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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vayasu Ponnu Thaniye

From Nenjamellam Neeye · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nenjamellam Neeye1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vayasu ponnu thaniyae ninnuA young girl standing alone,
Sirippathenna rasipathennaWhy are you smiling, why are you admiring?
ThavippathennammaaWhy are you yearning, my dear girl?
Female
Ammaanae summaathaanOh uncle, it is just for no reason,
Ammaanae summaathaanOh uncle, it is just for no reason,
Aalaana pinaalae neeyaala thanthaanaeEver since I came of age, you gave yourself for me to possess.
Male :Kandaangi munthaanaMale: The drape of your Kandangi saree,
Kaaththaada kandenaeI saw it fluttering in the breeze.
Female
Vayasu ponnu thaniyae ninnuA young girl standing alone,
Siripputhenna rasipathennaWhy are you smiling, why are you admiring?
ThavippathennaiyaaWhy are you yearning, my dear sir?
Male
Ammaadi thaalaathaeOh my girl, do not delay,
Ammaadi thaalaathaeOh my girl, do not delay,
Aalaana pinaalae neeyaala thanthaanaeEver since I came of age, you gave yourself for me to possess.
Male :Kandaangi munthaanaMale: The drape of your Kandangi saree,
Kaaththaada kandenaeI saw it fluttering in the breeze.
Female
{Munthaa naal raatthiri{The night before last,
Thookkam illamaeWithout any sleep,
Vanthaen naan paarthaenaeI came and looked,
Paakku thoppulae} (2)In the betel nut grove} (2)
Male
Oru naal maalai nearamOne day in the evening time,
Paarkka sonnaayaeYou asked me to meet you,
Marunaal aaththoramThe next day by the riverbank,
Kaaththu ninnaenaeI stood waiting for you.
Female
Thaayodu thanthai aagavenum naamaeWe must become mother and father together,
Thaayodu thanthai aagavenum naamaeWe must become mother and father together.
Male
Vayasu ponnu thaniyae ninnuA young girl standing alone,
Sirippathenna rasipathennaWhy are you smiling, why are you admiring?
ThavippathennammaaWhy are you yearning, my dear girl?
Female
Ammaanae summaathaanOh uncle, it is just for no reason,
Ammaanae summaathaanOh uncle, it is just for no reason,
Aalaana pinaalae neeyaala thanthaanaeEver since I came of age, you gave yourself for me to possess.
Male :Kandaangi munthaanaMale: The drape of your Kandangi saree,
Kaaththaada kandenaeI saw it fluttering in the breeze.
Male
{Siththaadai aththaanin{The young girl's silk attire,
Mogam koottuthaeIncreases the uncle's desire,
Achchaara muththaada naalum paakkuthae} (2)Looking every day for a token kiss} (2)
Female
Idhu pol un maarbilEmbraced upon your chest like this,
Saerum kalyaanamThe wedding that unites us,
Thirunaal annaalil namakku oorkolamOn that sacred day, there will be a procession for us.
Male
Vaanodu mannum vaazha nammai vaazhththumBoth the sky and the earth will bless us to live well,
Vaanodu mannum vaazha nammai vaazhththumBoth the sky and the earth will bless us to live well.
Female
Vayasu ponnu thaniyae ninnuA young girl standing alone,
Siripputhenna rasipathennaWhy are you smiling, why are you admiring?
ThavippathennaiyaaWhy are you yearning, my dear sir?
Male
Ammaadi thaalaathaeOh my girl, do not delay,
Ammaadi thaalaathaeOh my girl, do not delay,
Aalaana pinaalae neeyaala thanthaanaeEver since I came of age, you gave yourself for me to possess.
Male :Kandaangi munthaanaMale: The drape of your Kandangi saree,
Kaaththaada kandenaeI saw it fluttering in the breeze.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and romantic duet expresses the flirtatious banter and deep longing between two young lovers in a rural setting. The song captures their secret rendezvous near betel groves and riverbanks, highlighting their innocent affection, playful teasing about saree drapes fluttering in the wind, and mutual yearning for marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edukku / Rhyme (Monai and Etukai)

Sirippathenna rasipathenna

The song makes use of traditional Tamil poetic rhythms where second-letter rhyme patterns occur, such as 'Sirippathenna' and 'Thavippathennammaa'.

Imagery / Symbolism

Male :Kandaangi munthaana Kaaththaada kandenae

The 'Kandaangi munthaana' (the drape of the traditional Chettinad/Tamil saree) fluttering in the wind serves as a romantic visual symbol of yearning and attraction.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Ammaanae summaathaan

Repetition of phrases like 'Ammaane summaathaan' emphasizes playful innocence and coy denial in response to romantic teasing.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nenjamellam Neeye is a 1983 Tamil romantic drama film directed by R. Sundarrajan, featuring music composed by Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics penned by the acclaimed poet Vaali.

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