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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanil Kaayuthae

From Vaali · 1999

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Mano, Anuradha Sriram, S. J. Surya
Music director
Deva
Details
Vaali1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Un per vaasikaiyilaeWhen your name was spoken,
Pudhu oosai piranthathaeA new sound was born.
Adhu aasai ootuthaeIt fuels my desire,
En meni silurkuthaeMaking my body shiver with joy.
Ennidam pesi ponathuHaving spoken to me and gone,
Sila nooru pennadiWere a few hundred girls, my dear;
Ennidam pesa maruthavalThe one who refused to speak to me,
Nee oruthi thaanadiIs only you, my dear.
Female
Vaanil kaayudhaeIn the sky it shines,
VennilaaThe white moon.
Nenjil paayudhae minnalaaLike lightning striking the heart,
Nee pesavae oru mozhi illaiyaDo you not have a language to speak?
Paarththal podhumaeA mere look is enough;
Pookkal vaai pesumaaDo flowers speak with a mouth?
Chorus :Aa..aa..aa..aa..Chorus: Aa..aa..aa..aa..
Male
Vaanil kaayudhae vennilaaThe white moon shines in the sky,
Nenjil paayudhae minnalaaLike lightning striking the heart.
Vaaipai thanthaalIf you give me a chance,
Naan vaai pesuvenI will speak out loud.
Unakkum serthu naanIncluding for you as well,
Oruvan kaadhal seivenI alone will love for both of us.
Chorus :Aa..aa..aa..aa..Chorus: Aa..aa..aa..aa..
Female
Nathiyin pokkilaeIn the direction of the river's flow,
Naanal thalai saaiyuthaeThe reed bends its head.
Chorus
Aa..aa..aa..aahAa..aa..aa..aah
Aa..aa..aa..aahAa..aa..aa..aah
Female
Alli seitha nilavuOh moon crafted from lily flowers,
En alavu nee kulavu ne vaaMade to my measure, come and mingle with me.
Kannai koththum azhaguA beauty so striking it pecks at the eyes,
En azhagu pen azhagu ne vaa vaaMy beauty, feminine beauty, come, come!
Male
Minsaara pennaeOh electric girl,
Aaraaga aanenI became a flowing river.
Minsaaram paainthuWith electricity surging,
Meenaagi ponenI turned into a fish.
Yaarendru theriyaamal yosikkirenWithout knowing who you are, I wonder.
Female
Yaarendru ennaiWho I am,
Nee ketka villaiYou did not bother to ask.
Megathin uraiThe cloud's address,
Vil ketpathillaiThe rainbow does not ask.
Aasaikku adaiyaalamFor desire, an identity
Thevai illaiIs not required.
Female
Andru vanna minnalaaiThat day like colorful lightning,
Un kannil thondrinenI appeared in your eyes.
Naan pogum pokkilaeAlong the path I was going,
Oru poovai veesinenI tossed a flower at you.
Male
Nee poovai veesiyaeJust by throwing a flower,
Ennai saambalaakkinaaiYou reduced me to ashes.
Nee theeyai veesinaalIf you were to throw fire,
Naan enna aaguvenWhat would become of me?
Chorus
………….............
Female
Vaanil kaayudhaeIn the sky it shines,
VennilaaThe white moon.
Nenjil paayudhae minnalaaLike lightning striking the heart.
Female
Vaaipai thanthaalIf you give me a chance,
Naan vaai pesuvenI will speak out loud.
Female
Paarththal podhumaeA mere look is enough;
Pookkal vaai pesumaaDo flowers speak with a mouth?
Chorus :Aa..aa..aa..aa..Chorus: Aa..aa..aa..aa..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet from the 1999 movie Vaali features a playful yet deeply romantic exchange between two lovers. The male protagonist expresses how intrigued he is by her quiet resistance, noting that while hundreds of women have conversed with him, her silence is what captivates him most. He yearns to speak and love on behalf of both of them. In response, the female protagonist explains that silent gestures are more powerful than spoken words, comparing her presence to a flower tossed that electrifies and transforms him. She highlights that true love does not require formal introductions, identities, or labels, just as a rainbow does not ask for a cloud's address.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Minsaara pennae

The male protagonist addresses the female as 'Minsaara pennae' (Electric Girl) and 'Alli seitha nilavu' (Moon made of lilies), using vivid metaphors to describe her dazzling look.

Rhetorical Question

Pookkal vaai pesumaa

The female protagonist asks 'Pookkal vaai pesumaa' (Do flowers speak with a mouth?) to emphasize that her silence is natural and expressive in itself.

Simile (Upamai)

Andru vanna minnalaai

The female compares her sudden emergence in his life to a flash of colorful lightning ('Andru vanna minnalaai').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Nee poovai veesiyae / Ennai saambalaakkinaai

The protagonist hyperbolically states that merely tossing a flower reduced him to ashes, exaggerating the overwhelming power of her love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Deva with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu, 'Vaanil Kaayudhae' is one of the standout tracks from S. J. Suryah's hit psychological thriller 'Vaali' (1999) starring Ajith Kumar and Simran. The song is celebrated for its lush orchestration and soulful vocal performances by Hariharan and K. S. Chithra.

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