Aavadhum Pennale
From Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi · 1987
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aavathum pennaalae | Flourishing happens because of a woman |
| Manusan azhivathum penaalae | Man's destruction also happens because of a woman |
| Vaazhvathum pennaalae | Living prosperity happens because of a woman |
| Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae | His downfall also happens because of a woman |
| Male | |
| Aavathum pennaalae | Flourishing happens because of a woman |
| Manusan azhivathum penaalae | Man's destruction also happens because of a woman |
| Vaazhvathum pennaalae | Living prosperity happens because of a woman |
| Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae | His downfall also happens because of a woman |
| Male | |
| Therkku madhuraiyil karpu sudar pattu | In Southern Madurai, struck by the flame of chastity |
| Vendhathum pennaalae | It burned down because of a woman |
| Andru vilaiyaattu sirupillai | That playful young child back then |
| Veera sivaaji aanathum pennaalae | Became the heroic Shivaji because of a woman |
| Male | |
| Nil endru sonnathum sul endru sooriyam | When told to stop, the scorching sun |
| Nindrathu pennaalae | Stood still because of a woman |
| Chinna thaali kayittrukku paasakayiru | To save the small sacred thread of marriage, the rope of death |
| Andru thottarthum pennaalae | Was touched and turned back because of a woman |
| Male | |
| India thanga padhakkam | The gold medals won by India |
| Jeyiththathellaam pennaalae | Were all won because of a woman |
| India thanga padhakkam | The gold medals won by India |
| Jeyiththathellaam pennaalae | Were all won because of a woman |
| Antha vazhi intha maga arasaala vanthaalae | Along that path, this daughter has come to rule like a queen |
| Male | |
| {Aavathum pennaalae | {Flourishing happens because of a woman |
| Manusan azhivathum penaalae | Man's destruction happens because of a woman |
| Vaazhvathum pennaalae | Living prosperity happens because of a woman |
| Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae} (2) | His downfall happens because of a woman} (2) |
| Male | |
| Manam kettu thasaathan seththu seththu | Losing his peace of mind, King Dasaratha slowly died |
| Uyir vittathum pennaale | And lost his life because of a woman |
| Ada paththu thalaiyilum piththam kondu | Hey, struck by madness across all ten heads |
| Mannan kettathum pennaalae | King Ravana was ruined because of a woman |
| Male | |
| Paalavanam engum moolai kettu | Losing his wits across the entire desert |
| Majunu ponathum pennaalae | Majnu perished because of a woman |
| Antha romapuri andru raththakulam | That city of Rome back then, into a pool of blood |
| Endru aanathum pennaale | It turned into one because of a woman |
| Male | |
| Intha kaala katchigalum | Even the current political parties |
| Irandaachchu pennaalae | Split into two because of a woman |
| Intha kaala katchigalum | Even the current political parties |
| Irandaachchu pennaalae | Split into two because of a woman |
| Kai neettamaruththa paya | The guy who refused to stretch out his hand |
| Kavizhnthaandi munnaalae | Has now collapsed before her |
| Male | |
| {Aavathum pennaalae | {Flourishing happens because of a woman |
| Manusan azhivathum penaalae | Man's destruction happens because of a woman |
| Vaazhvathum pennaalae | Living prosperity happens because of a woman |
| Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae} (2) | His downfall happens because of a woman} (2) |
| Male | |
| Panja paandavargal pagai vendru | The five Pandavas defeating their enemies |
| Kodi nattathum pennaalae | And hoisting the victory flag was because of a woman |
| Namma indhiran chanthiran rendu | Our Indra and Chandra, both of those |
| Payalgalum kettathum pennaalae | Fellows got ruined because of a woman |
| Male | |
| Kollai kollum oru vellai | A captivating white monument |
| Tajmahal vathathum pennaalae | The Taj Mahal came to be because of a woman |
| Paandi mannan aranmanai | The palace of the Pandyan King |
| Mannodu mannaagi ponathum pennaalae | Was turned into dust because of a woman |
| Male | |
| Nallathum kettathum ingae | All the good and the bad happening here |
| Nadappathellaam pennaalae | Everything happens because of a woman |
| Nallathum kettathum ingae | All the good and the bad happening here |
| Nadappathellaam pennaalae | Everything happens because of a woman |
| Muzhusaa paattil solla mudiyaathu ennaalae | I cannot express everything completely in a single song |
| Male | |
| {Aavathum pennaalae | {Flourishing happens because of a woman |
| Manusan azhivathum penaalae | Man's destruction happens because of a woman |
| Vaazhvathum pennaalae | Living prosperity happens because of a woman |
| Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae} (2) | His downfall happens because of a woman} (2) |
ஆவதும் பெண்ணாலே
மனுசன் அழிவதும் பெண்ணாலே
வாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே
அவனே தாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே
Flourishing happens because of a woman
Man's destruction also happens because of a woman
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
His downfall also happens because of a woman
ஆவதும் பெண்ணாலே
மனுசன் அழிவதும் பெண்ணாலே
வாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே
அவனே தாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே
Flourishing happens because of a woman
Man's destruction also happens because of a woman
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
His downfall also happens because of a woman
தெற்கு மதுரையில் கற்பு சுடர் பட்டு
வெந்ததும் பெண்ணாலே
அன்று விளையாட்டு சிறுபிள்ளை
வீர சிவாஜி ஆனதும் பெண்ணாலே
In Southern Madurai, struck by the flame of chastity
It burned down because of a woman
That playful young child back then
Became the heroic Shivaji because of a woman
நில் என்று சொன்னதும் சுள் என்று சூரியன்
நின்றது பெண்ணாலே
சின்ன தாலிக்கயிற்றுக்கு பாசக்கயிறு
அன்று தோற்றதும் பெண்ணாலே
When told to stop, the scorching sun
Stood still because of a woman
To save the small sacred thread of marriage, the rope of death
Was touched and turned back because of a woman
இந்தியா தங்க பதக்கம்
ஜெயித்ததெல்லாம் பெண்ணாலே
இந்தியா தங்க பதக்கம்
ஜெயித்ததெல்லாம் பெண்ணாலே
அந்த வழி இந்த மக அரசாள வந்தாளே
The gold medals won by India
Were all won because of a woman
The gold medals won by India
Were all won because of a woman
Along that path, this daughter has come to rule like a queen
{ஆவதும் பெண்ணாலே
மனுசன் அழிவதும் பெண்ணாலே
வாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே
அவனே தாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே} (2)
{Flourishing happens because of a woman
Man's destruction happens because of a woman
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
His downfall happens because of a woman} (2)
மனம் கெட்டு தசரதன் செத்து செத்து
உயிர் விட்டதும் பெண்ணாலே
அட பத்து தலையிலும் பித்தம் கொண்டு
மன்னன் கெட்டதும் பெண்ணாலே
Losing his peace of mind, King Dasaratha slowly died
And lost his life because of a woman
Hey, struck by madness across all ten heads
King Ravana was ruined because of a woman
பாலைவனம் எங்கும் மூளை கெட்டு
மஜ்னு போனதும் பெண்ணாலே
அந்த ரோமாபுரி அன்று ரத்தகுளம்
என்று ஆனதும் பெண்ணாலே
Losing his wits across the entire desert
Majnu perished because of a woman
That city of Rome back then, into a pool of blood
It turned into one because of a woman
இந்தக் கால கட்சிகளும்
இரண்டாச்சு பெண்ணாலே
இந்தக் கால கட்சிகளும்
இரண்டாச்சு பெண்ணாலே
கை நீட்ட மறுத்த பய
கவிழ்ந்தான்டி முன்னாலே
Even the current political parties
Split into two because of a woman
Even the current political parties
Split into two because of a woman
The guy who refused to stretch out his hand
Has now collapsed before her
{ஆவதும் பெண்ணாலே
மனுசன் அழிவதும் பெண்ணாலே
வாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே
அவனே தாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே} (2)
{Flourishing happens because of a woman
Man's destruction happens because of a woman
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
His downfall happens because of a woman} (2)
பஞ்ச பாண்டவர்கள் பகை வென்று
கொடி நட்டதும் பெண்ணாலே
நம்ம இந்திரன் சந்திரன் ரெண்டு
பயல்களும் கெட்டதும் பெண்ணாலே
The five Pandavas defeating their enemies
And hoisting the victory flag was because of a woman
Our Indra and Chandra, both of those
Fellows got ruined because of a woman
கொள்ளை கொள்ளும் ஒரு வெள்ளை
தாஜ்மஹால் வந்ததும் பெண்ணாலே
பாண்டி மன்னன் அரண்மனை
மண்ணோடு மண்ணாகி போனதும் பெண்ணாலே
A captivating white monument
The Taj Mahal came to be because of a woman
The palace of the Pandyan King
Was turned into dust because of a woman
நல்லதும் கெட்டதும் இங்கே
நடப்பதெல்லாம் பெண்ணாலே
நல்லதும் கெட்டதும் இங்கே
நடப்பதெல்லாம் பெண்ணாலே
முழுசா பாட்டில் சொல்ல முடியாது என்னாலே
All the good and the bad happening here
Everything happens because of a woman
All the good and the bad happening here
Everything happens because of a woman
I cannot express everything completely in a single song
{ஆவதும் பெண்ணாலே
மனுசன் அழிவதும் பெண்ணாலே
வாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே
அவனே தாழ்வதும் பெண்ணாலே} (2)
{Flourishing happens because of a woman
Man's destruction happens because of a woman
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
His downfall happens because of a woman} (2)
Aavathum pennaalae
Flourishing happens because of a woman
Manusan azhivathum penaalae
Man's destruction also happens because of a woman
Vaazhvathum pennaalae
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae
His downfall also happens because of a woman
Aavathum pennaalae
Flourishing happens because of a woman
Manusan azhivathum penaalae
Man's destruction also happens because of a woman
Vaazhvathum pennaalae
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae
His downfall also happens because of a woman
Therkku madhuraiyil karpu sudar pattu
In Southern Madurai, struck by the flame of chastity
Vendhathum pennaalae
It burned down because of a woman
Andru vilaiyaattu sirupillai
That playful young child back then
Veera sivaaji aanathum pennaalae
Became the heroic Shivaji because of a woman
Nil endru sonnathum sul endru sooriyam
When told to stop, the scorching sun
Nindrathu pennaalae
Stood still because of a woman
Chinna thaali kayittrukku paasakayiru
To save the small sacred thread of marriage, the rope of death
Andru thottarthum pennaalae
Was touched and turned back because of a woman
India thanga padhakkam
The gold medals won by India
Jeyiththathellaam pennaalae
Were all won because of a woman
India thanga padhakkam
The gold medals won by India
Jeyiththathellaam pennaalae
Were all won because of a woman
Antha vazhi intha maga arasaala vanthaalae
Along that path, this daughter has come to rule like a queen
{Aavathum pennaalae
{Flourishing happens because of a woman
Manusan azhivathum penaalae
Man's destruction happens because of a woman
Vaazhvathum pennaalae
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae} (2)
His downfall happens because of a woman} (2)
Manam kettu thasaathan seththu seththu
Losing his peace of mind, King Dasaratha slowly died
Uyir vittathum pennaale
And lost his life because of a woman
Ada paththu thalaiyilum piththam kondu
Hey, struck by madness across all ten heads
Mannan kettathum pennaalae
King Ravana was ruined because of a woman
Paalavanam engum moolai kettu
Losing his wits across the entire desert
Majunu ponathum pennaalae
Majnu perished because of a woman
Antha romapuri andru raththakulam
That city of Rome back then, into a pool of blood
Endru aanathum pennaale
It turned into one because of a woman
Intha kaala katchigalum
Even the current political parties
Irandaachchu pennaalae
Split into two because of a woman
Intha kaala katchigalum
Even the current political parties
Irandaachchu pennaalae
Split into two because of a woman
Kai neettamaruththa paya
The guy who refused to stretch out his hand
Kavizhnthaandi munnaalae
Has now collapsed before her
{Aavathum pennaalae
{Flourishing happens because of a woman
Manusan azhivathum penaalae
Man's destruction happens because of a woman
Vaazhvathum pennaalae
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae} (2)
His downfall happens because of a woman} (2)
Panja paandavargal pagai vendru
The five Pandavas defeating their enemies
Kodi nattathum pennaalae
And hoisting the victory flag was because of a woman
Namma indhiran chanthiran rendu
Our Indra and Chandra, both of those
Payalgalum kettathum pennaalae
Fellows got ruined because of a woman
Kollai kollum oru vellai
A captivating white monument
Tajmahal vathathum pennaalae
The Taj Mahal came to be because of a woman
Paandi mannan aranmanai
The palace of the Pandyan King
Mannodu mannaagi ponathum pennaalae
Was turned into dust because of a woman
Nallathum kettathum ingae
All the good and the bad happening here
Nadappathellaam pennaalae
Everything happens because of a woman
Nallathum kettathum ingae
All the good and the bad happening here
Nadappathellaam pennaalae
Everything happens because of a woman
Muzhusaa paattil solla mudiyaathu ennaalae
I cannot express everything completely in a single song
{Aavathum pennaalae
{Flourishing happens because of a woman
Manusan azhivathum penaalae
Man's destruction happens because of a woman
Vaazhvathum pennaalae
Living prosperity happens because of a woman
Avanae thaazhvathum pennaalae} (2)
His downfall happens because of a woman} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Aavathum Pennaalae' explores the profound dual influence of women throughout mythology, history, and human life. It posits that a woman is the ultimate catalyst behind both glorious creation and catastrophic destruction. Through a wide array of historical and mythological examples—such as Kannagi burning Madurai, Savitri defeating death, Shivaji's mother inspiring his heroism, and downfalls like Dasaratha, Ravana, Majnu, and the fall of empires—the song illustrates how every triumph and tragedy in the world is inextricably tied to women.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Muran)
“Aavathum pennaalae / Manusan azhivathum penaalae”
Pairs opposing concepts 'Aavathum' (creation/growth) with 'Azhivathum' (destruction), and 'Vaazhvathum' (flourishing) with 'Thaazhvathum' (decline) to emphasize the contrasting roles of women.
Edhai / Monai (Rhyme & Alliteration)
“Aavathum pennaalae / Vaazhvathum pennaalae”
Uses repeating end-refrains ('pennaalae') and initial consonant rhyming across lines to build rhythmic momentum.
Allusion (Ilakkiya / Varalaatru Kurippu)
“Therkku madhuraiyil karpu sudar pattu / Vendhathum pennaalae”
References numerous mythological and historical figures like Kannagi, Shivaji, Savitri, Dasaratha, Ravana, Majnu, and the Pandavas to reinforce the central theme.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features lyrics written by Vairamuthu for Visu's 1987 social comedy-drama film 'Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi', with music composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh.
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