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Ennai Vittu Pogaathe album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vellai Niranthoru

From Ennai Vittu Pogaathe · 1988

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ennai Vittu Pogaathe
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
17 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vellai nirathoru
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Ullam thavippadhai
Solla mudiyaliyae
Mullai kodikkoru thaerum ingirukka
Mullai kodi adhai alli thaeril vida
Vallalum ingillaiyae
Vellai nirathoru
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Ullam thavippadhai
Solla mudiyaliyae
Kangal rendum ingu eeram
Konjam kooda kandukollavillai yaarum
Kangal rendum ingu eeram
Konjam kooda kandukollavillai yaarum
Ullathin aazhathil oorum eeram
Adhu ullukkul kaaindhae thaan pogum
Ullathin aazhathil oorum eeram
Adhu ullukkul kaaindhae thaan pogum
Vaanathu megathil
Thoongidum neeradhu
Boomikku vandhidumaa
Vaanathai thaedidum aazha kadalinil
Kotti kalandhidumaa
Illai sollaamal kollaamal
Megam kalaindhidumaa
Vellai nirathoru
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Ullam thavippadhai
Solla mudiyaliyae
Naetru nadandhadhu
Enna enni enni
Paarkka thudippadhum enna
Naetru nadandhadhu
Enna enni enni
Paarkka thudippadhum enna
Poothu kulungidum
Poovai alli choodi
Saerthu sirithadhum enna
Poothu kulungidum
Poovai alli choodi
Saerthu sirithadhum enna
Aatrangaraiyinil aadi kalithadhum
Nenjam marandhidumaa
Odai kara thannil odi pidithadhum
Ullukkul odudhammaa
Indru serndhae irandum thaan
Vikki thavikkudhammaa
Vellai nirathoru
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Ullam thavippadhai
Solla mudiyaliyae
Mullai kodikkoru thaerum ingirukka
Mullai kodi adhai alli thaeril vida
Vallalum ingillaiyae
Vellai nirathoru
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Ullam thavippadhai
Solla mudiyaliyae
O fair-complexioned,
tender green parrot,
the yearning of my heart,
I am unable to tell.
Though a chariot stands here for the jasmine vine,
to gently lift the vine and place it on the chariot,
the generous king is not here.
O fair-complexioned,
tender green parrot,
the yearning of my heart,
I am unable to tell.
Both my eyes are wet with tears,
yet no one has noticed at all.
Both my eyes are wet with tears,
yet no one has noticed at all.
The sorrow welling in the depths of my heart
will only dry away within.
The sorrow welling in the depths of my heart
will only dry away within.
The water sleeping
in the sky's clouds—
will it ever reach the earth?
Into the deep sea that longs for the sky,
will it pour down and merge?
Or without a word,
will the cloud simply scatter away?
O fair-complexioned,
tender green parrot,
the yearning of my heart,
I am unable to tell.
What happened yesterday—
why does my heart ache
to dwell on it over and over?
What happened yesterday—
why does my heart ache
to dwell on it over and over?
Gathering blossoming flowers
to wear in the hair,
and laughing together back then...
Gathering blossoming flowers
to wear in the hair,
and laughing together back then...
Playing with joy on the riverbank,
could my heart ever forget it?
Chasing each other along the stream,
it keeps running through my mind.
Today, both of us together
are choking with sorrow and pain.
O fair-complexioned,
tender green parrot,
the yearning of my heart,
I am unable to tell.
Though a chariot stands here for the jasmine vine,
to gently lift the vine and place it on the chariot,
the generous king is not here.
O fair-complexioned,
tender green parrot,
the yearning of my heart,
I am unable to tell.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Vellai Nirathoru' is a poignant composition expressing unfulfilled longing and unseen grief. Addressing an innocent 'green parrot', a symbol of pure soul and tender heart, the speaker laments their inability to voice the deep agony swelling inside. The imagery of a helpless jasmine vine needing a chariot alludes to classical Tamil folklore, emphasizing the absence of a compassionate savior in their hour of pain. Nostalgic memories of past joys—playing on riverbanks, laughing together, wearing fresh flowers—contrast sharply with the present state of neglected tears and silent suffering. The speaker reflects on whether comfort will ever rain down upon their life or if hope will simply disperse like silent clouds in the sky.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Classical Allusion (Uvamai / Purananuru Allusion)

“Mullai kodikkoru thaerum ingirukka”

Refers to the famous story of King Pari giving his chariot to support a helpless jasmine vine. Here, it symbolizes the speaker's yearning for a compassionate protector.

Visual Juxtaposition / Oxymoron (Muran)

“Vellai nirathoru Pacha kili pillaiyae”

Juxtaposes 'Vellai' (white/pure) with 'Pacha kili' (green parrot) to emphasize innocence and stark emotional purity.

Personification & Metaphor

“Vaanathu megathil Thoongidum neeradhu”

Personifies rain water as 'sleeping' inside sky clouds and questioning if it will ever reach the yearning earth below, symbolizing unfulfilled emotional nourishment.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics for 'Vellai Nirathoru' were penned by maestro Ilaiyaraaja himself for the 1988 film 'Ennai Vittu Pogaathe'. Ilaiyaraaja frequently drew upon classical Tamil Sangam literature motifs—such as Kadai Ezhu Vallal Pari's legendary donation of his chariot to a jasmine vine—and seamlessly integrated them into contemporary cinema poetry.

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