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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vennila Vaanil Varum

From Mannippu · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Mannippu1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vennilaa vaanilWhen the white moon
Varum vaelayil naan vizhiththirunthaenComes in the sky, I was awake
Vennilaa vaanilWhen the white moon
Varum vaelayil naan vizhiththirunthaenComes in the sky, I was awake
Male
Ennillaa kanavugalilIn my countless dreams
Edhai edhaiyo ninaiththirunthaenI was thinking of various random thoughts
Ennillaa kanavugalilIn my countless dreams
Edhai edhaiyo ninaiththirunthaenI was thinking of various random thoughts
Male
Vennilaa vaanilWhen the white moon
Varum vaelayil naan vizhiththirunthaenComes in the sky, I was awake
Female
Aaa…..aaa…..aaa…..aa…..Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Aaa…..aaa…..aaa…..aa…..Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Female :Naalu vidha kunamirukkumFemale: There are four types of virtues
Anjugindra manamirukkumThere is a heart that feels hesitant and fearful
Naalu vidha kunamirukkumThere are four types of virtues
Anjugindra manamirukkumThere is a heart that feels hesitant and fearful
Female
Aarugindra pozhuthu varaiUntil the moment it cools down
Anal pol kothippathu edhuWhat boils like intense fire?
Male
Aaa…..aaa…..aaa…..aa…..Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Aasai konda idhayamathuIt is the heart filled with desire
Male
Vennilaa vaanilWhen the white moon
Varum vaelayil naan vizhiththirunthaenComes in the sky, I was awake
Male
Vaana villin niram eduththuTaking the colors of the rainbow
Maegam ennum ven thiraiyilOn the white curtain made of clouds
Vaana villin niram eduththuTaking the colors of the rainbow
Maegam ennum ven thiraiyilOn the white curtain made of clouds
Male
Minnal enum thoorigaiyilUsing the paintbrush called lightning
Naan varaintha kolam edhuWhat is the decorative art that I drew?
Female
Aaa…..aaa…..aaa…..aa…..Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Kanni enthan vadivam athuIt is the beautiful form of me, a maiden
Male
Vennilaa vaanilWhen the white moon
Varum vaelayil naan vizhiththirunthaenComes in the sky, I was awake
Female
Kaaman kai villeduththuTaking the bow in the hands of Kamadeva
Anju vitha pooththoduththuStringing five kinds of floral arrows
Kaaman kai villeduththuTaking the bow in the hands of Kamadeva
Anju vitha pooththoduththuStringing five kinds of floral arrows
Female
Poomagalin nenjinilaeIn the tender heart of the maiden
Por thodukkum naeram edhuWhat is the time when love's battle begins?
Male
Aaa…..aaa…..aaa…..aa…..Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Manjal veyil maalai athuIt is the golden twilight evening
Male
Muththu sippi vaai thirakkaWhen the pearl oyster opens its mouth
Mogam kondu thudiththirukkaYearning and throbbing with passion
Muththu sippi vaai thirakkaWhen the pearl oyster opens its mouth
Mogam kondu thudiththirukkaYearning and throbbing with passion
Male
Kottum mazhaithuli vizhunthuAs the pouring drop of rain falls inside
Konja konja enna varumAnd caresses gently, what will emerge?
Female
Aaa…..aaa…..aaa…..aa…..Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Muththu ondru piranthu varumA precious pearl will be born
Female
Vennilaa vaanilWhen the white moon
Varum vaelayil naan vizhiththirunthaenComes in the sky, I was awake
Male
Ennillaa kanavugalilIn my countless dreams
Edhai edhaiyo ninaiththirunthaenI was thinking of various random thoughts

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vennilaa Vaanil is a classical and highly poetic song from the film Mannippu (1969) that explores a young maiden's nocturnal musings, romantic awakenings, and philosophical reflections under the moonlight. The lyrics are structured as a series of poetic riddles and answers, where the protagonist contemplates human emotions, beauty, passion, and nature's mysteries. Through vivid allegories such as painting with lightning on cloud curtains or a pearl forming inside an oyster shell through rain, lyricist Vaali beautifully articulates the longing and tender desires of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vennilaa vaanil / Varum vaelayil naan vizhiththirunthaen

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line or adjacent lines, such as 'Vennilaa' and 'Varum'.

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Minnal enum thoorigaiyil

Comparing lightning to a artist's paintbrush ('Minnal enum thoorigaiyil') and cloud to a white curtain ('Maegam ennum ven thiraiyil').

Vinaa-Vidai (Riddle & Answer Structure)

Anal pol kothippathu edhu / Aasai konda idhayamathu

The verse poses a poetic riddle ('Anal pol kothippathu edhu') followed by its metaphorical answer ('Aasai konda idhayamathu').

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for Mannippu (1969) was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, with lyrics penned by the iconic lyricist Vaali. This evocative track was rendered by the legendary playback singer P. Susheela and picturized as a delicate, classical sequence.

Keep listening

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