet, blending classical literary reverence with mainstream film music.

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