Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Vaathi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

One Life

From Vaathi · 2022

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singers
Stephen Zechariah, Arivu
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Movie name
Vaathi
Movie release year
2022
Lyrics added on
8 Jan 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Agara mudhala
Arivom vaa vaa
Sigaram thoda
Vazhi thaan kalvi
Pudhiya ulagam varaivom
Vaa vaa
Vidiyal tharum oliyae kalvi
Arindomae thuliyai
Ariyadhadhu kadalai
Madhipengal siraiyae
Madhi nutpam thaan viduthalaiyae
Thalaigal nimirum nilaigal uyarum
Nee padithaal
Padicha jeyippa illanna thavippa
Solren kelu iruppadhu one life
Porandha porappa ulagam madhicha
Adhu thaan sugandaa iruppadhu one life
Vaanatha kaiyila pudikkanum nanba
Vaaliba kaalatha madhiknum nanba
Aadanum nanba paadanum nanba
Vaangura pattathil parakkanum nanba
Padicha jeyippa illanna thavippa
Solren kelu iruppadhu one life
Porandha porappa ulagam madhicha
Adhu thaan sugandaa iruppadhu one life
Panam kaasu pakkanum nanba
Thalaimuraikkum saekkanum nanba
Udhavinnu nallavan vandha
Kodukkanum one life
Mariyaadhaiya vaazhanum nanba
Pugaloda saganum nanba
Idhu sathiyam aaganumnna
Padikanum one life
Nee sindhura vervaiyil kidacha
Pudavaiya un thaaiku koduthu
Ava sindhura kanneer thuliya
Rasikanum one life
Nee pona dhisiyila ellaam
Unnoda pera kettu
Un appan thimira nadantha
Rasikanum one life
Aadanum one life paadanum one life
Vaangura pattathil parakkanum one life
Padicha jeyippa illanna thavippa
Solren kelu iruppadhu one life
Porandha porappa ulagam madhicha
Adhu thaan sugandaa iruppadhu one life
Starting from the very first letter,
come, let us gain knowledge! Come, come!
To reach the highest peak,
education is the only path.
Let us draw a new world,
come! Come!
Education is the light that brings a new dawn.
What we know is merely a drop,
what we do not know is an ocean.
Marks are just a prison!
True intelligence is freedom!
Heads will be held high and your status will rise,
if only you study...
If you study, you will win; otherwise, you will struggle.
Listen to what I say, you only have one life!
If the world respects you for the life you were born into,
that is true bliss, my friend—you only have one life!
You must grab the sky in your hands, my friend!
You must value your youth, my friend!
You should dance, my friend, you should sing, my friend!
You must soar high with the degree you earn, my friend!
If you study, you will win; otherwise, you will struggle.
Listen to what I say, you only have one life!
If the world respects you for the life you were born into,
that is true bliss, my friend—you only have one life!
You must earn good money, my friend,
and save it for future generations, my friend.
If a good person comes seeking help,
you must give generously in this one life!
You must live with dignity, my friend,
and leave this world with a good name, my friend.
If all this is to become possible,
you must study in this one life!
Bought with the sweat of your hard work,
gift a sari to your mother,
and the tears of joy that she sheds,
you must cherish in this one life!
In every direction you go,
hearing your name praised,
if your father walks with proud swagger,
you must cherish that in this one life!
Dance in this one life, sing in this one life!
You must soar high with the degree you earn, my friend!
If you study, you will win; otherwise, you will struggle.
Listen to what I say, you only have one life!
If the world respects you for the life you were born into,
that is true bliss, my friend—you only have one life!
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song serves as an energetic and high-spirited educational anthem from the film 'Vaathi'. It emphasizes that education is the ultimate equalizer and tool for social mobility, encouraging youth to look beyond mere exam marks and embrace deep learning, wisdom, and practical intellect. The song urges students to make the most of their youth because we only live 'one life'. The emotional heart of the lyrics lies in fulfilling responsibility towards family and society. It captures the joy of giving back to one's parents—gifting a saree to a hardworking mother to see her tears of joy, and making a father walk with proud confidence because of his child's accomplishments. Furthermore, it advocates earning wealth not just for oneself, but to uplift future generations and help those in need, leaving behind an honorable legacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Arindomae thuliyai / Ariyadhadhu kadalai”

Compares known knowledge to a mere 'drop' of water and unknown knowledge to an expansive 'ocean', inspired by classic Tamil proverbs like Avvaiyar's 'Kattradhu Kaimannalavu'.

Metaphor

“Madhipengal siraiyae / Madhi nutpam thaan viduthalaiyae”

Metaphorically frames school marks as a 'prison' and genuine wisdom/intellect as 'freedom'.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Agara mudhala / Arivom vaa vaa”

Both lines open with the initial Tamil vowel sound 'A' (அக்கார/அறிவோம்).

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Madhipengal siraiyae / Madhi nutpam thaan viduthalaiyae”

The second consonant sound 'dhi' (தி) is repeated in consecutive lines ('Madhi...').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Aadanum nanba paadanum nanba”

Repetition of the ending suffix '-num nanba' creates a rhythmic cadence suitable for a youth anthem.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Vaathi' (released as 'Sir' in Telugu) revolves around a teacher played by Dhanush who fights against the privatization and commercialization of education in the 1990s. Dhanush himself penned the lyrics for this energetic track, collaborating with composer G. V. Prakash Kumar, with whom he has a long history of critically acclaimed soundtracks including 'Polladhavan', 'Aadukalam', and 'Asuran'. The track features vocals by prominent independent artist and rapper Arivu alongside singer Stephen Zechariah.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Hero Titke Track2019
HeroAmbitionResilience
Vaanam Enna Vaanam2003
Priyamana ThozhiAmbitionBravery
Vaasal Idhu Vaasal1992
ThalaivasalHopeResilience
Kadhal Oru2003
Aasai AasaiyaiFamilyFriendship
Jada Jada Jaada2012
SaattaiAmbitionHope
The Farewell2018
Natpe ThunaiFriendshipPoverty

From the same album

More songs from Vaathi

View album
Kalangudhe2022
VaathiMournful
Sooriya Paravaigaley2022
VaathiHopeful
Naadodi Mannan2022
VaathiDefiant
Vaa Vaathi2022
VaathiPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.