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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanengum Thanga

From Moondram Pirai · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Moondram Pirai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thana na naaa…thana naa naaa…Humming rhythmically
Thana naa naaa…thana na naaa..Humming rhythmically
Thana naa naaa…thana na naaa..Humming rhythmically
Thana naa naaa…thana na naaa..Humming rhythmically
Male
Vaan engum thanga vinnmeengalAs golden stars across the sky
Vizhi imai moodaClose their eyelids
Sooriyan vandhu kadal kulitherum neramThe time when the sun emerges after bathing in the sea
Chorus :NeramChorus: Time
Female
Vaanil oruIn the sky, a
Chorus :DeepavaliChorus: Festival of lights (Deepavali)
Male :Naam paadalaamMale: Let us sing
Chorus :GeethanjaliChorus: A song offering (Geethanjali)
Female
Vaan engum thanga vinnmeengalAs golden stars across the sky
Vizhi imai moodaClose their eyelids
Sooriyan vandhu kadal kulitherum neramThe time when the sun emerges after bathing in the sea
Chorus :NeramChorus: Time
Female
Vaanil oruIn the sky, a
Chorus :DeepavaliChorus: Festival of lights (Deepavali)
Male :Naam paadalaamMale: Let us sing
Chorus :GeethanjaliChorus: A song offering (Geethanjali)
Male
Keezhai vaanam engumAcross the eastern sky
Theeyin oviyamA painting made of fire
Female :Kangal bodhai kollumFemale: The eyes get mesmerized
Kaalai kaviyamBy this morning poem
Male
Pabapaba….Vocal scatting (Pabapaba)
Keezhai vaanamengumAcross the eastern sky
Theeyin oviyamA painting made of fire
Female :Kangal bodhai kollumFemale: The eyes get mesmerized
Kaalai kaviyamBy this morning poem
Male
Karayin meedhuUpon the shore
Alaikenna mogamWhat passion does the wave hold?
Female :Nuraigal vandhuFemale: The foam arrives
Kolam poduthaeAnd draws decorative patterns (Kolam)
Chorus :Laa laaa laa laaaChorus: Laa laaa laa laaa
Laa laaa laa laaaChorus: Laa laaa laa laaa
Laa laaa laa laaa..laa laaaa…..Chorus: Laa laaa laa laaa..laa laaaa
Male
Vaan engum thanga vinnmeengalAs golden stars across the sky
Vizhi imai moodaClose their eyelids
Sooriyan vandhu kadal kulitherum neramThe time when the sun emerges after bathing in the sea
Chorus :NeramChorus: Time
Female
Vaanil oruIn the sky, a
Chorus :DeepavaliChorus: Festival of lights (Deepavali)
Male :Naam paadalaamMale: Let us sing
Chorus :GeethanjaliChorus: A song offering (Geethanjali)
Male
Thath thath thuth thuthRhythmic vocalization (Thath thath thuth thuth)
Thathudhu dhuuthuuRhythmic vocalization (Thathudhu dhuuthuu)
Thath thath thuth thuthRhythmic vocalization (Thath thath thuth thuth)
Thathudhu dhuuthuuRhythmic vocalization (Thathudhu dhuuthuu)
Dhaga dhiga dhaga dhigaRhythmic vocalization (Dhaga dhiga dhaga dhiga)
Thath thath thuth thuthRhythmic vocalization (Thath thath thuth thuth)
Thuthudhu dhuuthuuRhythmic vocalization (Thuthudhu dhuuthuu)
Thath thath thuth thuthRhythmic vocalization (Thath thath thuth thuth)
Dhaga dhiga dhaga dhigaRhythmic vocalization (Dhaga dhiga dhaga dhiga)
Thuthudhu dhuuthuuRhythmic vocalization (Thuthudhu dhuuthuu)
Thathu thathu thathu thathu thaa..(2)Rhythmic vocalization (Thathu thathu thathu thathu thaa..)
Thara..p thara…p thara…p thara…p (2)Rhythmic vocalization (Thara..p thara…p thara…p thara…p)
Female
Roja indru ondruToday, a single rose
Alayil aadalaamMay sway upon the waves
Chorus :Aval paadham patta mannaiChorus: The soil touched by her feet
Yelam podalaamCould be put up for auction
Female
Roja indru ondruToday, a single rose
Alayil aadalaamMay sway upon the waves
Chorus :Aval paadham patta mannaiChorus: The soil touched by her feet
Yelam podalaamCould be put up for auction
Male
Ponnai paarthalSeeing her golden radiance
Karaiyerum meengalFishes come ashore
Ullan kaigal roja theevugalHer inner palms are islands of roses
Chorus :Laa laaa laa laaaChorus: Laa laaa laa laaa
Laa laaa laa laaaChorus: Laa laaa laa laaa
Laaaaa……Chorus: Laa laaa laa laaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaan Engum Thanga Vinnmeengal is a joyful, poetic track from the movie Moondram Pirai (1982) composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vairamuthu. The song captures the beauty of a sea dawn, portraying the sunrise as the sun taking a bath in the ocean while stars close their eyes like sleepy eyelids. It weaves vivid nature imagery with romantic admiration, highlighting the captivating charm of the heroine whose presence elevates the natural surroundings. Through rhythmic konnakol and soaring choruses, the song creates a vibrant celebration of morning light, romantic longing, and artistic wonder.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagathuyar / Metaphor

Keezhai vaanam engum Theeyin oviyam

Comparing the fiery orange morning sky to a painting of fire ('Theeyin oviyam') captures the vivid imagery of a coastal sunrise.

Tharkurippetratrani / Personification

Nuraigal vandhu Kolam poduthae

Attributing intent and artistic behavior to nature by describing ocean foam drawing 'kolam' patterns on the beach shore.

Uvamaani / Hyperbole

Aval paadham patta mannai Yelam podalaam

Exaggerating the heroine's grace and beauty by declaring that even the sand touched by her feet becomes invaluable enough to auction off.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vaan Engum Thanga Vinnmeengal' is from the acclaimed 1982 film 'Moondram Pirai' directed by Balu Mahendra. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, the song features energetic rhythmic scatting (solkattu/konnakol) blended with breezy Western orchestrations and chorus work, perfectly complementing Balu Mahendra's signature scenic visual style.

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