Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Oh Maane Maane album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Devan Kovil Veenai

From Oh Maane Maane · 1984

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Oh Maane Maane
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
10 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaha aa….aahaa….ahaa haa…
Aa….aahaa….ahaa haa….
Aa…..aaa…..aa…..aa….
Oo devan kovil veenai
Paadum isai ketkum kadhal sugam thedum
Oo devan kovil veenai….
Thol mael oru veenai
Saainthaadum velai yaarodu pesum ho…
Thol mael oru veenai
Saainthaadum velai yaarodu pesum ho…
Kannae mana maalae
Munnaal varu velai
Kannae mana maalae
Munnaal varu velai
Malarae maalai solai
Yaarai soodum….
Oo devan kovil veenai….
Thogai mayil paavai
Poonthottam thaano neeraadavae ho….
Thogai mayil paavai
Poonthottam thaano neeraadavae ho….
Ingae oru vaanam angae mazhai megam
Ingae oru vaanam angae mazhai megam
Nilaavae kadhal dheeam polae
Varuvaai ingae….
Oo devan kovil veenai
Paadum isai ketkum kadhal sugam thedum
Aaha aa... aaha... aha ha...
Aa... aaha... aha ha...
Aa... aaaa... aa... aa...
Oh, veena of God's temple,
It sings, it listens to the melody, and searches for the joy of love.
Oh, veena of God's temple...
A veena resting upon the shoulder,
As it gently sways, whom is it speaking to? Oh...
A veena resting upon the shoulder,
As it gently sways, whom is it speaking to? Oh...
My darling, when the wedding garland of the heart
comes before us,
My darling, when the wedding garland of the heart
comes before us,
Oh flower, this garden of garlands,
whom will it adorn?...
Oh, veena of God's temple...
Like a graceful peacock, this lovely girl,
is she a flower garden waiting to bathe? Oh...
Like a graceful peacock, this lovely girl,
is she a flower garden waiting to bathe? Oh...
Here is the open sky, and there is the rain cloud,
Here is the open sky, and there is the rain cloud,
Oh moon, like a glowing lamp of love,
come here to me...
Oh, veena of God's temple,
It sings, it listens to the melody, and searches for the joy of love.
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Devan Kovil Veenai' is a gentle, romantic song from the film Oh Maane Maane (1984), composed by Ilayaraja. The song uses sacred and natural imagery—comparing the beloved to a divine veena in a temple, a graceful peacock, and a flower garden—to express gentle yearning and romantic affection. The lyrics evoke a soothing melody that seeks the bliss of love, portraying the lover's presence as a moonlit lamp bringing joy and fulfillment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Oo devan kovil veenai

Compares the beloved or her voice to a sacred veena played inside a temple.

Imagery

Thogai mayil paavai Poonthottam thaano neeraadavae ho…

Creates a vivid visual image of a maiden as beautiful as a strutting peacock, taking a bath like a blossoming flower garden.

Simile

Nilaavae kadhal dheeam polae

Compares the moon or beloved to a glowing lamp of love using 'polae' (like/as).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Oh Maane Maane (1984) starred Mohan and Urvashi, with music composed by Ilayaraja and lyrics written by Na. Kamarasan.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Oh Maane Maane

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.