Poomaalai Vaangi Vanthaan
From Sindhu Bhairavi · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sindhu Bhairavi1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ahaaaa….aaa…..aaa…. | Ahaaaa....aaa.....aaa.... |
| Aaaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa….. | Aaaaa....aaa.....aaaa....aaa..... |
| Male | |
| Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan | He brought back a flower garland, |
| Pookkal illaiyae | But there were no flowers in it. |
| Dhinam dhinam | Every single day, |
| Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan | He brought back a flower garland, |
| Pookkal illaiyae | But there were no flowers in it. |
| Male | |
| Sevi illai ingoru isai edharkku | Without ears to listen, why play music here? |
| Vizhi illai ingoru vilakkedharkku | Without eyes to see, why light a lamp here? |
| Naalum naalum aval ninaivil ivan azhuthu | Every day he weeps in her memory, |
| Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan pookkal illaiyae | He brought back a flower garland, but there were no flowers in it. |
| Male | |
| Kaiyyil kinnam | A cup in his hand, |
| Pidiththu vittaan | He has held tightly. |
| Inikkindra vishathirkkul | Into sweet poison, |
| Vizhundhu vittaan | He has fallen down. |
| Male | |
| Raagam thaalam | Melody and rhythm, |
| Marandhu vittaan | He has forgotten completely. |
| Rasigarin kadithaththai | The letter from a fan, |
| Kizhiththu vittaan | He tore it into pieces. |
| Male | |
| Kadarkkarai engum manal veliyil | Across the sandy expanse of the beach, |
| Kaadhali kaaladi thedinaan | He searched for his lover's footprints. |
| Moganam paadum velaiyilum | Even when meant to sing in Mohanam ragam, |
| Sindhuvil raagam paadinaan | He sang a melancholic tune in Sindhu. |
| Vidhiyennum oonjalil aadinaan | He swung back and forth on the swing of fate. |
| Bothaiyinaal pugal izhanthaan | He lost all his fame to intoxication. |
| Medaiyil aninthathu veedhiyil vizhundhida | The accolades worn on stage fell onto the streets. |
| Male | |
| Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan | He brought back a flower garland, |
| Pookkal illaiyae | But there were no flowers in it. |
| Male | |
| Netru sabathangal | Yesterday, solemn vows |
| Eduththu vittaan | He had taken. |
| Kudikkindra koppaiyai | The drinking glass, |
| Udaiththu vittaan | He smashed to pieces. |
| Male | |
| Meendum aval mugam | Yet remembering her face once more, |
| Ninaiththu vittaan | He recalled her memory, |
| Sabathaththai avan indru | And his sacred vow today, |
| Udaiththu vittaan | He broke into pieces. |
| Male | |
| Isaikkoru kuyil endru…. uuu | As the cuckoo of music... |
| Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa…aaa……aaa…..aaa… | Aaaa....aaa.....aaaa...aaa......aaa.....aaa... |
| Isaikkoru kuyil endru peyareduththaan | He earned fame as the cuckoo of music, |
| Irumalai thaan indru suram pidiththaan | Yet today he catches a feverish cough. |
| Manidhargal iruppathai marandhu vittaan | He forgot the presence of fellow human beings, |
| Maanaththin maanaththai vaangi vittaan | He bought away the very honor of self-respect. |
| Bothaiyin paathaiyil pogindraan | He walks along the path of intoxication, |
| Than mugamae thaan maranthaan | Forgetting his very own identity. |
| Soodavum tholillai aallillai ivan andru | There is no shoulder to wear it, no person beside him, |
| Male | |
| Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan | He brought back a flower garland, |
| Pookkal illaiyae | But there were no flowers in it. |
| Sevi illai ingoru isai edharkku | Without ears to listen, why play music here? |
| Vizhi illai ingoru vilakkedharkku | Without eyes to see, why light a lamp here? |
| Naalum naalum aval ninaivil ivan azhuthu | Every day he weeps in her memory, |
| Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan pookkal illaiyae | He brought back a flower garland, but there were no flowers in it. |
| Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan | He brought back a flower garland, |
| Pookkal illaiyae…yae…..ae……. | But there were no flowers in it... |
ஆஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ
Ahaaaa....aaa.....aaa....
Aaaaa....aaa.....aaaa....aaa.....
பூ மாலை வாங்கி
வந்தான் பூக்கள் இல்லையே
தினம் தினம் பூ மாலை
வாங்கி வந்தான் பூக்கள்
இல்லையே
He brought back a flower garland,
But there were no flowers in it.
Every single day,
He brought back a flower garland,
But there were no flowers in it.
செவி இல்லை
இங்கொரு இசை எதற்கு
விழி இல்லை இங்கொரு
விளக்கெதற்கு நாளும் நாளும்
அவள் நினைவில் இவன் அழுது
பூ மாலை வாங்கி வந்தான்
பூக்கள் இல்லையே
Without ears to listen, why play music here?
Without eyes to see, why light a lamp here?
Every day he weeps in her memory,
He brought back a flower garland, but there were no flowers in it.
கையில் கிண்ணம்
பிடித்து விட்டான் இனிக்கின்ற
விஷத்திற்குள் விழுந்து
விட்டான்
A cup in his hand,
He has held tightly.
Into sweet poison,
He has fallen down.
ராகம் தாளம்
மறந்துவிட்டான்
ரசிகரின் கடிதத்தை
கிழித்துவிட்டான்
Melody and rhythm,
He has forgotten completely.
The letter from a fan,
He tore it into pieces.
கடற் கரை எங்கும்
மணல்வெளியில் காதலி
காலடி தேடினான் மோகனம்
பாடும் வேளையிலும் சிந்துவில்
ராகம் பாடினான் விதி என்னும்
ஊஞ்சலில் ஆடினான்
போதையினால் புகழ் இழந்தான்
மேடையில் அணிந்தது வீதியில்
விழுந்திட
Across the sandy expanse of the beach,
He searched for his lover's footprints.
Even when meant to sing in Mohanam ragam,
He sang a melancholic tune in Sindhu.
He swung back and forth on the swing of fate.
He lost all his fame to intoxication.
The accolades worn on stage fell onto the streets.
பூ மாலை வாங்கி
வந்தான் பூக்கள் இல்லையே
He brought back a flower garland,
But there were no flowers in it.
நேற்று சபதங்கள்
எடுத்துவிட்டான் குடிக்கின்ற
கோப்பையை உடைத்து
விட்டான்
Yesterday, solemn vows
He had taken.
The drinking glass,
He smashed to pieces.
மீண்டும் அவள்
முகம் நினைத்துவிட்டான்
சபதத்தை அவன் இன்று
உடைத்துவிட்டான்
Yet remembering her face once more,
He recalled her memory,
And his sacred vow today,
He broke into pieces.
இசைக்கொரு
குயில் என்று ..... ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ இசைக்கொரு
குயிலென்று பெயரெடுத்தான்
இருமலை தான் என்று சுரம்
பிடித்தான் மனிதர்கள் இருப்பதை
மறந்துவிட்டான் மானத்தின்
மானத்தை வாங்கிவிட்டான்
போதையின் பாதையில்
போகின்றான் தன்முகமே
தான் மறந்தான் சூடவும்
தோளில்லை ஆளில்லை
இவன் அன்று
As the cuckoo of music...
Aaaa....aaa.....aaaa...aaa......aaa.....aaa...
He earned fame as the cuckoo of music,
Yet today he catches a feverish cough.
He forgot the presence of fellow human beings,
He bought away the very honor of self-respect.
He walks along the path of intoxication,
Forgetting his very own identity.
There is no shoulder to wear it, no person beside him,
பூ மாலை வாங்கி
வந்தான் பூக்கள் இல்லையே
செவி இல்லை இங்கொரு
இசை எதற்கு விழி இல்லை
இங்கொரு விளக்கெதற்கு
நாளும் நாளும் அவள்
நினைவில் இவன் அழுது
பூ மாலை வாங்கி வந்தான்
பூக்கள் இல்லையே பூ மாலை
வாங்கி வந்தான் பூக்கள்
இல்லையே யே யே...
He brought back a flower garland,
But there were no flowers in it.
Without ears to listen, why play music here?
Without eyes to see, why light a lamp here?
Every day he weeps in her memory,
He brought back a flower garland, but there were no flowers in it.
He brought back a flower garland,
But there were no flowers in it...
Ahaaaa….aaa…..aaa….
Ahaaaa....aaa.....aaa....
Aaaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa…..
Aaaaa....aaa.....aaaa....aaa.....
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
He brought back a flower garland,
Pookkal illaiyae
But there were no flowers in it.
Dhinam dhinam
Every single day,
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
He brought back a flower garland,
Pookkal illaiyae
But there were no flowers in it.
Sevi illai ingoru isai edharkku
Without ears to listen, why play music here?
Vizhi illai ingoru vilakkedharkku
Without eyes to see, why light a lamp here?
Naalum naalum aval ninaivil ivan azhuthu
Every day he weeps in her memory,
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan pookkal illaiyae
He brought back a flower garland, but there were no flowers in it.
Kaiyyil kinnam
A cup in his hand,
Pidiththu vittaan
He has held tightly.
Inikkindra vishathirkkul
Into sweet poison,
Vizhundhu vittaan
He has fallen down.
Raagam thaalam
Melody and rhythm,
Marandhu vittaan
He has forgotten completely.
Rasigarin kadithaththai
The letter from a fan,
Kizhiththu vittaan
He tore it into pieces.
Kadarkkarai engum manal veliyil
Across the sandy expanse of the beach,
Kaadhali kaaladi thedinaan
He searched for his lover's footprints.
Moganam paadum velaiyilum
Even when meant to sing in Mohanam ragam,
Sindhuvil raagam paadinaan
He sang a melancholic tune in Sindhu.
Vidhiyennum oonjalil aadinaan
He swung back and forth on the swing of fate.
Bothaiyinaal pugal izhanthaan
He lost all his fame to intoxication.
Medaiyil aninthathu veedhiyil vizhundhida
The accolades worn on stage fell onto the streets.
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
He brought back a flower garland,
Pookkal illaiyae
But there were no flowers in it.
Netru sabathangal
Yesterday, solemn vows
Eduththu vittaan
He had taken.
Kudikkindra koppaiyai
The drinking glass,
Udaiththu vittaan
He smashed to pieces.
Meendum aval mugam
Yet remembering her face once more,
Ninaiththu vittaan
He recalled her memory,
Sabathaththai avan indru
And his sacred vow today,
Udaiththu vittaan
He broke into pieces.
Isaikkoru kuyil endru…. uuu
As the cuckoo of music...
Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa…aaa……aaa…..aaa…
Aaaa....aaa.....aaaa...aaa......aaa.....aaa...
Isaikkoru kuyil endru peyareduththaan
He earned fame as the cuckoo of music,
Irumalai thaan indru suram pidiththaan
Yet today he catches a feverish cough.
Manidhargal iruppathai marandhu vittaan
He forgot the presence of fellow human beings,
Maanaththin maanaththai vaangi vittaan
He bought away the very honor of self-respect.
Bothaiyin paathaiyil pogindraan
He walks along the path of intoxication,
Than mugamae thaan maranthaan
Forgetting his very own identity.
Soodavum tholillai aallillai ivan andru
There is no shoulder to wear it, no person beside him,
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
He brought back a flower garland,
Pookkal illaiyae
But there were no flowers in it.
Sevi illai ingoru isai edharkku
Without ears to listen, why play music here?
Vizhi illai ingoru vilakkedharkku
Without eyes to see, why light a lamp here?
Naalum naalum aval ninaivil ivan azhuthu
Every day he weeps in her memory,
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan pookkal illaiyae
He brought back a flower garland, but there were no flowers in it.
Poomaalai vaangi vandhaan
He brought back a flower garland,
Pookkal illaiyae…yae…..ae…….
But there were no flowers in it...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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