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Isaimozhi
Sindhu Bhairavi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Poomaalai Vaangi Vanthaan

From Sindhu Bhairavi · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Sindhu Bhairavi
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
4 May 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ahaaaa….aaa…..aaa….
Aaaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa…..
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
Pookkal illaiyae
Dhinam dhinam
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
Pookkal illaiyae
Sevi illai ingoru isai edharkku
Vizhi illai ingoru vilakkedharkku
Naalum naalum aval ninaivil ivan azhuthu
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan pookkal illaiyae
Kaiyyil kinnam
Pidiththu vittaan
Inikkindra vishathirkkul
Vizhundhu vittaan
Raagam thaalam
Marandhu vittaan
Rasigarin kadithaththai
Kizhiththu vittaan
Kadarkkarai engum manal veliyil
Kaadhali kaaladi thedinaan
Moganam paadum velaiyilum
Sindhuvil raagam paadinaan
Vidhiyennum oonjalil aadinaan
Bothaiyinaal pugal izhanthaan
Medaiyil aninthathu veedhiyil vizhundhida
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
Pookkal illaiyae
Netru sabathangal
Eduththu vittaan
Kudikkindra koppaiyai
Udaiththu vittaan
Meendum aval mugam
Ninaiththu vittaan
Sabathaththai avan indru
Udaiththu vittaan
Isaikkoru kuyil endru…. uuu
Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa…aaa……aaa…..aaa…
Isaikkoru kuyil endru peyareduththaan
Irumalai thaan indru suram pidiththaan
Manidhargal iruppathai marandhu vittaan
Maanaththin maanaththai vaangi vittaan
Bothaiyin paathaiyil pogindraan
Than mugamae thaan maranthaan
Soodavum tholillai aallillai ivan andru
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
Pookkal illaiyae
Sevi illai ingoru isai edharkku
Vizhi illai ingoru vilakkedharkku
Naalum naalum aval ninaivil ivan azhuthu
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan pookkal illaiyae
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
Pookkal illaiyae…yae…..ae…….
Aha... aa... aa...
Aaaa... aa... aaaa... aa...
He brought home a flower garland,
but there are no flowers in it.
Day after day,
he brought home a flower garland,
but there are no flowers in it.
When there are no ears to listen, why play music here?
When there are no eyes to see, why light a lamp here?
Crying day after day in her memory,
he brought home a garland, but there are no flowers in it.
In his hand, a drink
he has taken to holding.
Into sweet poison,
he has fallen.
Melody and rhythm,
he has forgotten.
Letters from his fans,
he has torn to pieces.
Across the sandy expanse of the beach,
he searched for his lover's footprints.
Even when it was time to sing a joyful song,
he sang a tune of sorrow for Sindhu.
He swayed back and forth on the swing of fate.
Through drunkenness, he lost his fame.
As the garlands worn on stage fell to the street,
he brought home a flower garland,
but there are no flowers in it.
Yesterday, a vow
he had taken.
The glass of alcohol,
he shattered.
Remembering her face
once again,
that very vow, today,
he broke.
Hailed as a songbird of music... ooh
Aaaa... aa... aaaa... aa... aa... aa...
He earned fame as a songbird of music,
yet today, he catches coughs instead of musical notes.
He forgot that other people exist around him.
He completely threw away his self-respect.
He wanders down the path of drunkenness,
and has forgotten even his own face.
With no shoulders and no one to wear it, back then...
he brought home a flower garland,
but there are no flowers in it.
When there are no ears to listen, why play music here?
When there are no eyes to see, why light a lamp here?
Crying day after day in her memory,
he brought home a garland, but there are no flowers in it.
He brought home a flower garland,
but there are no flowers in it...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Poomaalai Vaangi Vandhaan' portrays the tragic downfall of a celebrated Carnatic musician, J. K. Balaganapathy (JKB), portrayed by Sivakumar in the film Sindhu Bhairavi (1985). Overwhelmed by grief, loneliness, and separation from Sindhu, JKB succumbs to severe alcoholism. The metaphorical garland without flowers signifies hollow success, honor without joy, and a life stripped of its soul and core essence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

“Inikkindra vishathirkkul / Vidhiyennum oonjalil aadinaan”

Comparing sweet poison ('Inikkindra visham') to alcohol and the unpredictable twists of destiny to a swing ('Vidhiyennum oonjal').

Paradox / Imagery

“Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan / Pookkal illaiyae”

Buying a garland with no flowers serves as a powerful imagery and paradox representing empty honors and hollow life.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

“Sevi illai ingoru isai edharkku / Vizhi illai ingoru vilakkedharkku”

Using questions to highlight the futility of art and illumination when there is nobody to appreciate them.

Monorhyme / Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Netru sabathangal... / Kudikkindra koppaiyai...”

Matching the second letter consonants across lines ('Netru', 'Kudikkindra', 'Meendum', 'Sabathaththai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas, this song won Yesudas the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1985. The song effectively captures the tragic turn of the protagonist JKB in Balachander's critically acclaimed musical drama Sindhu Bhairavi.

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