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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vennilavum Vaanum Pole

From Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari · 1954

Lyricist
Bharathidasan
Singer
Radha Jayalakshmi
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Details
Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vennilaavum vaanum polaeLike the white moon and the sky
Veeranum koorvaalum polaeLike a warrior and his sharp sword
Vennilaavum vaanum polaeLike the white moon and the sky
Veeranum koorvaalum polaeLike a warrior and his sharp sword
Female
Vennilaavum vaanum polaeLike the white moon and the sky
Veeranum koorvaalum polaeLike a warrior and his sharp sword
Vennilaavum vaanum polaeLike the white moon and the sky
Veeranum koorvaalum polaeLike a warrior and his sharp sword
Female
Vennilaavum….Like the white moon...
Female
Vanna poovum manamum polaeLike a colorful flower and its fragrance
Aa…aa..aah…aah..aa…Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Vanna poovum manamum polaeLike a colorful flower and its fragrance
Vanna poovum manamum polaeLike a colorful flower and its fragrance
Vanna poovum manamum polaeLike a colorful flower and its fragrance
Magara yaazhum isaiyum polaeLike the fish-shaped lute and its music
Magara yaazhum isaiyum polaeLike the fish-shaped lute and its music
Kannum oliyum polae enathuLike the eye and its light, my
Kannum oliyum polae enathuLike the eye and its light, my
Kannal tamizhum naanum allavo…Are sweet Tamil and I not inseparable like these?
Female
Vennilaavum vaanum polaeLike the white moon and the sky
Veeranum koorvaalum polaeLike a warrior and his sharp sword
Female
Vennilaavum….Like the white moon...
Female
Vaiyagamae…aa…aa…aah…aa…The whole world... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Vaiyagamae uyiyumaaruSo that the world may thrive
Vaazha tamil ennarum peruGlorious sweet Tamil lives as a precious treasure
Vaiyagamae uyiyumaaruSo that the world may thrive
Vaazha tamil ennarum peruGlorious sweet Tamil lives as a precious treasure
Uiyyathaana sangam enum thottililIn the cradle known as the noble Tamil Sangam
Valarntha pillaiThe child that grew up
Uiyyathaana sangam enum thottililIn the cradle known as the noble Tamil Sangam
Valarntha pillaiThe child that grew up
Female
Kayilae vel yaenthiHolding a spear in hand
Kayilae vel yaenthiHolding a spear in hand
Kadal ulagaal mooventharThe three great kings who ruled the ocean-girt world
Karuththaendi kaaththaar anthaCherished and protected it with devotion, that
Karuththaendi kaaththaar anthaCherished and protected it with devotion, that
Kannal tamizhum naanum nallaSweet Tamil and I are united well
Female
Vennilaavum vaanum polaeLike the white moon and the sky
Veeranum koorvaalum polaeLike a warrior and his sharp sword
Female
Vennilaavum….aa…aah…aa…Like the white moon... ah... ah... ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Written by Puratchi Kavingnar Bharathidasan, this song expresses the profound, inseparable bond between the speaker and the Tamil language. Through a series of poetic similes—such as the moon and the sky, a warrior and his sword, a flower and its fragrance, a lute and its music, and the eye and light—it asserts that the speaker's identity is inextricably linked to Tamil. The lyric also glorifies Tamil's ancient heritage, recalling how it was nurtured in the cradle of the Tamil Sangam and protected by the three historic Tamil dynasties (Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Vennilaavum vaanum polae

Extensive use of 'polae' (meaning 'like' or 'as') to draw direct comparisons between inseparable natural pairs and the relationship between the speaker and Tamil.

Anaphora / Repetition

Vennilaavum vaanum polae / Veeranum koorvaalum polae

Repetition of refrain lines to create rhythm and emphasize the eternal nature of the comparison.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Kannum oliyum polae enathu / Kannal tamizhum naanum allavo…

Agreement of the second consonant sound across paired words, such as 'Kannum' and 'Kannal'.

Moonaai (Initial consonant alliteration)

Vennilaavum vaanum polae

Matching initial sounds in words on the same or adjacent lines (e.g., 'Vennilaavum', 'Veeranum', 'Vanna').

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song composed by T. G. Lingappa features lyrics by the renowned Tamil poet Bharathidasan, celebrating language devotion (Tamil Pattu). It stands as a pivotal example of mid-20th century Dravidian cultural revivalism within Tamil film music.

Keep listening

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