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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetri Vetri

From Kattumarakaran · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kattumarakaran1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vetri vetri endru sollumSaying victory, victory
Koiyil mani… muthammaaThe temple bell, Oh Muthamma!
Sutri sutri vandhu engumCircling around everywhere
Ketkumadi muthammaaIt is heard, Oh Muthamma!
Ninaikkaadha pirivumThe unthought-of separation
Nilaikkaamal vilagumWill fade away without staying
Idhu nedungaala payanamThis is a long journey
Payanam payanamJourney, journey!
Male
Vetri vetri endru sollumSaying victory, victory
Koiyil mani… muthammaaThe temple bell, Oh Muthamma!
Sutri sutri vandhu engumCircling around everywhere
Ketkumadi muthammaaIt is heard, Oh Muthamma!
Male
Kaadhal enum sanguThe conch shell called love
Kandeduthu vandhenI found and brought it
Omkaara osaiyilaeIn the sacred sound of Om
Mei marandhen naanumI lost myself
Aagaaya gangaiThe heavenly Ganges
Aadi vara kandenI saw it dancing along
Aanandha velaiylaeIn this moment of joy
Neendha vandhen naanI came to swim
Female
Porkaalamae en maadamA golden age came searching
Thaedi vandhadhaeSearching for my balcony
Nirkkaamalae ennaiWithout stopping, for me
Pan paadi vandhadhaeIt came singing melodies
Mayil thogaiyaeOh peacock feather!
Oru mani veenaiyaaiAs a precious Veena
Layam maaraadhuWithout losing rhythm
Nee meettu raajaaPluck the strings, Oh King!
Female
Vetri vetri endru sollumSaying victory, victory
Koiyil mani… muthammaaThe temple bell, Oh Muthamma!
Sutri sutri vandhu engumCircling around everywhere
Ketkumadi muthammaaIt is heard, Oh Muthamma!
Female
Vaana radham yeriBoarding the celestial chariot
Mannulagam thaandiCrossing beyond the earthly realm
Vaiboga oorvalamaaiAs a grand ceremonial procession
Poi varalaam vaaCome, let us go and return
Sorgapuri serndhuReaching the city of heaven
Indhiranai paarthuMeeting Lord Indra
Vaangaadha varangal ellaamAll the boons not yet received
Vaangidalaam vaaCome, let us obtain them
Male
Mai poosidum kan paarvaiThe kohl-adorned gaze of the eyes
Vaadi nindradhoHas it withered away?
Mandhaarap poo pon vandaiThe Mandhara flower seeking a golden beetle
Thaedi nindradhoHas it stood waiting?
Suga bodhaiyil indha suba velaiyilIn pleasant ecstasy during this auspicious time
Nalla thaenaatril neeraatta vaaCome to bathe in a sweet river of honey
Female
Vetri vetri endru sollumSaying victory, victory
Koiyil mani… muthammaaThe temple bell, Oh Muthamma!
Sutri sutri vandhu engumCircling around everywhere
Ketkumadi muthammaaIt is heard, Oh Muthamma!
Male
Ninaikkaadha pirivumThe unthought-of separation
Nilaikkaamal vilagumWill fade away without staying
Idhu nedungaala payanamThis is a long journey
Payanam payanamJourney, journey!
Male
Vetri vetri endru sollumSaying victory, victory
Koiyil mani… muthammaaThe temple bell, Oh Muthamma!
Female
Sutri sutri vandhu engumCircling around everywhere
Ketkumadi muthammaaIt is heard, Oh Muthamma!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat, romantic duet expresses triumph, everlasting bond, and joyous celebration between two lovers. Comparing their bond to temple bells ringing victory and the holy sound of Om, the song conveys that unexpected separations are only temporary obstacles in the long, beautiful journey of life and love together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Vetri vetri endru sollum

The words 'Vetri vetri' and 'Sutri sutri' repeat consecutively to emphasize triumph and resonance across space.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Kaadhal enum sangu

Love is poetically metaphorized as a sacred conch shell ('Kaadhal enum sangu') brought forth with sacred vibrations.

Emona / Rhyme (Monai)

Ninaikkaadha pirivum

First-letter rhyming ('Ninaikkaadha' / 'Nilaikkaamal') creates a rhythmic cadence in the line structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kattumarakaran (1995) stars Prabhu and features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the veteran lyricist Vaali.

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