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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sevvaanam Chinna Pen

From Pavithra · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Mano, Bala, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Pavithra1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sevvaanam chinna pen soodumWon't the red sky become the vermillion worn by a young girl?
Kungumam aagathoWon't it become her kungumam?
Vinmeengal kannippen soodumWon't the stars become the jasmine flowers
Malligai aagathoWorn by a young maiden?
Male
Kannal unnai varavetruWelcoming you with sweet eyes,
Pon kavikkuyil padaathoWon't the golden poetic cuckoo sing?
Kannalan tholil idam kettuAsking for a place on her lover's shoulder,
En vanna kili sayaathoWon't my colorful parrot lean?
Female
SevvanamRed sky...
Male :Chinna pen soodumMale: Worn by a young girl,
Kungumam aagathoWon't it become her kungumam?
Female
VinmeengalThe stars...
Male :Kannippen soodumMale: Worn by a young maiden,
Malligai aagathoWon't it become her jasmine?
Female
Hmm..mmm..mmm..hoohoo ooHmm..mmm..mmm..hoohoo oo
Hm hmm hmmm mmHm hmm hmmm mm
Hm hmm hmmm mmHm hmm hmmm mm
Male
Ponudal thannai en kaiyilTo hold your golden body in my hands,
Yentha ennadi yosikkiraiWhy are you hesitating, my dear?
Female :Moththaththil kadhalinFemale: In total, what will be the weight of love?
Edai enna agum ippadi sothikkiraiWhy are you testing me like this?
Male
Nilavai padaithu muditha kaiyilWith the hands that created the moon,
Antha brammam unnai padaithu vittaanLord Brahma created you.
Female :Ennnai avan padaithu muditha kaiyilFemale: With the hands that finished creating me,
Avan unnai ingu anuppi vaithaanHe sent you here to me.
Male
Sevvanam chinna pen soodumWon't the red sky worn by a young girl
Kungumam aagathoBecome her vermillion?
Female :Vinmeengal kannippen soodumFemale: Won't the stars worn by a young maiden
Malligai aagathoBecome her jasmine?
Female
Sembaga poovin madalgalaiOpening the petals of the champak flower,
Thiranthu thendral theduvathennaWhat is the gentle breeze searching for?
Male :Thendral seitha velaiyaiMale: Mentioning the work done by the breeze,
Solli ennai parppathennaWhy are you looking at me?
Female
Paarvaiyin jadai puriyaamalWithout understanding the subtle hints in my glance,
Nee pattu paadi avathennaWhat is the point of you singing songs?
Male :Pallavi charanam mudinthavudanMale: Once the prelude and stanza are over,
Naam panguperum katchiyennaWhat is the scene we are going to partake in?
Female
Sevvanam chinna pen soodumWon't the red sky worn by a young girl
Kungumam aagathoBecome her vermillion?
Vinmeengal kannippen soodumWon't the stars worn by a maiden
Male :Malligai aagathoMale: Become her jasmine?
Female
Kannal unnai varavetruWelcoming you with sweet eyes,
Pon kavikkuyil padaathoWon't the golden poetic cuckoo sing?
Hey kannalan tholil idam kettuHey, asking for a place on her lover's shoulder,
En vanna kili sayaathoWon't my colorful parrot lean?
Female
Kannal unnai varavetruWelcoming you with sweet eyes,
Pon kavikkuyil padaathoWon't the golden poetic cuckoo sing?
Kannalan tholil idam kettuAsking for a place on her lover's shoulder,
En vanna kili sayaathoWon't my colorful parrot lean?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet expresses intimate romantic desire through rich metaphors of nature and cosmic imagery. The lovers compare nature's beauty to their deep affection, likening the red evening sky to sacred vermillion and stars to jasmine blossoms adorning a bride. The song captures playful teasing between the pair as they question the weight of love and anticipate togetherness beyond poetic verses.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sevvaanam chinna pen soodum Kungumam aagatho Vinmeengal kannippen soodum Malligai aagatho

Compares the red sky (Sevvaanam) to vermillion (Kungumam) and stars (Vinmeengal) to jasmine flowers (Malligai).

Personification

Sembaga poovin madalgalai Thiranthu thendral theduvathenna

Attributes human traits to nature, portraying the breeze (Thendral) as actively opening flower petals and searching.

Imagery

Nilavai padaithu muditha kaiyil Antha brammam unnai padaithu vittaan

Creates vivid visual and romantic imagery through celestial bodies like the moon and divine creation.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is composed by A.R. Rahman for the 1994 film Pavithra, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu and vocals performed by Mano and K.S. Chithra.

Keep listening

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