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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vellam Pole Thullum

From Kanavugal Karpanaigal · 1982

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Parvathi
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Kanavugal Karpanaigal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vellam polae thullum ullangalaeOh hearts bouncing like a flood!
Inba veenai polae gaanam paadungalaeSing songs like a joyful veena!
Vellam polae thullum ullangalaeOh hearts bouncing like a flood!
Inba veenai polae gaanam paadungalaeSing songs like a joyful veena!
Chinna vayadhinilae pongum ninaivugalaeThe overflowing memories from young age,
Verum kanavugal karpanaigalAre mere dreams and imaginations.
Male
Vellam polae thullum ullangalaeOh hearts bouncing like a flood!
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Naanana naanana naanana naanana naanaaNaanana naanana naanana naanana naanaa
Male
Kallam illaa unmai kaadhalendraal…If it is true love without deceit…
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Male
Kallam illaa unmai kaadhalendraalIf it is true love without deceit,
Kangalil aarambamaaDoes it begin in the eyes?
Kan kollaa kaatchiyil aarambamaaDoes it begin in a sight too grand for the eyes?
Vellamum vellamum servadhu polJust as two floods join together,
Ullam pinaindhidumaaWill hearts entwine?
Anbinaal ondru kalandhidumaaWill they unite as one through love?
Pen manadhilae veen salanamaaIs there vain hesitation in a woman's heart?
Pon oliyilae kan thirakkumaaWill eyes open in the golden light?
Nal vaazhvum malarndhidumaa haaWill a good life blossom? Haa.
Male
Vellam polae thullum ullangalaeOh hearts bouncing like a flood!
Inba veenai polae gaanam paadungalaeSing songs like a joyful veena!
Chinna vayadhinilae pongum ninaivugalaeThe overflowing memories from young age,
Verum kanavugal karpanaigalAre mere dreams and imaginations.
Female
Nanaananaanaa… nanaananaanaa…Nanaananaanaa… nanaananaanaa…
Naananaa naananaa naa…Naananaa naananaa naa…
Nananana naananaa naananaa naa…Nananana naananaa naananaa naa…
Male
Kaalai ilam veyil theendum munnaeBefore the soft morning sunlight touches,
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… …Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… …
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Male
Kaalai ilam veyil theendum munnaeBefore the soft morning sunlight touches,
Solai malarndhadhammaaThe grove blossomed, oh dear!
Vandukkor olai varandhadhammaaA message arrived for the beetle, oh dear!
Vaelai theriyaamal kaalai manamWithout knowing the right time, the morning mind
Vaedikkai paarkkudhammaaIs watching the spectator show, oh dear!
Nenjathil vaedhanai saerkkudhammaaAdding pain to the heart, oh dear!
Thunai kidaikkumaa sugam pirakkumaaWill a companion be found? Will happiness be born?
Anbu nilaikkumaa ennam palikkumaaWill love endure? Will desires come true?
Mana yaekkam thanindhidumaa haaWill the longing of the heart subside? Haa.
Male
Vellam polae thullum ullangalaeOh hearts bouncing like a flood!
Inba veenai polae gaanam paadungalaeSing songs like a joyful veena!
Chinna vayadhinilae pongum ninaivugalaeThe overflowing memories from young age,
Verum kanavugal karpanaigalAre mere dreams and imaginations.
Male
Vellam polae thullum ullangalae…Oh hearts bouncing like a flood…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a poetic reflection on youthful excitement, love, and the transience of dreams. Comparing human emotion to surging waters and musical instruments, it contemplates whether childhood memories and high aspirations are ultimately mere fantasies or tangible realities. The protagonist questions the nature of true love—wondering if it begins at a glance, how two souls merge, and whether companionship can bring an end to internal restlessness and yearning.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Vellam polae thullum ullangalae

Compares the joyfully bounding heart to an overflowing flood ('Vellam polae').

Simile (Upamai)

Inba veenai polae gaanam paadungalae

Compares joyous singing to the melodious sound of a musical instrument ('Inba veenai polae').

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Kallam illaa unmai kaadhalendraal

Repetition of initial 'Ka' sound across words ('Kallam', 'Kaadhal', 'Kangalil', 'Kan').

Metaphor / Personification

Solai malarndhadhammaa / Vandukkor olai varandhadhammaa

Uses nature imagery (blossoming grove and message for the bee) as a metaphor for romance and awakening feelings.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam, a respected poet and lyricist in Tamil cinema, the song uses classical metaphors comparing love to natural elements like floods, blossoming gardens, and musical notes.

Keep listening

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