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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Vaazhtha Vanthaen

From Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren · 1992

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unnai vaazhththa vanthaenI came to bless and greet you
Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyoAre you not my sweet, fruitful Tamil language?
Unnai vaazhththa vanthaenI came to bless and greet you
Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyoAre you not my sweet, fruitful Tamil language?
Pennae perung kaviyaeOh woman, you are a grand epic poem
Unthan peyar suvai thaenillaiyoIs your name not as delicious as sweet honey?
Male
Unnai vaazhththa vanthaenI came to bless and greet you
Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyoAre you not my sweet, fruitful Tamil language?
Unnai vaazhththa vanthaenI came to bless and greet you
Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyoAre you not my sweet, fruitful Tamil language?
Male
Soodi koduththavalaeOh lady who gave the garland after wearing it
Iraivan tholil irunthavalaeOh lady who rested on the shoulders of the Almighty
Soodi koduththavalaeOh lady who gave the garland after wearing it
Iraivan tholil irunthavalaeOh lady who rested on the shoulders of the Almighty
Sugam paadi padaiththavalaeOh lady who sang and created supreme joy
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa….aa…aa….Aa....aa....aa....aa...aa....aa...aa....
Paadi padaiththavalaeOh lady who sang and created
En thiruppaavai unthan sonthamMy sacred Thiruppavai belongs to you
Naalum anbai sinthaTo shower love every single day
Male
Unnai vaazhththa vanthaenI came to bless and greet you
Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyoAre you not my sweet, fruitful Tamil language?
Pennae perung kaviyaeOh woman, you are a grand epic poem
Pennae perung kaviyaeOh woman, you are a grand epic poem
Unthan peyar suvai thaenillaiyoIs your name not as delicious as sweet honey?
Male
Unnai vaazhththa vanthaenI came to bless and greet you
Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyoAre you not my sweet, fruitful Tamil language?
Male
Ree rimagari sanithanitha thaa thasanitha pamarigari[Musical solfa swara passage]
Sarigama reegama padhanisa paathani[Musical solfa swara passage]
Saa sasasasa sasasasa sasa[Musical solfa swara passage]
Sarigari magagari risasanithaa[Musical solfa swara passage]
Male
Ni thanithni thanithani riririr ririri ririri riri[Musical solfa swara passage]
Rigamaga risanitha pama rigamaa[Musical solfa swara passage]
Rigama rigama rigama gari maga pama thapa nee[Musical solfa swara passage]
Nitha sani risa gari maa[Musical solfa swara passage]
Magari sariga maa sanithma panithaa[Musical solfa swara passage]
Sarigama rigamapa reegama pathanisa thanisari nisariga[Musical solfa swara passage]
Rimagarisa reetha garisaneetha pama risa reegamapani[Musical solfa swara passage]
Male
Maalai thoduththu vanthaenI came having woven a garland
Thaani thathani thaa mathani thasani thaa[Musical solfa swara passage]
Thanisa thaniri thani magari risasani nithatha mathani[Musical solfa swara passage]
Male
Maalai thoduththu vanthaenI came having woven a garland
Unthan malar mugam kaana vanthaenI came to behold your blossom-like face
Olai kodukka vanthaenI came to deliver a message written on palm leaves
Nalla uravukku thoodhu vanthaenI came as an envoy for a beautiful bond
Male
Intha velaiyai vendi vanthaenI came seeking this opportune moment
Oru venduthal solla vanthaenI came to express a heartfelt wish
Ilam solaiyai marantha kuyil kuralThe voice of a cuckoo that forgot its youthful grove
Sothanai seiya vanthaenI came to test and put it to trial
Male
Enthan saraswathiyae pongum pudhu nadhiyaeMy Goddess Saraswati, my overflowing new river
Yaettilum ezhuththilumIn manuscripts and in written words
Enai anudhinam anaiththida varumShe who comes to embrace me every day
Male
Unnai vaazhththa vanthaenI came to bless and greet you
Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyoAre you not my sweet, fruitful Tamil language?
Pennae perung kaviyaeOh woman, you are a grand epic poem
Pennae perung kaviyaeOh woman, you are a grand epic poem
Unthan peyar suvai thaenillaiyoIs your name not as delicious as sweet honey?
Male
Unnai vaazhththa vanthaenI came to bless and greet you
Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyo…Are you not my sweet, fruitful Tamil language?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Unnai Vaazhththa Vanthaen' is a classical-infused expression of deep affection and reverence, blending romantic devotion with poetic worship of Tamil literature and divinity. The singer compares his beloved to sweet Tamil prose, a grand epic, and Goddess Saraswati herself. References to Kodhai (Andal), who offered worn flower garlands to the divine and sang Thiruppavai, elevate the beloved to a celestial status.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Enthan kani thamizh neeyillaiyo

Compares the beloved directly to sweet Tamil ('kani thamizh') and a grand epic poem ('perung kaviye').

Cultural/Mythological Allusion

Soodi koduththavalae Iraivan tholil irunthavalae

Refers to saint Andal (Soodi Koduththavai), who wore garlands before offering them to Lord Vishnu, equating the beloved's sanctity to divine devotion.

Anaphora

Unthan malar mugam kaana vanthaen / Olai kodukka vanthaen

Repetition of the phrase '...vanthaen' at the end of consecutive lines to create rhythmic emphasis and urgency.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music for this track is composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, the lyrics by Gangai Amaran heavily feature classical Carnatic swara passages (solfa syllables), seamlessly integrating traditional music practice into Tamil film songwriting.

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