Vanavillin Varna Jalangal
From Naan Nanethan · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Naan Nanethan1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaanavillin | Of the rainbow... |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male :Varna jaalangal | The magical colors! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male :Ravivarman kaigal varaintha kolangal | Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma. |
| Chorus :Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama | Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma |
| Male | |
| Vaanavillin | Of the rainbow... |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male :Varna jaalangal | The magical colors! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male :Ravivarman kaigal varaintha kolangal | Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma. |
| Chorus :Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama | Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma |
| Male | |
| Vaanavillin | Of the rainbow... |
| Chorus: Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male :Varna jaalangal | The magical colors! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Chorus | |
| ……………… | [Music Interlude] |
| Male | |
| Punnagaiyil pooththezhuntha malligai pookkal | Jasmine flowers blooming in her gentle smile, |
| Aval ponni idhazhgal semparuththi pooththidum pookkam | Her golden lips are hibiscus flowers blooming bright. |
| Punnagaiyil pooththezhuntha malligai pookkal | Jasmine flowers blooming in her gentle smile, |
| Aval ponni idhazhgal semparuththi pooththidum pookkam | Her golden lips are hibiscus flowers blooming bright. |
| Male | |
| Kannirendum nirangal kaattum sangu pushpangal | Her two eyes are conch-flower colors displayed, |
| Kannirendum nirangal kaattum sangu pushpangal | Her two eyes are conch-flower colors displayed, |
| Aval kannamvellai thaamaraiyin kavithai vannangal | Her cheeks bear the poetic colors of a white lotus. |
| Chorus : Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama | Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma |
| Male | |
| Vaanavillin | Of the rainbow... |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male :Varna jaalangal | The magical colors! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Chorus | |
| ……………….. | [Music Interlude] |
| Male | |
| Idai theriya aadai kattum ilaiya poongodi | A young tender vine draped in garments concealing her waist, |
| Antha idaiyin meedhu nadanamaadum azhagu maangani | A beautiful mango-like fruit dancing upon that waist. |
| Idai theriya aadai kattum ilaiya poongodi | A young tender vine draped in garments concealing her waist, |
| Antha idaiyin meedhu nadanamaadum azhagu maangani | A beautiful mango-like fruit dancing upon that waist. |
| Male | |
| Adiyadiyaai eduththu vaikkum panju paadhangal | Soft cotton-like feet stepping forward gently step by step, |
| Adiyadiyaai eduththu vaikkum panju paadhangal | Soft cotton-like feet stepping forward gently step by step, |
| Aval azhagai serththu intha naattil ainthu vedhangal | Adding her beauty, there are now five Vedas in this land. |
| Chorus : Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama | Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma |
| Male | |
| Vaanavillin | Of the rainbow... |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male :Varna jaalangal | The magical colors! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male: Ravivarman kaigal varaintha kolangal | Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma. |
| Chorus :Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama | Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma |
| Male | |
| Vaanavillin | Of the rainbow... |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
| Male :Varna jaalangal | The magical colors! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa…. | Chorus: Aaa...aa... |
வானவில்லின்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
வர்ண ஜாலங்கள்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
ரவிவர்மன் கைகள் வரைந்த கோலங்கள்
குழு :
சரிகம பதநிஸ ரிகநிஸ நிதபம....
Of the rainbow...
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
The magical colors!
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma.
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
வானவில்லின்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
வர்ண ஜாலங்கள்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
ரவிவர்மன் கைகள் வரைந்த கோலங்கள்
குழு :
சரிகம பதநிஸ ரிகநிஸ நிதபம....
Of the rainbow...
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
The magical colors!
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma.
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
வானவில்லின்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
வர்ண ஜாலங்கள்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
Of the rainbow...
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
The magical colors!
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
......................
[Music Interlude]
புன்னகையில் பூத்தெழுந்த மல்லிகை பூக்கள்
அவள் பொன்னிதழ்கள் செம்பருத்தி பூத்திடும் பூக்கள்
புன்னகையில் பூத்தெழுந்த மல்லிகை பூக்கள்
அவள் பொன்னிதழ்கள் செம்பருத்தி பூத்திடும் பூக்கள்
Jasmine flowers blooming in her gentle smile,
Her golden lips are hibiscus flowers blooming bright.
Jasmine flowers blooming in her gentle smile,
Her golden lips are hibiscus flowers blooming bright.
கண்ணிரெண்டும் நிறங்கள் காட்டும் சங்கு புஷ்பங்கள்
கண்ணிரெண்டும் நிறங்கள் காட்டும் சங்கு புஷ்பங்கள்
அவள் கன்னம் வெள்ளை தாமரையின் கவிதை வண்ணங்கள்
Her two eyes are conch-flower colors displayed,
Her two eyes are conch-flower colors displayed,
Her cheeks bear the poetic colors of a white lotus.
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
சரிகம பதநிஸ ரிகநிஸ நிதபம....
Of the rainbow...
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
The magical colors!
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
வானவில்லின்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
வர்ண ஜாலங்கள்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
[Music Interlude]
................................
A young tender vine draped in garments concealing her waist,
A beautiful mango-like fruit dancing upon that waist.
A young tender vine draped in garments concealing her waist,
A beautiful mango-like fruit dancing upon that waist.
இடை தெரிய ஆடைக் கட்டும் இளைய பூங்கொடி
அந்த இடையின் மீது நடனமாடும் அழகு மாங்கனி
இடை தெரிய ஆடைக் கட்டும் இளைய பூங்கொடி
அந்த இடையின் மீது நடனமாடும் அழகு மாங்கனி
Soft cotton-like feet stepping forward gently step by step,
Soft cotton-like feet stepping forward gently step by step,
Adding her beauty, there are now five Vedas in this land.
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
அடியடியாய் எடுத்து வைக்கும் பஞ்சுப் பாதங்கள்
அடியடியாய் எடுத்து வைக்கும் பஞ்சுப் பாதங்கள்
அவள் அழகை சேர்த்து இந்த நாட்டில் ஐந்து வேதங்கள்
குழு :
சரிகம பதநிஸ ரிகநிஸ நிதபம....
Of the rainbow...
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
The magical colors!
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma.
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
வானவில்லின்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
வர்ண ஜாலங்கள்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
ரவிவர்மன் கைகள் வரைந்த கோலங்கள்
குழு :
சரிகம பதநிஸ ரிகநிஸ நிதபம....
Of the rainbow...
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
The magical colors!
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
வானவில்லின்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
வர்ண ஜாலங்கள்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
Vaanavillin
Of the rainbow...
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male :Varna jaalangal
The magical colors!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male :Ravivarman kaigal varaintha kolangal
Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma.
Chorus :Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
Vaanavillin
Of the rainbow...
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male :Varna jaalangal
The magical colors!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male :Ravivarman kaigal varaintha kolangal
Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma.
Chorus :Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
Vaanavillin
Of the rainbow...
Chorus: Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male :Varna jaalangal
The magical colors!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
………………
[Music Interlude]
Punnagaiyil pooththezhuntha malligai pookkal
Jasmine flowers blooming in her gentle smile,
Aval ponni idhazhgal semparuththi pooththidum pookkam
Her golden lips are hibiscus flowers blooming bright.
Punnagaiyil pooththezhuntha malligai pookkal
Jasmine flowers blooming in her gentle smile,
Aval ponni idhazhgal semparuththi pooththidum pookkam
Her golden lips are hibiscus flowers blooming bright.
Kannirendum nirangal kaattum sangu pushpangal
Her two eyes are conch-flower colors displayed,
Kannirendum nirangal kaattum sangu pushpangal
Her two eyes are conch-flower colors displayed,
Aval kannamvellai thaamaraiyin kavithai vannangal
Her cheeks bear the poetic colors of a white lotus.
Chorus : Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
Vaanavillin
Of the rainbow...
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male :Varna jaalangal
The magical colors!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
………………..
[Music Interlude]
Idai theriya aadai kattum ilaiya poongodi
A young tender vine draped in garments concealing her waist,
Antha idaiyin meedhu nadanamaadum azhagu maangani
A beautiful mango-like fruit dancing upon that waist.
Idai theriya aadai kattum ilaiya poongodi
A young tender vine draped in garments concealing her waist,
Antha idaiyin meedhu nadanamaadum azhagu maangani
A beautiful mango-like fruit dancing upon that waist.
Adiyadiyaai eduththu vaikkum panju paadhangal
Soft cotton-like feet stepping forward gently step by step,
Adiyadiyaai eduththu vaikkum panju paadhangal
Soft cotton-like feet stepping forward gently step by step,
Aval azhagai serththu intha naattil ainthu vedhangal
Adding her beauty, there are now five Vedas in this land.
Chorus : Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
Vaanavillin
Of the rainbow...
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male :Varna jaalangal
The magical colors!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male: Ravivarman kaigal varaintha kolangal
Artistic patterns drawn by the hands of Raja Ravi Varma.
Chorus :Sarigama padhanisa riganisa nithapama
Chorus: Sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-dha-ni-sa, ri-ga-ni-sa, ni-dha-pa-ma
Vaanavillin
Of the rainbow...
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Male :Varna jaalangal
The magical colors!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Chorus: Aaa...aa...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Vaanavillin Varna Jaalangal' from Naan Naanethan (1980) is a celebrated classical-inspired Tamil song composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Lyricist Kannadasan compares the heroine's sublime grace and features to the magical spectrum of a rainbow and the artistic perfection of paintings created by Raja Ravi Varma. Rich floral imagery is used throughout, equating her smile to jasmines, her lips to hibiscus blossoms, her eyes to conch flowers, and her cheeks to pristine white lotuses. In the second movement, the lyricist paints a picture of her delicate waist and cotton-soft feet, grandly proclaiming that her beauty elevates the sacred tradition of the country by effectively becoming a 'fifth Veda'. Melodically intertwined with Carnatic swara passages (solfège), the song remains an enduring tribute to classical Indian aesthetic art and poetic romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Ravivarman kaigal varaintha kolangal”
Compares the visual elegance of the woman to masterwork paintings created by the legendary Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Punnagaiyil pooththezhuntha malligai pookkal / Aval ponni idhazhgal semparuththi pooththidum pookkam”
Directly equates her smile to blooming jasmine flowers and her golden lips to vibrant hibiscus blossoms.
Simile (Upamai)
“Adiyadiyaai eduththu vaikkum panju paadhangal”
Describes her delicate steps as being as soft and light as cotton.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)
“Aval azhagai serththu intha naattil ainthu vedhangal”
Exaggerates her elegance by asserting that her beauty serves as a fifth Veda added to the four traditional Indian scriptures.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song makes a explicit cultural homage to Raja Ravi Varma, whose iconic 19th-century oil paintings defined classical Indian feminine beauty. Kannadasan's phrase 'ainthu vedhangal' (five Vedas) is a famous literary hyperbole often used in Tamil poetry to describe supreme aesthetic or cultural achievements alongside the four Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas.
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