Varaha Nadhikarai
From Sangamam · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Shankar Mahadevan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Sangamam1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oohhh..oohhhhhhhahhhhhh….aahhhhh.. | Oohhh..oohhhhhhhahhhhhh….aahhhhh.. |
| Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum | Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved |
| Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum | But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within |
| Male | |
| {Varaaga nadhikkarai oram orae oru paarvai paarthen | {On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you |
| Puraavae nillunu sonnen kanaavaai odi maranja} (2) | I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream} (2) |
| Male | |
| : {Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum | : {Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved |
| Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum} (2) | But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kannu dhakku dhakku dhakkungudhu…oaoaoa | My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh |
| Ullam dhikku dhikku dhikkungudhu…oaoaoa | My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh |
| Nenju jallu jallu jallungudhu…oaoaoa | My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh |
| Sollu sollu sollu sollungudhu | Speak, speak, speak, tell me now |
| Male | |
| Varaaga nadhikkarai oram orae oru paarvai paarthen | On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you |
| Puraavae nillunu sonnen kanaavaai odi maranja…ahhhh | I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream... ahhhh |
| Male | |
| Panjavarnakkili nee parandha pinnaalum anju varnam nenjil irukku | Even after you, a five-colored parrot, flew away, all five colors remain in my heart |
| Panjavarnakkili nee parandha pinnaalum anju varnam nenjil irukku | Even after you, a five-colored parrot, flew away, all five colors remain in my heart |
| Parandhuvandhu…mmmmm…virundhu kodu…mmmmm | Fly to me... mmmm... give me a feast... mmmm |
| Male | |
| Manasukkulla chadugudu chadugudu | A game of kabaddi plays inside my heart |
| Mayakkuthukku marundhonnu kudu kudu | Give me a remedy quickly for this dizziness |
| Oaoaoa kaaverikaraiyil maramaai irundhaal verukku yogamadi | Oh-oh-oh, if I were a tree on the banks of the Kaveri, my roots would be fortunate |
| En kai rendum dhaavani aanaal kaadhal pazhukkumadi | If both my hands became your scarf, love would ripen |
| Male | |
| Kannu dhakku dhakku dhakkungudhu…oaoaoa | My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh |
| Ullam dhikku dhikku dhikkungudhu…oaoaoa | My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh |
| Nenju jallu jallu jallungudhu…oaoaoa | My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh |
| Sollu sollu sollu sollungudhu | Speak, speak, speak, tell me now |
| Male | |
| Varaaga nadhikkarai oram orae oru paarvai paarthen | On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you |
| Puraavae nillunu sonnen kanaavaai odi maranja…ahhhh | I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream... ahhhh |
| Male | |
| Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum | Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved |
| Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum | But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within |
| Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum | Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved |
| Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum | But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within |
| Male | |
| Nee enna kadandhu pogayilae un nizhala pidichukitten | As you walked past me, I caught hold of your shadow |
| Nee enna kadandhu pogayilae un nizhala pidichukitten | As you walked past me, I caught hold of your shadow |
| Nizhalukkulla…mmmmm…kudi irukken…mmmmm | Inside that shadow... mmmm... I reside... mmmm |
| Male | |
| Odambavittu usir mattum thalli nikka | As my soul stands detached from my body |
| Kizhinja nenja edhakkondu naanum thaikka | With what can I stitch my torn heart back together? |
| Oaoaoa otha vizhippaarvai ooduruva paarthu thaappaa therichiduchu | Oh-oh-oh, a single glance pierced through me, breaking open the latch |
| Thaappaa therichiduchu | Breaking open the latch |
| Male | |
| Ehhh..kannu dhakku dhakku dhakkungudhu…oaoaoa | Ehhh.. My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh |
| Ullam dhikku dhikku dhikkungudhu…oaoaoa | My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh |
| Nenju jallu jallu jallungudhu…oaoaoa | My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh |
| Sollu sollu sollu sollungudhu | Speak, speak, speak, tell me now |
| Male | |
| {Varaaga nadhikkarai oram orae oru paarvai paarthen | {On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you |
| Puraavae nillunu sonnen kanaavaai odi maranja..} (2) | I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream..} (2) |
| Male | |
| {Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum | {Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved |
| Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum} (2) | But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within} (2) |
| Male :Thaanaa thandhanaana thaananaana (4) | Male rhythm vocalizations: Thaanaa thandhanaana thaananaana (4) |
ஓ.............கண்ணில்
வரும் காட்சியெல்லாம்
கண்மணியே உறுத்தும்
காணாத உன் உருவம்
கண்ணுக்குள்ள இனிக்கும்
Oohhh..oohhhhhhhahhhhhh….aahhhhh..
Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within
{ வராக நதிக்கரை
ஓரம் ஒரே ஒரு பாா்வை
பாா்த்தேன் புறாவே நில்லுனு
சொன்னேன் கனாவாய்
ஓடி மறைஞ்ச } (2)
{On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you
I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream} (2)
{ கண்ணில் வரும்
காட்சியெல்லாம் கண்மணியே
உறுத்தும் காணாத உன் உருவம்
கண்ணுக்குள்ள இனிக்கும் } (2)
: {Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within} (2)
கண்ணு தக்கு தக்கு
தக்குங்குது...ஓஓஓ உள்ளம்
திக்கு திக்கு திக்குங்குது...ஓஓஓ
நெஞ்சு ஜல்லு ஜல்லு ஜல்லுங்குது
ஓஓஓ சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு
சொல்லுங்குது
My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh
My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh
My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh
Speak, speak, speak, tell me now
வராக நதிக்கரை
ஓரம் ஒரே ஒரு பாா்வை
பாா்த்தேன் புறாவே நில்லுனு
சொன்னேன் கனாவாய்
ஓடி மறைஞ்ச
On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you
I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream... ahhhh
பஞ்சவா்ணக்கிளி நீ
பறந்த பின்னாலும் அஞ்சு
வா்ணம் நெஞ்சில் இருக்கு
பஞ்சவா்ணக்கிளி நீ
பறந்த பின்னாலும் அஞ்சு
வா்ணம் நெஞ்சில் இருக்கு
பறந்துவந்து...ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்...
விருந்து கொடு...ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்
Even after you, a five-colored parrot, flew away, all five colors remain in my heart
Even after you, a five-colored parrot, flew away, all five colors remain in my heart
Fly to me... mmmm... give me a feast... mmmm
மனசுக்குள்ள சடுகுடு
சடுகுடு மயக்கத்துக்கு
மருந்தொன்னு குடு குடு
ஓஓஓ காவோிக்கரையில்
மரமாயிருந்தால் வேருக்கு
யோகமடி என் கை ரெண்டும்
தாவணியானால் காதல் பழுக்குமடி
A game of kabaddi plays inside my heart
Give me a remedy quickly for this dizziness
Oh-oh-oh, if I were a tree on the banks of the Kaveri, my roots would be fortunate
If both my hands became your scarf, love would ripen
கண்ணு தக்கு தக்கு
தக்குங்குது...ஓஓஓ உள்ளம்
திக்கு திக்கு திக்குங்குது...ஓஓஓ
நெஞ்சு ஜல்லு ஜல்லு ஜல்லுங்குது
ஓஓஓ சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு
சொல்லுங்குது
My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh
My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh
My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh
Speak, speak, speak, tell me now
வராக நதிக்கரை
ஓரம் ஒரே ஒரு பாா்வை
பாா்த்தேன் புறாவே நில்லுனு
சொன்னேன் கனாவாய்
ஓடி மறைஞ்ச
On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you
I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream... ahhhh
{ கண்ணில் வரும்
காட்சியெல்லாம் கண்மணியே
உறுத்தும் காணாத உன் உருவம்
கண்ணுக்குள்ள இனிக்கும் } (2)
Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within
Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within
நீ என்னக் கடந்து
போகயிலே உன் நிழல
பிடிச்சுகிட்டேன் நீ என்னக்
கடந்து போகயிலே உன்
நிழல பிடிச்சுகிட்டேன்
நிழலுக்குள்ள...ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்...
குடியிருக்கேன்...ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்
As you walked past me, I caught hold of your shadow
As you walked past me, I caught hold of your shadow
Inside that shadow... mmmm... I reside... mmmm
ஒடம்பவிட்டு உசிா்
மட்டும் தள்ளி நிக்க கிழிஞ்ச
நெஞ்ச எதக்கொண்டு நானும்
தைக்க ஓஓஓ ஒத்த விழிப்பாா்வை
ஊடுருவப் பாா்த்து தாப்பா தொிச்சிடுச்சு
தாப்பா தொிச்சிடுச்சு
As my soul stands detached from my body
With what can I stitch my torn heart back together?
Oh-oh-oh, a single glance pierced through me, breaking open the latch
Breaking open the latch
ஏ கண்ணு தக்கு தக்கு
தக்குங்குது...ஓஓஓ உள்ளம்
திக்கு திக்கு திக்குங்குது...ஓஓஓ
நெஞ்சு ஜல்லு ஜல்லு ஜல்லுங்குது
ஓஓஓ சொல்லு சொல்லு சொல்லு
சொல்லுங்குது
Ehhh.. My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh
My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh
My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh
Speak, speak, speak, tell me now
{ வராக நதிக்கரை
ஓரம் ஒரே ஒரு பாா்வை
பாா்த்தேன் புறாவே நில்லுனு
சொன்னேன் கனாவாய்
ஓடி மறைஞ்ச } (2)
{On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you
I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream..} (2)
{ கண்ணில் வரும்
காட்சியெல்லாம் கண்மணியே
உறுத்தும் காணாத உன் உருவம்
கண்ணுக்குள்ள இனிக்கும் } (2)
{Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within} (2)
Male rhythm vocalizations: Thaanaa thandhanaana thaananaana (4)
தானா தந்தனான தானனான
தானா தந்தனான தானனான
தானா தந்தனான தானனான
தானா தந்தனான தானனான
Oohhh..oohhhhhhhahhhhhh….aahhhhh..
Oohhh..oohhhhhhhahhhhhh….aahhhhh..
Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum
Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within
{Varaaga nadhikkarai oram orae oru paarvai paarthen
{On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you
Puraavae nillunu sonnen kanaavaai odi maranja} (2)
I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream} (2)
: {Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum
: {Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum} (2)
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within} (2)
Kannu dhakku dhakku dhakkungudhu…oaoaoa
My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh
Ullam dhikku dhikku dhikkungudhu…oaoaoa
My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh
Nenju jallu jallu jallungudhu…oaoaoa
My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh
Sollu sollu sollu sollungudhu
Speak, speak, speak, tell me now
Varaaga nadhikkarai oram orae oru paarvai paarthen
On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you
Puraavae nillunu sonnen kanaavaai odi maranja…ahhhh
I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream... ahhhh
Panjavarnakkili nee parandha pinnaalum anju varnam nenjil irukku
Even after you, a five-colored parrot, flew away, all five colors remain in my heart
Panjavarnakkili nee parandha pinnaalum anju varnam nenjil irukku
Even after you, a five-colored parrot, flew away, all five colors remain in my heart
Parandhuvandhu…mmmmm…virundhu kodu…mmmmm
Fly to me... mmmm... give me a feast... mmmm
Manasukkulla chadugudu chadugudu
A game of kabaddi plays inside my heart
Mayakkuthukku marundhonnu kudu kudu
Give me a remedy quickly for this dizziness
Oaoaoa kaaverikaraiyil maramaai irundhaal verukku yogamadi
Oh-oh-oh, if I were a tree on the banks of the Kaveri, my roots would be fortunate
En kai rendum dhaavani aanaal kaadhal pazhukkumadi
If both my hands became your scarf, love would ripen
Kannu dhakku dhakku dhakkungudhu…oaoaoa
My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh
Ullam dhikku dhikku dhikkungudhu…oaoaoa
My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh
Nenju jallu jallu jallungudhu…oaoaoa
My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh
Sollu sollu sollu sollungudhu
Speak, speak, speak, tell me now
Varaaga nadhikkarai oram orae oru paarvai paarthen
On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you
Puraavae nillunu sonnen kanaavaai odi maranja…ahhhh
I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream... ahhhh
Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum
Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within
Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum
Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within
Nee enna kadandhu pogayilae un nizhala pidichukitten
As you walked past me, I caught hold of your shadow
Nee enna kadandhu pogayilae un nizhala pidichukitten
As you walked past me, I caught hold of your shadow
Nizhalukkulla…mmmmm…kudi irukken…mmmmm
Inside that shadow... mmmm... I reside... mmmm
Odambavittu usir mattum thalli nikka
As my soul stands detached from my body
Kizhinja nenja edhakkondu naanum thaikka
With what can I stitch my torn heart back together?
Oaoaoa otha vizhippaarvai ooduruva paarthu thaappaa therichiduchu
Oh-oh-oh, a single glance pierced through me, breaking open the latch
Thaappaa therichiduchu
Breaking open the latch
Ehhh..kannu dhakku dhakku dhakkungudhu…oaoaoa
Ehhh.. My eyes beat rapidly dhakku dhakku... oh-oh-oh
Ullam dhikku dhikku dhikkungudhu…oaoaoa
My heart panics dhikku dhikku... oh-oh-oh
Nenju jallu jallu jallungudhu…oaoaoa
My soul shivers jallu jallu... oh-oh-oh
Sollu sollu sollu sollungudhu
Speak, speak, speak, tell me now
{Varaaga nadhikkarai oram orae oru paarvai paarthen
{On the banks of the Varaha River, I caught just a single glance of you
Puraavae nillunu sonnen kanaavaai odi maranja..} (2)
I asked you to stop, oh dove, but you vanished like a dream..} (2)
{Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum
{Every scene that appears before my eyes irritates them, my beloved
Kaanaadha un uruvam kannukkulla inikkum} (2)
But your unseen image sweetens my vision from within} (2)
Male :Thaanaa thandhanaana thaananaana (4)
Male rhythm vocalizations: Thaanaa thandhanaana thaananaana (4)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Varaaga Nadhikkarai Oram from the film Sangamam (1999) expresses the deep longing and heartache born from love at first sight. The protagonist reminisces about catching a fleeting glimpse of his beloved on the banks of the Varaha River, after which she vanished like a dream. Post that encounter, all other worldly visual sights irritate his eyes, while her unseen form sweetens his internal vision. Through vivid imagery—comparing her to a five-colored parrot, describing the inner turmoil as a game of kabaddi, and imagining catching her shadow—the song captures the intense visceral reaction to sudden love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia / Irattai Klavi (இரட்டைக் கிளவி)
“Kannu dhakku dhakku dhakkungudhu…oaoaoa”
Use of sound words like 'dhakku dhakku', 'dhikku dhikku', and 'jallu jallu' to rhythmically represent bodily sensations of excitement and anxiety.
Metaphor / Uruvagam (உருவகம்)
“Panjavarnakkili nee parandha pinnaalum anju varnam nenjil irukku”
Comparing the beloved to a 'Panjavarnakkili' (five-colored parrot) whose vibrant colors remain imprinted on his heart even after her departure.
Hyperbole / Uyarvu Navirchi (உயர்வு நவிற்சி)
“Nee enna kadandhu pogayilae un nizhala pidichukitten / Nizhalukkulla... kudi irukken”
An exaggerated expression of devotion where the lover claims to physically catch her shadow and reside inside it.
Monai / Initial Rhyme (மோனை)
“Kannil varum kaatchiyellaam kanmaniyae uruthum”
Repetition of the 'Ka' initial consonant sound across words ('Kannil', 'kaatchiyellaam', 'kanmaniyae') creating melodic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Sangamam (1999) featured a soundtrack composed by A. R. Rahman, which earned him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director. Sung by Unni Menon and Sujatha Mohan, the song blends folk rhythms with Carnatic nuances, reflecting the movie's central theme of classical versus folk dance traditions.
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