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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vendina Vendum Varam

From Katta Panchayathu · 1996

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
Arun Mozhi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Katta Panchayathu1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vendinaa vendum varamIf asked, the boon that is requested
Tharupavalae ammaa ammaIs granted by you, oh mother, mother!
Vendinaa vendum varamIf asked, the boon that is requested
Tharupavalae ammaa ammaIs granted by you, oh mother, mother!
Male
Enakkoru varam tharuvaayaaWill you grant me a boon?
En kadhaliyai kondu varuvaayaaWill you bring my beloved to me?
Enakkoru varam tharuvaayaaWill you grant me a boon?
En kadhaliyai kondu varuvaayaaWill you bring my beloved to me?
Chorus
Vendinaa vendum varamIf asked, the boon that is requested
Tharupavalae ammaa ammaIs granted by you, oh mother, mother!
Vendinaa vendum varamIf asked, the boon that is requested
Tharupavalae ammaa ammaIs granted by you, oh mother, mother!
Haei haeiHey hey!
Female
Unnai enni urugi nikkumMelting in thought of you, standing right here,
Anbu mayil ingirukkaWhen a loving peacock is right here,
Ammanidam kadhaliyai ketpathum ennaWhy ask the Goddess for a lover?
Ullangaiyil nellik kaniLike a gooseberry in the palm,
Kaiyil ulla thangak kaniA golden fruit in hand,
Ingirukka veliyil adhai theduvathennaWhen it is right here, why search for it outside?
Male
Kaalumindri kannumindriWithout legs and without eyes,
Vazhi nadakkum kadhalLove walks its journey.
Naalum unnai theda solliAsking me to seek you every day,
Thoonduthadi aavalMy desire urges me.
Female
Naan paarththa poo vanaththil aadum poovuThe flower dancing in the flower garden I saw,
Nee vanthu poo eduththu soodum pothuWhen you come, pluck it, and wear it,
Ketta nachcharikkuthaeThe stubborn mind keeps pestering,
Muththu saram mutti podum mamaThe pearl string kneels before you, uncle!
Male
Vendinaa vendum varamIf asked, the boon that is requested
Tharupavalae ammaa ammaIs granted by you, oh mother, mother!
Vendinaa vendum varamIf asked, the boon that is requested
Tharupavalae ammaa ammaIs granted by you, oh mother, mother!
Male
Kovililae adichcha maniThe bell that rang in the temple
Kooruthamma nall varavaiAnnounces a good arrival, oh mother!
Thiru naal kaana manam yaengi nikkuthammaaThe heart stands yearning to see the auspicious festival day, oh mother!
Female
Manasil unnai silai vadichchuSculpting an idol of you inside my mind,
Koyil onna katti vachchenI have built a temple for you.
Maalai onnaa maaththik kollaTo exchange wedding garlands with each other,
Thedhi vekkanumaaShould we set a date?
Male
Naalum enthan manasukkullae naadhashvara oosaiEvery day inside my heart plays the sound of the Nadaswaram.
Female :Aal aravam illathappo dhinam nadakkum poojaiFemale: When there is no human movement, a daily worship takes place.
Male :Uttraarukkum saethi solla venum venumMale: We must convey the news to our relatives!
Female :Mattravarum vaazhththu solla venum venumFemale: Others too must shower their blessings!
Male :Ammanin munnae vendum varamaeMale: Before the Goddess, the boon we seek,
Ketti melam kotta seiyyum vaammaaCome, make the auspicious drums play loudly!
Chorus
Vendinaa vendum varamIf asked, the boon that is requested
Tharupavalae ammaa ammaIs granted by you, oh mother, mother!
Vendinaa vendum varamIf asked, the boon that is requested
Tharupavalae ammaa ammaIs granted by you, oh mother, mother!
Male
Enakkoru varam tharuvaayaaWill you grant me a boon?
En kadhaliyai kondu varuvaayaaWill you bring my beloved to me?
Enakkoru varam tharuvaayaaWill you grant me a boon?
En kadhaliyai kondu varuvaayaaWill you bring my beloved to me?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vendinaa Vendum Varam' from the 1996 film Katta Panchayathu is a playful yet devotional romantic duet penned by renowned poet Mu. Metha. The song begins with the male protagonist praying to the village deity (Amman) to grant him the boon of reuniting with his lover. In response, his beloved teasingly points out that the true 'blessing' and love he seeks is already standing directly before him, using traditional Tamil metaphors like the gooseberry in the palm and golden fruit in hand. As the song progresses, both lovers express their deep commitment and mutual reverence, envisioning their relationship as a sacred temple of love. They eagerly look forward to setting a wedding date, gathering relatives for blessings, and celebrating their union with festive music.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaikkal (Alliteration)

Vendinaa vendum varam

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Va' ('Vendinaa', 'vendum', 'varam') across words in the opening line creates melodic rhythm.

Uvamaani (Traditional Proverbial Simile)

Ullangaiyil nellik kani

Uses the classical Tamil idiom 'Ullangai nellikkani' (gooseberry on the open palm) to denote something perfectly visible, obvious, and readily available.

Urugavam (Metaphor)

Manasil unnai silai vadichchu

Metaphorically compares building devotion in love to carving a stone idol ('silai') and erecting a temple ('koyil') within the heart.

Ethirayi (Rhyming / Assonance)

Uttraarukkum saethi solla venum venum

Second-letter rhyming between 'Uttraarukkum' and 'Mattravarum' in consecutive dialogue lines enhances the conversational flow between the leads.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by renowned Tamil lyricist and Sahitya Akademi award-winning poet Mu. Metha, this track beautifully merges classical Tamil literary metaphors (like 'Ullangai nellikkani') with folk-devotional music structures typical of 1990s rural cinema.

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