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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanna Vanna

From Senthamizh Paattu · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Jikki
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, Ilayaraja
Details
Senthamizh Paattu1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vanna vanna solleduthuPicking colorful words,
Ingu vandhadhu senthamizh paattuThe pure Tamil song has arrived here.
Vaasam ulla malligai pol manamLike a fragrant jasmine blossom,
Thandhadhu senthamizh paattuThis pure Tamil song has given peace of mind.
Female
Vanna vanna solleduthuPicking colorful words,
Ingu vandhadhu senthamizh paattuThe pure Tamil song has arrived here.
Vaasam ulla malligai pol manamLike a fragrant jasmine blossom,
Thandhadhu senthamizh paattuThis pure Tamil song has given peace of mind.
Female
Ooru sanam ellaarum irundhumEven though all the village folk pass away,
Isai dhaan endrum vaazhumMusic alone will live forever.
Manidha jaadhi paattondrinaal dhaanOnly through a song can mankind
Kavalai marakkum naalumForget its daily worries.
Female
Vanna vanna solleduthuPicking colorful words,
Ingu vandhadhu senthamizh paattuThe pure Tamil song has arrived here.
Vaasam ulla malligai pol manamLike a fragrant jasmine blossom,
Thandhadhu senthamizh paattuThis pure Tamil song has given peace of mind.
Female
{Mozhigal vevvaeru{Though languages are different,
Paadal kondaalumAnd songs vary,
Inimai ondraanadhuThe sweetness remains one and the same.
Thamizhar pan paattaiFor the song that expresses
Koorum paattukkuThe rich culture of Tamils,
Thamizhae kan pondradhu } (2)The Tamil language itself is like the eyes.}
Female
Moongil ilai modhi varumDoesn't the wind brushing against bamboo leaves
Kaatrum isai dhaan tharaadho…Also produce music?...
Moondru thamizh vaasamumDoes not the fragrance of Mutthamizh (the three forms of Tamil)
Naattu pura paadalilFlow in folk songs
Pudhup punal polae varaadho…Like a fresh mountain stream?...
Female
Vanna vanna solleduthuPicking colorful words,
Ingu vandhadhu senthamizh paattuThe pure Tamil song has arrived here.
Vaasam ulla malligai pol manamLike a fragrant jasmine blossom,
Thandhadhu senthamizh paattuThis pure Tamil song has given peace of mind.
Female
Aa…aa… aa…aa…Aa...aa... aa...aa...
Pillai engindra isaiyin thaai thandhaiWho can say who the mother and father are
Yaaro yaar solluvaarFor the child called music?
Yaaraal eppodhu isai dhaan undaachchuWho created music and when?
Badhil dhaan yaar solluvaarWho can answer this?
Female
Pillai engindra isaiyin thaai thandhaiWho can say who the mother and father are
Yaaro yaar solluvaarFor the child called music?
Yaaraal eppodhu isai dhaan undaachchuWho created music and when?
Badhil dhaan yaar solluvaarWho can answer this?
Female
Paayum nadhi moolam ennaWhat is the origin of a flowing river?
Paarppadhillai yaarum ennaalumNo one ever checks that.
Naanum indha bhoomiyilSimilarly, on this earth,
Neela nadhi polavaeJust like a blue river,
Nadandhiduven engaeyum…m…m…mI will keep flowing anywhere...m...m...m
Female
Vanna vanna solleduthuPicking colorful words,
Ingu vandhadhu senthamizh paattuThe pure Tamil song has arrived here.
Vaasam ulla malligai pol manamLike a fragrant jasmine blossom,
Thandhadhu senthamizh paattuThis pure Tamil song has given peace of mind.
Female
Ooru sanam ellaarum irundhumEven though all the village folk pass away,
Isai dhaan endrum vaazhumMusic alone will live forever.
Manidha jaadhi paattondrinaal dhaanOnly through a song can mankind
Kavalai marakkum naalumForget its daily worries.
Female
Vanna vanna solleduthuPicking colorful words,
Ingu vandhadhu senthamizh paattuThe pure Tamil song has arrived here.
Vaasam ulla malligai pol manamLike a fragrant jasmine blossom,
Thandhadhu senthamizh paattuThis pure Tamil song has given peace of mind.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song from the 1992 film 'Senthamizh Paattu' celebrates the timeless, universal nature of music and the rich heritage of the Tamil language. The lyrics highlight how pure Tamil songs bring relief and comfort to people, comparing music's uplifting effect to the soothing scent of jasmine and the endless flow of a river. The singer reflects on how music transcends human lifespans and language barriers. Just as no one traces the ultimate source of a river, music's origin remains an eternal mystery, yet it flows endlessly to touch hearts and erase life's daily sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Vaasam ulla malligai pol manam

Compares the sweet fragrance of jasmine flowers ('malligai') to the pleasing feeling given by the song.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Pillai engindra isaiyin thaai thandhai

Personifies music as an orphan child ('pillai') whose origin and parentage are unknown.

Simile

Neela nadhi polavae

Compares the singer's journey through life and music to a endlessly flowing blue river.

Monai (Alliteration)

Vanna vanna solleduthu

Repetition of the initial letter 'Va' across consecutive words in the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Senthamizh Paattu' (1992), starring Prabhu and Sukanya, featured a rare joint musical collaboration between two legends of Tamil cinema music: M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja. Lyricist Vaali penned the track emphasizing the timelessness of Tamil folk and classical music.

Keep listening

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