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Lyrics & meaning

Vennilave Vennilave

From Malai Naattu Mangai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
B. Vasantha, S. V. Ponnusami
Music director
T. Pugazhenthi
Details
Malai Naattu Mangai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaiyaarae…ae….ae….ae…..O rhythm chant... Thaiyaarae!
Thaiyaarae….ae….ae….ae…..O rhythm chant... Thaiyaarae!
Chorus :Thaiyaarae…thaiyaarae…thaiyaarae…Chorus: Thaiyaarae… thaiyaarae… thaiyaarae…
Chorus
Vennilavae vennilavaeO white moon, O white moon!
Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadiWhen a man and a woman are together, why do we need you, O moon?
Vennilavae vennilavaeO white moon, O white moon!
Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadiWhen a man and a woman are together, why do we need you, O moon?
Female
Gopiyargal gangaiyilaeLike the Gopis in the sacred Ganges,
Kulikka vanthom vennilavaeWe have come to bathe, O white moon.
Chorus :Gopiyargal gangaiyilaeChorus: Like the Gopis in the sacred Ganges,
Kulikka vanthom vennilavaeWe have come to bathe, O white moon.
Male
Vaalipargal kadhalilaeIn the tender love of young men,
Mayanga vanthom vennilavaeWe have come to be enchanted, O white moon.
Chorus :Vaalipargal kadhalilaeChorus: In the love of young men,
Mayanga vanthom vennilavaeWe have come to be enchanted, O white moon.
Chorus
Manathu pola jodi konduTaking partners according to our heart's desire,
Vaazha vanthom vennilavaeWe have come to live happily, O white moon.
Chorus
Vennilavae vennilavaeO white moon, O white moon!
Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadiWhen a man and a woman are together, why do we need you, O moon?
Male
Maalai polae kaigalai poduDrape your arms around me like a garland,
Mai vizhiyil kadhai solluvaenI will tell stories through my kohl-rimmed eyes.
Maalai polae kaigalai poduDrape your arms around me like a garland,
Mai vizhiyil kadhai solluvaenI will tell stories through my kohl-rimmed eyes.
Female
Vannamaan enthan poopanthalilIn my colorful flower canopy,
Konjam naadodi thaen thendralilIn the sweet nomadic breeze,
Male
Aavalai theerkkavo annamaeShall I fulfill your longings, my swan-like beloved?
Ini thaalaathu en ullamaeMy heart can hold back its longing no longer.
Chorus
Vennilavae vennilavaeO white moon, O white moon!
Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadiWhen a man and a woman are together, why do we need you, O moon?
Male
Indru mounangal nee paadum sangeethamaaIs this silence today a music sung by you?
Illai maappillai naan vaadha santhoshamaaOr is it the joy of me arriving as your bridegroom?
Indru mounangal nee paadum sangeethamaaIs this silence today a music sung by you?
Illai maappillai naan vaadha santhoshamaaOr is it the joy of me arriving as your bridegroom?
Female
Naanum padhinaaril aalaana pennallavaaAm I not a young woman who came of age at sixteen?
Unnai paarththaalae peraasai varumallavaaJust looking at you stirs immense desire within me, doesn't it?
Aasai varumallavaaDesire naturally arises, doesn't it?
Male
Unnai sinthaamal sidharaamal naanallavaaAm I not the one who holds you gently without spilling or losing you?
Intha sevvaayin idhazhodu thaenallavaaIsn't there nectar sweet as honey on these red lips?
Intha sevvaayin idhazhodu thaenallavaaIsn't there nectar sweet as honey on these red lips?
Chorus
Vennilavae vennilavaeO white moon, O white moon!
Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadiWhen a man and a woman are together, why do we need you, O moon?
Male
Melaaga thaamarai mottuA lotus bud blooming above,
Female :Vaadaatho kangal pattuFemale: Won't it wither when struck by your gaze?
Male :Naan paarththa kolam angaeMale: The beautiful sight I witnessed over there,
Female :Yaen maara vendum ingaeFemale: Why should it change over here?
Chorus
……………….……………….
Male
Nee enakkagaYou are for me,
Female :Naan unakkagaFemale: I am for you,
Male :Nee enakkagaMale: You are for me,
Female :Naan unakkagaFemale: I am for you,
Both :Intha raaththiriyil sugam namakkagaBoth: On this sweet night, joy is meant for us!
Intha raaththiriyil sugam namakkagaOn this sweet night, joy is meant for us!
Chorus
Vennilavae vennilavaeO white moon, O white moon!
Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadiWhen a man and a woman are together, why do we need you, O moon?
Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadiWhen a man and a woman are together, why do we need you, O moon?
Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadiWhen a man and a woman are together, why do we need you, O moon?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vennilavae Vennilavae is a vibrant romantic duet from the film Malai Naattu Mangai (1974), featuring lyrics by Kannadasan and music by T. Pugazhenthi. The song playfully addresses the moon, questioning its necessity when two lovers are together and illuminate each other's world with love and bliss. The lyrics evoke poetic imagery comparing the lovers to Krishna and the Gopis, where romance, nature, and youthful passion intertw seamlessely. Throughout the song, the lead pair express their mutual devotion through expressive glances, affectionate gestures, and promises of companionship. Kannadasan's lyrics blend traditional Sangam-style metaphors with playful modern banter, capturing the euphoric feeling of young love on a moonlit night.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Aanirukka pennirukka neeyum yaenadi

The speaker playfully asks why the moon is needed when a man and woman have each other's romantic light.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Maalai polae kaigalai podu

Compares wrapping arms around the lover to draping a garland ('Maalai polae').

Metaphor (Uvagam Ani)

Mai vizhiyil kadhai solluvaen

Refers to the lover's soft, elegant presence using 'annamae' (swan) and eyes as storytellers.

Alliteration (Monai)

Vennilavae vennilavae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in the line ('Vennilavae', 'Vaalipargal').

Did you know?

Trivia

Music director T. Pugazhenthi was a long-time chief assistant to the legendary music maestro K. V. Mahadevan before composing independently for films like Malai Naattu Mangai (1974). Kannadasan's reference to Gopis bathing in the Ganges brings classical Vaishnavite literary tropes into contemporary film music.

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