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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaa Vaa Vanji Ilam Manae

From Guru Sishyan · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Guru Sishyan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaa vaa vanji illam maanaeCome, come, young graceful deer-like lady
Male
{Vaa vaa vanji illam maanaeCome, come, young graceful deer-like lady
Vandhal ennai tharuvenae} (2)If you come, I shall give myself to you
Vazhnaalilae neengamalaeIn life, without ever separating
Nee paadhi naan paadhi aaghaBecoming half you and half me
Female
Vandhal vanji ila maanaeIf you come, young gentle deer
Kondal unnai inghu thaanaeIf I hold you, right here
Male
Eerettu vayadhil eera thaamaraiAt sixteen years of age, a fresh lotus
Vaai vittu sirikaadhaDoes it not laugh out loud?
Female :Vaai vittu sirikkum maalai velayilFemale: In the evening time when it laughs out loud
Thaen sottu therikkadha..Does a drop of honey not splash?
Male
Dhegathil unnakku thenkoodu irrukkuIn your body, there is a honeycomb
Dhagathai thanithida vaaCome to quench this thirst
Female :Aanalum nee kaatum veghamFemale: Still, the speed you show
Aathaadi aagadhammaOh my, it is too much!
Male
Pon vandu koothaadumbothuWhen the golden beetle dances with joy
Poochendu nogadhammaThe bouquet of flowers won't hurt, right?
Female :Podhum podhum pooooo…Female: Enough, enough, go...
Male
Vaa vaa vanji illam maanaeCome, come, young graceful deer-like lady
Vandhal ennai tharuvenaeIf you come, I shall give myself to you
Vazhnaalilae neengamalaeIn life, without ever separating
Nee paadhi naan paadhi aaghaBecoming half you and half me
Female
Vandhal vanji ila maanaeIf you come, young gentle deer
Kondal unnai inghu thaanaeIf I hold you, right here
Female
: Naan unnai ninaithen nethu raathiriFemale: I thought of you last night
Noolattam ilaithenaeI became thin like a thread
Male :Naankooda thavithen veru maadhiriMale: Even I suffered in a different way
Paalattam kodhithenaeI boiled like milk
Female
Aasaigal ennakum angangae surakumDesires spring up in me here and there as well
Aalaithan asathuvadhenn..Why amaze and overwhelm a person so?
Male :Pon vandu koothaadumbothuMale: When the golden beetle dances with joy
Poochendu nogadhammaThe bouquet of flowers won't hurt, right?
Female
Kaal medhu kaal pottu aada kalyana naal illayaIs today not a wedding day to dance placing leg over leg?
Male :Neram kaalam enn..Male: Why worry about auspicious time and hour?
Female
Vandhal vanji ila maanaeIf you come, young gentle deer
Kondal unnai inghu thaanaeIf I hold you, right here
Vazhnaalilae neengamalaeIn life, without ever separating
Nee paadhi naan paadhi aaghaBecoming half you and half me
Male
Vaa vaa vanji illam maanaeCome, come, young graceful deer-like lady
Vandhal ennai tharuvenaeIf you come, I shall give myself to you
Female :Vandhal vanji ila maanaeFemale: If you come, young gentle deer
Kondal unnai inghu thaanaeIf I hold you, right here

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vaa Vaa Vanji Illam Maanae' is a playful and sensual romantic duet from the 1988 Tamil film Guru Sishyan. The song captures the intense longing and flirtatious dynamic between two lovers who express their deep affection and desire to become indivisible life partners ('Nee paadhi naan paadhi'). Through rich metaphors of nature, honey, lotuses, and dancing beetles, the song conveys both the male lover's passionate advances and the female lover's coy yet enthusiastic responses. The lyrical exchanges highlight their restless nights, intense passion, and eagerness to unite without worrying about auspicious timing. Musically composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali and vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, the track remains a classic Tamil romantic duet.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Noolattam ilaithenae

'Noolattam ilaithenae' uses 'attam' (meaning 'like') to compare the lover becoming thin due to romantic longing to a slender thread.

Simile (Uvamai)

Paalattam kodhithenae

'Paalattam kodhithenae' compares the lover's intense inner agitation and emotional heat to boiling milk.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Pon vandu koothaadumbothu

'Pon vandu koothaadumbothu poochendu nogadhamma' metaphorically compares the male lover to a golden beetle (vandu) and the female lover to a delicate bouquet of flowers (poochendu).

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Eerettu vayadhil eera thaamarai

'Eerettu vayadhil eera thaamarai' metaphorically compares a sixteen-year-old youth to a fresh, wet lotus flower.

Did you know?

Trivia

Guru Sishyan (1988) is an action-comedy film starring Rajinikanth and Prabhu, directed by S. P. Muthuraman. This iconic duet was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, written by veteran lyricist Vaali, and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam alongside K. S. Chithra, featuring Rajinikanth and Gautami on screen.

Keep listening

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