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Lyrics & meaning

Vanjamitho Vaanjaiyitho

From Vairamalai · 1954

Lyricist
Kanakasurabhi
Singers
Trichy Loganathan, M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Vairamalai1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Vandhavar nenjinil ennam yedhoWhat is the thought in the heart of the one who came?
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Vandhavar nenjinil ennam yedhoWhat is the thought in the heart of the one who came?
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Female
Nalliravil oru kallanai polLike a thief in the dead of night,
Mella nuzhaindhadhum yaenoWhy did you enter so quietly?
Nalliravil oru kallanai polLike a thief in the dead of night,
Mella nuzhaindhadhum yaenoWhy did you enter so quietly?
Naan alli koduthathai thallivittaePushing away what I gave in abundance,
Kannil aavalai kattiyadhaenoWhy display longing in your eyes?
Kannil aavalai kattiyadhaenoWhy display longing in your eyes?
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Male
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Mangaiyin nenjinil ennam yedhoWhat is the thought in the maiden's heart?
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Male
Theenguyil oru vaengaiyai polLike a sweet cuckoo turning into a tiger,
Seeri vizhundhadhum yaenoWhy did you pounce so fiercely?
Female : Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoFemale : Is it deceit or is it affection?
Vandhavar nenjinil ennam yedhoWhat is the thought in the heart of the one who came?
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Ennai thaedi aval thandhai odi vara kanduSeeing her father running in search of me,
Moodi maraithathum yaenoWhy did you cover and hide me?
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Male
Vizhiyil anbum mozhiyil analumWith love in the eyes and fire in the words,
Veesudhal kaadhal needhiyooIs blowing both the rule of love?
Vizhiyil anbum mozhiyil analumWith love in the eyes and fire in the words,
Veesudhal kaadhal needhiyooIs blowing both the rule of love?
Female
Olindhae vandhu nenjil pugundhuSneaking in secretly and entering the heart,
Oodudhal aangal needhiyooIs sulking in conflict the way of men?
Olindhae vandhu nenjil pugundhuSneaking in secretly and entering the heart,
Oodudhal aangal needhiyooIs sulking in conflict the way of men?
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?
Vandhavar nenjinil ennam yedhoWhat is the thought in the heart of the one who came?
Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidhoIs it deceit or is it affection?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vanjamidho Vaanjaiyidho is a classic dialogue duet from the 1954 Tamil film Vairamalai, composed by the iconic Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo. The song captures a romantic, playful confrontation between lovers who question whether the other's hidden intentions stem from malice (vanjam) or deep affection (vaanjai). Through poetic metaphors of night thieves, cuckoo birds, and fiery words, they ponder the contradictory nature of love and human emotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Alliteration (Monaai & Etukai)

Vanjamidho vaanjaiyidho

Contrast between 'Vanjam' (malice/deceit) and 'Vaanjai' (affection/love), linked with strong initial letter matching.

Simile (Upamai)

Nalliravil oru kallanai pol

Comparing the lover's secretive arrival in the night to a thief entering stealthily.

Simile (Upamai)

Theenguyil oru vaengaiyai pol

Comparing a sweet cuckoo bird transforming into a pouncing tigress to highlight a sudden shift in demeanor.

Juxtaposition / Contrast

Vizhiyil anbum mozhiyil analum

Contrasting warm affection in the eyes ('anbu') with hot fire/anger in words ('anal').

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features a rare duet pairing of legendary Carnatic classical vocalist M. L. Vasanthakumari with playback singer Trichy Loganathan, set to music by the renowned duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy early in their career.

Keep listening

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