Vizhiyodu Vilayaadum
From Karpukkarasi · 1957
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singers
- M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. Leela
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Karpukkarasi1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | Playing with the eyes, |
| Kalai selvamae | O treasure of art! |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | Playing with the eyes, |
| Kalai selvamae | O treasure of art! |
| Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu | Priceless to anyone, |
| Thani selvamae | O unique treasure! |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | Playing with the eyes, |
| Kalai selvamae | O treasure of art! |
| Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu | Priceless to anyone, |
| Thani selvamae | O unique treasure! |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | Playing with the eyes, |
| Kalai selvamae | O treasure of art! |
| Female | |
| Azhiyaatha pugazh naatti | Establishing undying fame, |
| Azhagenum nagai kootti | Adding the ornament of beauty, |
| Avanikkellaam tamizhar | Proclaiming to the whole world |
| Uyarvinai paraisaattri | The greatness of Tamils! |
| Female | |
| Azhiyaatha pugazh naatti | Establishing undying fame, |
| Azhagenum nagai kootti | Adding the ornament of beauty, |
| Avanikkellaam tamizhar | Proclaiming to the whole world |
| Uyarvinai paraisaattri | The greatness of Tamils! |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | Playing with the eyes, |
| Kalai selvamae | O treasure of art! |
| Female | |
| Kundru pilanthu deiva | Splitting hills to carve divine |
| Kooyilgalaai kudainthaar | Temples out of rock, |
| Gopurangal radhangal | Towers, temple chariots, |
| Koodangalum amaiththaar | And grand halls they built! |
| Female | |
| Kundru pilanthu deiva | Splitting hills to carve divine |
| Kooyilgalaai kudainthaar | Temples out of rock, |
| Gopurangal radhangal | Towers, temple chariots, |
| Koodangalum amaiththaar | And grand halls they built! |
| Female | |
| Andrai nilai vilanga | To make known the splendor of ancient days, |
| Anbu silaigal seithaar | They sculpted statues filled with love, |
| Annavarellaam engal | So that we realize all those great artisans |
| Munavarena unara | Were our own ancestors! |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | Playing with the eyes, |
| Kalai selvamae | O treasure of art! |
| Female | |
| Nadikkum parathakalai | Creating the art of Bharatanatyam, |
| Padaiththa umaiyavalai | Like Lord Shiva who subdued |
| Adakkiya sivan polae | Uma (Parvati), goddess of dance, |
| Udukkai kondoru silai | Here is a statue holding the Udukkai drum! |
| Female | |
| Thudukkuttra arakkarkalai | Like the Supreme Goddess Shakti |
| Azhiththa sakthiyai polae | Who destroyed arrogant demons, |
| Thadakkaiyil sooran thalai | Here is a statue holding |
| Thaangidum oru silai | The head of Soorapadman in its large hand! |
| Female | |
| Thudukkuttra arakkarkalai | Like the Supreme Goddess Shakti |
| Azhiththa sakthiyai polae | Who destroyed arrogant demons, |
| Thadakkaiyil sooran thalai | Here is a statue holding |
| Thaangidum oru silai | The head of Soorapadman in its large hand! |
| Female | |
| Vaanmazhai pol kalvi | Bestowing education like rain from the sky, |
| Vazhangidum tamizhselvi | A Tamil maiden recalling Goddess Saraswati, |
| Vaaniyai ninaivuruththum | Here is a statue embracing the Veena! |
| Veenai anaiththa silai | Chasing the spotted deer, |
| Female | |
| Pulli maanai thuraththi | With the hand that captured Valli, |
| Vallimaanai pidiththa kaiyil | Chasing the spotted deer, |
| Pulli maanai thuraththi | Chasing the deer, |
| Maanai thuraththi | With the hand that captured Valli, |
| Vallimaanai pidiththa kaiyil | A statue holding the Vel (spear) |
| Seanai thuraththa padai | That routed enemy armies! |
| Velai padiththa silai | A statue holding the Vel (spear) |
| Seanai thuraththa padai | That routed enemy armies! |
| Velai padiththa silai | The free and expressive artistry |
| Female | |
| Antha naal sirpigalin | Of the sculptors of those ancient days, |
| Sudhanthira kai velai | Providing eternal foundation to art, |
| Aranilai tharungalai | Is unmatched in its architecture! |
| Amaippukku nigarillai | ... |
| Female | |
| ………………. | Playing with the eyes, |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | O treasure of art! |
| Kalai selvamae | Priceless to anyone, |
| Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu | O unique treasure! |
| Thani selvamae | Playing with the eyes, |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | O treasure of art! |
| Kalai selvamae | ... |
| Female | |
| ………………. | Playing with the eyes, |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | O treasure of art! |
| Kalai selvamae | Priceless to anyone, |
| Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu | O unique treasure! |
| Thani selvamae | Playing with the eyes, |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum | O treasure of art! |
| Kalai selvamae | Priceless to anyone, |
| Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu | O unique treasure! |
| Thani selvamae | |
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
யாரும் விலை போட முடியாத
தனிச் செல்வமே......
Playing with the eyes,
O treasure of art!
Playing with the eyes,
O treasure of art!
Priceless to anyone,
O unique treasure!
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
யாரும் விலை போட முடியாத
தனிச் செல்வமே......
Playing with the eyes,
O treasure of art!
Priceless to anyone,
O unique treasure!
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
Playing with the eyes,
O treasure of art!
அழியாத புகழ் நாட்டி
அழகெனும் நகை கூட்டி
அவனிக்கெல்லாம் தமிழர்
உயர்வினை பறைசாற்றி.....
Establishing undying fame,
Adding the ornament of beauty,
Proclaiming to the whole world
The greatness of Tamils!
அழியாத புகழ் நாட்டி
அழகெனும் நகை கூட்டி
அவனிக்கெல்லாம் தமிழர்
உயர்வினை பறைசாற்றி.....
Establishing undying fame,
Adding the ornament of beauty,
Proclaiming to the whole world
The greatness of Tamils!
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
Playing with the eyes,
O treasure of art!
குன்று பிளந்து தெய்வக்
கோயில்களாய் குடைந்தார்
கோபுரங்கள் ரதங்கள்
கூடங்களும் அமைத்தார்
Splitting hills to carve divine
Temples out of rock,
Towers, temple chariots,
And grand halls they built!
குன்று பிளந்து தெய்வக்
கோயில்களாய் குடைந்தார்
கோபுரங்கள் ரதங்கள்
கூடங்களும் அமைத்தார்
Splitting hills to carve divine
Temples out of rock,
Towers, temple chariots,
And grand halls they built!
அன்றை நிலை விளங்க
அன்புச் சிலைகள் செய்தார்
அன்னவரெல்லாம் எங்கள்
முன்னவரென உணர......
To make known the splendor of ancient days,
They sculpted statues filled with love,
So that we realize all those great artisans
Were our own ancestors!
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
Playing with the eyes,
O treasure of art!
நடிக்கும் பரதக்கலை
படைத்த உமையவளை
அடக்கிய சிவன் போலே
உடுக்கை கொண்டொரு சிலை
Creating the art of Bharatanatyam,
Like Lord Shiva who subdued
Uma (Parvati), goddess of dance,
Here is a statue holding the Udukkai drum!
துடுக்குற்ற அரக்கர்களை
அழித்த சக்தியைப் போலே
தடக்கையில் சூரன் தலை
தாங்கிடும் ஒரு சிலை
Like the Supreme Goddess Shakti
Who destroyed arrogant demons,
Here is a statue holding
The head of Soorapadman in its large hand!
துடுக்குற்ற அரக்கர்களை
அழித்த சக்தியைப் போலே
தடக்கையில் சூரன் தலை
தாங்கிடும் ஒரு சிலை
Like the Supreme Goddess Shakti
Who destroyed arrogant demons,
Here is a statue holding
The head of Soorapadman in its large hand!
வான்மழை போல் கல்வி
வழங்கிடும் தமிழ்ச்செல்வி
வாணியை நினைவுறுத்தும்
வீணை அணைத்த சிலை
Bestowing education like rain from the sky,
A Tamil maiden recalling Goddess Saraswati,
Here is a statue embracing the Veena!
Chasing the spotted deer,
புள்ளி மானைத் துரத்தி
வள்ளிமானைப் பிடித்த கையில்
புள்ளி மானைத் துரத்தி
மானைத் துரத்தி
வள்ளிமானைப் பிடித்த கையில்
சேனை துரத்தப் படை
வேலைப் படித்த சிலை
சேனை துரத்தப் படை
வேலைப் படித்த சிலை
With the hand that captured Valli,
Chasing the spotted deer,
Chasing the deer,
With the hand that captured Valli,
A statue holding the Vel (spear)
That routed enemy armies!
A statue holding the Vel (spear)
That routed enemy armies!
The free and expressive artistry
அந்த நாள் சிற்பிகளின்
சுதந்திரக் கை வேலை
அறநிலை தருங்கலை
அமைப்புக்கு நிகரில்லை.....
Of the sculptors of those ancient days,
Providing eternal foundation to art,
Is unmatched in its architecture!
...
................................
Playing with the eyes,
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
யாரும் விலை போட முடியாத
தனிச் செல்வமே......
O treasure of art!
Priceless to anyone,
O unique treasure!
Playing with the eyes,
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
O treasure of art!
...
................................
Playing with the eyes,
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
யாரும் விலை போட முடியாத
தனிச் செல்வமே......
O treasure of art!
Priceless to anyone,
O unique treasure!
Playing with the eyes,
விழியோடு விளையாடும்
கலைச் செல்வமே
யாரும் விலை போட முடியாத
தனிச் செல்வமே......
O treasure of art!
Priceless to anyone,
O unique treasure!
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
Playing with the eyes,
Kalai selvamae
O treasure of art!
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
Playing with the eyes,
Kalai selvamae
O treasure of art!
Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu
Priceless to anyone,
Thani selvamae
O unique treasure!
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
Playing with the eyes,
Kalai selvamae
O treasure of art!
Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu
Priceless to anyone,
Thani selvamae
O unique treasure!
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
Playing with the eyes,
Kalai selvamae
O treasure of art!
Azhiyaatha pugazh naatti
Establishing undying fame,
Azhagenum nagai kootti
Adding the ornament of beauty,
Avanikkellaam tamizhar
Proclaiming to the whole world
Uyarvinai paraisaattri
The greatness of Tamils!
Azhiyaatha pugazh naatti
Establishing undying fame,
Azhagenum nagai kootti
Adding the ornament of beauty,
Avanikkellaam tamizhar
Proclaiming to the whole world
Uyarvinai paraisaattri
The greatness of Tamils!
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
Playing with the eyes,
Kalai selvamae
O treasure of art!
Kundru pilanthu deiva
Splitting hills to carve divine
Kooyilgalaai kudainthaar
Temples out of rock,
Gopurangal radhangal
Towers, temple chariots,
Koodangalum amaiththaar
And grand halls they built!
Kundru pilanthu deiva
Splitting hills to carve divine
Kooyilgalaai kudainthaar
Temples out of rock,
Gopurangal radhangal
Towers, temple chariots,
Koodangalum amaiththaar
And grand halls they built!
Andrai nilai vilanga
To make known the splendor of ancient days,
Anbu silaigal seithaar
They sculpted statues filled with love,
Annavarellaam engal
So that we realize all those great artisans
Munavarena unara
Were our own ancestors!
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
Playing with the eyes,
Kalai selvamae
O treasure of art!
Nadikkum parathakalai
Creating the art of Bharatanatyam,
Padaiththa umaiyavalai
Like Lord Shiva who subdued
Adakkiya sivan polae
Uma (Parvati), goddess of dance,
Udukkai kondoru silai
Here is a statue holding the Udukkai drum!
Thudukkuttra arakkarkalai
Like the Supreme Goddess Shakti
Azhiththa sakthiyai polae
Who destroyed arrogant demons,
Thadakkaiyil sooran thalai
Here is a statue holding
Thaangidum oru silai
The head of Soorapadman in its large hand!
Thudukkuttra arakkarkalai
Like the Supreme Goddess Shakti
Azhiththa sakthiyai polae
Who destroyed arrogant demons,
Thadakkaiyil sooran thalai
Here is a statue holding
Thaangidum oru silai
The head of Soorapadman in its large hand!
Vaanmazhai pol kalvi
Bestowing education like rain from the sky,
Vazhangidum tamizhselvi
A Tamil maiden recalling Goddess Saraswati,
Vaaniyai ninaivuruththum
Here is a statue embracing the Veena!
Veenai anaiththa silai
Chasing the spotted deer,
Pulli maanai thuraththi
With the hand that captured Valli,
Vallimaanai pidiththa kaiyil
Chasing the spotted deer,
Pulli maanai thuraththi
Chasing the deer,
Maanai thuraththi
With the hand that captured Valli,
Vallimaanai pidiththa kaiyil
A statue holding the Vel (spear)
Seanai thuraththa padai
That routed enemy armies!
Velai padiththa silai
A statue holding the Vel (spear)
Seanai thuraththa padai
That routed enemy armies!
Velai padiththa silai
The free and expressive artistry
Antha naal sirpigalin
Of the sculptors of those ancient days,
Sudhanthira kai velai
Providing eternal foundation to art,
Aranilai tharungalai
Is unmatched in its architecture!
Amaippukku nigarillai
...
……………….
Playing with the eyes,
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
O treasure of art!
Kalai selvamae
Priceless to anyone,
Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu
O unique treasure!
Thani selvamae
Playing with the eyes,
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
O treasure of art!
Kalai selvamae
...
……………….
Playing with the eyes,
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
O treasure of art!
Kalai selvamae
Priceless to anyone,
Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu
O unique treasure!
Thani selvamae
Playing with the eyes,
Vizhiyodu vilaiyaadum
O treasure of art!
Kalai selvamae
Priceless to anyone,
Yaarum vilai poda mudiyaathu
O unique treasure!
Thani selvamae
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Vizhiyodu Vilaiyaadum' is a grand ode to Tamil architecture, stone sculpture, and rich cultural heritage. Sung as a classical duet, the lyrics celebrate artistic treasures carved into stone—rock-cut temples, towering gopurams, and exquisite statues that capture divine lore. It praises ancient Tamil artisans whose creative mastery brought stone to life, establishing eternal glory for Tamil culture across the globe.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Azhiyaatha pugazh naatti / Azhagenum nagai kootti”
The second consonant 'zhi' (ழி) rhymes across consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic harmony characteristic of Tamil poetry.
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Kundru pilanthu deiva / Kooyilgalaai kudainthaar”
The repetition of the initial 'K' sound (Kundru / Kooyilgalaai / kudainthaar) establishes strong phonetic flow.
Uwamai Ani (Simile)
“Vaanmazhai pol kalvi vazhangidum tamizhselvi”
The act of imparting education/knowledge is compared to heavenly rain ('vaanmazhai pol'), using the poetic comparison word 'pol'.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Gopurangal radhangal / Koodangalum amaiththaar”
Matching end sounds in phrases ('radhangal', 'koodangalum') creates melodic cadences suited for Carnatic musical rendition.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vizhiyodu Vilaiyaadum' from Karpukkarasi (1957) is one of Tamil cinema's iconic Carnatic classical duets, featuring the legendary playback singers M. L. Vasanthakumari and P. Leela. Composed by G. Ramanathan and written by A. Maruthakasi, the song set a benchmark for dance sequences portraying temple sculpture and Tamil art history.
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