If anyone were to remake this song with rock instruments, I think it would hit the rock charts world wide even if no one understood it. It’s got the structure and tune that would catch on and become what Germans call an Ohrwurm (literally meaning Ear worm but implying a tune stuck in one’s head).
This song is from Pudhayal (meaning Treasure) released in 1957.
Something to note about Tamil lyrics; they often refer to themselves or others as other nouns, like moon, wind, river etc. This happens in the very first verse of this song but as they use no separate words to indicate that they are calling the other person these words, it is to be assumed.
They also tend to have lines which have no seeming subject or direction (or is placed so late in the sentence) so the implications need to be inferred because a literal translation would make little sense. If you look up Sippi Irukkudu, you will see areas where I have had to add the subject in brackets as you/she/I which may as well have been the hypothetical ‘one’: (If [one] was to see you, the poet’s heart would love).
Another thing to keep in mind is that the lyrical construction is often the opposite of the English translation because the subject and the word that indicates the use of a simile or metaphor tend to come in the end of the sentence. So often what you will see in translations is a struggle to keep to the exact text by using impossible English sentence construction or a simpler method (which I am getting used to now) which reverses the sentence in English keeping the sentence meaning but compromising on a word to word reliable comparison.
Now that I have explained so much, it is time for you to enjoy the song with it’s meanings.
**F: ViNNodum mugilodum viLayaadum veNNilavey
ViNNodum mugilodum viLayaadum veNNilavey
KaNNodu konjum kalai azhaghey, isaiamudhey
Isaiamudhey
ViNNodum mugilodum viLayaadum veNNilavey**
The moon which plays with the sky and clouds
The moon which plays with the sky and clouds
The artful beauty who loves through the eyes
The musical nectar, the musical nectar
The moon which plays with the sky and clouds
**M: Alaipaayum kadal oram iLam maangaL polae
Alaipaayum kadal oram iLam maangaL polae
ViLayaadi
F: Isaipaadi
Both: Vizhiyaale uravaadi inbam kaaNalaam
M: ViNNodum mugilodum viLayaadum veNNilavey
F: KaNNodu konjum kalai azhaghey, isaiamudhey
Isaiamudhey
Both: ViNNodum mugilodum viLayaadum veNNilavey
**
Like the young deers on the sea shore where the waves crash
Like the young deers on the sea shore where the waves crash
(We can) play
Sing music
With our eyes, grow closer and find joy.
The moon which plays with the sky and clouds
The artful beauty who loves through the eyes
The musical nectar, the musical nectar
The moon which plays with the sky and clouds
**M: Thaedaadha selva sugam thaanaaga vandhadhu pol
Oadodi vandha sorga boghamey
Oadodi vandha sorga boghamey
F: KaNaadha inba nilai
Kandaadum nenjinelae
Aanandha bodhai ootum yogamey vaazviley
F: ViLayaadi
M: Isai paadi
Both: Vizhiyaale uravadi inbam kaaNalaam
ViNNodum mugilOdum viLayaadum veNNilavey**
Like a wealth of happiness which came without searching for it
A heavenly gratification came rushing (to me)
A heavenly gratification came rushing (to me)
An joyful state like never seen before
Is seen and dancing in (my) heart
The union which drives intoxicated bliss of life
(We can) play
Sing music
With our eyes, grow closer and find joy
The moon which plays with the sky and clouds
**M: Sangeetha thendrelile sadhiraadum poongodiyae
Sandhosham kaaNa uLLam naadudhae
Sandhosham kaaNa uLLam naadudhae
F: Mangaadha thangam idhu
Maaraadha vairam idhu
Ondraagi inba geetham paadudey vaazviley
ViLayaadi
M: Isai paadi
Both: Vizhiyaale uravadi inbam kaanalaam**
In the musical breeze, you dancing flowered creeper
(My) heart desires to enjoy the pleasure
(My) heart desires to enjoy the pleasure
Undullable gold is this,
Unchangable diamond this is,
(We) can become one and sing our happy song together
(We can) play
Sing music
With our eyes, grow closer and find joy
**
F: Aha ahhaa ahha ahahah
Both: ViNNodum mugilodum viLayaadum veNNilavey
KaNNodu konjum kalai azhaghey, isaiamudhey
Isaiamudhey
viNNodum mugilodum viLayaadum veNNilavey**
The moon which plays with the sky and clouds
The artful beauty who loves through the eyes
The musical nectar, the musical nectar
The moon which plays with the sky and clouds