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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vennilavae Vennilavae Sad

From Minsara Kanavu · 1997

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Shankar Mahadevan, Kavitha Paudwal
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Minsara Kanavu1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
En azhagenna en thozhilennaWhat is my beauty, what is my profession?
Yen ennodu un kaadhal undaachuWhy did love for me blossom in you?
En azhagenna en thozhilennaWhat is my beauty, what is my profession?
Yen ennodu un kaadhal undaachuWhy did love for me blossom in you?
Male
Siru kaneeraai naan thavazhdhenaeI crawled like a small drop of tear,
Idhil eppodhu minsaaram undaachuWhen did electricity spark in this?
Pennae….ae.. pennae……ae…Oh woman... oh woman...
Raavodum pagalodum undhan gyabaga thollaiNight and day, the persistent torment of your thoughts,
Rayil paadhai poovoduOn the flowers along the railway track,
Vandugal thoonguvadhillaiBees do not sleep.
Idhu sariya thavara enbadhai sollaTo judge whether this is right or wrong,
Sathirathil idamillaiThere is no space in the court of law.
Male
Vennilavae vennilavaeOh silver moon, oh silver moon,
Ennai pola theyadhaeDo not wane like me.
Unnodum kaadhal noiyaaDo you also suffer from the disease of love?
Female
Oru poongaavai polLike a flower garden,
Endhan ullam vaithenI maintained my heart,
Adhil puyalvesi kolaithadhu yaarWho blew a storm in it and destroyed it?
Female
Vennilavae vennilavaeOh silver moon, oh silver moon,
Ennai pola theyadhaeDo not wane like me.
Unnodum kaadhal noiyaaDo you also suffer from the disease of love?
Female
Oru poongaavai polLike a flower garden,
Endhan ullam vaithenI maintained my heart,
Adhil puyalvesi kolaithadhu yaarWho blew a storm in it and destroyed it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song snippet expresses the overwhelming, sudden onset of love and the emotional turmoil it brings. The protagonist wonders why such deep affection was directed toward them, comparing their initial quiet existence to a teardrop that suddenly caught electric energy. Day and night are filled with restless thoughts, rendering sleep impossible just like bees near a busy track. The speaker addresses the moon, asking if it too wanes because of the agonizing 'sickness' of love, while lamenting how a once-peaceful heart—kept like a pristine garden—has been ravaged by the sudden tempest of romantic passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Siru kaneeraai naan thavazhdhenae / Idhil eppodhu minsaaram undaachu

Comparing the spark of love arising from a teardrop to electricity (minsaaram).

Personification

Vennilavae vennilavae / Ennai pola theyadhae / Unnodum kaadhal noiyaa

Addressing the moon as a fellow sufferer of love who wanes due to heartaches.

Simile

Oru poongaavai pol / Endhan ullam vaithen

Comparing the speaker's heart to a serene flower garden prior to being struck by love.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for Minsara Kanavu (1997) was composed by A. R. Rahman, who won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for this album. Lyricist Vairamuthu also won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for his work in this soundtrack songs like 'Thanga Thamarai'.

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