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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vandhu Vandhu

From Pennin Perumai · 1956

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
Jikki
Music directors
B. N. Rao, A. Rama Rao, Master Venu
Details
Pennin Perumai1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ohh…ooooo..ooo..ooo..ooOhh… (Vocalizing)
Vandhu vandhu konjuvadhen vennilavaeWhy do you come again and again to caress, oh silver moon?
Vandhu vandhu konjuvadhen vennilavaeWhy do you come again and again to caress, oh silver moon?
Andharangam purindhaalae alli poove alli pooveOnce intimacy is understood, oh night lily, oh night lily!
Vandhu vandhu konjuvadhen vennilavaeWhy do you come again and again to caress, oh silver moon?
Andharangam purindhaalae alli poove alli pooveOnce intimacy is understood, oh night lily, oh night lily!
Female
Andhakaara megam neengiAs dark clouds disperse,
Azhagu jodhi veesuvadhaalAnd a beautiful light shines forth,
Andhakaara megam neengiAs dark clouds disperse,
Azhagu jodhi veesuvadhaalAnd a beautiful light shines forth,
Amudhamaana solaiyilaeIn this sweet nectar-like garden,
Kumudhamyengum velaiyileAt a time when the water lily yearns,
Amudhamaana solaiyilaeIn this sweet nectar-like garden,
Kumudhamyengum velaiyileAt a time when the water lily yearns,
Kumudhamyengum velaiyileAt a time when the water lily yearns,
Female
Vandhu vandhuComing again and again,
Konjuvadhen vennilavaeWhy do you caress, oh silver moon?
Andharangam purindhaalaeOnce intimacy is understood,
Alli poove alli pooveOh night lily, oh night lily!
Female
Illarathin kaaviyamaeOh epic poem of domestic bliss,
Inaiyilladha oviyamae..aeOh matchless painting!
Illarathin kaaviyamaeOh epic poem of domestic bliss,
Inaiyilladha oviyamaeOh matchless painting!
Valluvarum vaasuki polLike the ideal pair Valluvar and Vasuki,
Valarum inba jeevithamaeA life of joy that constantly grows,
Valluvarum vaasuki polLike the ideal pair Valluvar and Vasuki,
Valarum inba jeevithamaeA life of joy that constantly grows,
Valarum inba jeevithamaeA life of joy that constantly grows,
Female
Vandhu vandhuComing again and again,
Konjuvadhen vennilavaeWhy do you caress, oh silver moon?
Andharangam purindhaalaeOnce intimacy is understood,
Alli poove alli pooveOh night lily, oh night lily!
Female
Marumaiyilum inaipiriyaaInseparable even in the afterlife,
Urimai thandha ulaginilaeIn this world that granted us such a right,
Marumaiyilum inaipiriyaaInseparable even in the afterlife,
Urimai thandha ulaginilaeIn this world that granted us such a right,
Oru malaril iru manamaaiAs two hearts residing in a single flower,
Ulavum inba iravinilaeIn this blissful night where love wanders,
Oru malaril iru manamaaiAs two hearts residing in a single flower,
Ulavum inba iravinilaeIn this blissful night where love wanders,
Female
Karumanigal inimaiyaagaWhen the dark pupils of our eyes,
Kavidhai paadum nerathilaeSweetly recite poetry in silence,
Karumanigal inimaiyaagaWhen the dark pupils of our eyes,
Kavidhai paadum nerathilaeSweetly recite poetry in silence,
Maraimugamaai kalvanai polSecretly like a thief,
Maraiyaadhae aruginil vaaDo not hide away—come near me!
Female
Vandhu vandhuComing again and again,
Konjuvadhen vennilavaeWhy do you caress, oh silver moon?
Andharangam purindhaalaeOnce intimacy is understood,
Alli poove alli pooveOh night lily, oh night lily!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vandhu Vandhu Konjuvadhen Vennilavae is a classic romantic song from the film Pennin Perumai (1956). The protagonist playfully addresses the silver moon and the night lily, expressing the pure delight and intimate bliss of wedded life. Comparing her joy to the clearing of dark clouds that reveals a radiant light, she celebrates love that blossoms like a lotus in full bloom. She elevates domestic life to an epic art form, invoking the legendary benchmark of marital harmony—the sage Thiruvalluvar and his devoted wife Vasuki. Expressing that their union transcends a single birth into eternity, she invites her beloved to drop all coyness and draw near, painting a tender picture of eyes speaking poetry in the tranquil night.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for poetic emphasis)

Vandhu vandhu konjuvadhen vennilavae

The word 'vandhu' is repeated twice consecutively ('Vandhu vandhu') to describe the persistent, playful arrival of the moon.

Uvamai (Simile)

Valluvarum vaasuki pol

Compares the ideal, joyfully growing marital life of the couple directly to the classic Tamil couple Thiruvalluvar and Vasuki ('Valluvarum vaasuki pol').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Illarathin kaaviyamae / Inaiyilladha oviyamae

Directly equates home life (illarathai) to an epic poem ('kaaviyam') and an unparalleled painting ('inaiyilladha oviyam').

Personification / Visual Imagery

Karumanigal inimaiyaaga / Kavidhai paadum nerathilae

Personifies the dark pupils of the eyes ('karumanigal') as poetesses reciting sweet poetry silent in the night.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pennin Perumai (1956) was a popular Tamil drama film starring Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, and Savitri. The music was composed by A. Rama Rao and Master Venu. Jikki's soothing voice made 'Vandhu Vandhu Konjuvadhen' one of the most memorable romantic numbers of the 1950s era in Tamil cinema.

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