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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaa Maalai Neram

From Karpoora Deepam · 1985

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Karpoora Deepam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaa maalai neramCome, evening time
Maiyal yaerum kadhal raagamA love melody that heightens romantic infatuation
En kaigalil orr paingiliA sweet green parrot in my hands
Koodum neram hoh….The time to unite, oh...
Female
Vaa maalai neramCome, evening time
Maiyal yaerum kadhal raagamA love melody that heightens romantic infatuation
Un kaigalil orr paingiliA sweet green parrot in your hands
Koodum neram hoh….The time to unite, oh...
Male
Vaa maalai neram….Come, evening time...
Female
Vaa thegamengum kadhal oottruCome, a fountain of love overflowing throughout the body
Male :Thaa thaagam theera neerai oottruMale: Give, pour water to quench my romantic thirst
Female :Kaadhal noi kuraikka vaa aa….aa…Female: Come to cure this sickness of love
Male :Koondhal paai viriththu thaa aa…aa….Male: Spread out your long hair like a mat and give it to me
Female :Koodum neram kadhal paaramFemale: As we unite, the heavy burden of longing...
Aarummm…..aarummm….....will soothe and ease down
Male
Vaa….aa….maalai neramCome, evening time
Female :Aa….aaa…..Female: Aa....aaa.....
Male :Maiyal yaerumMale: Infatuation increases
Female :Aa….aaa…..Female: Aa....aaa.....
Male :Kadhal raagamMale: A melody of love
Female
Un kaigalilIn your hands
Male :Aa….aaa…..Male: Aa....aaa.....
Female :Orr paingiliFemale: A sweet green parrot
Male :Aa….aaa…..Male: Aa....aaa.....
Female :Koodum neram vaa vaa….Female: The time to unite, come, come...
Male
Vaa maalai neram….Come, evening time...
Male
Naan unnai enni vaadalaanaenI began to wither thinking constantly of you
Female :Naan unnil ennai thaedalaanaenFemale: I began searching for myself within you
Male :Vaadai kaattru thotta pothuMale: When the chilly breeze touched us
Female :Thegam engum thiththippuFemale: Sweetness spread across my entire body
Male :Aasai neeril aadum neram theerum paaramMale: When we bathe in the waters of desire, this longing pain will end
Female
Vaa….aa….maalai neramVaa....aa....maalai neram
Male :Aa….aaa…..Male: Aa....aaa.....
Female :Maiyal yaerumFemale: Infatuation increases
Male :Aa….aaa…..Male: Aa....aaa.....
Female :Kadhal raagamFemale: A melody of love
Male
En kaigalilIn my hands
Female :Aa….aaa…..Female: Aa....aaa.....
Male :Orr paingiliMale: A sweet green parrot
Female :Aa….aaa…..Female: Aa....aaa.....
Male :Koodum neram….Male: The time to unite...
Female
Vaa….aa….maalai neramCome, evening time
Male :Maiyal yaerum…Male: Infatuation increases...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaa Maalai Neram is a sensual romantic duet set during dusk, highlighting the tender longings and intimate togetherness of two lovers. The lyrics utilize evocative nature and sensory imagery—such as chilly northern breezes, quenching thirst, and parrots in hand—to depict the blossoming of passion and mutual surrender.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamy (Metaphor)

Vaa thegamengum kadhal oottru

Comparing the loved one to a 'paingili' (green parrot) and love to a fountain/spring ('kadhal oottru').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Naan unnai enni vaadalaanaen / Naan unnil ennai thaedalaanaen

The second letter 'd' is repeated across successive phrases ('vaadalaanaen' and 'thaedalaanaen').

Visual Imagery

Koondhal paai viriththu thaa aa…aa….

Depicting long hair spread out like a mat for intimate rest ('Koondhal paai viriththu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Gangai Amaran for the film Karpoora Deepam (1985), this track highlights his dual talent as both lyricist and composer. The duet rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki is celebrated for its lush vocal harmonies during the chorus sections.

Keep listening

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