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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Veenai Meettum

From Vazha Ninaithal Vazhalam · 1978

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vazha Ninaithal Vazhalam1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Veenai meettum kaikalae maalai soottavaaOh hands that play the veena, shall I place a garland on you?
Maalai soottum kaigalae veenai meetta vaaOh hands that place the garland, come to play the veena.
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena.
Ulagamae pugazhnthathe adhu unmai allavaaThe whole world praised it, isn't that true?
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena.
Female
Kannanodu radhai endraarThey said Radha is with Krishna.
Ramanodu seedhai endraarThey said Sita is with Rama.
Kannanodu radhai endraarThey said Radha is with Krishna.
Ramanodu seedhai endraarThey said Sita is with Rama.
Arugu pola vergal kandomLike Bermuda grass, we saw our roots spread deep.
Moongil pola sontham kondomLike bamboo, we formed a close-knit bond.
Female
Enai unakkena eesan vaiththaanGod destined me especially for you.
Ilai maraivinil paasam vaiththaanHe placed love tenderly, concealed like fruit behind leaves.
Enai unakkena eesan vaiththaanGod destined me especially for you.
Ilai maraivinil paasam vaiththaanHe placed love tenderly, concealed like fruit behind leaves.
Namathu veettu raagam ulagam engum paadumThe melody of our home will be sung all across the world.
Female
Veenai meettum kaikalae maalai soottavaaOh hands that play the veena, shall I place a garland on you?
Maalai soottum kaigalae veenai meetta vaaOh hands that place the garland, come to play the veena.
Veenai meettum kaigalae…Oh hands that play the veena...
Female
Aaru ondru odumpothuWhen a river flows,
Gangai pola oda vendumIt should flow pure and grand like the Ganges.
Nooru nooru aandu vaazhnthaalIf one lives for a hundred, hundred years,
Nammai pola vaazha vendumThey should live ideal lives like us.
Nooru nooru aandu vaazhnthaalIf one lives for a hundred, hundred years,
Nammai pola vaazha vendumThey should live ideal lives like us.
Female
Idhu iraivanin kadhal kattilThis is God's divine bed of love.
Radhi manmathan aadum thottilA cradle where Rathi and Manmatha play.
Idhu iraivanin kadhal kattilThis is God's divine bed of love.
Radhi manmathan aadum thottilA cradle where Rathi and Manmatha play.
Thalaivanae un aanaiOh lord, your command is the melody,
Thalaivi ennum veenaiAnd the heroine is the veena waiting to be played.
Female
Veenai meettum kaikalae maalai soottavaaOh hands that play the veena, shall I place a garland on you?
Maalai soottum kaigalae veenai meetta vaaOh hands that place the garland, come to play the veena.
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena.
Ulagamae pugazhnthathe adhu unmai allavaaThe whole world praised it, isn't that true?
Veenai meettum kaigalaeOh hands that play the veena.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic melody from the film 'Vazha Ninaithal Vazhalam' celebrates devotion, love, and marital harmony through the extended metaphor of music and the veena. The heroine addresses her husband as the musician whose touch brings out the sweetness in her life, comparing their union to divine legendary couples like Rama-Sita and Krishna-Radha. The lyrics use poetic natural metaphors to convey longevity, deep roots, and prosperity in love. She highlights how their love is ordained by God, nurtured quietly, and destined to inspire others as a sweet home melody.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Arugu pola vergal kandom / Moongil pola sontham kondom

Compares deep family roots to Bermuda grass ('Arugu') and close togetherness to bamboo groves ('Moongil').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thalaivi ennum veenai

Directly identifies the heroine as the musical instrument 'Veena' played by her hero.

Allusion (Mythological References)

Kannanodu radhai endraar / Ramanodu seedhai endraar

References archetype couples Krishna-Radha, Rama-Sita, and Rathi-Manmatha to symbolize ultimate romantic devotion.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Enai unakkena eesan vaiththaan / Ilai maraivinil paasam vaiththaan

Rhyming of the second letter 'ra' in 'Arugu' and 'Moongil' / 'Ilai' and 'Enai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Veenai Meettum Kaigalae' features music by Ilaiyaraaja with soulful vocals by S. Janaki and lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam. The song is well regarded for its blend of classical Carnatic sensibilities with accessible film lyricism, utilizing the veena as a primary thematic motif.

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