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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhvae Vaa

From Saadhanai · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Saadhanai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaazhvae vaa vaazhvom vaaCome, my life! Come, let us live!
Female
Nee engae naan angaeWherever you are, I am there.
Male
Dhevan dhevi vilaiyaattuA divine play of God and Goddess,
Thevai endraal thalaiyaattuNod your head if you desire it.
Female
Naan thaan aadum ilang keetruI am the dancing young tender leaf,
Nee thaan modhum pani kaattruYou are the cool misty breeze that strikes me.
Male
Vaazhvae vaa vaazhvom vaaCome, my life! Come, let us live!
Female
Nee engae naan angaeWherever you are, I am there.
Male
Paalil neer pola ennodu serndhaYou who blended with me like water in milk,
Paavai neeyallavoAre you not that maiden?
Female
Dhegam neengaadha melaadai polaLike an upper garment that never leaves the body,
Thevai neeyallavoAre you not my essential need?
Male
Kaanaadhadhai naan kaanavaeFor me to behold what I have never seen before,
Kaalangal kai koodumoWill time come together favorably?
Female
Aa… ilai maraivaaga kani irundhaalumAh... even if a fruit remains hidden behind leaves,
Male
Manam varum podhu anil vara koodumWhen its fragrance spreads, a squirrel will surely arrive.
Female
Kaai pazhuthaal kaiyil vizhumWhen the fruit ripens, it will fall right into the hands.
Male
Vaazhvae vaaCome, my life!
Female
Vaazhvom vaaCome, let us live!
Female
Veenai naanaaga nee meettta vendumI shall be the Veena, and you must play me,
Maalai pozhudhallavaaIs it not evening time?
Male
Raagam thaalanghal naan kaattum podhuWhen I demonstrate the melodies and rhythms,
Dhaagam varumallavaaWon't a deep thirst arise in you?
Female
Dhaagangalai theerthaalennaWhat if you quench those thirsts?
Neerodai neeyallavaaAre you not a flowing stream?
Male
Aa… thani idam paatthu thalirudal serthuAh... seeking a secluded spot, joining tender bodies,
Female
Thazhuvida neeyum nazhuvida naanumAs you come to embrace, I playfully slip away,
Male
Naanam enna oodal ennaWhat place is there for shyness or lover's tiffs?
Female
Vaazhvae vaaCome, my life!
Male
Vaazhvom vaaCome, let us live!
Nee engaeWhere you are,
Female
Naan angaeI am there.
Male
Dhevan dhevi vilaiyaattuA divine play of God and Goddess,
Thevai endraal thalaiyaattuNod your head if you desire it.
Female
Naan thaan aadum ilang keetruI am the dancing young tender leaf,
Nee thaan modhum pani kaattruYou are the cool misty breeze that strikes me.
Male
Vaazhvae vaa vaazhvom vaa…vaa vaaCome, my life! Come, let us live... come, come!
Female
Nee engae naan angaeWherever you are, I am there.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet celebrates the deep intimacy, harmony, and eternal bond between two lovers. Through poetically evocative imagery—such as water dissolving seamlessly into milk, a garment clinging close to the body, and a cool breeze swaying a tender leaf—the lovers describe their complete union and emotional dependence on one another. As evening sets in, the song captures a playful, sensual exchange filled with affection, music, and longing, encouraging both to cast aside shyness and fully embrace their togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Paalil neer pola ennodu serndha

Compares the seamless blending of the lovers to 'water in milk' ('Paalil neer pola') and companionship to an 'upper garment that stays close to the body' ('Dhegam neengaadha melaadai pola').

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Veenai naanaaga nee meettta vendum

Metaphorically equates the speaker to a musical instrument ('Veenai naanaaga') to be played by the lover, and the lover to a refreshing stream ('Neerodai neeyallavaa').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Dhevan dhevi vilaiyaattu / Thevai endraal thalaiyaattu

Use of matching initial sounds in consecutive words or lines, such as 'Dhevan' and 'Thevai', or 'Naan' and 'Nee'.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Kaanaadhadhai naan kaanavae / Kaalangal kai koodumo

The second consonant sound matches across lines, as in 'Vaazhvae' and 'Nee engae' structures, or 'Paalil' and 'Dhegam' / 'Kaanaadhadhai' and 'Kaalangal'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Saadhanai (1986) stars Sivaji Ganesan, Prabhu, Nalini, and Radha. The film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyricist Vaali penning this evocative romantic track.

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