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Lyrics & meaning

Vannam Konda Vennilave

From Sigaram · 1991

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Details
Sigaram1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vannam konda vennilavaeO colorful white moon,
Vaanam vittu vaaraayoWon't you come down from the sky?
Vinnilae paadhaiyillaiThere is no pathway in the sky,
Unnaiththoda yeniyillaiNor is there a ladder to reach you.
Vinnilae paadhaiyillaiThere is no pathway in the sky,
Unnaiththoda yeniyillaiNor is there a ladder to reach you.
Male
Vannam konda vennilavaeO colorful white moon,
Vaanam vittu vaaraayoWon't you come down from the sky?
Vannam konda vennilavaeO colorful white moon.
Male
{Pakkaththil neeyumillaiYou are not beside me,
Paarvaiyil eeramillaiThere is no warmth in your eyes,
Sondhaththil baashayillaiThere is no language in our bond,
Swaasikka aasaiyillai} (2)I have no desire left to breathe.
Male
Kanduvandhu solvadharkuTo go find you and convey my message,
Kaatrukku gnyaanamillaiThe wind lacks the wisdom.
Neelathai pirithuvittaalIf you separate the blue,
Vaanathil yedhumillaiNothing remains in the sky.
Thalli thalli neeyirundhaalIf you stay far away from me,
Sollikkolla vazhkai illaiThere is no life left worth boasting about.
Male
Vannam konda vennilavaeO colorful white moon,
Vaanam vittu vaaraayoWon't you come down from the sky?
Male
{Nangai undhan koondhalukkuFor your beautiful hair, my lady,
Natchaththira poopparithaenI plucked a flower made of stars,
Nangai vandhu seravillaiSince you did not come to join me,
Natchaththiram vaadudhadi} (2)Even that star is now wilting.
Male
Kanni unnai paarthiruppenI will keep gazing at you, my maiden,
Kaalkadukka kaathiruppenI will wait until my feet ache.
Jeevan vandhu serumvaraiUntil my life returns to me,
Dhegam pol naan kidappenI will lie here like a mere physical body.
Devi vandhu serndhu vittaalIf my goddess arrives and joins me,
Aavi kondu naan nadappenI shall walk with life restored in my spirit.
Male
Vannam konda vennilavaeO colorful white moon,
Vaanam vittu vaaraayoWon't you come down from the sky?
Vinnilae paadhaiyillaiThere is no pathway in the sky,
Unnaiththoda yeniyillaiNor is there a ladder to reach you.
Male
Vannam konda vennilavaeO colorful white moon,
Vaanam vittu vaaraayoWon't you come down from the sky?
Vannam konda vennilavaeO colorful white moon.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Vannam Konda Vennilavae' from Sigaram (1991), the protagonist addresses his distant beloved as a vibrant moon out of reach in the sky. He expresses profound grief over their separation, feeling that without her presence and warmth, life has lost its meaning and even breathing feels like a burden. Through melancholic imagery, he describes waiting endlessly for her like a body without a soul, holding on to the hope that her return will breathe life back into him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Vannam konda vennilavae / Vaanam vittu vaaraayo Explanation: The beloved is metaphorically addressed as a bright, colorful moon high in the sky that remains unreachable.

Personification

Kaatrukku gnyaanamillai Explanation: Personification is used by attributing wisdom (gnyaanam) to the wind, noting that it lacks the intellect to go find the beloved.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)

Nangai undhan koondhalukku / Natchaththira poopparithaen Explanation: The second letter 'tcha/nga' alignment creates a rhythmic flow in classical Tamil verse structure.

Hyperbole & Imagery

Natchaththiram vaadudhadi Explanation: An exaggerated image of a star flower wilting because the beloved did not arrive to wear it in her hair.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vannam Konda Vennilavae' was composed by veteran singer-composer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, who also played the lead role in the movie 'Sigaram' (1991) and sang this iconic track. The poignant lyrics were written by Vairamuthu, earning widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and classical phrasing.

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