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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vellai Pura Ondru (Duet)

From Pudhu Kavithai · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pudhu Kavithai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa …Aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa…
Male
Vellai pura ondru yengudhu kaiyil varaamalaeA white dove yearns, unable to reach the hand.
Female
Vellai pura ondru yengudhu kaiyil varaamalaeA white dove yearns, unable to reach the hand.
Male
Namadhu kadhai pudhu kavidhaiOur story is a modern poem,
Ilakanangal idharku illaiIt has no predefined rules or grammar.
Female
Naan undhan poo maalai oh ohI am your garland of flowers, oh oh.
Male
Vellai pura ondru yengudhu kaiyil varaamalaeA white dove yearns, unable to reach the hand.
Female
Gangai vellam paayum bodhu karaigal enna veliyoWhen the Ganges floods, can riverbanks constrain it like a fence?
Male
Aaviyodu serndha jothi paadhai maara koodumoCan a flame merged with the soul stray from its path?
Female
Manangalin niram paartha kaadhalLove that has seen the color of hearts,
Mugangalin niram paarkumoWill it look at the color of faces?
Male
Nee kondu vaa kaadhal varamBring forth the boon of love,
Female
Poo thoovumae panneer maramThe rosewater tree will shower flowers.
Male
Soodaana kanavugal kannodu thallaadaAs warm dreams sway gently in the eyes,
Female
Vellai pura ondru yengudhu kaiyil varaamalaeA white dove yearns, unable to reach the hand.
Female
Aaa aaa aaaAaa aaa aaa
Male
Poovil serndhu vaazhntha vaasam kaaval thanai meerumaeThe fragrance living in a flower will breach all guards.
Female
Kaalam maarum endra podhum kaadhal nadhi oorumaeEven as time changes, the river of love will continue to flow.
Male
Varaiyaraigalai maatrum bodhu thalaimuraigalum maarumaeWhen boundaries change, generations too will change.
Female
Endrum undhan nenjoramaeForever near your heart,
Male
Anbae undhan sanjaaramaeMy love, is where my soul wanders.
Female
Kaarkaala silirpugal kannoram undaagaAs monsoon shivers bloom near the corners of the eyes,
Male
Vellai pura ondru yengudhu kaiyil varaamalaeA white dove yearns, unable to reach the hand.
Female
Namadhu kadhai pudhu kavidhaiOur story is a modern poem,
Male
Ilakanangal idharku illaiIt has no predefined rules or grammar.
Naan undhan poo maalai oh ohI am your garland of flowers, oh oh.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vellai Pura Ondru' from the movie Pudhu Kavithai (1982) is a deeply romantic song about a love that transcends societal boundaries, physical looks, and traditional rules. The protagonist compares their relationship to modern poetry ('Pudhu Kavidhai'), which creates its own beauty without being constrained by rigid classical rules.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Vellai pura ondru yengudhu kaiyil varaamalae

The lover or pure longing heart is metaphorically represented as a longing white dove ('Vellai pura').

Metaphor

Namadhu kadhai pudhu kavidhai / Ilakanangal idharku illai

The relationship is compared to modern free-verse poetry that breaks free from conventional rules.

Rhetorical Question & Imagery

Gangai vellam paayum bodhu karaigal enna veliyo

Uses the powerful image of an overflowing Ganges river to illustrate how social boundaries cannot stop true love.

Antithesis / Contrast

Manangalin niram paartha kaadhal / Mugangalin niram paarkumo

Contrasts the deep character of the heart ('manangalin niram') against superficial physical beauty ('mugangalin niram').

Emonai / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Nee kondu vaa kaadhal varam / Poo thoovumae panneer maram

Rhyming words 'varam' and 'maram' build rhythmic harmony across the lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pudhu Kavithai (1982) starred Rajinikanth and Saritha and featured iconic music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, despite being listed as unknown in some song metadata. The lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu, and the song was rendered by legendary singers K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki.

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