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Lyrics & meaning

Vennilavil Kan Kavarum

From Pennai Solli Kutramillai · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, L. R. Eswari, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Pennai Solli Kutramillai1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………...
Male :…………..Male: ...
Male
Vennilavil kan kavarumThe eye-capturing sight in moonlight,
Shajahan tajmahalShah Jahan's Taj Mahal,
Male
Vennilavil kan kavarumThe eye-capturing sight in moonlight,
Shajahan tajmahalShah Jahan's Taj Mahal,
Ennarugil iruppathu polAppears as if standing right near me,
Theriyuthadi un azhagilVisible within your exquisite beauty!
Ennarugil iruppathu polAppears as if standing right near me,
Theriyuthadi un azhagilVisible within your exquisite beauty!
Female
Nettriyoru pirai nilavoIs your forehead a crescent moon?
Neel vizhigal thaaragaiyoAre your long eyes twinkling stars?
Nettriyoru pirai nilavoIs your forehead a crescent moon?
Neel vizhigal thaaragaiyoAre your long eyes twinkling stars?
Nikkaah seiyya malarnthathinthaHas this blue-colored flower bloomed,
Neela vanna poo vagaiyoJust to be united in Nikah (wedlock)?
Male
Vennilavil kan kavarumThe eye-capturing sight in moonlight,
Shajahan tajmahalShah Jahan's Taj Mahal,
Vennilavil kan kavarumThe eye-capturing sight in moonlight,
Shajahan tajmahalShah Jahan's Taj Mahal,
Male
Palingu maeni padipathenna premu kahaaniWhat love story is inscribed upon your marble-like body?
Moganamae moikuzhalae muhapaththu raniO enchanting one with lustrous hair, queen of affection!
Female :Arabu nadu perazhagae aabki kulaabiFemale: O great beauty of Arabian lands, your rosy charm,
Maan vizhiyil thaen vadiyum mehoo sheraabiIn your deer-like eyes, sweet intoxicating wine drips like honey!
Male
Aththipazha rasangalilaeIn the sweet juices of lush figs,
Aasai manam neenthi varaAs my longing heart swims across,
Female :Alli alli koduthta vannamFemale: Bestowing affection abundantly,
Aaruyir naan nerungi varaAs I, your precious soul, draw near...
Male
Vennilavil kan kavarumThe eye-capturing sight in moonlight,
Shajahan tajmahalShah Jahan's Taj Mahal!
Female
Ninna pol oru sundharanaiA handsome man like you,
Kandathillai nyaan inguI have never seen here before!
Kadhakkali kaanaan kodhikunnuI long to watch Kathakali,
Artha raththiri kadhakkali kaanaan kodhikkunnuI long to watch Kathakali at midnight!
Male
Aaru muzhaththil munduduththiDraped in a six-cubit dhoti,
Anthi pozhuthil leelai nadaththiEnacting playful sports at twilight,
Aala puzhaiyil aadiya vannamDancing as if in the river of Alappuzha,
Vaala paruvam kannedhir unduYouthful beauty stands right before my eyes!
Ennadi yaenadi ennidam solladiWhy, my girl? Tell me, why my girl?
Maanae thaenae maada puraavaeMy deer, my honey, my domestic dove!
Female
Ninna pol oru sundharanaiA handsome man like you,
Kandathillai nyaan inguI have never seen here before!
Kadhakkali kaanaan kodhikunnuI long to watch Kathakali,
Artha raththiri kadhakkali kaanaan kodhikkunnuI long to watch Kathakali at midnight!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic track from 'Pennai Solli Kutramillai' (1977), composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, blends Mughal, Arabian, and Malayalam cultural motifs into a playful cabaret-style duet. The male protagonist compares his beloved's radiant beauty to Shah Jahan's Taj Mahal illuminated under the moonlight, admiring her crescent-like forehead and starry eyes while expressing his desire for matrimony. In response, the female singer reciprocates with seductive praise infused with Urdu/Arabic and Malayalam expressions, creating a lighthearted cross-cultural dialogue. The song shifts into a playful Malabar-inspired rhythm where she desires to watch Kathakali dance at midnight, while he fondly responds with affectionate Tamil terms of endearment like deer, honey, and dove.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvaman/Uvameyam)

Vennilavil kan kavarum Shajahan tajmahal

Compares the heroine's luminous beauty to the Taj Mahal shining under moonlight.

Rhetorical Question & Celestial Imagery

Nettriyoru pirai nilavo Neel vizhigal thaaragaiyo

Uses questions comparing bodily features to heavenly bodies (crescent moon and stars).

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Nettriyoru pirai nilavo / Neel vizhigal thaaragaiyo

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Ne-') across consecutive lines.

Multilingual Code-Switching (Mani-pravalam style)

Palingu maeni padipathenna premu kahaani

Incorporates Urdu, Arabic, and Malayalam phrases ('premu kahaani', 'aabki kulaabi', 'ninna pol oru sundharanai') into Tamil lyrics for cinematic effect.

Endearment Assonance (Anupirasam)

Maanae thaenae maada puraavae

Rhyming endearments ('maanae', 'thaenae', 'puraavae') creating a rhythmic, musical effect.

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Trivia

This song stands out in late 1970s Tamil film music for its eclectic fusion of regional and linguistic styles. M. S. Viswanathan combined Middle Eastern soundscapes, Hindustani influences, and traditional Kerala folk rhythms within a single track. Lyricist Vaali seamlessly integrated Malayalam phrases ('Ninna pol oru sundharanai', 'Kadhakkali kaanaan kodhikunnu') and Urdu words, tailored for singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, L. R. Eswari, and Vani Jairam.

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