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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vayadhu Vantha

From Naam Moovar · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Naam Moovar1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vayadhu vandha pennaiA woman who has come of age
Oru vaaliban thodalaamaCan a young man touch?
Avan kaadhalan endraalumEven if he is her lover,
Aval naanathai vidalaamaShould she cast aside her shyness?
Female
Vayadhu vandha pennaiA woman who has come of age
Oru vaaliban thodalaamaCan a young man touch?
Avan kaadhalan endraalumEven if he is her lover,
Aval naanathai vidalaamaShould she cast aside her shyness?
Male
Aasai vandha pinnae andhaOnce desire arrives,
Naanathai poga viduLet that shyness fade away.
Suvai aayiram aagattumaeLet there be a thousand sweet delights,
Uyir kadhalai vaazha viduLet true love live on.
Male
Aasai vandha pinnae andhaOnce desire arrives,
Naanathai poga viduLet that shyness fade away.
Suvai aayiram aagattumaeLet there be a thousand sweet delights,
Uyir kadhalai vaazha viduLet true love live on.
Female
Kaigal enna thottilooAre your hands a cradle?
Kanni enna pillaiyooIs the maiden a child?
Kaigal enna thottilooAre your hands a cradle?
Kanni enna pillaiyooIs the maiden a child?
Kaadhal enna paadalooIs love a song?
Kann mayangum neramoIs this a moment when eyes grow dreamy?
Kaadhal enna paadalooIs love a song?
Kann mayangum neramoIs this a moment when eyes grow dreamy?
Male
Nenjam enna oonjaloIs the heart a swing?
Ninaivu enna aadalooAre thoughts a dance?
Nenjam enna oonjaloIs the heart a swing?
Ninaivu enna aadalooAre thoughts a dance?
Kannam enna vannamooIs the cheek a painting of colors?
Killirukkum kinnamoIs it a vessel of sweetness to be savored?
Kannam enna vannamooIs the cheek a painting of colors?
Killirukkum kinnamoIs it a vessel of sweetness to be savored?
Female
Pakkam vanthu sellavooShould I come close and then leave?
Vetkam vittu sollavooShould I speak, leaving modesty behind?
Pakkam vanthu sellavooShould I come close and then leave?
Vetkam vittu sollavooShould I speak, leaving modesty behind?
Azhagai thandhu ketkavooShould I offer beauty and demand love?
Aadai kondu moodavooShould I cover it with garments?
Azhagai thandhu ketkavooShould I offer beauty and demand love?
Aadai kondu moodavooShould I cover it with garments?
Male
Paarthu nindraal podhumaIs it enough to just stand and watch?
Pasiyum adangi pogumaWill hunger subside just by looking?
Paarthu nindraal podhumaIs it enough to just stand and watch?
Pasiyum adangi pogumaWill hunger subside just by looking?
Kettu vaanga vendumaShould one ask and claim love?
Kelvi badhilum aagumaaCan a question become its own answer?
Kettu vaanga vendumaShould one ask and claim love?
Kelvi badhilum aagumaaCan a question become its own answer?
Female
Vayadhu vandha pennaiA woman who has come of age
Oru vaaliban thodalaamaCan a young man touch?
Avan kaadhalan endraalumEven if he is her lover,
Aval naanathai vidalaamaShould she cast aside her shyness?
Male
Aasai vandha pinnae andhaOnce desire arrives,
Naanathai poga viduLet that shyness fade away.
Suvai aayiram aagattumaeLet there be a thousand sweet delights,
Uyir kadhalai vaazha viduLet true love live on.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vayadhu Vandha Pennai' from Naam Moovar (1966) is a classic playful romantic duet between lovers expressing their innermost feelings and physical attraction. The female protagonist coquettishly questions whether it is proper for a young man to touch a grown woman, even if he is her lover, and whether she should let go of her innate modesty. In response, her lover gently urges her to cast aside her shyness once true desire blooms, celebrating intimacy and romance. Through metaphorical exchanges comparing hands to cradles, hearts to swings, and physical longing to hunger, the lyrics by Vaali beautifully highlight the subtle dance of passion, consent, and mutual love. Ultimately, the song emphasizes that love transcends bashfulness and brings boundless joy when fully surrendered to.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Oru vaaliban thodalaama / Aval naanathai vidalaama

The usage of matching rhyming suffixes at the end of consecutive lines creates a melodic cadence (e.g., thodalaama / vidalaama).

Uvamai & Uruvagam (Metaphor / Imagery)

Kaigal enna thottiloo / Nenjam enna oonjalo

Comparing loving hands to a cradle ('thottil') and the heart to a swaying swing ('oonjal') poetically conveys gentle affection and emotional agitation.

Rhetorical Questioning (Vinaa Ani)

Paarthu nindraal podhuma / Pasiyum adangi poguma

Using questions ('Paarthu nindraal podhuma / Pasiyum adangi poguma') to emphasize that merely looking at love cannot satisfy romantic longing.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by veteran music director S. M. Subbaiah Naidu for the 1966 Tamil romantic film 'Naam Moovar', this song remains one of lyricist Vaali's early memorable romantic tracks. Rendered by the legendary duet pair T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, the song captures the classic mid-60s Tamil cinema aesthetic.

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