P Jayachandran’s voice in “Enthe Innum Vanneela” from the album ‘Gramaphone’ establishes a quiet vigil. Composed by Vidyasagar, the song features Murali and Revathi in a scene of sleepless anticipation. A woman waits by a moonlit riverbank for someone who has not yet arrived.
Lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery’s words contain direct promises of absolute devotion. He writes of opening the heart’s “sandalwood door” for only one person. Puthenchery also has the character vowing to string all her memories on the “lotus-thread” of her lover’s affection.
Mayyanikkanninte Manjaadikkadavathu Manimaaran Varunnathum KaathuAt the ‘manjaadi’ seed riverbank in the enchanting dusk, waiting for your beloved to arrive,
Kasthoorinilaavinte Kanavupulpaayayil UrangaathirunnoleYou were the one who stayed sleepless on a mat of dreams in the musk-scented moonlight.
Aa Aa Aa UrangaathirunnoleOh, you who waited so sleeplessly.
Enthe Innum Vanneela Ninnodonnum CholleelaWhy hasn’t he come yet, without saying a single word to you?
Anuraagam Meettum Gandharvan Nee Swapnam KaanumThe celestial ‘Gandharvan’ who plays melodies of love, the one you dream about.
Aakaashathoppin KinnaranA mythical ‘Kinnaran’ from the groves of the sky.
Manivala Thilangana KaiyyaleWith a hand adorned with jingling glass bangles,
Viralnjotti VilikkanathaaraanuWho is it that calls with a snap of the fingers?
Muzhuthinkaludikkana MukiloramAt the edge of the clouds where the full moon rises,
Murasholi MuzhakkanathaaraanuWho is it that makes the drums echo so loud?
O Vilakkinte Naalam Pole EeOh, like the flame of a lamp,
Ponthooval Veeshum Maatterum MazhapraaveIs this beautiful rain-dove with its shimmering golden feathers.
O O Kaliyaadi Paadaan NeramaayiOh, it’s now time to play and sing.
En Hridayathin ChandanavaathilThe sandalwood door of my heart,
Ninakkaayi Maathram Thurakkaam NjaanI’ll open it only for you.
Nin Mizhiyaakum MadhupaathrathileFrom the intoxicating cup of your eyes,
Maasmaramadhuram Nukaraam NjaanI’ll sip its enchanting sweetness.
Madhuvarnnappoovalle NarunilaappoomolalleAren’t you a honey-colored flower, a child of the soft moonlight?
Madhurapathinezhin Lankimariyunnole LankimariyunnoleOh, you who sways with the grace of sweet seventeen, oh, you who sway with grace.
Lankimariyunnole LankimariyunnoleYou who sway with grace, you who sway with grace.
Nin Pranayathin ThaamaranoolilUpon the lotus-thread of your love,
Ormakal Muzhuvan Korkkaam NjaanI’ll string together every one of my memories.
Ninneyurakkaan Pazhayoru GazalinTo lull you to sleep with the soul of an old ghazal,
Nirvrithiyellaam Pakaraam NjaanI’ll pour out all of its bliss for you.
The song does not resolve the wait, instead framing it as a sacred act. The awaited person is a mythical “Gandharvan,” elevating the longing to a spiritual level. The ‘Enthe Innum Vanneela’ lyrics in English show that this waiting is a profound statement of love.
