Vanna Vanna Vanna
From Poottatha Poottukkal · 1980
- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Poottatha Poottukkal1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Lalalala ………….. | Lalalala... |
| Female | |
| Vanna vanna vanna | Colorful, colorful, colorful |
| Poonjolaiyil poopolavae | Like a flower in a flower garden |
| Sengani paruvam | The age of a ripe red fruit |
| Ilamottu uruvam | The form of a tender bud |
| Sengani paruvam ilamottu uruvam | The age of a ripe red fruit, the form of a tender bud |
| Midhakkum iniya kanavae | A sweet dream that floats |
| Female | |
| Vanna vanna vanna | Colorful, colorful, colorful |
| Poonjolaiyil poopolavae | Like a flower in a flower garden |
| Female | |
| Chinnanchiru mullai malarndhadhu oru naal | A tiny jasmine flower blossomed one day |
| Manjalin thirunaal nilavoo | Is it the moon of the auspicious turmeric day? |
| Anna nadai pinna chinna idai valaiya | Walking like a swan while her slender waist sways |
| Penmaiyin naanam silaiyoo | Is it a statue of womanly shyness? |
| Female | |
| Oru naal thalaivan mugam paarthathum | One day, upon seeing her beloved's face |
| Kunindhaal thalaiyai nilam paarthida | She bowed her head to look at the ground |
| Enna sugam enna sugam jaadai koorum azhagae | What bliss, what bliss, oh beauty that speaks through gestures! |
| Idhu kaalam seidha pinaippu | This is a bond created by time |
| Female | |
| Hae …lalalalla ….. | Hey... lalalalla... |
| Female | |
| Manjalodu maalai soodinaar mana naal | On the wedding day, they adorned turmeric and garlands |
| Serndhanar manadhaal uravil | They united in heart and relationship |
| Konjum inbam konja nadanthathu kudumbam | The family lived as endearing joy cherished them |
| Valarndhana varudam kanavoo | Years grew, or was it a dream? |
| Female | |
| Pala naal uravu palan vendumae | A long-standing relationship desires fruitfulness |
| Mazhalai virumbum manam paaramma | Look at the heart that longs for a child, dear mother |
| Enna idhu enna idhu thaaimai inbam kaana | What is this, what is this, to experience the bliss of motherhood |
| Edhirkaalam thedi sendraal | She went searching into the future |
| Female | |
| Vanna vanna vanna | Colorful, colorful, colorful |
| Poonjolaiyil poopolavae | Like a flower in a flower garden |
| Sengani paruvam | The age of a ripe red fruit |
| Ilamottu uruvam | The form of a tender bud |
| Sengani paruvam ilamottu uruvam | The age of a ripe red fruit, the form of a tender bud |
| Midhakkum iniya kanavae | A sweet dream that floats |
| Female | |
| Vanna vanna vanna | Colorful, colorful, colorful |
| Poonjolaiyil poopolavae | Like a flower in a flower garden |
| Female | |
| Lalalalala…………. | Lalalalala... |
லாலாலா லாலாலா லாலாலா
Lalalala...
வண்ண வண்ண வண்ண
பூஞ்சோலையில் பூப்போலவே
செங்கனி பருவம் இளமொட்டு உருவம்
செங்கனி பருவம் இளமொட்டு உருவம்
மிதக்கும் இனிய கனவே...............
Colorful, colorful, colorful
Like a flower in a flower garden
The age of a ripe red fruit
The form of a tender bud
The age of a ripe red fruit, the form of a tender bud
A sweet dream that floats
வண்ண வண்ண வண்ண
பூஞ்சோலையில் பூப்போலவே
Colorful, colorful, colorful
Like a flower in a flower garden
சின்னஞ்சிறு முல்லை மலர்ந்தது ஒரு நாள்
மஞ்சளின் திருநாள் நிலவோ.........
அன்ன நடை பின்ன சின்ன இடை வளைய
பெண்மையின் நாணம் சிலையோ........
A tiny jasmine flower blossomed one day
Is it the moon of the auspicious turmeric day?
Walking like a swan while her slender waist sways
Is it a statue of womanly shyness?
ஒரு நாள் தலைவன் முகம் பார்த்ததும்
குனிந்தாள் தலையை நிலம் பார்த்திட
என்ன சுகம் என்ன சுகம் ஜாடை கூறும் அழகே
இது காலம் செய்த பிணைப்பு
One day, upon seeing her beloved's face
She bowed her head to look at the ground
What bliss, what bliss, oh beauty that speaks through gestures!
This is a bond created by time
ஹே....... லாலாலா லாலாலா லாலாலா
Hey... lalalalla...
மஞ்சளோடு மாலை சூடினர் மணநாள்
சேர்ந்தனர் மனதால் உறவில்........
கொஞ்சும் இன்பம் கொஞ்ச நடந்தது குடும்பம்
வளர்ந்தன வருடம் கனவோ........
On the wedding day, they adorned turmeric and garlands
They united in heart and relationship
The family lived as endearing joy cherished them
Years grew, or was it a dream?
பல நாள் உறவு பலன் வேண்டுமே
மழலை விரும்பும் மனம் பாரம்மா
என்ன இது என்ன இது தாய்மை இன்பம் காண
எதிர்காலம் தேடி நின்றாள்
A long-standing relationship desires fruitfulness
Look at the heart that longs for a child, dear mother
What is this, what is this, to experience the bliss of motherhood
She went searching into the future
வண்ண வண்ண வண்ண
பூஞ்சோலையில் பூப்போலவே
செங்கனி பருவம் இளமொட்டு உருவம்
செங்கனி பருவம் இளமொட்டு உருவம்
மிதக்கும் இனிய கனவே...............
Colorful, colorful, colorful
Like a flower in a flower garden
The age of a ripe red fruit
The form of a tender bud
The age of a ripe red fruit, the form of a tender bud
A sweet dream that floats
வண்ண வண்ண வண்ண
பூஞ்சோலையில் பூப்போலவே
Colorful, colorful, colorful
Like a flower in a flower garden
லாலாலா லாலாலா லாலாலா
Lalalalala...
Lalalala …………..
Lalalala...
Vanna vanna vanna
Colorful, colorful, colorful
Poonjolaiyil poopolavae
Like a flower in a flower garden
Sengani paruvam
The age of a ripe red fruit
Ilamottu uruvam
The form of a tender bud
Sengani paruvam ilamottu uruvam
The age of a ripe red fruit, the form of a tender bud
Midhakkum iniya kanavae
A sweet dream that floats
Vanna vanna vanna
Colorful, colorful, colorful
Poonjolaiyil poopolavae
Like a flower in a flower garden
Chinnanchiru mullai malarndhadhu oru naal
A tiny jasmine flower blossomed one day
Manjalin thirunaal nilavoo
Is it the moon of the auspicious turmeric day?
Anna nadai pinna chinna idai valaiya
Walking like a swan while her slender waist sways
Penmaiyin naanam silaiyoo
Is it a statue of womanly shyness?
Oru naal thalaivan mugam paarthathum
One day, upon seeing her beloved's face
Kunindhaal thalaiyai nilam paarthida
She bowed her head to look at the ground
Enna sugam enna sugam jaadai koorum azhagae
What bliss, what bliss, oh beauty that speaks through gestures!
Idhu kaalam seidha pinaippu
This is a bond created by time
Hae …lalalalla …..
Hey... lalalalla...
Manjalodu maalai soodinaar mana naal
On the wedding day, they adorned turmeric and garlands
Serndhanar manadhaal uravil
They united in heart and relationship
Konjum inbam konja nadanthathu kudumbam
The family lived as endearing joy cherished them
Valarndhana varudam kanavoo
Years grew, or was it a dream?
Pala naal uravu palan vendumae
A long-standing relationship desires fruitfulness
Mazhalai virumbum manam paaramma
Look at the heart that longs for a child, dear mother
Enna idhu enna idhu thaaimai inbam kaana
What is this, what is this, to experience the bliss of motherhood
Edhirkaalam thedi sendraal
She went searching into the future
Vanna vanna vanna
Colorful, colorful, colorful
Poonjolaiyil poopolavae
Like a flower in a flower garden
Sengani paruvam
The age of a ripe red fruit
Ilamottu uruvam
The form of a tender bud
Sengani paruvam ilamottu uruvam
The age of a ripe red fruit, the form of a tender bud
Midhakkum iniya kanavae
A sweet dream that floats
Vanna vanna vanna
Colorful, colorful, colorful
Poonjolaiyil poopolavae
Like a flower in a flower garden
Lalalalala………….
Lalalalala...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic Tamil song from 'Poottatha Poottukkal' tenderly describes the poetic progression of a young woman's life. Using vibrant natural imagery—blooming flowers, fresh buds, and ripe fruit—lyricist Panchu Arunachalam crafts a portrait of youthful innocence transitioning into love, marriage, and family life. As time progresses, the song captures her deep emotional yearning for motherhood. Ilaiyaraaja's serene musical composition paired with S. Janaki's delicate rendition evokes a sense of floating dreams, reflecting the sacred bond of love and the tender hope for future generations.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar / Repetition
“Vanna vanna vanna”
The word 'Vanna' is repeated for emphasis and poetic rhythm, describing vivid colors.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Poonjolaiyil poopolavae”
Compares the delicate presence of the woman to a flower blooming in a garden ('poopolavae').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Sengani paruvam ilamottu uruvam”
Metaphorically compares youthful maturity to a ripe fruit and physical body to a tender flower bud.
Rhetorical Question & Imagery
“Penmaiyin naanam silaiyoo”
Asks whether her coy, graceful stance is a carved statue representing modesty itself.
Did you know?
Trivia
Directed by J. Mahendran, 'Poottatha Poottukkal' (1980) features an acclaimed soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja. S. Janaki's expressive rendition in 'Vanna Vanna' perfectly aligns with Mahendran's characteristic subtle, realistic storytelling style.
Keep listening
More from Poottatha Poottukkal
Poottatha Poottukkal
Poottatha Poottukkal
Poottatha Poottukkal
Poottatha Poottukkal