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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaa Kalaba Mayile

From Kathavarayan · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Kathavarayan
Movie release year
1958
Lyrics added on
18 Nov 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaa kalaapa mayilae
Vaa kalaapa mayilae
Odi nee vaa kalaapa mayilae
Odi nee vaa kalaapa mayilae
Vanthaen kaniyamutham thanthaen
Magizhnthidavae vaa
Vanthaen kaniyamutham thanthaen
Magizhnthidavae vaa
Vaa kalaapa mayilae
Odi nee vaa kalaapa mayilae
Vaazhnaalil ini naan valam peravae
Vaazhnaalil ini naan valam peravae
Vanna tamizh kalaiyae
Thulli thulli vilaiyaada vaa
Vanna tamizh kalaiyae
Thulli thulli vilaiyaada vaa
Nee vaa kannae vaa kalaaba mayilae
Odi nee vaa kalaapa mayilae
Aalaiyin karumpaanaen
Aazhiyin thurumpaanaen
Aalaiyin karumpaanaen
Aazhiyin thurumpaanaen
Kaalamellaam unthan
Kaalamellaam unthan
Kadhalil melinthaen
Vinnodu vilaiyaadum valarmathiyae
Vinnodu vilaiyaadum valarmathiyae
Enthan kannodu kaninthaadum kalai nithiyae
Kannodu kaninthaadum kalai nithiyae
Ennaalum maravaenae ezhil rathiyae
Ennaalum maravaenae ezhil rathiyae
Minnalidai kodiyae
Annanadai azhagodu vaa
Minnalidai kodiyae
Annanadai azhagodu vaa
Vaaraayo ennai paarayo kali theeraayo
Kannae vaaraayo enthan
Aariyamaalaa aariyamaalaa
Aariyamaalaa aariyamaalaa
Aariyamaalaa aariyamaalaa
Aariyamaalaa aariyamaalaa
Aariyamaalaa aariyamaalaa
Aariyamaalaa aariyamaalaa
Aariyamaalaa aariyamaalaa
Aariyamaalaa aariyamaalaa
Come, my beautiful peacock
Come, my beautiful peacock
Run and come to me, my beautiful peacock
Run and come to me, my beautiful peacock
I have come, offering sweet nectar
Come, so we may rejoice
I have come, offering sweet nectar
So we may rejoice
Come, my beautiful peacock
Run and come to me, my beautiful peacock
For my life to flourish from now on
For my life to flourish from now on
O graceful art of Tamil,
Come leap and play with joy
O graceful art of Tamil,
Come leap and play with joy
Come, my darling, come, my beautiful peacock
Run and come to me, my beautiful peacock
I became like sugarcane crushed in a mill
I became like straw tossed upon the ocean
I became like sugarcane crushed in a mill
I became like straw tossed upon the ocean
All this time, in your...
All this time, in your...
I have withered away in your love...
O waxing moon playing across the sky,
O waxing moon playing across the sky,
O treasure of art dancing gently in my eyes,
O treasure of art dancing gently in my eyes,
I will never forget you, my lovely Rathi (goddess of beauty),
I will never forget you, my lovely Rathi,
O slender vine with a waist like lightning,
Come with the graceful stride of a swan
O slender vine with a waist like lightning,
Come with the graceful stride of a swan
Won't you come, look at me, and end my sorrow?
Won't you come, my darling, my...
Ariyamala, Ariyamala
Ariyamala, Ariyamala
Ariyamala, Ariyamala
Ariyamala, Ariyamala
Ariyamala, Ariyamala
Ariyamala, Ariyamala
Ariyamala, Ariyamala
Ariyamala, Ariyamala
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from 'Kathavarayan' (1958) is a passionate and lyrical expression of deep romantic longing. The protagonist calls out to his beloved, Aariyamaala, addressing her with lavish poetic metaphors—comparing her beauty to a dancing peacock, a radiant moon in the night sky, and the refined grace of classical Tamil art. He describes how his longing for her has rendered him helpless and frail, feeling as crushed as sugarcane in a mill or as lost as a speck of dust in the vast ocean. He pleads for her presence to soothe his aching heart and fill his life with joy and prosperity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai / Metaphor & Simile

“Aalaiyin karumpaanaen / Aazhiyin thurumpaanaen”

Compares the protagonist's emotional state to crushed sugarcane in a mill ('Aalaiyin karumpaanaen') and dust in the ocean ('Aazhiyin thurumpaanaen') to emphasize intense yearning.

Monai & Etukai (Tamil Rhyme Schemes)

“Vinnodu vilaiyaadum valarmathiyae / Kannodu kaninthaadum kalai nithiyae”

Demonstrates internal and end-rhyming patterns with words like 'Vinnodu', 'Kannodu', and 'Ennaalum' creating a rhythmic flow.

Traditional Hyperbole & Imagery

“Minnalidai kodiyae / Annanadai azhagodu vaa”

Uses classical Sangam-style imagery describing the heroine's waist as lightning ('Minnalidai') and her walk like that of a swan ('Annanadai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kathavarayan' (1958) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri, portraying the legendary folk tale of Lord Kathavarayan and Aariyamaala. Composed by legendary maestro G. Ramanathan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, this song showcases Ramanathan's mastery in blending classical Tamil poetic forms with accessible, rich melodies.

Keep listening

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