Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Vanangum Deivame

From Amma Enge · 1964

Lyricist
Nalla Thambi
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Amma Enge1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naan vanangum deivamaeOh deity that I worship,
Kannaana kannaprecious as my eyes,
Naan vanangum deivamaeOh deity that I worship,
Kannaana kannaprecious as my eyes,
Male
Nenjathil pongum inbamaeOh joy overflowing in my heart,
Kannaana kannaeprecious as my eyes,
Nenjathil pongum inbamaeOh joy overflowing in my heart,
Kannaana kannaeprecious as my eyes.
Female :Naan vanangum deivamaeFemale: Oh deity that I worship,
Kannaana kannaprecious as my eyes,
Male
Paadi varum nilavooAre you the singing moon,
venpalingaana maeniyoowith a body like white marble?
Paadi varum nilavooAre you the singing moon,
venpalingaana maeniyoowith a body like white marble?
Paarvaiyil nindru oliIs it lightning playing with light,
pandhaadum minnaloostanding right in my gaze?
Pakkathil vandha kanniyooOr a maiden who came beside me,
kannaana kannaeprecious as my eyes?
Male
Nenjathil pongum inbamaeOh joy overflowing in my heart,
Kannaana kannaeprecious as my eyes.
Female :Naan vanangum deivamaeFemale: Oh deity that I worship,
Kannaana kannaprecious as my eyes,
Female
Ethanai piravigalNo matter how many births
eduthae vandhaalumaeI may take and pass through,
Ethanai piravigalNo matter how many births
eduthae vandhaalumaeI may take and pass through,
Unnudan oru muraiIf I get to live with you just once,
vaazhndhaalae podhumaethat alone is enough.
Ennam niraiverumaaWill my desire be fulfilled,
kannaana kannaprecious as my eyes?
Female
Naan vanangum deivamaeOh deity that I worship,
Kannaana kannaprecious as my eyes.
Male :Nenjathil pongum inbamaeMale: Oh joy overflowing in my heart,
Kannaana kannaeprecious as my eyes,
Male
Maanikka pandhalittuI shall erect a canopy of rubies,
malarmaalai soottuvenand adorn you with a garland of flowers,
Maanikka pandhalittuI shall place you in the sacred shrine,
malarmaalai soottuvenand light lamps for you.
Maadathil unnaiyittuGive me one gift as an offering,
deepangal yettruvenprecious as my eyes.
Kaanikkaiyaaga ondru thaaOh joy overflowing in my heart,
kannaana kannaeprecious as my eyes.
Male
Nenjathil pongum inbamaeFemale: Oh deity that I worship,
Kannaana kannaeprecious as my eyes.
Female :Naan vanangum deivamae
Kannaana kanna

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan Vanangum Deivamae is a classic romantic duet from the 1964 Tamil film Amma Enge. The lovers exchange poetic declarations of devotion, elevating their romantic love to a divine worship. The female protagonist addresses her lover as a deity and the light of her eyes, expressing that a single lifetime spent with him would make all past and future births worthwhile. In response, the male protagonist marvels at her radiant beauty, comparing her to marble and moonlight, promising to build a shrine of rubies for her and light lamps in her honor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Naan vanangum deivamae / Kannaana kanna

The lyricist equates the beloved to a worshippable deity ('vanangum deivamae') and the eye of one's eye ('kannaana kannae'), elevating romantic devotion to spiritual worship.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Maanikka pandhalittu / Maadathil unnaiyittu

Repetition of the initial sound 'M' across lines creates a rhythmic musical resonance.

Uvamai (Simile / Poetic Comparison)

Paadi varum nilavoo / venpalingaana maeniyoo

The heroine's grace and complexion are poetically compared to white marble ('venpalingaana maeniyoo') and a singing moon ('Paadi varum nilavoo').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Amma Enge' (1964) featured music composed by S. Vedha (S. Vedhachalam), a renowned composer of the 1950s and 60s celebrated for blending classical Indian melodies with orchestration. Sung by the legend duo P. Susheela and P. B. Sreenivas, 'Naan Vanangum Deivamae' remains one of the vintage gems of Tamil cinema's golden era.

Keep listening

More from Amma Enge