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Isaimozhi
Iruvar album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Venilla Venilla

From Iruvar · 1997

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Asha Bhosle
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Iruvar
Movie release year
1997
Lyrics added on
5 Aug 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vennilaa vennilaa vennilaavae
Vandhadhae mudhar kaadhal
Kannilae kannilae madhu chaaral
Kandadhum mudhar kaadhal
Thoondilil meenaa
Thooyavaanaa
Kaaranam naanaa
Neeyae neeyae sol
Vennilaa vennilaa vennilaavae
Vandhadhae mudhar kaadhal..illl..
Kannilae kannilae madhu chaaral
Kandadhum mudhar kaadhal
Thoondilil meenaa
Thooyavaanaa
Kaaranam naanaa
Neeyae neeyae sol
………………………………….
Ennavaa ennavaa
Edhu kandu maiyal aanaai
Edhanaal edhanaal
Imai kadandhu kannaai ponaai
Neeyengo pirandhaai
Naanengo pirandhen
Orae oru paarvaiyaal
Uyirai kudiththaai
Vennilaa vennilaa vennilaavae
Vandhadhae mudhar kaadhal..illl..
Kannilae kannilae madhu chaaral
Kandadhum mudhar kaadhal
Thoondilil meenaa
Thooyavaanaa
Kaaranam naanaa
Neeyae neeyae sol
…………………………………
Kangalai moodinaal
Kangal vandhu ullam killum
Kattilai naadinaal
Iravingu neelam kollum
Verodu thudikka
Yaarodu uraikka
Kanaa kanda kaatchigal
Kaiyil varumaa
Vennilaa vennilaa vennilaavae
Vandhadhae mudhar kaadhal..illl..
Kannilae kannilae madhu chaaral
Kandadhum mudhar kaadhal
Thoondilil meenaa
Thooyavaanaa
Kaaranam naanaa
Neeyae neeyae sol
O silver moon, O silver moon, O moon!
First love has arrived.
In my eyes, in my eyes, a drizzle of nectar.
The moment I saw him, first love arrived.
Am I a fish caught on a hook?
Is he a pure divine soul?
Am I the reason for this?
Tell me, you yourself tell me.
O silver moon, O silver moon, O moon!
First love has arrived...
In my eyes, in my eyes, a drizzle of nectar.
The moment I saw him, first love arrived.
Am I a fish caught on a hook?
Is he a pure divine soul?
Am I the reason for this?
Tell me, you yourself tell me.
[Instrumental Interlude]
What is it, oh what is it?
Seeing what did you fall so deeply in love?
How is it, oh how is it?
Slipping past my eyelids, you became my very eyes.
You were born somewhere far away,
I was born somewhere far away,
Yet with just a single glance,
You drank away my soul.
O silver moon, O silver moon, O moon!
First love has arrived...
In my eyes, in my eyes, a drizzle of nectar.
The moment I saw him, first love arrived.
Am I a fish caught on a hook?
Is he a pure divine soul?
Am I the reason for this?
Tell me, you yourself tell me.
[Instrumental Interlude]
If I close my eyes,
His eyes return to tease my heart.
If I seek my bed,
The night stretches out endlessly here.
Trembling to my very roots,
To whom can I express this longing?
Will the visions I saw in my dreams
Ever come within my grasp?
O silver moon, O silver moon, O moon!
First love has arrived...
In my eyes, in my eyes, a drizzle of nectar.
The moment I saw him, first love arrived.
Am I a fish caught on a hook?
Is he a pure divine soul?
Am I the reason for this?
Tell me, you yourself tell me.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vennilaa Vennilaa is a mesmerizing romantic song from Mani Ratnam's 1997 political drama Iruvar, composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song captures the delicate euphoria, confusion, and overwhelming beauty of experiencing first love. Addressing the moon as a silent confidante, the protagonist reflects on how two complete strangers from different worlds were brought together by a single glance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

“Kannilae kannilae madhu chaaral”

Comparing the gaze of love to a shower of sweet honey ('madhu chaaral') entering the eyes.

Rhetorical Question (வினா அணி)

“Thoondilil meenaa / Thooyavaanaa / Kaaranam naanaa”

Using self-reflective questions to express the helpless and overwhelming sensation of falling in love.

Anaphora / Repetition (அடுக்குத்தொடர்)

“Vennilaa vennilaa vennilaavae”

Repetition of words like 'Vennilaa' and 'Edhanaal' to create a hypnotic, rhythmic quality suitable for a dreamlike romantic ballad.

Monorhyme & Assonance (எதுகை)

“Neeyengo pirandhaai / Naanengo pirandhen”

Use of matching second-letter sounds and internal rhyme across lines to establish poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track was composed by A.R. Rahman and sung by legendary Hindi playback singer Asha Bhosle, marking one of her rare and celebrated performances in Tamil cinema. Picturized on Aishwarya Rai (in her dual debut role) and Mohanlal, the song features a vintage jazz-influenced arrangement blended with Indian classical sensibilities.

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