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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vennila Nerathile

From Avasara Kalyanam · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Avasara Kalyanam1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vennilaa neraththilae venu gaanamFlute music playing in the moonlit hour,
Mael maadi muttraththilae neeyum naanumYou and I together on the open upper terrace.
Vennilaa neraththilae venu gaanamFlute music playing in the moonlit hour,
Mael maadi muttraththilae neeyum naanumYou and I together on the open upper terrace.
Kannaa aa….aa….kannaa aaa…..aa…..Oh my Kannaa... oh my Kannaa...
Female
Vennilaa neraththilae venu gaanamFlute music playing in the moonlit hour,
Mael maadi muttraththilae neeyum naanumYou and I together on the open upper terrace.
Female
Ponni sirikkum thanjai naattilIn the land of Thanjavur where the smiling River Kaveri flows,
Kaana poga vendum soorakkottaiWe must travel to see Soorakkottai.
Ponni sirikkum thanjai naattilIn the land of Thanjavur where the smiling River Kaveri flows,
Kaana poga vendum soorakkottaiWe must travel to see Soorakkottai.
Antha soora kottai chinna rajaOh young king of that Soorakkottai,
Unga tholgalilae intha vanna rani kannaaThis colorful queen rests upon your shoulders, my Krishna!
Female
Vennilaa neraththilae venu gaanamFlute music playing in the moonlit hour,
Mael maadi muttraththilae neeyum naanumYou and I together on the open upper terrace.
Female
Kattil paadalaam kaigalil aadalaamThe bed may sing songs, and we may sway in each other's arms,
Kattil paadalaam kaigalil aadalaamThe bed may sing songs, and we may sway in each other's arms,
Thottu vilaiyaadinaal thottil varai pogalaamIf we play with affectionate touches, it will lead us all the way to a cradle,
Thottu vilaiyaadinaal thottil varai pogalaamIf we play with affectionate touches, it will lead us all the way to a cradle.
Thodangattum kogula leelaigalellaamLet all the playful antics of Gokulam commence,
Pinbu thodarattum kannanin sevaigalellaamAnd then let all the romantic devotion of Kannan continue,
Kannanin sevaigalellaamAll the romantic devotion of Kannan.
Female
Vennilaa neraththilae venu gaanamFlute music playing in the moonlit hour,
Mael maadi muttraththilae neeyum naanumYou and I together on the open upper terrace.
Vennilaa neraththilae venu gaanamFlute music playing in the moonlit hour,
Mael maadi muttraththilae neeyum naanumYou and I together on the open upper terrace.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track expresses a woman's sweet anticipation and love for her partner on a tranquil moonlit night. Setting the scene on a terrace accompanied by enchanting flute music, she compares their bond to the divine romance of Lord Krishna and his consort, playfully addressing her lover as her king and herself as his queen.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Ponni sirikkum thanjai naattil

River Kaveri (Ponni) is personified as 'smiling' (sirikkum) in the fertile Thanjavur region.

Iyaibu (Rhyming Ends)

Kattil paadalaam kaigalil aadalaam

Internal end-rhyming of 'paadalaam' and 'aadalaam' creates a melodic, swinging rhythm in the verse.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vennilaa neraththilae venu gaanam

Repetition of the 'Ve' sound at the start of 'Vennilaa' and 'venu'.

Metaphor

Thottu vilaiyaadinaal thottil varai pogalaam

The progression from intimacy to parenthood is subtly condensed in the phrase 'from gentle touch to the cradle' (thottu to thottil).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by veteran music director T. R. Pappa for the 1972 movie 'Avasara Kalyanam', this song showcases lyricist Kannadasan's signature ability to blend erotic undertones with delicate classical motifs and traditional landscapes like Thanjavur.

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