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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Naan Aada Vandhean

From Varam · 1989

Lyricist: Pulamaipithan
Singer: K. S. Chithra
Music director: M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name: Varam
Movie release year: 1989
Lyrics added on: 30 Apr 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Naan aada vandhen

En kaal irandil katti veitha salangai illai

Naan paada vanthen

En paattukku enna raagaminnu vilangavillai

Manasukkullae nerunji mullu

Edutheriya ingu neram illai

Manasukkullae nerunji mullu

Edutheriya ingu neram illai

Naan aada vandhen

En kaal irandil katti veitha salangai illai

Andha aagasa pandhalilae malligapoo

Adhai kondaanthu maalai kattum en nenappu

Andha aagasa pandhalilae malligapoo

Adhai kondaanthu maalai kattum en nenappu

Ippa ennaachu thappu endraachu

Ippa kaagitha poovila vaasanai kandu konden

Ingae javvadhu vaasam selladhu

Paavam sandhana maalaiyaisethula veesi vitten

Naan aada vandhen

En kaal irandil katti veitha salangai illai

Nenjil kolladha aasaigalai kondu vandhen

Adhu selladha kaasunnu naan kondu konden

Nenjil kolladha aasaigalai kondu vandhen

Adhu selladha kaasunnu naan kondu konden

Indha yemattram nenjil thee moottum

Maangal maamisam thingindra kaalamum vandhadhamma

Vaazhkai porattam thunbha thaerottam

Indru atchaya paathiram pichaikku vandhadhamma

Naan aada vandhen

En kaal irandil katti veitha salangai illai

Naan paada vanthen

En paattukku enna raagaminnu vilangavillai

I came to dance, but on my feet

there are no dancing bells tied.

I came to sing, but for my song,

I cannot tell what melody it is.

There is a sharp thorn inside my heart,

and there is no time here to pull it out.

There is a sharp thorn inside my heart,

and there is no time here to pull it out.

I came to dance, but on my feet

there are no dancing bells tied.

In the open canopy of the sky, there is jasmine;

I dreamed of bringing it down to weave a garland.

In the open canopy of the sky, there is jasmine;

I dreamed of bringing it down to weave a garland.

What happened now? It turned out to be a mistake.

Now I ended up looking for fragrance in paper flowers.

The sweet scent of javvadhu (traditional perfume) has no value here;

alas, I threw a garland of sandalwood into the mud.

I came to dance, but on my feet

there are no dancing bells tied.

I came with desires too big for my heart to hold,

only to learn that they are worthless coins.

I came with desires too big for my heart to hold,

only to learn that they are worthless coins.

This heartbreak sets a fire in my soul;

a time has come when even deer eat meat!

Life is a struggle, a chariot ride of sorrow;

today, even the Akshaya Patra (divine vessel of endless food) has come begging!

I came to dance, but on my feet

there are no dancing bells tied.

I came to sing, but for my song,

I cannot tell what melody it is.

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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Naan Aada Vandhen' from the film Varam (1989) is a sorrowful song reflecting on life's bitter ironies, tragedy, and unmet hopes. The protagonist expresses coming to perform life's dance and song, yet lacking the necessary foundation—dancing without anklets and singing without knowing the raga. The song captures the internal pain of carrying emotional thorns that one has no time to remove due to relentless life struggles. Through vivid visual imagery and metaphors—such as expecting fragrance from paper flowers or an inexhaustible divine bowl (Akshaya Patra) reduced to begging—lyricist Pulamaipithan describes the complete inverted nature of an unforgiving reality where pure hopes become worthless currency. Rendered with deep emotional resonance by K. S. Chithra under M. S. Vishwanathan's composition, the track stands as a poignant expression of grief and disillusionment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Ippa kaagitha poovila vaasanai kandu konden”

Comparing futile hopes to finding fragrance in a fake paper flower.

Hyperbole / Surreal Metaphor

“Maangal maamisam thingindra kaalamum vandhadhamma”

An extreme image depicting an unnaturally harsh era where gentle herbivorous deer eat meat.

Mythological Allusion & Paradox

“Indru atchaya paathiram pichaikku vandhadhamma”

Referencing the Akshaya Patra (the mythological vessel that provides endless food) begging, symbolizing total downfall and helplessness.

Rhyme & Parallelism (Edhugai / Monai)

“Vaazhkai porattam thunbha thaerottam”

Rhyming ending structures ('porattam' / 'thaerottam') conveying the dramatic cadence of life's endless grief.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the veteran maestro M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by renowned poet Pulamaipithan, this tragic song relies on classical metaphors to highlight life's helplessness, showcasing K. S. Chithra's mastery over evocative pathos.

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