- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai
- Movie release year
- 1989
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Dec 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant emotional song expresses the deep anguish of an elder brother who is alienated from his beloved younger sister during her wedding. Unable to participate in the celebrations due to misunderstandings or social circumstances, he laments how fate has separated them despite the pure love he nurtured for her since childhood. From afar, he hears the wedding music sounding throughout the village and offers his heartfelt blessings, while inwardly questioning why life dealt him such a tragic hand. Despite his pain and sense of betrayal by relatives, the brother holds onto hope. He compares himself to a teacher's child who can teach the world but failed to master the practical lessons of life. Ultimately, he consoles his troubled heart with optimism, believing that time will heal all wounds and a future day will arrive when he and his sister will be reunited.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uragavam)
“Vannakkili vaadumo”
The sister is affectionally referred to as 'Vannakkili' (colorful parrot), symbolizing innocence, delicacy, and loving care.
Irony / Self-reflection
“Vaazhkkai ennum paadathaithaan”
The speaker contrasts his role as the 'Vaathiyaar veettu pillai' (child of a teacher who teaches the village) with his inability to understand or navigate the lesson of life ('Vaazhkkai ennum paadathaithaan').
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)
“Nesam vecha paavathukku / Nenjamae anubhavi”
Rhyming of the second letter 's' in 'Nesam' and 'Nenjamae'.
Rhetorical Question
“Pandhalil nikka koodaadhaa”
The speaker repeatedly poses grief-stricken rhetorical questions asking if the brother shouldn't be allowed to bless his sister or stand under the wedding canopy.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai' (1989) stars Sathyaraj and Shobana, directed by P. Vasu. The film features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vaali. The theme of sibling bond and the self-sacrificing elder brother was a signature motif in late 1980s Tamil melodramas.
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