Semmeena Vinmeena
From Anantha Poongatre · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Anantha Poongatre1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae… | Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae… |
| Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae… | Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae… |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………. | |
| Male | |
| Semmeena vinmeena | Is she a red fish or a sky star? |
| Semmeena vinmeena | Is she a red fish or a sky star? |
| Male | |
| Kannodu vaalum kalaimaana | Is she an artistic deer living within the eyes? |
| Illai kanthondri maraiyum poi maanaa | Or is she an illusory golden deer that appears and disappears from sight? |
| Kannirandum imaikkum silai thaana | Is she a statue whose two eyes blink? |
| En kanavukkul adikkum alai thaanaa | Is she a wave crashing inside my dreams? |
| Male | |
| Vennilaavin theevaa | Is she an island of the white moon? |
| Aval vellai poovaa | Is she a pure white flower? |
| Kamban kaalidhaasan | Is she the honey of love... |
| Sonna kaadhal thaenaa | ...described by Kamban and Kalidasa? |
| Male | |
| Semmeena vinmeena | Is she a red fish or a sky star? |
| Semmeena aaa…vinmeena | Is she a red fish, ah... or a sky star? |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………. | |
| Male | |
| Irulai pinniya kuzhalo | Is her hair woven from darkness? |
| Iruvizhigal nilavin nizhalo | Are her two eyes the shadow of the moon? |
| Pon udhadugalin siru variyil | In the fine lines of her golden lips... |
| En uyirai pudhaippaalo | ...will she bury my soul? |
| Male | |
| Ravivarman thoorigai ezhuththo | Is she a stroke from Raja Ravi Varma's paintbrush? |
| Illai sangil ooriya kazhuththto | Or a neck shaped like a conch shell? |
| Adhil ottrai viyarvai thuliyaai | As a single drop of sweat on it... |
| Naan urundida maatteno | ...will I not roll down? |
| Male | |
| Boomi konda poovaiyellaam | All the women that the earth holds... |
| Iru panthaai seithathu yaar seyalo | ...who made them into two spheres of beauty? |
| Chinna oviya sittridaiyo | Does she have a small waist like a delicate painting? |
| Aval selai kattiya sirupuyalo | Is she a tiny storm draped in a saree? |
| Male | |
| En penpaavai | My doll-like woman... |
| Konda ponkaalgal | ...possesses golden legs... |
| Avai manmathan thottathu | ...which were crafted by Cupid... |
| Maragatha thoongal | ...as pillars of emerald. |
| Female | |
| Tharara raaa | Tharara raaa |
| Male | |
| Semmeena vinmeena | Is she a red fish or a sky star? |
| Semmeena vinmeena | Is she a red fish or a sky star? |
| Female | |
| Haaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aaa….aaa… | Haaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aaa….aaa… |
| Male | |
| Avalae en thunaiyaanaal | If she becomes my life partner... |
| En aaviyai udaiyaai neiven | ...I will weave my very soul into her clothes. |
| Aval meniyil udaiyaai thazhuvi | Embracing her body like a garment... |
| Pala melliya idam thoduven | ...I will touch many soft places. |
| Male | |
| Margazhi maadhathu iravil | On a cold night in the month of Margazhi... |
| En maangani kulirgira pozhuthil | ...when my sweet mango-like beloved shivers... |
| En swaasathil thanigindra soottai | ...the warmth generated by my breath... |
| En sundharikku parisalippen | ...I will gift to my beautiful lady. |
| Male | |
| Mogam theerkkum mudhaliravil | On the first night that satisfies our desires... |
| Oru mega methai naan tharuven | ...I will provide a bed of clouds. |
| Maadham irandil masakkai vanthaal | When she experiences morning sickness in two months... |
| Oru maanthoppu parisalippen | ...I will gift her an entire mango grove. |
| Male | |
| Aval nadanthaalo | When she walks... |
| Idai adhirnthaalo | ...and her waist sways... |
| Kuzhal udhirkkira poovukkum | ...even to the flowers that fall from her hair... |
| Poojaigal puriven | ...I will offer prayers. |
| Female | |
| Tharara raaa | Tharara raaa |
| Male | |
| Semmeena vinmeena | Is she a red fish or a sky star? |
| Semmeena vinmeena | Is she a red fish or a sky star? |
| Male | |
| Kannodu vaalum kalaimaana | Is she an artistic deer living within the eyes? |
| Illai kanthondri maraiyum poi maanaa | Or is she an illusory golden deer that appears and disappears from sight? |
| Kannirandum imaikkum silai thaana | Is she a statue whose two eyes blink? |
| En kanavukkul adikkum alai thaanaa | Is she a wave crashing inside my dreams? |
| Male | |
| Vennilaavin theevaa | Is she an island of the white moon? |
| Aval vellai poovaa | Is she a pure white flower? |
| Kamban kaalidhaasan | Is she the honey of love... |
| Sonna kaadhal thaenaa | ...described by Kamban and Kalidasa? |
| Male | |
| Semmeena vinmeena | Is she a red fish or a sky star? |
| Semmeena aaa…vinmeena | Is she a red fish, ah... or a sky star? |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………. | |
ஏஹேய் ஹேய்
ஹேய் ஹேய்......ஏ
ஏஹேய் ஹேய்
ஹேய் ஹேய்......ஏ.....
Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae…
Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae…
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
கண்ணோடு வாழும்
கலைமானா இல்லை
கண் தோன்றி மறையும்
பொய்மானா
கண்ணிரண்டும் இமைக்கும்
சிலைதானா
என் கனவுக்குள் அடிக்கும்
அலைதானா
வெண்ணிலாவின் தீவா
அவள் வெள்ளைப்பூவா
கம்பன் காளிதாசன்
சொன்ன காதல் தேனா
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
Is she an artistic deer living within the eyes?
Or is she an illusory golden deer that appears and disappears from sight?
Is she a statue whose two eyes blink?
Is she a wave crashing inside my dreams?
................
Is she an island of the white moon?
Is she a pure white flower?
Is she the honey of love...
...described by Kamban and Kalidasa?
இருளைப் பின்னிய குழலோ
இருவிழிகள் நிலவின் நிழலோ
பொன் உதடுகளின் சிறுவரியில்
என் உயிரைப் புதைப்பாளோ
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Is she a red fish, ah... or a sky star?
ரவிவர்மன் தூரிகை எழுத்தோ இல்லை
சங்கில் ஊறிய கழுத்தோ
அதில் ஒற்றை வேர்வைத் துளியாய்
நான் உருண்டிட மாட்டேனோ
பூமி கொண்ட பூவையெல்லாம்
இரு பந்தாய் செய்தது யார் செயலோ
சின்ன ஓவியச் சிற்றிடையோ
அவள் சேலை கட்டிய சிறு புயலோ
என் பெண்பாவை கொண்ட
பொன்கால்கள் அவை
மன்மதன் தோட்டத்து
மரகதத் தூண்கள்
Is her hair woven from darkness?
Are her two eyes the shadow of the moon?
In the fine lines of her golden lips...
...will she bury my soul?
தாரரரா.....
Is she a stroke from Raja Ravi Varma's paintbrush?
Or a neck shaped like a conch shell?
As a single drop of sweat on it...
...will I not roll down?
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
All the women that the earth holds...
...who made them into two spheres of beauty?
Does she have a small waist like a delicate painting?
Is she a tiny storm draped in a saree?
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ......ஆஆஅ......
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ......ஆஆஅ......
My doll-like woman...
...possesses golden legs...
...which were crafted by Cupid...
...as pillars of emerald.
அவளே என் துணையானால்
என் ஆவியை உடையாய் நெய்வேன்
அவள் மேனியில் உடையாய்த் தழுவி
பல மெல்லிய இடம் தொடுவேன்
Tharara raaa
மார்கழி மாதத்து இரவில்
என் மாங்கனி குளிர்கிற பொழுதில்
என் சுவாசத்தில் தணிகின்ற சூட்டை
என் சுந்தரிக்குப் பரிசளிப்பேன்
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
மோகம் தீர்க்கும் முதலிரவில்
ஒரு மேகமெத்தை நான் தருவேன்
மாதம் இரண்டில் மசக்கை வந்தால்
ஒரு மாந்தோப்பு பரிசளிப்பேன்
Haaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aaa….aaa…
அவள் நடந்தாலோ
இடை அதிர்ந்தாலோ
குழல் உதிர்க்கிற பூவுக்கும்
பூஜைகள் புரிவேன்
If she becomes my life partner...
...I will weave my very soul into her clothes.
Embracing her body like a garment...
...I will touch many soft places.
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
On a cold night in the month of Margazhi...
...when my sweet mango-like beloved shivers...
...the warmth generated by my breath...
...I will gift to my beautiful lady.
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
கண்ணோடு வாழும்
கலைமானா இல்லை
கண் தோன்றி மறையும்
பொய்மானா
கண்ணிரண்டும் இமைக்கும்
சிலைதானா
என் கனவுக்குள் அடிக்கும்
அலைதானா
On the first night that satisfies our desires...
...I will provide a bed of clouds.
When she experiences morning sickness in two months...
...I will gift her an entire mango grove.
வெண்ணிலாவின் தீவா
அவள் வெள்ளைப்பூவா
கம்பன் காளிதாசன்
சொன்ன காதல் தேனா
When she walks...
...and her waist sways...
...even to the flowers that fall from her hair...
...I will offer prayers.
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
செம்மீனா விண்மீனா
Tharara raaa
..................
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Is she an artistic deer living within the eyes?
Or is she an illusory golden deer that appears and disappears from sight?
Is she a statue whose two eyes blink?
Is she a wave crashing inside my dreams?
Is she an island of the white moon?
Is she a pure white flower?
Is she the honey of love...
...described by Kamban and Kalidasa?
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Is she a red fish, ah... or a sky star?
Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae…
Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae…
Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae…
Hae haei haei hae…ae…ae…
…………………….
Semmeena vinmeena
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Semmeena vinmeena
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Kannodu vaalum kalaimaana
Is she an artistic deer living within the eyes?
Illai kanthondri maraiyum poi maanaa
Or is she an illusory golden deer that appears and disappears from sight?
Kannirandum imaikkum silai thaana
Is she a statue whose two eyes blink?
En kanavukkul adikkum alai thaanaa
Is she a wave crashing inside my dreams?
Vennilaavin theevaa
Is she an island of the white moon?
Aval vellai poovaa
Is she a pure white flower?
Kamban kaalidhaasan
Is she the honey of love...
Sonna kaadhal thaenaa
...described by Kamban and Kalidasa?
Semmeena vinmeena
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Semmeena aaa…vinmeena
Is she a red fish, ah... or a sky star?
…………………….
Irulai pinniya kuzhalo
Is her hair woven from darkness?
Iruvizhigal nilavin nizhalo
Are her two eyes the shadow of the moon?
Pon udhadugalin siru variyil
In the fine lines of her golden lips...
En uyirai pudhaippaalo
...will she bury my soul?
Ravivarman thoorigai ezhuththo
Is she a stroke from Raja Ravi Varma's paintbrush?
Illai sangil ooriya kazhuththto
Or a neck shaped like a conch shell?
Adhil ottrai viyarvai thuliyaai
As a single drop of sweat on it...
Naan urundida maatteno
...will I not roll down?
Boomi konda poovaiyellaam
All the women that the earth holds...
Iru panthaai seithathu yaar seyalo
...who made them into two spheres of beauty?
Chinna oviya sittridaiyo
Does she have a small waist like a delicate painting?
Aval selai kattiya sirupuyalo
Is she a tiny storm draped in a saree?
En penpaavai
My doll-like woman...
Konda ponkaalgal
...possesses golden legs...
Avai manmathan thottathu
...which were crafted by Cupid...
Maragatha thoongal
...as pillars of emerald.
Tharara raaa
Tharara raaa
Semmeena vinmeena
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Semmeena vinmeena
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Haaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aaa….aaa…
Haaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aaa….aaa…
Avalae en thunaiyaanaal
If she becomes my life partner...
En aaviyai udaiyaai neiven
...I will weave my very soul into her clothes.
Aval meniyil udaiyaai thazhuvi
Embracing her body like a garment...
Pala melliya idam thoduven
...I will touch many soft places.
Margazhi maadhathu iravil
On a cold night in the month of Margazhi...
En maangani kulirgira pozhuthil
...when my sweet mango-like beloved shivers...
En swaasathil thanigindra soottai
...the warmth generated by my breath...
En sundharikku parisalippen
...I will gift to my beautiful lady.
Mogam theerkkum mudhaliravil
On the first night that satisfies our desires...
Oru mega methai naan tharuven
...I will provide a bed of clouds.
Maadham irandil masakkai vanthaal
When she experiences morning sickness in two months...
Oru maanthoppu parisalippen
...I will gift her an entire mango grove.
Aval nadanthaalo
When she walks...
Idai adhirnthaalo
...and her waist sways...
Kuzhal udhirkkira poovukkum
...even to the flowers that fall from her hair...
Poojaigal puriven
...I will offer prayers.
Tharara raaa
Tharara raaa
Semmeena vinmeena
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Semmeena vinmeena
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Kannodu vaalum kalaimaana
Is she an artistic deer living within the eyes?
Illai kanthondri maraiyum poi maanaa
Or is she an illusory golden deer that appears and disappears from sight?
Kannirandum imaikkum silai thaana
Is she a statue whose two eyes blink?
En kanavukkul adikkum alai thaanaa
Is she a wave crashing inside my dreams?
Vennilaavin theevaa
Is she an island of the white moon?
Aval vellai poovaa
Is she a pure white flower?
Kamban kaalidhaasan
Is she the honey of love...
Sonna kaadhal thaenaa
...described by Kamban and Kalidasa?
Semmeena vinmeena
Is she a red fish or a sky star?
Semmeena aaa…vinmeena
Is she a red fish, ah... or a sky star?
………………………….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Semmeena Vinmeena is a mesmerizing romantic song from the 1999 Tamil film Anantha Poongatre, written by Vairamuthu and composed by Deva. The song portrays the protagonist's profound admiration for his beloved's ethereal beauty. He questions whether she is a living work of art, comparing her presence to classical poetry by Kamban and Kalidasa, paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, and celestial phenomena. As the song progresses, the mood shifts from aesthetic wonder to intimate devotion. The lover visualizes a life together, promising tenderness, warmth during cold winter nights, and lifelong adoration—even worshiping the flowers that drop from her hair as she walks.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani (Metaphor / Simile)
“Semmeena vinmeena”
Comparing the heroine's eyes and form to a red fish ('Semmeen'), a star ('Vinmeen'), and an illusory deer ('Poi maan').
Imagery & Allusion
“Ravivarman thoorigai ezhuththo”
Evoking the famous Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma to express that her beauty seems painted by a master artist's brush.
Uyervu Navirchi Ani (Hyperbole)
“En aaviyai udaiyaai neiven”
Exaggerating devotion by expressing a desire to weave one's soul into the fabric of her garment.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Irulai pinniya kuzhalo / Iruvizhigal nilavin nizhalo”
Rhyming of the second syllable across consecutive lines for poetic rhythm (e.g., Irulai / Iruvizhigal).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Semmeena Vinmeena' was composed by Deva and famously rendered by singer Hariharan for the movie Anantha Poongatre (1999). Lyricist Vairamuthu weaves literary references to historic poets Kamban and Kalidasa, alongside painter Raja Ravi Varma, to elevate the lyrical quality of the romance.
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