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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaa Rayil Vida Polaama

From Pariyerum Perumal · 2018

Lyricist
Vivek
Singer
Prithika
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Pariyerum Perumal2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaa rayil vida polaamaCome, shall we go play with toy trains?
Unakkenna kovamaAre you angry with me?
Manichidu polam vaaForgive me, come let's go.
Female
Yen etti ninnu paakkura neeWhy are you standing far away and watching me?
Kai pudichu povomaeShall we hold hands and go?
Athu pola polam vaaLet's go like that, come.
Female
Unnai pudikkum enakkuI like you.
Unakku naan kaaya pazhamaaAm I an unripe or ripe fruit to you?
Nee variya nesama solluAre you coming? Tell me truly.
Naan varuvenaeI will come!
Female
Vaa rayil vida polaamaCome, shall we go play with toy trains?
Unakkenna kovamaAre you angry with me?
Manichidu polam vaaForgive me, come let's go.
Female
Inga naan thaniya irukkenI am sitting here all alone.
Ethukkunu theriyumaDo you know why?
Neeyum thaan thaniya irukkaYou too are sitting alone.
Vanthu unna parkavaShall I come and see you?
Female
Osathi korachalHigh status, low status...
Ennavo enakku athu puriyalaSomehow, I don't understand all that.
Azhukka karuppaDirty or dark...
Ennavo enakku athu theriyalaSomehow, I don't see or care about that.
Female
Neeyum vera naanum vera"You are different and I am different..."
Amma appa sollitaangaThat is what my mother and father told me.
Nambaama naan odi vanthenNot believing them, I came running.
Enga unnai kaanum ingaWhere are you? I cannot find you here.
Female
Vaa rayil vida polaamaCome, shall we go play with toy trains?
Male :Vaa sirichi vilayada polamaaMale: Come, shall we go laugh and play?
Female :Vaa …rayil vida polaamaFemale: Come... shall we go play with toy trains?
Male :Kai pudichu povomaaMale: Shall we hold hands and go?
Athu pola polam vaaLet's go like that, come.
Female :Vaa rayil vida polaamaFemale: Come, shall we go play with toy trains?
Vaa vaa rayil vida polaamaCome, come, shall we go play with toy trains?
Male :Vaa sirichi vilayada polamaaMale: Come, shall we go laugh and play?
Female :Vaa rayil vida polaamaFemale: Come, shall we go play with toy trains?
Male :Kai pudichu povomaaMale: Shall we hold hands and go?
Athu pola polam vaaLet's go like that, come.
Female :Vaa vaa rayil vida polaam vaaFemale: Come, come, let's go play with toy trains, come.
Female
Vaa rayil vida polaama…Come, shall we go play with toy trains?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant track from Pariyerum Perumal captures the pure, untainted innocence of childhood friendship before societal prejudices take root. Through simple innocent dialogue, children invite each other to play, oblivious to adult concepts of status, caste, and skin color. The song highlights how discrimination is an artificial construct taught by parents and elders ("Amma appa sollitaanga"), contrasting it with a child's natural urge for love, togetherness, and playfulness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Vaa rayil vida polaama

The phrase 'Vaa rayil vida polaama' is repeated continuously throughout the song to establish the innocent, persistent nature of a child's invitation to play.

Antithesis / Contrast

Osathi korachal / Ennavo enakku athu puriyala

Contrasts social constructs of high and low hierarchy ('Osathi korachal') and skin tone/cleanliness ('Azhukka karuppa') with the narrator's complete lack of belief in or understanding of such barriers.

Metaphor / Folk Idiom

Unakku naan kaaya pazhamaa

'Kaaya pazhamaa' (unripe or ripe fruit) references a classic Tamil children's game phrase used to ask whether someone is a friend or foe.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Santhosh Narayanan for director Mari Selvaraj's critically acclaimed debut film Pariyerum Perumal (2018), the song features lyrics written by Lyricist Vivek. It uses childhood games like making matchstick trains ('rayil vida') as a powerful metaphor to critique caste hierarchies and discrimination passed down through generations.

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