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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Silu Silu

From Vanamagan · 2017

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Vijay Yesudas
Music director
Harris Jayaraj
Details
Vanamagan2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………………..
Male
Silu siluvendru poongatruAs the cool breeze gently blows,
Moongilil modhaStriking against the bamboo,
Vaasanai paatu ondruA fragrant song resonates,
Kelu kannamaListen to it, my dear Kannamma.
Male
Alai alaiyaga anandhamAs joy surges like waves,
Thalamum podaSetting the rhythm,
Poonguyil aatathaiThe dance of the sweet cuckoo,
Paaru kannammaLook at it, my dear Kannamma.
Male
Mel kezhagaFrom high above down to low,
Aruvi ellamAll the waterfalls,
Ingu manam vittuOpenly with a full heart,
Siripathen sollu kannammaTell me why they laugh, my dear Kannamma.
Male
Vaanai thangumTrees that hold up the sky,
Marangal ellamAll of them,
Andha ragasiyam sollumWill tell that secret,
Chella kannammaMy darling Kannamma.
Chorus
……………………………
Male
Anbin nizhal veesudhaeThe shadow of love casts its shade,
Inbam vizhayadudhaeJoy plays around freely,
Paaraikullum paasamAffection even inside the rocks,
Izhai oduthaeRuns like fine threads.
Male
Veyyil varam thurudhaeThe sunlight bestows a boon,
Kaadae niram maarudhaeThe entire forest changes color,
Medai indri unmaiWithout a stage, the truth,
ArangerudhaeMakes its debut performance.
Male
Sorgam idhu dhanammaThis is heaven, my dear,
Melae kidaiyadhumaIt cannot be found up above in the sky,
Sorkkal kondu sonnalumEven if described with words,
PuriyadhammaIt cannot be understood, my dear.
Male
Silu siluvendru poongatruAs the cool breeze gently blows,
Moongilil modhaStriking against the bamboo,
Vaasanai paatu ondruA fragrant song resonates,
Kelu kannamaListen to it, my dear Kannamma.
Male
Alai alaiyaga anandhamAs joy surges like waves,
Thalamum podaSetting the rhythm,
Poonguyil aatathaiThe dance of the sweet cuckoo,
Paaru kannammaLook at it, my dear Kannamma.
Chorus
……………………………….
Male
Mutkal kizhithalumaeEven if thorns tear the skin,
Muththam adhu aagumaeIt turns into a tender kiss,
Sogam kooda ingaeEven sorrow here,
Sugam aagumaeTransforms into pure bliss.
Male
Vergal kadhai koorumaeThe roots tell ancient stories,
Kalam ilaiparumaeTime takes a peaceful rest,
Dheivam kooda ingaeEven God here,
Pasi aarumaeSatiates his hunger.
Male
Idhu naam dhanadiThis was truly us, my dear,
MariponomaadiHave we changed completely, my dear?
Meendum pinnae pogaTo go back in time once again,
Vazhi solladiTell me the way, my dear.
Male
Silu siluvendru poongatruAs the cool breeze gently blows,
Moongilil modhaStriking against the bamboo,
Vaasanai paatu ondruA fragrant song resonates,
Kelu kannamaListen to it, my dear Kannamma.
Male
Alai alaiyaga anandhamAs joy surges like waves,
Thalamum podaSetting the rhythm,
Poonguyil aatathaiThe dance of the sweet cuckoo,
Paaru kannammaLook at it, my dear Kannamma.
Male
Mel kezhagaFrom high above down to low,
Aruvi ellamAll the waterfalls,
Ingu manam vittuOpenly with a full heart,
Siripathen sollu kannammaTell me why they laugh, my dear Kannamma.
Male
Vaanai thangumTrees that hold up the sky,
Marangal ellamAll of them,
Andha ragasiyam sollumWill tell that secret,
Chella kannammaMy darling Kannamma.
Male
Mmmmm..mmmm..mmmmmMmmmm..mmmm..mmmmm
Chorus
…………………………

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Silu Siluvendru' from Vanamagan celebrates the pristine, untouched beauty of nature and the profound peace found within a forest setting. Expressed through gentle observations addressed affectionately to 'Kannamma', the lyrics describe how elements of nature—breezes playing bamboo like flutes, laughing waterfalls, and ancient sky-reaching trees—create a realm of pure joy where even hardships like thorn pricks feel as gentle as kisses. The speaker reflects on how humanity's true original nature was closely intertwined with this peaceful natural state. The song serves as both a poetic ode to the healing power of the wilderness and a nostalgic plea to return to a simpler, more harmonious way of living away from modern artificiality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irattai Kilavi (Onomatopoeia)

Silu siluvendru poongatru

The sound words 'Silu siluvendru' mimic the cool, soothing sensation of a gentle breeze.

Personification

Ingu manam vittu Siripathen sollu kannamma

Waterfalls are personified as laughing whole-heartedly ('manam vittu siripathen') and trees are depicted as holding up the sky and keeping secrets.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Mutkal kizhithalumae / Muththam adhu aagumae

Rhyming of second letters across adjacent lines ('Mutkal' and 'Muththam') creates a rhythmic auditory harmony.

Metaphor / Paradox

Mutkal kizhithalumae Muththam adhu aagumae

Thorns tearing skin is metaphorically equated to a kiss, symbolizing how nature renders pain into affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt context, 'Silu Silu' from the 2017 Tamil film Vanamagan was composed by Harris Jayaraj, sung by Vijay Prakash and Bombay Jayashri, with lyrics written by Madhan Karky. The film stars Jayam Ravi as a tribal man adapted to forest life and Sayyeshaa as an urban woman.

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