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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Velaayi Veeraayi

From Lakshmi (1979) · 1979

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
S. Janaki, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Lakshmi (1979)1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Haei…Hey...
Chorus
Thandhaanaa thandhaanaaThandhaanaa thandhaanaa
Thaana thandhanthaanaanaa thandhanthaanaanaaThaana thandhanthaanaanaa thandhanthaanaanaa
Thaanaanaa naanaanaa thandhanthaanaanaaThaanaanaa naanaanaa thandhanthaanaanaa
Female
Velaayi veeraayiVelaayi, Veeraayi
Vetkam yenna poovaayiWhy the shyness, Poovaayi?
Vandhu nillu raamaayiCome and stand here, Raamaayi
Oorellaam kondaattamThe entire village is celebrating
Odi vaangadi mayilaattamRun and come, girls, perform the peacock dance
Chorus
Velaayi veeraayiVelaayi, Veeraayi
Vetkam yenna poovaayi poovaayiWhy the shyness, Poovaayi, Poovaayi?
Female
Muthu polaLike pearls
Chorus :PandhalA pandal canopy
Female :Katta venumMust be erected
Chorus :ThangaGolden
Female :Vanna kolam veedhiyellaamColorful rangoli in all the streets
Poda venumMust be drawn
Maavilai thoranam aada venumGarlands of mango leaves must sway in the breeze
Female
Manjal aalaathi thattuThe yellow turmeric aarti plate
Yendha venumMust be held and offered
Female Chorus :Kattil vaaraadhuWithout coming to bed
Raagam paada venumOne must sing musical ragas
Female
Raamaru vaara neram hoiIt is the auspicious time Lord Rama arrives, hoi!
Chorus
Velaayi veeraayiVelaayi, Veeraayi
Vetkam enna poovaayi poovaayiWhy the shyness, Poovaayi, Poovaayi?
Female
Alli koottamA gathering of water lilies
Female Chorus :IvaShe is
Female :Kannam thotramThe look of her cheeks
Female Chorus :IdaiHer waist
Female :Asaindhaadi nadandhaalaeWhen she sways and walks
SadhiraattamIt is like a classical dance performance
Maappillaikku iva kanna koduppaaShe gives her loving gaze to the groom
Female
Pudhu maappillai vandhaaWhen the new groom arrives
Kanna koduppaaShe gives her loving gaze
Chorus
Velaayi veeraayiVelaayi, Veeraayi
Vetkam enna poovaayi poovaayiWhy the shyness, Poovaayi, Poovaayi?
Female
AathaadiOh my goodness!
Female Chorus :IvaShe is
Female :PoothaadiA blossom
Female Chorus :MalliJasmine
Female :Aathoram machaana paarthaadiShe saw her beloved near the riverbank!
Aasaiyil ennenna padichaanoWhat lessons did he learn in desire?
Female
Avan anaichaano iva thudichaaloDid he embrace her, or did she quiver?
Illa ariyaama iva nadichaaloOr did she pretend out of innocence?
Female Chorus :Vetkatha paarungadi hoiLook at her shyness, girls, hoi!
Female
Velaayi veeraayiVelaayi, Veeraayi
Vetkam yenna poovaayiWhy the shyness, Poovaayi?
Vandhu nillu raamaayiCome and stand here, Raamaayi
Oorellaam kondaattamThe entire village is celebrating
Odi vaangadi mayilaattamRun and come, girls, perform the peacock dance
Chorus
Velaayi veeraayiVelaayi, Veeraayi
Vetkam yenna poovaayi poovaayiWhy the shyness, Poovaayi, Poovaayi?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat celebratory folk song from the 1979 movie 'Lakshmi' expresses the festive atmosphere of a rural wedding celebration. The lyrics call upon village girls named Velaayi, Veeraayi, Poovaayi, and Raamaayi to shed their shyness and join the festivities. It vividly details traditional wedding preparations, such as erecting decorative pandals, drawing colorful street rangolis (kolam), hanging mango leaf garlands, and raising auspicious turmeric aarti plates.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethiray / Rhyme Scheme

Velaayi veeraayi / Vetkam yenna poovaayi / Vandhu nillu raamaayi

The usage of matching end-rhymes (Iyaibo) across line ends like Velaayi, Veeraayi, Poovaayi, and Raamaayi creates a lively folk rhythm.

Simile (Upamai)

Odi vaangadi mayilaattam

Comparing the joy and dancing style of village girls to a graceful peacock dance ('mayilaattam').

Metaphor / Visual Imagery

Alli koottam... Malli... Poothaadi

Describing the bride and her friends as a group of water lilies ('Alli koottam') and blooming jasmine ('Malli').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track showcases traditional Tamil folk music traditions (Nattupura Paatu) embedded in mainstream 1970s Tamil cinema, characterized by call-and-response vocal delivery between a lead female singer and a female chorus.

Keep listening

More from Lakshmi (1979)