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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Valibame Va

From Ram Lakshman · 1981

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ram Lakshman1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Maeviya vaanam yaavum paadiya kaanam pogumThe sung song travels across the entire sky it pervades.
Naan vidum moochchellam raagamaeEvery breath I release is a musical melody.
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Female
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Manmatha raagamthaanae Innisai yaavum thaenaeAll sweet music is indeed the tune of Cupid, sweet as honey.
Naanoru punnagai maenagaiI am a smiling celestial nymph.
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Female
Kadhal vanthu thogai mayil kadhil sollumLove comes and whispers into the ear of the fanned peacock.
Ilam thaegam thullumThe youthful body leaps in delight.
Kaalai avan paadalukku thaalam sollumHer loving heart keeps rhythm to his morning song.
Ival kadhal ullamThis heart of love.
Female
Kalaigalil un raagam kavithaiyil santhoshamYour melody is in the arts, joy resides in poetry.
Kalaigalil un raagam kavithaiyil santhoshamYour melody is in the arts, joy resides in poetry.
Ada aalavidu kadhalukku neramillaiyaeOh leave me alone, there is no time for love!
Ilamjaadhi mullaiyaeOh young jasmine flower!
Female
: {Vaalibamae: Youthfulness...
Male :Vaa vaaMale: Come, come!
Female :ThaenisaiyaeFemale: Sweet honey-music...
Male :Vaa vaa} (2)Male: Come, come! (Repeat)
Male
Maeviya vaanam yaavum paadiya kaanam pogumThe sung song travels across the entire sky it pervades.
Female :Haan…Naanoru punnagai maenagaiFemale: Haan... I am a smiling celestial nymph.
Female
{VaalibamaeYouthfulness...
Male :Vaa vaaMale: Come, come!
Female :ThaenisaiyaeFemale: Sweet honey-music...
Male :Vaa vaa} (2)Male: Come, come! (Repeat)
Female
Kadhaelnnum thaen kudangal kannil sumappenI will carry honey pots of love in my eyes.
Adhil Unnai nanaippaenI will drench you in them.
Vaanavillil naar kizhiththu maalai thoduppaenI will shred thread from the rainbow to weave a garland.
Adhai soodi mudippaenI will adorn my hair with it.
Male
Naanoru poobaalam nee oru poi raagamI am a morning melody, you are a false melody.
Naanoru poobaalam nee oru poi raagamI am a morning melody, you are a false melody.
Thaamaraiyil neerthuligal ottuvathillaiWater droplets do not stick to a lotus leaf.
Adhu sattamillaiThat is not the law of nature.
Female
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaaOh youth, come come; oh sweet honey-music, come come!
Male
Maeviya vaanam yaavum paadiya kaanam pogumThe sung song travels across the entire sky it pervades.
Naan vidum moochchellam raagamaeEvery breath I release is a musical melody.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaalipamae Vaa Vaa from the film Ram Lakshman (1981) is a joyful and poetic song celebrating the exuberance of youth, love, and music. The lyrics express how youthfulness brings music into every breath and transforms one's world into an artistic expression. The female protagonist describes herself metaphorically as a smiling celestial nymph and uses surreal imagery such as weaving garlands from rainbow threads and carrying honey pots of love in her eyes. Interspersed with dynamic back-and-forth exchanges, the song balances passionate romantic gestures with lighthearted teasing and philosophical metaphors about love and detachment, such as water remaining unattached on a lotus leaf.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Naanoru punnagai maenagai

The speaker compares herself to a smiling Menaka (a celestial nymph known for beauty and charm).

Hyperbole / Surreal Imagery

Vaanavillil naar kizhiththu maalai thoduppaen

Extravagant poetic exaggeration of shredding fibers from a rainbow to weave a floral garland.

Metaphor

Kadhaelnnum thaen kudangal kannil sumappen

Love within the eyes is allegorized as carrying vessels or pots filled with sweet honey.

Traditional Philosophical Simile (Analogy)

Thaamaraiyil neerthuligal ottuvathillai

Uses the classical Tamil literary motif of water droplets on lotus leaves to signify detachment or elusive feelings in love.

Anaphora / Alliteration (Emoni)

Vaalipamae vaa vaa thaenisaiyae vaa vaa

Rhythmic repetition of 'vaa vaa' and 'v' alliterative sounds celebrating youth ('Vaalipamae').

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Trivia

Ram Lakshman (1981) features early lyrical work by Vairamuthu shortly after his iconic debut in Nizhalgal (1980). The soundtrack was composed by K. Chakravarthy for this film starring Kamal Haasan in the lead.

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