Vennilavin Theril
From Duet · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Duet1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vennilaavin thaeril yeri | Riding on the chariot of the white moon, |
| Kaadhal dheivam neril vandhaalae | The goddess of love came in person. |
| Maanam ulla oomai pola | Like a mute person with self-respect, |
| Dhaanam ketka koosi nindrenae | I stood shrinking with hesitation to ask for alms. |
| Male | |
| Niram kandu mugam kanda | Seeing her color and seeing her face, |
| Nesam konden | I felt affection. |
| Aval nizhal kandu nijam kandae | Seeing her shadow, I discovered truth, |
| Naan paasam konden | And I developed love. |
| Male | |
| Vennilaavin thaeril yeri | Riding on the chariot of the white moon, |
| Kaadhal dheivam neril vandhaalae | The goddess of love came in person. |
| Male | |
| {Ada kaineettum thambiyae | {Oh younger brother extending your hand, |
| Enai kattivaithaal annaiye | My mother bound me here; |
| Nee vettinaalum neerai vaarkkum | Even if you cut it, water will spring, |
| Indha paaraiyae} (2) | From this rock} (2) |
| Male | |
| Niram kandu mugam kanda | Seeing her color and seeing her face, |
| Nesam konden | I felt affection. |
| Aval nizhal kandu nijam kandae | Seeing her shadow, I discovered truth, |
| Naan paasam konden | And I developed love. |
| Male | |
| Vennilaavin thaeril yeri | Riding on the chariot of the white moon, |
| Kaadhal dheivam neril vandhaalae | The goddess of love came in person. |
| Male | |
| kaal azhagu mel azhagu | The beauty of her feet and her upper body, |
| Kan ponga kanden | I saw until my eyes overflowed. |
| Aval nool avizhum idai azhagai | The slender beauty of her waist, |
| Nogaamal thinben | I will savor without hurting. |
| Male | |
| Kathi mookkil | With the tip of her sharp nose, |
| Kaadhal nenjai | My loving heart, |
| Kaayam seidhu maayam seidhaalae | She wounded and performed magic upon. |
| Male | |
| {Ada kaineettum thambiyae | {Oh younger brother extending your hand, |
| Enai kattivaithaal annaiye | My mother bound me here; |
| Nee vettinaalum neerai vaarkkum | Even if you cut it, water will spring, |
| Indha paaraiyae | From this rock; |
| Male | |
| Aval sikkedukkum koondhalukku | For her hair being untangled, |
| Seeppaaga iruppen | I will serve as a comb; |
| Illai sendhaamarai paadhathil | Or at her red-lotus feet, |
| Seruppaaga pirappen | I will be born as footwear; |
| Male | |
| Andamellaam vindu pogum | Even if the whole universe splits apart, |
| Konda kaadhal kolgai maaradhu | The resolve of love taken will never change. |
வெண்ணிலாவின் தேரில் ஏறி
காதல் தெய்வம் நேரில் வந்தாளே
மானம் உள்ள ஊமை போல
தானம் கேட்க கூசி நின்றேனே
Riding on the chariot of the white moon,
The goddess of love came in person.
Like a mute person with self-respect,
I stood shrinking with hesitation to ask for alms.
நிறம் கண்டு முகம் கண்டா
நேசம் கொண்டேன்
அவள் நிழல் கண்டு நிழல் கண்டே
நான் பாசம் கொண்டேன்
Seeing her color and seeing her face,
I felt affection.
Seeing her shadow, I discovered truth,
And I developed love.
வெண்ணிலாவின் தேரில் ஏறி
காதல் தெய்வம் நேரில் வந்தாளே
Riding on the chariot of the white moon,
The goddess of love came in person.
{அட கை நீட்டும் தம்பியே
எனை கட்டிவைத்தாள் அன்னையே
நீ வெட்டினாலும் நீரை வார்க்கும்
இந்தப் பாறையே} (2)
{Oh younger brother extending your hand,
My mother bound me here;
Even if you cut it, water will spring,
From this rock} (2)
நிறம் கண்டு முகம் கண்ட
நேசம் கொண்டேன்
அவள் நிழல் கண்டு நிழல் கண்டே
நான் பாசம் கொண்டேன்
Seeing her color and seeing her face,
I felt affection.
Seeing her shadow, I discovered truth,
And I developed love.
வெண்ணிலாவின் தேரில் ஏறி
காதல் தெய்வம் நேரில் வந்தாளே
Riding on the chariot of the white moon,
The goddess of love came in person.
கால் அழகு மேல் அழகு
கண் பொங்க கண்டேன்
அவள் நூல் அவிழும் இடை அழகை
நோகாமல் தின்பேன்
The beauty of her feet and her upper body,
I saw until my eyes overflowed.
The slender beauty of her waist,
I will savor without hurting.
கத்தி மூக்கில்
காதல் நெஞ்சை
காயம் செய்து மாயம் செய்தாளே
With the tip of her sharp nose,
My loving heart,
She wounded and performed magic upon.
{அட கைநீட்டும் தம்பியே
எனை கட்டிவைத்தாள் அன்னையே
நீ வெட்டினாலும் நீரை வார்க்கும்
இந்தப் பாறையே} (2)
{Oh younger brother extending your hand,
My mother bound me here;
Even if you cut it, water will spring,
From this rock;
அவள் சிக்கெடுக்கும் கூந்தலுக்கு
சீப்பாக இருப்பேன்
இல்லை செந்தாமரை பாதத்தில்
செருப்பாக பிறப்பேன்
For her hair being untangled,
I will serve as a comb;
Or at her red-lotus feet,
I will be born as footwear;
அண்டமெல்லாம் விண்டு போகும்
கொண்ட காதல் கொள்கை மாறாது
Even if the whole universe splits apart,
The resolve of love taken will never change.
Vennilaavin thaeril yeri
Riding on the chariot of the white moon,
Kaadhal dheivam neril vandhaalae
The goddess of love came in person.
Maanam ulla oomai pola
Like a mute person with self-respect,
Dhaanam ketka koosi nindrenae
I stood shrinking with hesitation to ask for alms.
Niram kandu mugam kanda
Seeing her color and seeing her face,
Nesam konden
I felt affection.
Aval nizhal kandu nijam kandae
Seeing her shadow, I discovered truth,
Naan paasam konden
And I developed love.
Vennilaavin thaeril yeri
Riding on the chariot of the white moon,
Kaadhal dheivam neril vandhaalae
The goddess of love came in person.
{Ada kaineettum thambiyae
{Oh younger brother extending your hand,
Enai kattivaithaal annaiye
My mother bound me here;
Nee vettinaalum neerai vaarkkum
Even if you cut it, water will spring,
Indha paaraiyae} (2)
From this rock} (2)
Niram kandu mugam kanda
Seeing her color and seeing her face,
Nesam konden
I felt affection.
Aval nizhal kandu nijam kandae
Seeing her shadow, I discovered truth,
Naan paasam konden
And I developed love.
Vennilaavin thaeril yeri
Riding on the chariot of the white moon,
Kaadhal dheivam neril vandhaalae
The goddess of love came in person.
kaal azhagu mel azhagu
The beauty of her feet and her upper body,
Kan ponga kanden
I saw until my eyes overflowed.
Aval nool avizhum idai azhagai
The slender beauty of her waist,
Nogaamal thinben
I will savor without hurting.
Kathi mookkil
With the tip of her sharp nose,
Kaadhal nenjai
My loving heart,
Kaayam seidhu maayam seidhaalae
She wounded and performed magic upon.
{Ada kaineettum thambiyae
{Oh younger brother extending your hand,
Enai kattivaithaal annaiye
My mother bound me here;
Nee vettinaalum neerai vaarkkum
Even if you cut it, water will spring,
Indha paaraiyae
From this rock;
Aval sikkedukkum koondhalukku
For her hair being untangled,
Seeppaaga iruppen
I will serve as a comb;
Illai sendhaamarai paadhathil
Or at her red-lotus feet,
Seruppaaga pirappen
I will be born as footwear;
Andamellaam vindu pogum
Even if the whole universe splits apart,
Konda kaadhal kolgai maaradhu
The resolve of love taken will never change.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Vennilaavin Thaeril Yeri is a deeply emotional declaration of devotion, awe, and surrender in love. The protagonist depicts his beloved's arrival as the manifestation of a love deity riding a lunar chariot. Mesmerized by her grace and beauty, he feels humbled and hesitant, comparing himself to a mute person reluctant to ask for alms out of self-respect. The lyrics highlight themes of unconditional commitment and service. Using vivid allegories, the speaker describes his heart as a rock that wells up with water even when struck, and vows to devote himself completely—willing to become a comb for her hair or footwear for her feet. The song concludes with a pledge that even cosmic destruction cannot waver his romantic resolve.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Maanam ulla oomai pola”
Compares the protagonist's silent, hesitating bashfulness to a mute person with self-respect who hesitates to ask for alms.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vennilaavin thaeril yeri / Kaadhal dheivam neril vandhaalae”
Refers to the beloved as the literal goddess of love arriving on a moon chariot.
Alliteration & Monai (Initial Sound Harmony)
“Niram kandu mugam kanda / Nesam konden / Aval nizhal kandu nijam kandae”
Repetition of initial consonant 'N' sounds across successive lines (Niram, Nesam, Nizhal, Nijam).
Metaphorical Servitude
“Seeppaaga iruppen / Illai sendhaamarai paadhathil / Seruppaaga pirappen”
Expresses total surrender by offering to become everyday intimate objects like a comb or footwear to serve her.
Hyperbole (Ushnavam / Uyartnavu)
“Andamellaam vindu pogum / Konda kaadhal kolgai maaradhu”
An extreme exaggeration emphasizing that even if the entire universe tears apart, his vow of love will remain unchanged.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is featured in the 1994 Tamil musical drama film 'Duet', directed by K. Balachander. The film's iconic soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, featuring legendary instrumental renditions by saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath. The song was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.
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