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Enga Ooru Mappillai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanathula Velli

From Enga Ooru Mappillai · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Enga Ooru Mappillai
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
12 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaanathula velli radham
Adhu veedhiyilae vandhadhenna
Veedhiyilae vandha radham
Oru saedhi ingu sonnadhenna
Vanna aadai katti nindradhenna
Kannaara kandadhenna
Kaiyodu kondadhenna
Vaanathula velli radham
Adhu veedhiyilae vandhadhenna
Vaanathula velli radham
Mara kilaiyil kaathadikka
Pazham udhirum solai idhu
Female :Pazhutha pazham kaathirukka
Anil kadikkum velai idhu
Anil pol uru maaravaa
Adiyen pasiyaaravaa
Female :Adharkkor thadai podavaa
Udaiyaal ennai moodavaa
Pudhu poovae naan thodum podhu
Bodhai varak koodumaa
Female :Pani chaaral mel vizhum podhu
Aasai alai paayumaa
Nangaiyin melliya idai
Nool pol aada
Ennaiyum unnaiyum inaithen naan
Vaanathula velli radham
Adhu veedhiyilae vandhadhenna
Veedhiyilae vandha radham
Oru saedhi ingu sonnadhenna
Vanna aadai katti nindradhenna
Kannaara kandadhenna
Kaiyodu kondadhenna
Vaanathula velli radham mmm..
Nadhiyil ezhum neeralai pol
Ninaivil ezhum naayagi naan
Male : Raaman enum raajanukku
Amaindhu vitta raaniyum nee
Nedu naal ulla sondhamo
Nilaiyaai vandha bandhamo
Male :Pirivae ini illaiyae
Panivaai madal mullaiyae
Ilam thogai tholgalil saaya
Yedho oru yekkamo
Male :Malar maaran pookkalil podum
Baanam ennai thaakkumo
Thottadhum pattadhum
Sugamae thondra
Mannavan kaigalil vizhundhen naan
Vaanathula velli radham
Adhu veedhiyilae vandhadhenna
Veedhiyilae vandha radham
Oru saedhi ingu sonnadhenna
Vanna aadai katti nindradhenna
Kannaara kandadhenna
Kaiyodu kondadhenna
Vaanathula velli radham
Adhu veedhiyilae vandhadhenna
Vaanathula velli radham mm..
A silver chariot in the sky,
how did it come down to this street?
The chariot that arrived on this street,
what message did it bring here?
Dressed in colorful robes, why did it stand here?
What did my eyes see to their heart's content?
What did my hands take and hold close?
A silver chariot in the sky,
how did it come down to this street?
A silver chariot in the sky...
As the breeze blows through the branches,
this is the grove where ripe fruits fall.
While the ripe fruit is waiting,
this is the hour for the squirrel to nibble.
Shall I turn into a little squirrel,
and satisfy this hunger of mine?
Shall I place a barrier against that,
and cover myself with my clothes?
O fresh flower, when I touch you,
will an intoxicating feeling rise?
When the cool drizzle falls upon me,
will desires surge like rolling waves?
As this girl's slender waist
sways like a delicate thread,
I have united you and me.
A silver chariot in the sky,
how did it come down to this street?
The chariot that arrived on this street,
what message did it bring here?
Dressed in colorful robes, why did it stand here?
What did my eyes see to their heart's content?
What did my hands take and hold close?
A silver chariot in the sky, mmm...
Like the gentle waves rising upon a river,
I am the girl rising in your thoughts.
For the king named Rama,
you are the queen destined by fate.
Is this a bond from a long time ago,
or a connection meant to last forever?
There will be no separation anymore,
my gentle, blooming jasmine!
As this young beauty rests on your shoulders,
is there a sweet longing stirring within?
The flower arrow shot by the god of love,
will it strike straight at my heart?
With every touch and caress
bringing such tender joy,
I have fallen into the arms of my king.
A silver chariot in the sky,
how did it come down to this street?
The chariot that arrived on this street,
what message did it bring here?
Dressed in colorful robes, why did it stand here?
What did my eyes see to their heart's content?
What did my hands take and hold close?
A silver chariot in the sky,
how did it come down to this street?
A silver chariot in the sky, mmm...
Male
Female
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Female
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Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This romantic duet, 'Vaanathula Velli Radham', expresses the playful exchanges, growing passion, and deep commitment between two lovers. Metaphorically referring to the beloved as a celestial silver chariot that has descended to earth, the lyrics weave imagery of nature—ripe fruits, squirrels, garden groves, river waves, and rain drizzles—to depict intimacy and desire. As the song progresses, the lovers compare their connection to the legendary union of Lord Rama and Sita, affirming that their relationship is eternal and free from separation. The piece beautifully captures the joy of falling in love and surrendering to one another in physical and emotional harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Vaanathula velli radham”

Comparing the beloved/heroine to a celestial 'silver chariot' (Velli radham) descending onto the street.

Allegory / Nature Imagery

“Female :Pazhutha pazham kaathirukka / Anil kadikkum velai idhu”

Using the fruit wait and squirrel biting as a metaphor for romantic yearning and playful physical longing.

Simile (Uwamai)

“Nangaiyin melliya idai / Nool pol aada”

Comparing the heroine's slender waist swaying to a thin thread (Nool pol aada).

Simile (Uwamai)

“Nadhiyil ezhum neeralai pol”

Comparing thoughts rising in the mind to water waves rising in a river (Nadhiyil ezhum neeralai pol).

Alliteration (Emonae / Rhyme)

“Male : Raaman enum raajanukku / Amaindhu vitta raaniyum nee”

Repetition of initial/internal sounds ('Raaman', 'raajanukku', 'raaniyum') enhancing the musicality of the verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the film 'Enga Ooru Mappillai' (1989), starring Ramarajan and Gautami. Sung by Mano and K. S. Chithra, Vaali's lyrics use rustic yet poetic Tamil metaphors that were a hallmark of late 80s Tamil rural romantic cinema.

Keep listening

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