Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Thanga Padhumai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Varugiraal Unnai Thedi

From Thanga Padhumai · 1959

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
M. L. Vasanthakumari, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Thanga Padhumai
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
21 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Dharaniyin mannavarum
Aaa….aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Dharaniyin mannavarum thaazh panindhaar
Selvam thurumbena thalli indru
Thogai manam thunindhu
Dharaniyin mannavarum thaazh panindhaar
Selvam thurumbena thalli indru
Thogai manam thunindhu
Varugiraal ummai theydi
Kanindha kani irundhum
Kangal umai azhaithum
Kaanaamal puvi vaazhvil sugamedhu swami
Kanindha kani irundhum
Kangal umai azhaithum
Kaanaamal puvi vaazhvil sugamedhu swami
Uravinil suvai undu kalaiyinil ival vandu
Uravinil suvai undu kalaiyinil ival vandu
Oodalum koodalum konji paadalum
Meyviya maadhival kaadhalinaal
Varugiraal ummai theydi
Sandhana kumbam sallaabam ullaasam
Sandhatham kaadhal sarasa sangeetham
Sandhana kumbam sallaabam ullaasam
Sandhatham kaadhal sarasa sangeetham
Iruvar aavi oruvaraaga nilavinil
Kaadhal kondu inbamae kaanavum
Pudhumai koorum kalaigal maevi vaazhavum
Kaama vadhana moga nadana kaaviya mayil
…………………………..
Even the kings of this earth...
Aaa... aaa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Even the kings of this earth bowed low before her,
yet tossing away wealth like a blade of grass today,
with a resolute heart, this graceful woman
Even the kings of this earth bowed low before her,
yet tossing away wealth like a blade of grass today,
with a resolute heart, this graceful woman
comes searching for you.
Though ripe fruit is at hand,
and longing eyes call out to you,
without seeing you, what joy is there in this life, my lord?
Though ripe fruit is at hand,
and longing eyes call out to you,
without seeing you, what joy is there in this life, my lord?
There is sweetness in closeness; in the world of arts, she is like a honeybee,
There is sweetness in closeness; in the world of arts, she is like a honeybee,
With playful lovers' quarrels, sweet unions, and tender songs,
this charming woman, overwhelmed by love,
comes searching for you.
Cool sandalwood, playful teasing, and sheer delight,
the eternal, sweet music of romance,
Cool sandalwood, playful teasing, and sheer delight,
the eternal, sweet music of romance,
as two souls unite as one under the moonlight,
to embrace love and find pure joy,
to live surrounded by ever-fresh arts,
this poetic peacock of lovely grace and enchanting dance...
...
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song expresses the intense devotion, romance, and artistic allure of a maiden who abandons all worldly riches and royal suitors to seek the love of her beloved lord. Kannadasan masterfully captures the essence of classical Tamil poetry and aesthetic romance, describing how even the highest earthly pleasure is meaningless without the presence of the beloved. Through rich imagery of music, fine arts, moonlight, and intimate romance, the lyrics present the maiden as a poetic peacock skilled in the arts, whose heart is completely dedicated to romantic union with her partner.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Selvam thurumbena thalli indru

'Selvam thurumbena thalli' compares immense wealth to a worthless piece of straw to show her detachment from material riches.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thogai manam thunindhu

'Thogai' (peacock tail/peacock) and 'kaaviya mayil' metaphorically describe the beautiful woman as a majestic peacock.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Uravinil suvai undu kalaiyinil ival vandu

'Kalaiyinil ival vandu' metaphorically compares the maiden to a honeybee hovering over the blossoms of art.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sandhana kumbam sallaabam ullaasam / Sandhatham kaadhal sarasa sangeetham

Rhyming of 'Sandhana' and 'Sandhatham' using the second consonant 'ndh'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thanga Padhumai' (1959) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The music for the film was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Thanga Padhumai

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.