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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Valarpirai Kanavugal

From Kalloori Kanavugal · 1988

Lyricist
Durai Sanjeevi
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Mani Raja
Details
Kalloori Kanavugal1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Valarpirai kanavugalDreams like the waxing moon
Iniyaval varavugal kannae poochooduThe arrival of the sweet woman, my darling, wear flowers in your hair
Vizhigalil ezhudhiya kavidhaigal aayiramA thousand poems written in the eyes
Pennae saaindhaaduOh girl, sway rhythmically
Female
Kaadhal nenjodu kanavil kann mooduClose your eyes in dreams with a loving heart
Oru naal ponmaalai varuven unnoduOne golden evening, I will come with you
Male :Thirumaarbil kalanthaadavoo…oo oo ooMale: Shall I mingle and dance on your noble chest?
Male
Valarpirai kanavugalDreams like the waxing moon
Iniyaval varavugal kannae poochooduThe arrival of the sweet woman, my darling, wear flowers in your hair
Female
Paarvai kolathil kaadhal pulligalLove-dots in the kolam design of gazes
Saayangalathil aasai vannangalColors of desire on the evening canvas
Male :Aa aa aa… thaer varum veedhilyilaeMale: Ah ah ah... on the street where the chariot comes
Oru maadhavi arangaerumA Madhavi makes her stage debut
Female :Kovalan thiru maarbilFemale: On Kovalan's divine chest
Poomalaigal varaverkkumFlower garlands extend a welcome
Male
Dhevathai siragugal aavalil viripathuThe angel spreading her wings in eager desire
Vaanil thaavathaanIs to leap into the sky
Female :Thirumagal siripathum thaen malar viripathumFemale: The smiling of Goddess Lakshmi and the blooming of sweet flowers
Paadal paadathaanAre to sing a song
Male
Poomaaran villyendhi varam maalaiyaeThe God of love carrying his bow at evening time
Female :Rathidevi koluverkkum raajangamaeFemale: The kingdom where Goddess Rathi holds her royal court
Male :Poonthendral thaalattudhoo ..oo..oo..ooMale: The gentle flower-breeze sings a lullaby...
Female
Valarpirai kanavugalDreams like the waxing moon
Iniyaval varavugal kannae poochooduThe arrival of the sweet woman, my darling, wear flowers in your hair
Vizhigalil ezhudhiya kavidhaigal aayiramA thousand poems written in the eyes
Pennae saaindhaaduOh girl, sway rhythmically
Female
Vaazhvin sogangal kaneer sondhangalLife's sorrows and tearful relationships
Maarum nokkathil koyil deepangalTemple lamps lit with the purpose to transform them
Male :Thediya sippigalil nee valamburi sangaanaaiMale: Among the searched seashells, you became the rare right-whorled conch
Kaladi pattadhanaal uppu kadal neer inikkuthadiBecause your footsteps touched it, the salty ocean water tastes sweet
Female
Sandhana maeni kalasam thaanHer sandal-scented body is like a holy pot
Adhai thaangi kollavooShall I embrace and support it?
Male :Thaavani suttriya noolidai thuvazhudhuMale: The thread-like waist wrapped in a half-saree flexes gently
Yendhi kollavaaShall I lift and hold you?
Female :Poo methai madi meedhu nadhiyorandhaanFemale: A flower bed upon the lap by the riverbank
Male :Samandhi suga vaasam shana nerandhaanMale: The sweet scent of chrysanthemums for a fleeting moment
Thaenootru surakkindrathoo..oo..oo..ooA spring of honey bursts forth...
Male
Valarpirai kanavugalDreams like the waxing moon
Iniyaval varavugal kannae poochooduThe arrival of the sweet woman, my darling, wear flowers in your hair
Female :Vizhigalil ezhudhiya kavidhaigal aayiramFemale: A thousand poems written in the eyes
Pennae saaindhaaduOh girl, sway rhythmically

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Valarpirai Kanavugal is a poetic romantic duet from the 1988 film Kalloori Kanavugal. The song depicts the blooming passion and dreamlike devotion between two lovers, drawing parallels between their growing affection and the waxing moon. Rich in classical Tamil imagery and poetic elegance, the lyrics invoke classical epics, artistic metaphors, and nature to depict intimacy. Throughout the track, the lovers describe how their tender affection illuminates life's sorrows like temple lamps and transforms salty ocean waters into sweet nectar. The song celebrates beauty, romance, and spiritual connection with delicate musicality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

Valarpirai kanavugal

Compares growing dreams and evolving love to the waxing moon ('Valarpirai').

Imagery (Kaatchi Bimbam)

Paarvai kolathil kaadhal pulligal

Uses the visual art form of Kolam to describe the silent, intricate expression of love through glances.

Literary Allusion

Oru maadhavi arangaerum / Kovalan thiru maarbil

Refers to the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram through characters Kovalan and Madhavi.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Kaladi pattadhanaal uppu kadal neer inikkuthadi

Exaggerates the beloved's purity by stating that ocean water turns sweet at the touch of her feet.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Mani Raja for the 1988 Tamil film Kalloori Kanavugal and features vocals by the iconic brother-sister duo S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. P. Shailaja. Durai Sanjeevi's lyrics draw heavily from classical Tamil imagery such as the Valamburi Sangam (right-whorled conch) and epic references to Silappatikaram.

Keep listening

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