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Lyrics & meaning

Vizhiyalai Mele Semmeen Pole

From Marutha Nattu Veeran · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Marutha Nattu Veeran1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vizhiyalai melae semmeen polaeLike a red fish atop the waves of the eyes,
Vialiyaadum selvamae vaa… aa…Come, my treasure playing about... ah...
Female
Vizhiyalai melae semmeen polaeLike a red fish atop the waves of the eyes,
Vialiyaadum selvamae vaa… aa…Come, my treasure playing about... ah...
Male
Kuzhi vizhum kannangal malar polae…Dimpled cheeks like flowers...
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Kuzhi vizhum kannangal malar polaeDimpled cheeks like flowers,
Female
Adhil kuvindhidum idhazhgalThe lips gathered there,
Kaalai pani polae…Are like the morning dew...
Aa… aa… aaaaa… aa…Ah... ah... ahhhhh... ah...
Kuvindhidum idhazhgal kaalai pani polae…The gathered lips are like the morning dew...
Aa… aa… aaaaa… aa…Ah... ah... ahhhhh... ah...
Male
Ilamaiyin thunaiyaalae… ae…By the companionship of youth... oh...
Female
Inimaiyin uravaalae… ae…By the relationship of sweetness... oh...
Male
Man pola naan vin pola neeI am like the earth, you are like the sky,
Mazhai polavae nam kaadhalaeOur love is like the rain falling between us.
Female
Man pola naan vin pola neeI am like the earth, you are like the sky,
Mazhai polavae nam kaadhalaeOur love is like the rain falling between us.
Male
Pagal vendumaa irul vendumaaDo you want day? Do you want night?
Female
Arul vendumaa porul vendumaaDo you want divine grace? Do you want material wealth?
Male
Pagal vendumaa irul vendumaaDo you want day? Do you want night?
Female
Arul vendumaa porul vendumaaDo you want divine grace? Do you want material wealth?
Male
Ahhahhaa… aa… aa… aa…Ahhahhaa... ah... ah... ah...
Female
Ahhahhaa… aa… aa… aa…Ahhahhaa... ah... ah... ah...
Male
Un puruvam pola valaindhaCurved like your eyebrows,
Malaiyil aruvi pongi vazhiyudhuA waterfall overflows upon the mountain.
Female
Ungal idhaya kadalai naadiSeeking the ocean of your heart,
Alaigal ingum angum thavazhudhuWaves crawl here and there.
Male
Naanam konda unnai polaJust like you filled with shyness,
Nadaiyil pinnal thonudhuA graceful twist appears in the stride.
Female
Kaanum ungal kangal koorumHearing the story told by
Kadhaiyai kaettu naanudhuYour gazing eyes, I feel shy.
Male
Naanam konda unnai polaJust like you filled with shyness,
Nadaiyil pinnal thonudhuA graceful twist appears in the stride.
Female
Kaanum ungal kangal koorumHearing the story told by
Kadhaiyai kaettu naanudhuYour gazing eyes, I feel shy.
Male
Pettravar yaaro… oo… oo…Who are the parents... oh... oh...
Female
Kai pidithu thandhaaroDid they hold your hand and give you away?
Kai pidithu thandhaaroDid they hold your hand and give you away?
Male
Pettravar yaaro… oo… oo…Who are the parents... oh... oh...
Female
Kai pidithu thandhaaroDid they hold your hand and give you away?
Kai pidithu thandhaaroDid they hold your hand and give you away?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet celebrates the beauty of beloved companionship through vivid natural metaphors. The song paints a lyrical portrait of love, comparing the maiden's animated eyes to red fish glinting over ocean waves, her dimpled cheeks to soft blossoms, and her soft lips to glistening morning dew. The lovers describe their emotional bond as rain that connects the earth and the sky, symbolising a perfect harmony between two complementary souls. As the song unfolds, the romance deepens through gentle coaxing and mutual admiration. The lyrics explore romantic themes of modesty, expressive eye contact, and the overwhelming joy of union, lightheartedly questioning who could have bestowed such a precious treasure of a partner. Kannadasan's signature style elevates simple romantic expressions into timeless poetic imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai Ani)

Vizhiyalai melae semmeen polae

Compares the movement of the eyes/pupils to red fish gliding over ocean waves using the explicit comparative word 'polae'.

Simile (Uwamai Ani)

Man pola naan vin pola nee / Mazhai polavae nam kaadhalae

Uses 'pola' to equate the lover to the earth, the beloved to the sky, and their love to the rain that binds them together.

Metaphor (Uruvagak Ani)

Ungal idhaya kadalai naadi

Directly identifies the lover's heart as an ocean ('idhaya kadal') without using comparative markers.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ilamaiyin thunaiyaalae / Inimaiyin uravaalae

The second consonant sound 'la' (ல) rhymes across both lines, creating melodic harmony.

Monai (Initial-letter Alliteration)

Man pola naan vin pola nee / Mazhai polavae nam kaadhalae

Alliteration of the initial letter 'Ma' ('Man', 'Mazhai') across lines.

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Trivia

Marutha Nattu Veeran (1961) is a historic Tamil swashbuckler film directed by T. R. Raghunath, starring T. R. Mahalingam and Jamuna. The soundtrack featured rich classical-based compositions composed by S. V. Venkatraman, with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Kannadasan.

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