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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanin Devi Varuga

From Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam · 1988

Lyricist
Ponnadiyan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa….Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Female :Aa….aa…aa…aa….aa….Female: Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male :Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa….Male: Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Female :Aa….aa…aa…aa….aa….Female: Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Both :Aa….aa…aa….aa….aa…aaa…Both: Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male
Vaanin devi varugaWelcome, goddess of the skies!
Intha yaezhai mannil pozhigaRain down upon this poor land.
Female :Vaanin devi varugaFemale: Welcome, goddess of the skies!
Intha yaezhai mannil pozhigaRain down upon this poor land.
Male
: Inba thaenaaga nee vanthuComing like sweet honey,
Nenjangal kulirnthida kulirnthidaMay our hearts be cooled and refreshed!
Both :Vaanin devi varugaBoth: Welcome, goddess of the skies!
Intha yaezhai mannil pozhigaRain down upon this poor land.
Male
Mega oorvasi thaalam podavaeAs the celestial nymph Urvashi of the clouds sets the rhythm,
Minnalodu muzhanguResound along with the lightning!
Mega oorvasi thaalam podavaeAs the celestial nymph Urvashi of the clouds sets the rhythm,
Minnalodu muzhanguResound along with the lightning!
Female
Vaadum vaazhvilaeIn this fading life,
Kadhal koodavae gangaiyaaga iranguDescend like the river Ganges so that love may flourish!
Male :Maamazhai thaayae poomazhai thooviMale: Oh mother of great rains, shower a rain of flowers!
Female :Kaaviriyaaga bhoomiyil oduFemale: Flow on the earth like the Kaveri river!
Male :Neeril….thaeril…. vaa….nee nerilMale: Come in a chariot of water, come in person!
Male
Vaanin devi varugaWelcome, goddess of the skies!
Intha yaezhai mannil pozhigaRain down upon this poor land.
Female :Vaanin devi varugaFemale: Welcome, goddess of the skies!
Intha yaezhai mannil pozhigaRain down upon this poor land.
Male
Inba thaenaaga nee vanthuComing like sweet honey,
Nenjangal kulirnthida kulirnthidaMay our hearts be cooled and refreshed!
Both :Vaanin devi varugaBoth: Welcome, goddess of the skies!
Intha yaezhai mannil pozhigaRain down upon this poor land.
Female
Paasam thanai thedi oru paalaivanam engumSearching for affection everywhere in a desert,
Oomai kanavaaga uyir vaazhnthaenammaaI lived my life like a mute dream, oh mother.
Paasam thanai thedi oru paalaivanam engumSearching for affection everywhere in a desert,
Oomai kanavaaga uyir vaazhnthaenammaaI lived my life like a mute dream, oh mother.
Male
Idiyudan vaaCome with thunder!
Female :Isaiyena vaaFemale: Come like music!
Male :Thuyar podipadavaeMale: So that sorrow turns to dust!
Female :Kadalena vaaFemale: Come like the ocean!
Female
Amuthena vaaCome like nectar!
Male :Alaiyena vaaMale: Come like the waves!
Female :Pazhanthamizh enavaeFemale: Like ancient Tamil,
Male :Thazhaiththida vaaMale: Come to flourish!
Male
AananthaJoyful...
Female :Thuli thaen sinthumFemale: Dripping drops of honey,
Male: Mazhai manam vanthuMale: Fragrant rain arrives,
Female: Nilanthanai konjumFemale: And kisses the earth!
Male
Vilaiyaadidu thavazhnthidu vedhanai theerththidu neePlay, crawl, and put an end to our pain!
Uravaadidu perugidu kadhalai valarththidu neeBond with us, overflow, and nurture love!
Amuthae varuvaai karunai purivaaiOh Nectar, come and bestow your grace!
Arulae pozhivaai amaithi tharuvaai deviShower your blessings and grant us peace, oh goddess!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vaanin Devi Varuga' is a evocative classical track from 'Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam' (1988), composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song personifies the arrival of rain as the descent of a heavenly goddess ('Vaanin Devi') onto a parched earth. Symbolically, the physical drought mirrors an emotional drought, where the protagonist yearns for love and compassion to quench long-standing loneliness and sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Paasam thanai thedi oru paalaivanam engum / Oomai kanavaaga uyir vaazhnthaenammaa

Life spent in loneliness is metaphorically equated to living in a desert ('paalaivanam engum') like a silent dream ('oomai kanavaaga').

Simile (Uvamai)

Kadhal koodavae gangaiyaaga irangu

The blessing of rain/love is compared to sweet honey ('Inba thaenaaga'), the sacred Ganges river ('gangaiyaaga'), and ancient Tamil language ('Pazhanthamizh enavae').

Anaphora / Eyalbu Ethirai (End Rhyme)

Isaiyena vaa... Kadalena vaa... Amuthena vaa... Alaiyena vaa

Multiple short poetic imperatives end with 'vaa' (come), building rhythmic momentum and urgency in prayer.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vaanin Devi Varuga' showcases Maestro Ilaiyaraaja's intricate blend of Carnatic classical elements with lush orchestral arrangements. Performed by legendary duet partners S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, the song highlights Ponnadiyan's poetic Tamil lyrics invoking nature and ancient cultural imagery.

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