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Isaimozhi
Vasanthi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Santhosham Kaanaadha Male

From Vasanthi · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Vasanthi
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
20 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaa…..aaa….aa….aa….aa….
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaa
Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaa
Oru thunbam vanthaal adhai inbam endru
Enni vaazhnthuvittaal
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaa
Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaa….aa….
Aaa…..aaa….aa….aa….aa….
Thennaiyin keetru vizhavillai endraal
Thennaikku endrum valarchchi illai
Thangaththai theeyil sudavillai endraal
Mangaiyar sooda nagaiyum illai
Pirappathil kooda thuyar irukkum
Penmaikku pavam sumai irukkum
Vali vanthu thaanae vazhi pirakkum
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaa
………………..
Paasangal pothum paarvaigal pothum
Paalaiyil neerum suranthu varum
Punnagai pothum poo mozhi pothum
Porgalum kooda mudinthuvidum
Paadhaiyai anbae thiranthu vidum
Paaraiyum pazhamaai kaninthuvidum
Vaazhkkaiyin aazham vilangividum
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaa
Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaa
Oru thunbam vanthaal adhai inbam endru
Enni vaazhnthuvittaal
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaa
Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaa….aa….
Aah... Aah... Aah... Aah... Aah...
Is there any life that has never seen happiness?
Is there any river that does not sing a song?
When sorrow arrives, if you can live
embracing it as joy,
Is there any life that has never seen happiness?
Is there any river that does not sing a song? Ah...
Aah... Aah... Aah... Aah... Aah... Aah...
If its old fronds do not fall,
the coconut tree will never grow.
If gold is not refined in the fire,
there is no jewelry for women to wear.
Even in giving birth, there is pain;
alas, womanhood carries such a heavy burden.
Only after enduring pain does a new path open.
Is there any life that has never seen happiness?
...........................
A little affection and a caring look are enough,
and water will spring forth even from a desert.
A sweet smile and gentle words are enough,
and even bitter wars will come to an end.
Love alone will open the way forward,
even a hard rock will soften like ripe fruit,
and the true meaning of life will become clear.
Is there any life that has never seen happiness?
Is there any river that does not sing a song?
When sorrow arrives, if you can live
embracing it as joy,
Is there any life that has never seen happiness?
Is there any river that does not sing a song? Ah...
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This soulful, philosophical song from the 1988 movie 'Vasanthi' encourages resilience and optimism in the face of life's struggles. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses vivid imagery from nature to illustrate that pain is essential for growth. Just as a coconut tree grows only when its old fronds fall, and gold turns into fine jewelry only after enduring intense heat, human character and joy are shaped through trials. The lyrics emphasize that love, kind words, and affection hold the power to melt hardship, end conflicts, and reveal the true depth of human existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Analogy (Upamāna)

Thennaiyin keetru vizhavillai endraal / Thennaikku endrum valarchchi illai

Uses the natural process of old leaves falling from a palm tree as an analogy for shedding past pain to achieve growth.

Metaphor

Thangaththai theeyil sudavillai endraal / Mangaiyar sooda nagaiyum illai

Compares human suffering and spiritual refinement to raw gold being purified in fire to become fine jewelry.

Personification

Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaa

Attributes the human act of singing music to the flowing motion of a river.

Alliteration (Mohnai / Edhukai)

Paasangal pothum paarvaigal pothum

Rhythmic repetition of the initial consonant 'P' across consecutive lines (Paasangal, paarvaigal, paalaiyil, punnagai, poo).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Vasanthi' (1988) starred Mohan, Seetha, and Gautami, with music composed by Chandrabose. Sung beautifully by K. J. Yesudas, this song stands out as one of the fine philosophical tracks of late 1980s Tamil cinema, often praised for Vairamuthu's insightful lyricism.

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