“Oh Vennila” by Hariharan is from the album “Ninaivirukkum Varai.” Lyricist Pazhani Bharathi and composer Deva created the song. It begins by asking if love is a fleeting flash of lightning or a gentle breeze. These questions immediately establish a philosophical tone.
Released: January 25, 1999
Oh Vennila
Deva | Palani Bharathi • From “Ninaivirukkum Varai”
The song continues to weigh conflicting ideas. One line suggests love turns a burden like a cross into something light as wings. Another lyric asks why someone offers a small opening through a window but keeps the main door closed. This shows a mix of empowerment and rejection.
Oh VennilaOh, moonlight
Kadhal Orr MinnalaIs love a flash of lightning?
Poo Meedhile Thoongum PoonthendralaIs it a gentle breeze that sleeps upon the flowers?
Oh VennilaOh, moonlight
Kadhal Orr MinnalaIs love a flash of lightning?
Poo Meedhile Thoongum PoonthendralaIs it a gentle breeze that sleeps upon the flowers?
Thalattidum Tholgalthan KadhalaIs love the shoulders that cradle you?
Poraditum Vazhkkaithan KadhalaIs love a life spent in struggle?
Kalangal Thorum Valipam SeiyumIs it the long penance that youth performs
Thavangalthan Kadhalathrough the ages, is that love?
Oh VennilaOh, moonlight
Kadhal Orr MinnalaIs love a flash of lightning?
Poo Meedhile Thoongum PoonthendralaIs it a gentle breeze that sleeps upon the flowers?
Siluvai Thantha PothumEven when it gives you a cross
Siragai Pola NinaikkumYou see it as a pair of wings
Megam Pola MidhakkumAnd you float just like a cloud
Kadhale KadhaleOh love, my love
Kadhal Roja Mullai MarumA rose of love can become a thorn
Soodum Kooda MaranthaiYou’ve forgotten even its burn
Sooriyan Kooda NiaippathennaWhy does even the sun pause to think
Kadhal PesinaiWhen you speak of love?
Oh VennilaOh, moonlight
Kadhal Orr MinnalaIs love a flash of lightning?
Poo Meedhile Thoongum PoonthendralaIs it a gentle breeze that sleeps upon the flowers?
Un Kadhal UllamYour loving heart
Taj Mahalin VannamHas the color of the Taj Mahal
En Nenjai NeethanIt was you who opened my heart
Thiranthai ThiranthaiYou opened it completely
Kadhal Nenjai Yeno MaranthaiWhy did you forget that loving heart?
Unnil Neeye OlinthaiYou hid yourself away within you
Jannalai Mattum Thiranthu VaiththuYou only left the window open
Vasalai Yen AiththaiSo why did you close the main door?
Thalattidum Tholgalthan KadhalaIs love the shoulders that cradle you?
Poraditum Vazhkkaithan KadhalaIs love a life spent in struggle?
Kalangal Thorum Valipam SeiyumIs it the long penance that youth performs
Thavangalthan Kadhalathrough the ages, is that love?
Oh VennilaOh, moonlight
Kadhal Orr MinnalaIs love a flash of lightning?
Poo Meedhile Thoongum PoonthendralaIs it a gentle breeze that sleeps upon the flowers?
The song never resolves its own questions about love. It presents affection as a collection of contradictions, mixing pain with freedom. The meaning of the ‘Oh Vennila’ lyrics comes from this refusal to provide a simple definition for a complex human connection.
