Vanakkam Mudhal Variyai
From Agni Sakshi · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Agni Sakshi1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Vanakkam | Greetings |
| Mudhal variyai ezhuthum mun | Before writing the first line |
| En mugavariyai ezhutha enninaen | I thought of writing my address |
| Piraguthaan vaazhththugindra idhayaththukku | But later, for a heart that blesses |
| Vishaalamthaan mukkiyamae thavira | Magnanimity alone matters |
| Vilaasam mukkiyamalla endru vittu vittaen | Deciding that a physical address does not matter, I left it out |
| Female | |
| Pushpangal kaithatti koopidaamalayae | Just as bees arrive |
| Vandugal varuvathu pol | Without flowers clapping hands to call them |
| Unthan nadana arangai nokki nagar thaanaagavae | Towards your stage of dance, the town itself automatically |
| Nagarnthu nagarnthu varugirathu | Is moving slowly towards you |
| Kaaranam abhinayam endra sollai | The reason is that the word expression |
| Neengal adhisayam endru arththapaduththukireergal | You have redefined as a miracle |
| Female | |
| Kaattrukkooda kaarsalagai katti vidakkoodiya | You are clever enough |
| Kettikaarar neengal | To tie anklets even onto the wind |
| Male :Kaattrukkooda kaarsalagai katti vidakkoodiya | Male : You are clever enough to tie anklets |
| Kettikaarar neengal ahhaahhaa | Even onto the wind, ahahaha |
| Female | |
| Ungalai sirushtiththa karvaththil | In the pride of creating you |
| Kalaimagalae thalaikanaththu nirkkiraal | Goddess Saraswati herself stands with head-weight pride |
| Female | |
| Oho purigirathu | Oho, I understand now |
| Oru paiththiyam endru ennai parikasikkireergalo | Are you mocking me, calling me a mad person? |
| Aam paiththiyamthaan paiththiyamthaan | Yes, mad indeed, mad indeed |
| Naan oru tamil paiththiyam | I am a Tamil-obsessed madman |
| Pin kurippu | Postscript |
| Vittu vittu vantha en idhayaththai | My heart that came to you beating in steps |
| Viraivil thiruppi anuppu | Return it back to me quickly |
| Male | |
| Padiththaen padiththaen kaditham | I read, I read the letter |
| Adadaa varigal amutham | Aha! The written lines are sweet nectar |
| Padiththaen padiththaen kaditham | I read, I read the letter |
| Adadaa varigal amutham | Aha! The written lines are sweet nectar |
| Paper arangam muzhuthum | Across the entire stage of the paper |
| Unthan pen-ah munaiyin nadanam | It is the dance of your pen's nib |
| Pen- ah munaiyin nadanam | The dance of your pen's nib |
| Male | |
| Un chiththiram kann muttrilum | To completely draw your picture in my eyes |
| Varainthaaa vendum neril vaa | It must be drawn, come in person |
| Un chiththiram kann muttrilum | To completely draw your picture in my eyes |
| Varainthaaa vendum neril vaa | It must be drawn, come in person |
| Male | |
| Soppanangal unnai theda | While dreams search for you |
| Suvaasanal ushnam yaera | As heat rises in my breath |
| Ninaikkum ninaippae karuga | As the very thought burns up |
| Nee anaikkum padaiyaai varuga | Come as an embracing force |
| Anaikkum padaiyaai varuga | Come as an embracing force |
| Female | |
| En Snegitharae | My dear friend |
| Ungal ezhuththukkalin inippirkku | Because ants might gather |
| Erumbugal varakkoodum enbathaal kadithaththai | For the sweetness of your written words |
| En maar siraiyil maraiththu vaiththirukkiraen | I have hidden your letter inside the prison of my chest |
| Thabaalgalaiyae thaamboolangalaaga kondu | Taking these postal letters as betel leaves exchange |
| Female | |
| Namakkul oru nichchiyathaarththamae | An engagement between us |
| Nigazhunthu vittatho | Has already taken place, hasn't it? |
| Ini soppanagalill | From now on in dreams |
| Ennai theda vendaam | Do not search for me |
| Female | |
| Viyaalan maalai varuvaen | I will come on Thursday evening |
| Vizhikkor virunthai tharuvaen | I will offer a feast for your eyes |
| Viyaalan maalai varuvaen | I will come on Thursday evening |
| Vizhikkor virunthai tharuvaen | I will offer a feast for your eyes |
| Female | |
| Bharathi silaiyin oram | Beside the statue of Subramania Bharathi |
| Edhirpaarththirungal anthi neram | Wait for me at twilight hour |
| Edhirpaarththirungal anthi neram | Wait for me at twilight hour |
| Male | |
| Uppukkadal karpukkeda | As the salty sea keeps its purity |
| Thoduvaanam theendum velaiyil | At the moment when the horizon touches |
| Uppukkadal karpukkeda | As the salty sea keeps its purity |
| Thoduvaanam theendum velaiyil | At the moment when the horizon touches |
| Male | |
| Maiyitta kannaal neeyum | You, with your kohl-adorned eyes |
| Kaiyoppam Ittaai kannae | Have signed your name, my beloved |
| Thanimai sugangal muzhukka | All the delights of solitude |
| Nee thavanai muraiyil kodukka | For you to grant in installments |
| Male | |
| Dhinamum dhinamum varuga | Come every single day |
| Thanalil mezhugaai uruga | Melt like wax over fire |
| Mudhumai varaiyil inimael | From now until old age |
| Intha padhumai adiyaen madiyil | This doll will rest in my lap |
| Padhumai adiyaen madiyil | This doll will rest in my lap |
வணக்கம்.....
முதல் வரியை எழுதும் முன்
என் முகவரியை எழுத எண்ணினேன்
பிறகு தான் வாழ்த்துகின்ற இதயத்துக்கு
விசாலம் தான் முக்கியமே தவிர
விலாசம் முக்கியமல்ல என்று விட்டு விட்டேன்
Greetings
Before writing the first line
I thought of writing my address
But later, for a heart that blesses
Magnanimity alone matters
Deciding that a physical address does not matter, I left it out
புஷ்பங்கள் கைதட்டி கூப்பிடாமலயே
வண்டுகள் வருவது போல்
உந்தன் நடன அரங்கை நோக்கி நகர் தானாகவே
நகர்ந்து நகர்ந்து வருகிறது
காரணம் அபிநயம் என்று சொல்லை
நீங்கள் அதிசயம் என்று அர்த்தப்படுத்துகிறீர்கள்
Just as bees arrive
Without flowers clapping hands to call them
Towards your stage of dance, the town itself automatically
Is moving slowly towards you
The reason is that the word expression
You have redefined as a miracle
காற்றுக்கூட காற்சலங்கை கட்டி விடக்கூடிய
கெட்டிக்காரர் நீங்கள்
காற்றுக்கூட காற்சலங்கை கட்டி விடக்கூடிய
கெட்டிக்காரர் நீங்கள் அஹஹாஹ்ஹா
You are clever enough
To tie anklets even onto the wind
Male : You are clever enough to tie anklets
Even onto the wind, ahahaha
உங்களை சிருஷ்டித்த கர்வத்தில்
கலைமகளே தலைகனத்து நிற்கிறாள்
In the pride of creating you
Goddess Saraswati herself stands with head-weight pride
ஓஹோ புரிகிறது............
ஒரு பைத்தியம் என்று என்னை பரிகசிக்கிறீர்களோ
ஆம் பைத்தியம் தான் பைத்தியம் தான்
நான் ஒரு தமிழ் பைத்தியம்
பின் குறிப்பு
விட்டு விட்டு வந்த என் இதயத்தை
விரைவில் திருப்பி அனுப்பவும்
Oho, I understand now
Are you mocking me, calling me a mad person?
Yes, mad indeed, mad indeed
I am a Tamil-obsessed madman
Postscript
My heart that came to you beating in steps
Return it back to me quickly
படித்தேன் படித்தேன் கடிதம்
அடடா வரிகள் அமுதம்
படித்தேன் படித்தேன் கடிதம்
அடடா வரிகள் அமுதம்
பேப்பர் அரங்கம் முழுதும்
உந்தன் பேனா முனையின் நடனம்
பேனா முனையின் நடனம்
I read, I read the letter
Aha! The written lines are sweet nectar
I read, I read the letter
Aha! The written lines are sweet nectar
Across the entire stage of the paper
It is the dance of your pen's nib
The dance of your pen's nib
உன் சித்திரம் கண் முற்றிலும்
வரைந்தாக வேண்டும் நேரில் வா
உன் சித்திரம் கண் முற்றிலும்
வரைந்தாக வேண்டும் நேரில் வா
To completely draw your picture in my eyes
It must be drawn, come in person
To completely draw your picture in my eyes
It must be drawn, come in person
சொப்னங்கள் உன்னைத்தேட
சுவாசங்கள் உஷ்ணம் ஏற
நினைக்கும் நினைப்பே கருக
நீ அணைக்கும் படையாய் வருக
அணைக்கும் படையாய் வருக
While dreams search for you
As heat rises in my breath
As the very thought burns up
Come as an embracing force
Come as an embracing force
என் சிநேகிதரே
உங்கள் எழுத்துக்களின் இனிப்பிற்கு
எறும்புகள் வரக்கூடும் என்பதால் கடிதத்தை
என் மார்சிறையில் மறைத்து வைத்திருக்கிறேன்
தபால்களையே தாம்பூலங்களாக கொண்டு
My dear friend
Because ants might gather
For the sweetness of your written words
I have hidden your letter inside the prison of my chest
Taking these postal letters as betel leaves exchange
நமக்குள் ஒரு நிச்சியதார்த்தமே
நிகழ்ந்து விட்டதோ
இனி சொப்பனங்களில்
என்னைத் தேட வேண்டாம்
An engagement between us
Has already taken place, hasn't it?
From now on in dreams
Do not search for me
வியாழன் மாலை வருவேன்
விழிக்கோர் விருந்தை தருவேன்
வியாழன் மாலை வருவேன்
விழிக்கோர் விருந்தை தருவேன்
I will come on Thursday evening
I will offer a feast for your eyes
I will come on Thursday evening
I will offer a feast for your eyes
பாரதி சிலையின் ஓரம்
எதிர்ப்பார்த்திருங்கள் அந்தி நேரம்
எதிர்ப்பார்த்திருங்கள் அந்தி நேரம்
Beside the statue of Subramania Bharathi
Wait for me at twilight hour
Wait for me at twilight hour
உப்புக்கடல் கற்புக்கெட
தொடுவானம் தீண்டும் வேளையில்
உப்புக்கடல் கற்புக்கெட
தொடுவானம் தீண்டும் வேளையில்
As the salty sea keeps its purity
At the moment when the horizon touches
As the salty sea keeps its purity
At the moment when the horizon touches
மையிட்ட கண்ணால் நீயும்
கையொப்பம் இட்டாய் கண்ணே
தனிமை சுகங்கள் முழுக்க
நீ தவணை முறையில் கொடுக்க
You, with your kohl-adorned eyes
Have signed your name, my beloved
All the delights of solitude
For you to grant in installments
தினமும் தினமும் வருக
தணலில் மெழுகாய் உருக
முதுமை வரையில் இனிமேல்
இந்த பதுமை அடியேன் மடியில்
பதுமை அடியேன் மடியில்
Come every single day
Melt like wax over fire
From now until old age
This doll will rest in my lap
This doll will rest in my lap
Vanakkam
Greetings
Mudhal variyai ezhuthum mun
Before writing the first line
En mugavariyai ezhutha enninaen
I thought of writing my address
Piraguthaan vaazhththugindra idhayaththukku
But later, for a heart that blesses
Vishaalamthaan mukkiyamae thavira
Magnanimity alone matters
Vilaasam mukkiyamalla endru vittu vittaen
Deciding that a physical address does not matter, I left it out
Pushpangal kaithatti koopidaamalayae
Just as bees arrive
Vandugal varuvathu pol
Without flowers clapping hands to call them
Unthan nadana arangai nokki nagar thaanaagavae
Towards your stage of dance, the town itself automatically
Nagarnthu nagarnthu varugirathu
Is moving slowly towards you
Kaaranam abhinayam endra sollai
The reason is that the word expression
Neengal adhisayam endru arththapaduththukireergal
You have redefined as a miracle
Kaattrukkooda kaarsalagai katti vidakkoodiya
You are clever enough
Kettikaarar neengal
To tie anklets even onto the wind
Male :Kaattrukkooda kaarsalagai katti vidakkoodiya
Male : You are clever enough to tie anklets
Kettikaarar neengal ahhaahhaa
Even onto the wind, ahahaha
Ungalai sirushtiththa karvaththil
In the pride of creating you
Kalaimagalae thalaikanaththu nirkkiraal
Goddess Saraswati herself stands with head-weight pride
Oho purigirathu
Oho, I understand now
Oru paiththiyam endru ennai parikasikkireergalo
Are you mocking me, calling me a mad person?
Aam paiththiyamthaan paiththiyamthaan
Yes, mad indeed, mad indeed
Naan oru tamil paiththiyam
I am a Tamil-obsessed madman
Pin kurippu
Postscript
Vittu vittu vantha en idhayaththai
My heart that came to you beating in steps
Viraivil thiruppi anuppu
Return it back to me quickly
Padiththaen padiththaen kaditham
I read, I read the letter
Adadaa varigal amutham
Aha! The written lines are sweet nectar
Padiththaen padiththaen kaditham
I read, I read the letter
Adadaa varigal amutham
Aha! The written lines are sweet nectar
Paper arangam muzhuthum
Across the entire stage of the paper
Unthan pen-ah munaiyin nadanam
It is the dance of your pen's nib
Pen- ah munaiyin nadanam
The dance of your pen's nib
Un chiththiram kann muttrilum
To completely draw your picture in my eyes
Varainthaaa vendum neril vaa
It must be drawn, come in person
Un chiththiram kann muttrilum
To completely draw your picture in my eyes
Varainthaaa vendum neril vaa
It must be drawn, come in person
Soppanangal unnai theda
While dreams search for you
Suvaasanal ushnam yaera
As heat rises in my breath
Ninaikkum ninaippae karuga
As the very thought burns up
Nee anaikkum padaiyaai varuga
Come as an embracing force
Anaikkum padaiyaai varuga
Come as an embracing force
En Snegitharae
My dear friend
Ungal ezhuththukkalin inippirkku
Because ants might gather
Erumbugal varakkoodum enbathaal kadithaththai
For the sweetness of your written words
En maar siraiyil maraiththu vaiththirukkiraen
I have hidden your letter inside the prison of my chest
Thabaalgalaiyae thaamboolangalaaga kondu
Taking these postal letters as betel leaves exchange
Namakkul oru nichchiyathaarththamae
An engagement between us
Nigazhunthu vittatho
Has already taken place, hasn't it?
Ini soppanagalill
From now on in dreams
Ennai theda vendaam
Do not search for me
Viyaalan maalai varuvaen
I will come on Thursday evening
Vizhikkor virunthai tharuvaen
I will offer a feast for your eyes
Viyaalan maalai varuvaen
I will come on Thursday evening
Vizhikkor virunthai tharuvaen
I will offer a feast for your eyes
Bharathi silaiyin oram
Beside the statue of Subramania Bharathi
Edhirpaarththirungal anthi neram
Wait for me at twilight hour
Edhirpaarththirungal anthi neram
Wait for me at twilight hour
Uppukkadal karpukkeda
As the salty sea keeps its purity
Thoduvaanam theendum velaiyil
At the moment when the horizon touches
Uppukkadal karpukkeda
As the salty sea keeps its purity
Thoduvaanam theendum velaiyil
At the moment when the horizon touches
Maiyitta kannaal neeyum
You, with your kohl-adorned eyes
Kaiyoppam Ittaai kannae
Have signed your name, my beloved
Thanimai sugangal muzhukka
All the delights of solitude
Nee thavanai muraiyil kodukka
For you to grant in installments
Dhinamum dhinamum varuga
Come every single day
Thanalil mezhugaai uruga
Melt like wax over fire
Mudhumai varaiyil inimael
From now until old age
Intha padhumai adiyaen madiyil
This doll will rest in my lap
Padhumai adiyaen madiyil
This doll will rest in my lap
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic poetic song segment from the film Agni Sakshi (1982) captures a romantic exchange of love letters and poetic verses between two lovers deeply enamored with poetry, art, and Tamil literature. The dialogue opens with recitations acknowledging the artistic grace and expressive power of the artist, comparing her dance to something that can enchant even the wind, while the lover playfully admits to being 'mad for Tamil'. The female lover responds warmly, describing how reading his letter felt like watching a dance across paper. She shares her intimate habit of guarding his letter close to her heart, viewing their letter exchanges as a formal engagement. Setting up a romantic rendezvous by the Bharathi statue at dusk on Thursday evening, the song concludes with passionate promises of lifelong togetherness, warmth, and shared solitude.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvam (Metaphor)
“Paper arangam muzhuthum / Unthan pen-ah munaiyin nadanam”
'Paper arangam' compares the blank sheet of paper to a dance stage where the pen nib performs.
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“En maar siraiyil maraiththu vaiththirukkiraen”
'Maar siraiyil' metaphorically describes the chest/breast area as a prison guarding the sweet letter.
Uvamai (Simile)
“Thanalil mezhugaai uruga”
'Thanalil mezhugaai uruga' compares melting in love and passion to wax melting over burning embers.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Kaattrukkooda kaarsalagai katti vidakkoodiya / Kettikaarar neengal”
Describing the dancer as clever enough to tie jingle anklets onto the wind itself is an evocative hyperbolic image.
Did you know?
Trivia
Agni Sakshi (1982) was directed by K. Balachander and featured Sivakumar and Saritha. The movie is known for its intense emotional plot and creative use of free-verse poetry (Pudhu Kavidhai) penned by lyricist Vaali to express intimacy between literate and artistic lovers.
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