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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Veenai Meettum Kaigale

From Vaazha Ninaithaal Vaazhalaam · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaazha Ninaithaal Vaazhalaam1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena
Maalai soottavaa aaa…aaShall I adorn you with a garland?
Maalai soottum kaigalaeOh hands that place the garland
Veenai meettavaa aaa…aaShall I play the veena?
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena
Ulagamae pugazhndhadhaeThe entire world praised it
Adhu unmai allavaaIs that not the truth?
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena
Female
Kannanodu raadhai endraarThey spoke of Radha alongside Krishna
Raamanodu seethai endraarThey spoke of Sita alongside Rama
Arugu pola vergal kandomWe found roots like deep grass
Moongil pola sondham kondomWe formed a bond like bamboo
Enai unakkena eesan vaithaanGod created me for you
Ilai maraivinil paasam vaithaanHe placed affection like hidden fruit behind leaves
Namadhu veettu raagamThe melody of our household
Ulagam engum paattuIs a song heard across the whole world
Female
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena
Maalai soottavaa aaa…aaShall I adorn you with a garland?
Maalai soottum kaigalaeOh hands that place the garland
Veenai meettavaa aaa…aaShall I play the veena?
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena
Female
Aaru ondru odum podhuWhen a river flows
Gangai pola oda vendumIt should flow like the Ganges
Nooru nooru aandu vaazhndhaalIf one lives for hundreds of years
Nammai pola vaazha vendumThey should live like us
Idhu iraivanin kaadhal kattilThis is God's bed of love
Radhi manmadhan aadum thottilA cradle where Rati and Manmatha dance
Thalaivanae un aanaiOh leader, your command
Thalaivi ennum veenaiIs played on the veena named the heroine
Female
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena
Maalai soottavaa aaa…aaShall I adorn you with a garland?
Maalai soottum kaigalaeOh hands that place the garland
Veenai meettavaa aaa…aaShall I play the veena?
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Veenai meettum kaigalae' is a classic romantic song that celebrates deep marital love, respect, and emotional harmony between partners. The lyrics draw a poetic connection between music and devotion, portraying the husband and wife as complementary forces, like a musician and her instrument, or mythological couples such as Radha-Krishna and Sita-Rama. Kannadasan uses vivid nature-based allegories—such as deep-rooted grass and interconnected bamboo—to symbolize a strong, lasting bond designed by divine decree. The song emphasizes living a noble, exemplary life filled with love, comparing the household's joy to a melody that resonates throughout the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Arugu pola vergal kandom / Moongil pola sondham kondom

Comparing the depth and strength of their relationship roots to Bermuda grass ('Arugu pola') and bamboo groves ('Moongil pola').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thalaivi ennum veenai

Metaphorically representing the heroine herself as a musical instrument ('veenai').

Monai (Alliteration / Parallelism)

Kannanodu raadhai endraar / Raamanodu seethai endraar

Rhythmic pairing of mythological couples (Kannan-Raadhai and Raaman-Seethai) to establish timeless romantic devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song uses classical Tamil cultural metaphors where 'Arugu' (Bermuda grass) symbolizes deep-rooted durability and 'Moongil' (bamboo) represents continuous family lineage and bond.

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