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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaa Vaa Anbe Anbe

From Agni Natchathiram · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Agni Natchathiram1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaa vaa anbae anbae..Come, come, my love, my love..
Kaadhal nenjae nenjaeO loving heart, heart..
Male
Un vannam un ennam.. ellaame en sondhamYour colors, your thoughts.. everything belongs to me.
Idhayam muzhudhum enadhu vasamMy entire heart is under my control.
Female
Vaa vaa anbae anbae..Come, come, my love, my love..
Kaadhal nenjae nenjaeO loving heart, heart..
Male
Neelam konda kannum..nesam konda nenjumThe blue-tinted eyes.. the affectionate heart..
Kaalam thorum ennai serum kanmaniWill join me for all time, my darling.
Male
Poovai inghu soodum.. poovum pottum yaavumThe flowers and vermilion adorned here by this woman..
Mannan endhan perai koorum ponmaniWill proclaim the name of my king, precious gem.
Female
{Kaalai maalai raathiri..kaadhal konda poongodi{Morning, evening, night.. the loving flowering vine
Aanai podalaam..adhil neeyum aadalaam} (2)Can issue commands.. and you may dance to them} (2)
Male
Nee vaazha thaanae..vaazhgindren naanaeI live only so that you may live..
Female
Nee indri yedhu.. poo vaitha maanaeWithout you, what exists, flower-adorned deer?
Male
Idhayam muzhudhum enadhu vasamMy entire heart is under my control.
Female
Vaa vaa anbae anbae..Come, come, my love, my love..
Male :Kaadhal nenjae nenjaeMale: O loving heart, heart
Female
Kannan vandhu thunjum..kattil indha nenjamThis heart is a bed where Lord Krishna comes to rest..
Kaanal alla..kaadhal ennum kaaviyamIt is no mirage.. it is an epic poem called love.
Female
Andrum indrum endrum.. undhan kaiyil thanjamYesterday, today, and forever.. refuge is in your hands.
Paavai alla..paarvai pesum oviyamNot merely a maiden.. a portrait whose gaze speaks.
Male
{Kaatril vaangum moochilum..kanni pesum pechilum{In the breath drawn from the wind.. in the speech of this maiden
Nenjamaanadhu undhan thanjamaanadhu} (2)The heart has taken refuge in you} (2)
Female
Un tholil thaanae..poo maalai naanaeUpon your shoulders.. I am a flower garland.
Male
Soodaamal ponaal..vaadaadhoo maanaeIf unworn, will it not wither, my deer?
Female
Idhayam muzhudhum enadhu vasamMy entire heart is under my control.
Male
Vaa vaa anbae anbae..Come, come, my love, my love..
Female :Kaadhal nenjae nenjaeFemale: O loving heart, heart
Male
Un vannam un ennam..Your color, your thoughts..
Female :Ellaame en sondhamFemale: Everything is my own.
Male :Idhayam muzhudhum enadhu vasamMale: My entire heart is under my control.
Female
Vaa vaa anbae anbae..Come, come, my love, my love..
Male :Kaadhal nenjae nenjaeMale: O loving heart, heart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaa Vaa Anbae Anbae is a soulful romantic duet from Mani Ratnam's 1988 Tamil classic Agni Natchathiram, featuring music by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vaali. Sung by K.J. Yesudas and S. Janaki, the song expresses the total surrender and deep emotional harmony shared by two lovers. They describe their passion not as a fleeting illusion, but as an enduring epic poem where every breath, thought, and heartbeat belongs completely to one another. Using vibrant imagery—from flower garlands and speaking portraits to rest places fit for divinity—the song highlights a love that transcends time, day, and night. Each line reinforces mutual devotion, emphasizing that their lives gain true meaning only in each other's presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Vaa vaa anbae anbae..

The words 'Vaa vaa', 'anbae anbae', and 'nenjae nenjae' repeat consecutively to express deep yearning and intimacy.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kannan vandhu thunjum..kattil indha nenjam

Comparing the lover's heart to a bed where Lord Krishna rests ('Kannan vandhu thunjum kattil'), elevating romantic love to divine devotion.

Metaphor & Personification

Kaanal alla..kaadhal ennum kaaviyam

Describing love as a living epic poem ('kaadhal ennum kaaviyam') and the maiden as a portrait whose gaze speaks ('paarvai pesum oviyam').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaatril vaangum moochilum..kanni pesum pechilum

Matching starting consonant sounds ('Kaatril' and 'Kanni') to create rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed in the prompt context as unknown metadata, the song was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, written by Vaali, and sung by K.J. Yesudas and S. Janaki for Mani Ratnam's hit film Agni Natchathiram (1988). The song is famed for its lush synth arrangement, neoclassical fusion, and iconic visual composition captured by cinematographer P.C. Sreeram.

Keep listening

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