Velli Kolusu Mani
From Pongi Varum Kaveri · 1989
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Arun Mozhi, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pongi Varum Kaveri1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| { Velli kolusu mani | { Silver anklet bell |
| Velaana kannu mani } (2) | Spear-like precious eye } (2) |
| { Solli izhuthadhenna | { Why did you lure me with words? |
| Thoongaama senjadhenna } (2) | Why did you keep me awake? } (2) |
| Male | |
| Paadaatha raagam solli | Singing an unsung melody, |
| Paatu padichadhenna | Why did you sing a song? |
| Koodaama kooda vechu | Keeping me close without uniting, |
| Sethadhenna | Why did you torture me to death? |
| Female | |
| Velli kolusu mani | Silver anklet bell, |
| Velaana kannu mani | Spear-like precious eye, |
| Solli izhuthadhenna | Why did you lure me with words? |
| Thoongaama senjadhenna | Why did you keep me awake? |
| Female | |
| Thulli kudhikum | Leaping and bouncing, |
| Ponni nadhi thaan | It is indeed the River Ponni, |
| Mella mella vandhu anaikum | It comes gently to embrace, |
| Manja kulikum vanji manasa | The heart of the maiden bathing in turmeric, |
| Konji konji aravanaikum | It caresses and holds her close, |
| Male | |
| Ponni nadhi polae | Just like the Ponni river, |
| Naanum unna pothi pothi | Should I cherish and hold you tight, |
| Edukatumaa kannu vazhi | And take you through the path of the eyes, |
| Pesum chinna ponna | The little girl who speaks with her eyes, |
| Katti katti kodukatumaa | Shall I hold and embrace tightly? |
| Female | |
| Kaathu kaathu naanum | Waiting and waiting, |
| Poothu poothu ponen | I bloomed like a flower, |
| Serndhu paadum podhu | When we sing together, |
| Theril yeralaanen | I felt like ascending a royal chariot, |
| Male | |
| Un perai solli paadi vecha | When I sing praising your name, |
| Oorudhamma thaenae | Honey flows, oh dear! |
| Female | |
| Velli kolusu mani | Silver anklet bell, |
| Velaana kannu mani | Spear-like precious eye, |
| Male | |
| Solli izhuthadhenna | Why did you lure me with words? |
| Thoongaama senjadhenna | Why did you keep me awake? |
| Female | |
| Paadaatha raagam solli | Singing an unsung melody, |
| Paatu padichadhenna | Why did you sing a song? |
| Male | |
| Koodaama kooda | Without uniting, |
| Vechu sethadhenna | Why did you keep me near and torment me? |
| Male | |
| Kanna thorandhen nenjil vizhundha | I opened my eyes, and you fell into my heart, |
| Ullukulla inba sugam thaan | Inside, it is pure sweet bliss, |
| Ennam muzhudhum pongi vazhiyum | My entire thought overflows with passion, |
| Vaanginadhu nalla varam thaan | What I received is truly a wonderful boon, |
| Female | |
| Kanna thorakaama moodi kiten | Without opening my eyes, I kept them closed, |
| Nenjil vachu adaichu puten | I locked you deep inside my heart, |
| Pootu onna potu pooti puten | I put a lock and locked it tight, |
| Saaviya thaan tholaichu puten | And then I lost the key on purpose, |
| Male | |
| Ulla poyi nee thaan | Going deep inside, it is you, |
| Paadugindra paatu | The song that you sing, |
| Mezhugu polae naanum | Like wax, I too, |
| Urugi ponen ketu | Melted away upon hearing it, |
| Female | |
| Kaalamellaam kettida thaan | To keep listening to it for a lifetime, |
| Kaathuruken paathu | I am waiting eagerly, |
| Male | |
| { Velli kolusu mani | { Silver anklet bell |
| Velaana kannu mani } (2) | Spear-like precious eye } (2) |
| Female | |
| Solli izhuthadhenna | Why did you lure me with words? |
| Thoongaama senjadhenna | Why did you keep me awake? |
| Female | |
| Paadaatha raagam solli | Singing an unsung melody, |
| Paatu padichadhenna | Why did you sing a song? |
| Koodaama kooda vechu | Keeping me close without uniting, |
| Sethadhenna | Why did you torture me to death? |
| Male | |
| Velli kolusu mani | Silver anklet bell, |
| Velaana kannu mani | Spear-like precious eye, |
| Solli izhuthadhenna | Why did you lure me with words? |
| Thoongaama senjadhenna | Why did you keep me awake? |
{ வெள்ளி கொலுசு
மணி வேலான கண்ணு
மணி } (2)
{ சொல்லி இழுத்ததென்ன
தூங்காம செஞ்சதென்ன } (2)
{ Silver anklet bell
Spear-like precious eye } (2)
{ Why did you lure me with words?
Why did you keep me awake? } (2)
பாடாத ராகம்
சொல்லி பாட்டு
படிச்சதென்ன கூடாம
கூட வச்சு சேத்ததென்ன
Singing an unsung melody,
Why did you sing a song?
Keeping me close without uniting,
Why did you torture me to death?
வெள்ளி கொலுசு
மணி வேலான கண்ணு
மணி சொல்லி இழுத்ததென்ன
தூங்காம செஞ்சதென்ன
Silver anklet bell,
Spear-like precious eye,
Why did you lure me with words?
Why did you keep me awake?
துள்ளி குதிக்கும்
பொன்னி நதிதான் மெல்ல
மெல்ல வந்து அணைக்கும்
மஞ்ச குளிக்கும் வஞ்சி மனச
கொஞ்சி கொஞ்சி அரவணைக்கும்
Leaping and bouncing,
It is indeed the River Ponni,
It comes gently to embrace,
The heart of the maiden bathing in turmeric,
It caresses and holds her close,
பொன்னி நதிப்போல
நானும் உன்ன பொத்தி பொத்தி
எடுக்கட்டுமா கண்ணுவழி
பேசும் சின்னப்பொண்ண
கட்டிக் கட்டிக் கொடுக்கட்டுமா
Just like the Ponni river,
Should I cherish and hold you tight,
And take you through the path of the eyes,
The little girl who speaks with her eyes,
Shall I hold and embrace tightly?
காத்து காத்து
நானும் பூத்துப் பூத்துப்
போனேன் சோ்ந்து
பாடும்போது தேரில்
ஏறலானேன்
Waiting and waiting,
I bloomed like a flower,
When we sing together,
I felt like ascending a royal chariot,
உன் பேரச்சொல்லி
பாடி வச்ச ஊறுதம்மா
தேனே
When I sing praising your name,
Honey flows, oh dear!
வெள்ளி கொலுசு
மணி வேலான கண்ணு
மணி
Silver anklet bell,
Spear-like precious eye,
சொல்லி இழுத்ததென்ன
தூங்காம செஞ்சதென்ன
Why did you lure me with words?
Why did you keep me awake?
பாடாத ராகம்
சொல்லி பாட்டு
படிச்சதென்ன
Singing an unsung melody,
Why did you sing a song?
கூடாம கூட
வச்சு சேத்ததென்ன
Without uniting,
Why did you keep me near and torment me?
கண்ணத்தொறந்தேன்
நெஞ்சில் விழுந்த உள்ளுக்குள்ள
இன்ப சொகந்தான் எண்ணம்
முழுதும் பொங்கி வழியும்
வாங்கினது நல்ல வரம்தான்
I opened my eyes, and you fell into my heart,
Inside, it is pure sweet bliss,
My entire thought overflows with passion,
What I received is truly a wonderful boon,
கண்ணத்தொறக்காம
மூடிகிட்டேன் நெஞ்சில் வச்சு
அடச்சுபுட்டேன் பூட்டு ஒண்ணப்
போட்டு பூட்டிபுட்டேன் சாவியத்தான்
தொலச்சுபுட்டேன்
Without opening my eyes, I kept them closed,
I locked you deep inside my heart,
I put a lock and locked it tight,
And then I lost the key on purpose,
உள்ள போயி
நீதான் பாடுகின்ற பாட்டு
மெழுகப்போல நானும்
உருகிப்போனேன் கேட்டு
Going deep inside, it is you,
The song that you sing,
Like wax, I too,
Melted away upon hearing it,
காலமெல்லாம்
கேட்டிடத்தான்
காத்திருக்கேன் பாத்து
To keep listening to it for a lifetime,
I am waiting eagerly,
{ வெள்ளி கொலுசு
மணி வேலான கண்ணு
மணி } (2)
சொல்லி இழுத்ததென்ன
தூங்காம செஞ்சதென்ன
{ Silver anklet bell
Spear-like precious eye } (2)
பாடாத ராகம்
சொல்லி பாட்டு
படிச்சதென்ன கூடாம
கூட வச்சு சேத்ததென்ன
Why did you lure me with words?
Why did you keep me awake?
வெள்ளி கொலுசு
மணி வேலான கண்ணு
மணி சொல்லி இழுத்ததென்ன
தூங்காம செஞ்சதென்ன
Singing an unsung melody,
Why did you sing a song?
Keeping me close without uniting,
Why did you torture me to death?
Silver anklet bell,
Spear-like precious eye,
Why did you lure me with words?
Why did you keep me awake?
{ Velli kolusu mani
{ Silver anklet bell
Velaana kannu mani } (2)
Spear-like precious eye } (2)
{ Solli izhuthadhenna
{ Why did you lure me with words?
Thoongaama senjadhenna } (2)
Why did you keep me awake? } (2)
Paadaatha raagam solli
Singing an unsung melody,
Paatu padichadhenna
Why did you sing a song?
Koodaama kooda vechu
Keeping me close without uniting,
Sethadhenna
Why did you torture me to death?
Velli kolusu mani
Silver anklet bell,
Velaana kannu mani
Spear-like precious eye,
Solli izhuthadhenna
Why did you lure me with words?
Thoongaama senjadhenna
Why did you keep me awake?
Thulli kudhikum
Leaping and bouncing,
Ponni nadhi thaan
It is indeed the River Ponni,
Mella mella vandhu anaikum
It comes gently to embrace,
Manja kulikum vanji manasa
The heart of the maiden bathing in turmeric,
Konji konji aravanaikum
It caresses and holds her close,
Ponni nadhi polae
Just like the Ponni river,
Naanum unna pothi pothi
Should I cherish and hold you tight,
Edukatumaa kannu vazhi
And take you through the path of the eyes,
Pesum chinna ponna
The little girl who speaks with her eyes,
Katti katti kodukatumaa
Shall I hold and embrace tightly?
Kaathu kaathu naanum
Waiting and waiting,
Poothu poothu ponen
I bloomed like a flower,
Serndhu paadum podhu
When we sing together,
Theril yeralaanen
I felt like ascending a royal chariot,
Un perai solli paadi vecha
When I sing praising your name,
Oorudhamma thaenae
Honey flows, oh dear!
Velli kolusu mani
Silver anklet bell,
Velaana kannu mani
Spear-like precious eye,
Solli izhuthadhenna
Why did you lure me with words?
Thoongaama senjadhenna
Why did you keep me awake?
Paadaatha raagam solli
Singing an unsung melody,
Paatu padichadhenna
Why did you sing a song?
Koodaama kooda
Without uniting,
Vechu sethadhenna
Why did you keep me near and torment me?
Kanna thorandhen nenjil vizhundha
I opened my eyes, and you fell into my heart,
Ullukulla inba sugam thaan
Inside, it is pure sweet bliss,
Ennam muzhudhum pongi vazhiyum
My entire thought overflows with passion,
Vaanginadhu nalla varam thaan
What I received is truly a wonderful boon,
Kanna thorakaama moodi kiten
Without opening my eyes, I kept them closed,
Nenjil vachu adaichu puten
I locked you deep inside my heart,
Pootu onna potu pooti puten
I put a lock and locked it tight,
Saaviya thaan tholaichu puten
And then I lost the key on purpose,
Ulla poyi nee thaan
Going deep inside, it is you,
Paadugindra paatu
The song that you sing,
Mezhugu polae naanum
Like wax, I too,
Urugi ponen ketu
Melted away upon hearing it,
Kaalamellaam kettida thaan
To keep listening to it for a lifetime,
Kaathuruken paathu
I am waiting eagerly,
{ Velli kolusu mani
{ Silver anklet bell
Velaana kannu mani } (2)
Spear-like precious eye } (2)
Solli izhuthadhenna
Why did you lure me with words?
Thoongaama senjadhenna
Why did you keep me awake?
Paadaatha raagam solli
Singing an unsung melody,
Paatu padichadhenna
Why did you sing a song?
Koodaama kooda vechu
Keeping me close without uniting,
Sethadhenna
Why did you torture me to death?
Velli kolusu mani
Silver anklet bell,
Velaana kannu mani
Spear-like precious eye,
Solli izhuthadhenna
Why did you lure me with words?
Thoongaama senjadhenna
Why did you keep me awake?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Velli kolusu mani is a deeply romantic song from the film Pongi Varum Kaveri (1989), penned by Gangai Amaran. The lyrics express the sweet torment, ecstasy, and total surrender experienced in romantic love. The protagonist describes how the beloved's alluring spear-like eyes and sweet talk have stolen sleep away, filling the heart with an overflowing sense of delight that feels like a divine blessing. Rich in poetic imagery, the song compares love to the gentle, caressing flow of the River Kaveri (Ponni) embracing the land. The speaker poetically describes locking the lover inside the heart and throwing away the key, and melting like wax upon hearing the beloved's voice, expressing a desire to listen to this eternal song of love for a lifetime.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Mezhugu polae naanum urugi ponen ketu”
Compares the speaker melting emotionally to wax melting under heat when hearing the lover's song.
Extended Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Pootu onna potu pooti puten saaviya thaan tholaichu puten”
Metaphorically describes securing love inside the heart by locking it up and losing the key.
Reiteration / Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)
“Mella mella vandhu anaikum”
Repetition of words like 'mella mella', 'konji konji', and 'pothi pothi' to emphasize gentleness and affection.
Initial Rhyme (Monai)
“Velli kolusu mani / Velaana kannu mani”
Matching starting sounds in adjacent lines ('Velli' / 'Velaana').
Did you know?
Trivia
Pongi Varum Kaveri (1989) is a rural Tamil drama film. Lyricist Gangai Amaran frequently drew upon traditional folk elements and natural imagery—specifically the River Kaveri (Ponni)—to evoke deep cultural resonance in romantic songs.
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