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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vasantha Maalai Neram

From Mohini (1948 film) · 1948

Lyricist
Ambikapathi
Singers
C. R. Subburaman, T. V. Rathinam
Music directors
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Mohini (1948 film)1948

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa..aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa…Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Female
Vasantha maalai neramSpring evening time
Vasantha maalai aeramSpring evening time
Mandha maarudham kulirndhu veesidumThe gentle breeze blows coolly
Vasantha maalai neramSpring evening time
Vasantha maalai neramSpring evening time
Mandha maarudham kulirndhu veesidumThe gentle breeze blows coolly
Vasantha maalai neramSpring evening time
Vasantha maalai neramSpring evening time
Female
Malligai alli mullai malaraJasmine, lily, and night-jasmine bloom
Vari vandu padiyum neram…The time when striped bees settle on flowers...
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Malligai alli mullai malaraJasmine, lily, and night-jasmine bloom
Vari vandu padiyum neram…The time when striped bees settle on flowers...
Female
Mallargal uzhudhu yerudhudanWrestlers and farmers after plowing with oxen
Thamadhu illam anugum neramThe time when they return to their homes
Mallargal uzhudhu yerudhudanWrestlers and farmers after plowing with oxen
Thamadhu illam anugum neramThe time when they return to their homes
Nalla maalai neramA wonderful evening time
En kaadhalar ullam thaedum neramThe time when my lover's heart searches for me
Nalla maalai neramA wonderful evening time
En kaadhalar ullam thaedum neram…The time when my lover's heart searches for me...
Aa…aa…aahahaaAh... ah... ahaha
Vasantha maalai neramSpring evening time
Male
Innum varakkaangilaen yaenoI still do not see her coming, why?
Ennarumai mogini maanaalMy precious Mohini, deer-like girl
Innum varakkaangilaen yaenoI still do not see her coming, why?
Ennarumai mogini maanaalMy precious Mohini, deer-like girl
Mogini …mogini …moginiMohini... Mohini... Mohini
Male
Vannamayil saayal kandenI saw the grace of a colorful peacock
Maan vizhi thaanum kandaenI also saw her deer-like eyes
Vannamayil saayal kandenI saw the grace of a colorful peacock
Maan vizhi thaanum kandaenI also saw her deer-like eyes
Anna nadai kandenI saw her swan-like gait
Adangaa maiyal kondenI fell into uncontrollable passion
Innum varakkaangilaen yaenoI still do not see her coming, why?
Female
Kaadhal vegam pol illaiyaeThe speed of your leaping legs...
Unadhu kaalgal thaavum vegam…Is not matching the speed of my love...
Aa..aa…aa…aaa…aaa…Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Kaadhal vegam pol illaiyaeThe speed of your leaping legs...
Unadhu kaalgal thaavum vegam…Is not matching the speed of my love...
Female
Paedhai konduvarum paadhai kanduSeeing the path the young woman brings
Melivaarae veera vijayanBrave Vijayan will swoon
Paedhai konduvarum paadhai kanduSeeing the path the young woman brings
Melivaarae veera vijayanBrave Vijayan will swoon
Kaattum nadaiyilum thiraattilumIn your displayed walk and gallop
Adhiga ottam viraivu venumMore speed and swiftness are needed
Kaattum nadaiyilum thiraattilumIn your displayed walk and gallop
Adhiga ottam viraivu venumMore speed and swiftness are needed
Sellu sellu pariyaeGo, go, my horse
Sellu sellu pariyae…aa…aa…aa…aaa…aa..Go, go, my horse... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Sellu sellu neeyaeGo, go, you go!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the romantic angst and longing set against a tranquil spring evening. The protagonist describes the gentle breeze, blooming flowers like jasmine and night-jasmine, and the setting of the sun when workers return home. As night approaches, he grows restless waiting for his beloved Mohini, comparing her beauty to a peacock, her eyes to a deer, and her walk to a swan. Impatient for her arrival, he urges his horse to gallop faster, feeling that even the fastest horse cannot keep up with the speed of his yearning heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Vasantha maalai neram / Mandha maarudham kulirndhu veesidum

The second letter 's' rhymes in 'Vasantha' and 'Mandha'.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Malligai alli mullai malara

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'm' in 'Malligai' and 'mullai malara'.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Maan vizhi thaanum kandaen / Anna nadai kanden

Comparing the maiden's eyes to a deer ('Maan vizhi') and her walk to a swan ('Anna nadai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mohini' (1948) featured M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and V. N. Janaki in lead roles. It was one of the early films in MGR's career before he attained superstar status in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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