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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Valli Vara

From Valli · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. N. Surendar
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Valli1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sandhanam javvadhu panneeraSandal paste, civet perfume, and rose water,
Nee eduthu serththukoTake them and gather them together.
Male :Ethukku daaMale: Why, man?
Male
Malliyappoo mullapoovu allippoovumJasmine, forest jasmine, and lily flowers,
Maala katti korththukkoString them together into a garland.
Male :Ennada solraMale: What are you saying, man?
Male
Adhu yendhaan theriyumaDo you know why that is?
Naan sonna puriyumaWill you understand if I tell you?
Hey hey heyyHey hey heyy
Valli vara poraValli is coming,
Thulli vara pora heyyyShe is coming bouncing merrily, heyyy
Valli vara poraValli is coming,
Velli mani thaeraLike a silver jeweled chariot.
Male
Sandhanam javvadhu panneeraSandal paste, civet perfume, and rose water,
Nee eduthu serththukoTake them and gather them together.
Malliyappoo mullapoovu allippoovumJasmine, forest jasmine, and lily flowers,
Maala katti korththukkoString them together into a garland.
Male
Ada annaalilae velayaadayilaeAh, in those days, while playing around,
Ara draayarum paavaada pottuWearing half-trousers and skirts,
Male :Nalla appa amma ena aathoramaaMale: Playing mother and father by the riverbank,
Alli viteegalae esa paatuYou sang folk banter songs freely.
Male
Hoi chinnachinna choppu vachuHoi, keeping small toy cooking pots,
Poiya oru pongachchoruMaking pretend pongal rice,
Male :Thinnadhellaam nenjukkullaeMale: All that she ate, inside her heart,
Vachuruppa kettuppaaruShe will still hold; ask her and see!
Male
Pattanathil paadam padichuAfter studying her lessons in the city,
Male :MudichavaMale: Having completed it,
Male :Paththu mani vandi pudichuMale: Catching the ten o'clock train,
Male :VidinjadhumMale: At dawn,
Male :Pattikaatu manna midhikkaMale: To step on the rural village soil,
Male :VaruguraMale: She is coming.
Male :Katti kaakka maaman irukkaMale: To cherish and protect her, the maternal uncle is there,
Male :PurinjukkoMale: Understand this!
Male
Edhukku theriyumaDo you know why?
Naan sonna puriyumaWill you understand if I tell you?
Hey hey heyyHey hey heyy
Chorus :Valli vara poraChorus: Valli is coming,
Thulli vara pora hoiiShe is coming bouncing merrily, hoii
Valli vara poraValli is coming,
Velli mani thaeraLike a silver jeweled chariot.
Male
Sandhanam javvadhu panneeraSandal paste, civet perfume, and rose water,
Nee eduthu serththuko hoiiTake them and gather them together, hoii
Male :Malliyappoo mullapoovu allippoovumMale: Jasmine, forest jasmine, and lily flowers,
Maala katti korththukko hoiiString them together into a garland, hoii
Male
Pasumponnu ena moraponnu varaLike pure gold, the prospective bride comes,
Nee munnaala poi varaverkkaGo ahead and welcome her.
Male :Siru sendhaamara chinna moonaampiraiMale: Small red lotus, small crescent moon,
Melum aththaanaiyae edhirpaarkkaAbove all, expecting her groom/cousin,
Male
Ohh vitta korai meendum vandhuOh, unfinished bonds return once more,
Ottikittu paasam pongaClinging together as affection overflows.
Male :Vetti vitta vaaikaa polaMale: Like a breach in a dug-up canal,
Poththukittu nesam pongaLet love gush out uncontrollably!
Male
Ettu muzha vetti eduthuTake an eight-cubit dhoti,
Male :IduppulaMale: Around the waist,
Male :Kachchidhama neeyum uduthuMale: Draping it perfectly,
Male :SolikkiraMale: Looking sharp and gleaming,
Male :Pattu vanna chelai eduththuMale: Taking a colorful silk saree,
Male :AvalukkuMale: For her,
Male :Pakkuvama kaiyil koduththuMale: Handing it over delicately,
Male :AsathiduMale: Dazzle her!
Male
Edhukku theriyumaDo you know why?
Naan sonna puriyumaWill you understand if I tell you?
Haha haa haaaHaha haa haaa
Chorus :Valli vara poraChorus: Valli is coming,
Thulli vara pora hoiiShe is coming bouncing merrily, hoii
Valli vara poraValli is coming,
Velli mani thaeraLike a silver jeweled chariot.
Male
Haan sandhanam javvadhu panneeraAha, sandal paste, civet perfume, and rose water,
Nee eduthu serththuko doiiTake them and gather them together, doii
Male :Malliyappoo mullapoovu allippoovumMale: Jasmine, forest jasmine, and lily flowers,
Maala katti korththukko hoiiString them together into a garland, hoii
Male
Adi sakkaOh super!
Adhu yen dhaan theriyumaDo you know why that is?
Male :Naan sonna puriyumaMale: Will you understand if I tell you?
Male :Hey hey heyyMale: Hey hey heyy
Chorus :Valli vara poraChorus: Valli is coming,
Thulli vara pora hoiiShe is coming bouncing merrily, hoii
Valli vara poraValli is coming,
Velli mani thaeraLike a silver jeweled chariot.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a joyful celebration anticipating the arrival of Valli, a young woman returning to her native village after completing her studies in the city. Her friends and villagers playfully tease the hero (her maternal uncle/cousin), advising him to prepare fragrant flowers, sandalwood, and fine attire to welcome his prospective bride, recalling childhood memories they shared by the riverbank.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Sandhanam javvadhu panneera

Sandhanam (சந்தனம்) and Pandhanam rhyme through the second consonant sound.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Valli vara pora / Thulli vara pora

Lines ending with repetitive rhythmic end-rhymes like 'pora' across stanzas.

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Upameya)

Velli mani thaera

Comparing Valli's arrival to a sparkling silver chariot (Velli mani thaera).

Simile (Upamai)

Vetti vitta vaaikaa pola / Poththukittu nesam ponga

Comparing the outburst of love to water bursting out of an irrigation canal (Vetti vitta vaaikaa pola).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Valli' (1993) features a story and screenplay written by Rajinikanth, who also made a special appearance in the movie. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali.

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