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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaa Vaa Valarmathi

From Vanangamudi – 1957 Film · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Vanangamudi – 1957 Film1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Siramthil thigazhvathu seevaga sinthamaniSivaka Sinthamani shines as the crown upon your head,
Sevithani milirvathu kundalakesiKundalakesi glitters as the ornament upon your ears,
Thiruve nin indaiyani manimegalayaamO divine Goddess, Manimekalai adorns your waist as a belt,
Haa aa aa aa haaHaa aa aa aa haa
Karamathil minnuvathu valayapathiyaamValayapathi sparkles as the bangles on your hands,
Haa aa aa aa haaHaa aa aa aa haa
Kaalthanil olipathu silappathigaaramSilappathikaram resonates as anklets on your feet,
Kankanda imperung kaapiyathiilagame…O visible crown jewel of the Five Great Epics!
Female
Va va vaCome, come, come,
Valarmathiye vaCome, O waxing moon,
Kalai nidhiye vaCome, O treasure of arts,
Varamarula va va vaCome to bestow your boons, come, come, come!
Va va vaCome, come, come,
Valarmathiye vaCome, O waxing moon,
Kalai nidhiye vaCome, O treasure of arts,
Varamarula va va vaCome to bestow your boons, come, come, come!
Valarmathiye vaCome, O waxing moon,
Kalai nidhiye vaCome, O treasure of arts,
Female
vannamaevum isaivaarithiO colorful ocean of music,
En vaazhvil inbam tharum baarathiO Goddess Bharati who brings bliss into my life,
Annaiye kalaiyin saarathiO Mother who is the charioteer of fine arts,
Makizhnthunnaiye paninthenI joyfully bow down to you,
Ennayaandarul…va va va…Rule over me and grant grace... come, come, come...
Female
Kambanodu kavigaala megamumAlong with Kamban and Kalamegam,
Kanintha ullam neeyeYou are the tender, benevolent heart,
Kambanodu kavigaala megamumAlong with Kamban and Kalamegam,
Kanintha ullam neeyeYou are the tender, benevolent heart,
Kaaviyam pugazhmthidum JeevajoythiyeO living flame celebrated by eternal epics,
Kavalai theerum thaaye…O Mother who dispels all worries...
Female
Kaanakkaana thigaatadha inbanilaiA state of bliss that never satiates no matter how much one beholds,
Kaanum selvam neeye..yeYou are the visual wealth that grants joy..ye
Kaanakkaana thigaatadha inbanilaiA state of bliss that never satiates no matter how much one beholds,
Kaanum selvam neeye..yeYou are the visual wealth that grants joy..ye
Gaganame pugazhum raaniyeO Queen praised even by the heavens,
Un kamala sevaye kaninthu neeyarulaKindly grant your blessing through lotus service,
Female
Va va vaCome, come, come,
Valarmathiye vaCome, O waxing moon,
Kalai nidhiye vaCome, O treasure of arts,
Varamarula vaCome to grant boons!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an invocation to Goddess Saraswati (the deity of arts, wisdom, and music), poetically personified through Tamil literature. In the opening verse, the lyricist brilliantly personifies Tamil literature by allegorizing the Five Great Epics of Tamil (Aimperum Kappiyangal) as jewels worn by the Goddess: Sivaka Sinthamani on her head, Kundalakesi on her ears, Manimekalai around her waist, Valayapathi on her wrists, and Silappathikaram on her feet. The devotee earnestly calls upon the divine mother as 'Valarmathi' (waxing moon) and 'Kalai Nidhi' (treasure of arts) to grant boons and enlighten her life with music and bliss. She acknowledges how legendary poets like Kamban and Kalamega Pulavar derived their poetic brilliance through the Mother's grace, seeking the same divine patronage and spiritual joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamy (Metaphor / Allegory)

Siramthil thigazhvathu seevaga sinthamani ... Kaalthanil olipathu silappathigaaram

The Five Great Epics of Tamil literature are allegorized as physical ornaments adorning the body of Goddess Saraswati/Tamil Thai.

Monnai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Valarmathiye va / Kalai nidhiye va / Varamarula va va va

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Va' in 'Valarmathiye' and 'Varamarula' or 'Ka' in 'Kambanodu', 'Kanintha', 'Kaaviyam', 'Kavalai'.

Esubhu / Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Va va va

Repeated call 'Va va va' (Come, come, come) creating rhythmic invocation and devotional fervor.

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Trivia

This iconic invocation song features a famous opening verse composed using the allegory of the five classic Tamil epics (Aimperum Kappiyangal). Sung by the classical titan M. L. Vasanthakumari, it remains one of the finest classical invocations in Tamil cinema history, showcasing G. Ramanathan's mastery over Carnatic classical ragas.

Keep listening

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