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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Velli Rathangal (Sad)

From Paruva Kaalam · 1974

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
P. Maduri
Music director
G. Devarajan
Details
Paruva Kaalam1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Velli rathangal azhagu megamBeautiful clouds are like silver chariots,
Sellum veedhi sivantha vaanamThe red sky is the street through which they move.
Paavai nenjil ilamai raagamIn a young maiden's heart, a tune of youth,
Paada vanthathu paruva kaalamThe season of youth has arrived to sing.
Female
Velli rathangal azhagu megamBeautiful clouds are like silver chariots,
Sellum veedhi sivantha vaanamThe red sky is the street through which they move.
Paavai nenjil ilamai raagamIn a young maiden's heart, a tune of youth,
Paada vanthathu paruva kaalamThe season of youth has arrived to sing.
Paruva kaalam…..paruva kaalam….Season of youth... season of youth...
Female
Paadum paravai aayiram naduveyAmidst a thousand singing birds,
Naano paadavillaiYet I am unable to sing.
Ingu paasam pozhiyum uyirkalukennaiTo the souls here showering affection,
Yaeno theriyavillaWhy do they not understand me?
Female
Ingae thavikkum ennai thetraTo comfort me as I suffer here,
Evarum varavillaiNo one has come.
Naan ennai izhanthum unnai adainthaenThough I lost myself to gain you,
Irunthum payan illaiIt has still been in vain.
Female
Velli rathangal azhagu megamBeautiful clouds are like silver chariots,
Sellum veedhi sivantha vaanamThe red sky is the street through which they move.
Paavai nenjil ilamai raagamIn a young maiden's heart, a tune of youth,
Paada vanthathu paruva kaalamThe season of youth has arrived to sing.
Paruva kaalam…..paruva kaalam….Season of youth... season of youth...
Female
Mullai kodiyum ennai paarththaalIf even the jasmine creeper looks at me,
Nenjam thudikkaathoWouldn't its heart throb with pain?
Alaimothum aruvi ennai kandaalIf the crashing waterfall sees me,
Kanneer vadikkaathoWouldn't it shed tears?
Female
Annai madiyil pillai irunthumEven with the child in its mother's lap,
Thuyaram theeravillaiThe sorrow remains unalleviated.
Naan aasai kondu thazhuvum kaiyaiThe hands I desire to embrace,
Ulagam yaerkkavillai….The world refuses to accept...
Female
Velli rathangal azhagu megamBeautiful clouds are like silver chariots,
Sellum veedhi sivantha vaanamThe red sky is the street through which they move.
Paavai nenjil ilamai raagamIn a young maiden's heart, a tune of youth,
Paada vanthathu paruva kaalamThe season of youth has arrived to sing.
Paruva kaalam…..paruva kaalam….Season of youth... season of youth...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Velli Rathangal' contrasts the serene, joyful arrival of spring and youth in nature with the protagonist's profound personal grief. While the sky shines with silver clouds and birds sing cheerfully, the speaker feels isolated, burdened by unrequited or socially unaccepted love despite having sacrificed everything for her beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai Ani)

Velli rathangal azhagu megam / Sellum veedhi sivantha vaanam

Comparing clouds moving across the evening red sky to silver chariots traversing a street.

Personification

Mullai kodiyum ennai paarththaal nenjam thudikkaatho / Alaimothum aruvi ennai kandaal kanneer vadikkaatho

Attributing human emotions such as heartbeats and shedding tears to a jasmine creeper and a waterfall.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paavai nenjil ilamai raagam / Paada vanthathu paruva kaalam

Repetition of initial consonants or vowels across words in a line.

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Trivia

The song was composed by legendary Malayalam music director G. Devarajan, who composed for a handful of prominent Tamil films in the 1970s. The lyrics were written by poet Pulamaipithan, known for incorporating rich imagery and classical Tamil literary tropes into film songs.

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