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Lyrics & meaning

Vennilavil Malligaiyil Vilaiyadum

From Athiradi Padai · 1994

Lyricist
Kamakodiyan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Athiradi Padai1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vennilavil malligaiyilIn the moonlight, among the jasmine flowers,
Vilaiyaadum amaithi sugamThe peaceful pleasure playing around,
Kavithai sugamThe poetic pleasure,
Athu kaathal sugamThat is the pleasure of love,
Ilamai tharumBestowed by youth,
Oru iniya sugamA sweet pleasure,
Female
MayangumIt swoons...
Vennilavil malligaiyilIn the moonlight, among the jasmine flowers,
Vilaiyaadum amaithi sugamThe peaceful pleasure playing around,
Kavithai sugamThe poetic pleasure,
Athu kaathal sugamThat is the pleasure of love,
Ilamai tharumBestowed by youth,
Oru iniya sugamA sweet pleasure,
Female
Kani mozhi koorumSpeaking sweet words like fruit,
Mani mozhi yaavumAll the precious jewel-like words,
Kavithaigal aagumBecome poetry,
Manathinai neevumCaressing the mind.
Male
Vennilavil malligaiyilIn the moonlight, among the jasmine flowers,
Vilayaadum amaithi sugamThe peaceful pleasure playing around,
Kavithai sugamThe poetic pleasure,
Athu kaathal sugamThat is the pleasure of love,
Ilamai tharumBestowed by youth,
Oru iniya sugamA sweet pleasure,
Female
Kaatraadum puthu vaanilIn the fresh sky where the wind sways,
Keetru nila sinunguvathaiI saw the sliver of moon whimpering/glowing,
Kanden hoiI saw, oh!
Male
Kaathoram nee pesaWhen you speak beside my ears,
Kola mayil konjuvathaiI saw the beautiful peacock cooing,
Kanden haaI saw, ah!
Female
Neengaatha reengaaramWhen you become the everlasting humming sound,
Neeyagum pothuWhere are you and where am I? (We become one)
Male
Nee yeathu naan yeathuCome, come right now,
Vaa vaa ippothuThat alone is our fortune,
Female
Athu thaan nam yogamMy king!
En rajaIt swoons...
Female
MayangumIn the moonlight, among the jasmine flowers,
Vennilavil malligaiyilThe peaceful pleasure playing around,
Vilaiyaadum amaithi sugamThe poetic pleasure,
Kavithai sugamThat is the pleasure of love,
Athu kaathal sugamBestowed by youth,
Ilamai tharumA sweet pleasure,
Oru iniya sugamSpeaking sweet words like fruit,
Female
Kani mozhi koorumAll the precious jewel-like words,
Mani mozhi yaavumBecome poetry,
Kavithaigal aagumCaressing the mind.
Manathinai neevumIn the moonlight, among the jasmine flowers,
Male
Vennilavil malligaiyilThe peaceful pleasure playing around,
Vilaiyaadum amaithi sugamThe poetic pleasure,
Kavithai sugamThat is the pleasure of love,
Athu kaathal sugamBestowed by youth,
Ilamai tharumA sweet pleasure,
Oru iniya sugamAll the tastes oozing with honey,
Male
Thenoorum suvai yaavumOoze from this goddess's flower-like lips.
Thevi ival poo idhazhil oorumAll unrequested pleasures,
Female
Thedaatha sugam yaavumLook at them coming to seek you in her smile.
Thedi varum punnagaiyil paarumWhen I pluck this flower-like Veena,
Male
Malar veenai naan meettaHer body overflows with music.
Isai pongum meniWill this queen grant,
Female
Oru kodi puthu ragamTen million new ragas?
Tharuvaalo raniKing of kings to this rose!
Male
Rojavin rajathi rajaIt swoons...
Female
MayangumIn the moonlight, among the jasmine flowers,
Vennilavil malligaiyilThe peaceful pleasure playing around,
Vilaiyaadum amaithi sugamThe poetic pleasure,
Kavithai sugamThat is the pleasure of love,
Male
Athu kaathal sugamBestowed by youth,
Ilamai tharumA sweet pleasure,
Female
Oru iniya sugamSpeaking sweet words like fruit,
Male
Kani mozhi koorumAll the precious jewel-like words,
Mani mozhi yaavumBecome poetry,
Female
Kavithaigal aagumCaressing the mind.
Manathinai neevumIn the moonlight, among the jasmine flowers,
Male
Vennilavil malligaiyilThe peaceful pleasure playing around,
Vilaiyaadum amaithi sugamThe poetic pleasure,
Kavithai sugamThat is the pleasure of love,
Female
Athu kaathal sugamBestowed by youth,
Ilamai tharumA sweet pleasure.
Male
Oru iniya sugam

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Vennilavil Malligaiyil' from Athiradi Padai (1994) is a romantic duet expressing the deep joy, serenity, and enchantment brought by youthful love under a moonlit night filled with the scent of jasmine. The lovers compare their affection and spoken words to honey, poetry, and musical melodies played on a veena, reflecting their intimate union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter rhyming)

Vennilavil malligaiyil / Kani mozhi koorum

The second consonant 'n' in 'Vennilavil' matches 'Mani', 'Kani', and 'Manathinai' across lines creating classic Tamil rhyming harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Malar veenai naan meetta

Describing the beloved's body as a 'Malar veenai' (flower Veena) and her words as 'Kani mozhi' (fruit-like speech).

Imagery

Vennilavil malligaiyil vilaiyaadum amaithi sugam

Creates sensory visual and olfactory imagery using moonlight, blooming jasmine flowers, and gentle breezes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, 'Athiradi Padai' featured Rahman and Silk Smitha in lead roles. The track stands out for its rich orchestration combining classical carnatic subtle nuances with smooth 90s melody arrangements sung beautifully by SPB and KS Chithra.

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