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Lyrics & meaning

Vaada Kanne Velladu

From Thanga Durai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thanga Durai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaada kannae vellaaduCome, my dear white goat,
Vaayirundhaal solli viduIf you have a voice, speak up!
Vaada kannae vellaaduCome, my dear white goat,
Vaayirundhaal solli viduIf you have a voice, speak up!
En oorai paarappaLook at my town, my friend,
Nee yaarai polappaWhom will you survive on?
Vaada kannae vellaaduCome, my dear white goat,
Vaayirundhaal solli viduIf you have a voice, speak up!
Female
Munangal…..(Groaning sound...)
Female
Dhinam dhorum pesi konduTalking big every single day,
Silai pola ullam konduHaving a heart like a stone statue,
Madhu undu mangai konduConsuming alcohol and taking women,
Vaazhkindra manidhar unduThere are men living like this.
Female
Avan melae bakthi kollumDevoting themselves blindly to him,
Adiyaargal migavum unduThere are many loyal followers.
Avan melae bakthi kollumDevoting themselves blindly to him,
Adiyaargal migavum unduThere are many loyal followers.
Aadendrum mandhai endrumCalling them sheep and a herd,
Avanaithaan sollvadhunduIt is he who is spoken of.
Oorai paarappaLook at the town, my friend,
Nee yaarai polappaWhom will you survive on?
Vaada kannae vellaaduCome, my dear white goat,
Vaayirundhaal solli viduIf you have a voice, speak up!
Female
Munangal…..(Groaning sound...)
Female
Velgindra katchi kanduSeeing whichever party wins,
Selkkindra manidhar unduThere are people who switch side and go.
Selvargal pakkam sendruGoing over to the side of the wealthy,
Jae podum koodam unduThere is a crowd that cheers for them.
Female
Solgindra vaarthai ellaamAll the words and promises they speak,
Sonnavudan marappor unduThere are those who forget them as soon as spoken.
Aadendrum mandhai endrumCalling them sheep and a herd,
Avanaithaan sollvadhunduIt is he who is spoken of.
Oorai paarappaLook at the town, my friend,
Nee yaarai polappaWhom will you survive on?
Female
Munangal…..(Groaning sound...)
Female
Ulalthil nanjai veithuKeeping poison inside their hearts,
Udhatilae thaenai vaithuKeeping honey on their lips,
Unmaithaan vellum endruClaiming that truth alone triumphs,
Ubanyaasam seivaar unduThere are those who preach sermons.
Female
Avan pesum nyaayam ketkkaTo listen to the righteousness he preaches,
Aathmaakkal selvadhunduMany souls go blindly.
Aadendrum mandhai endrumCalling them sheep and a herd,
Avanaithaan sollvadhunduIt is he who is spoken of.
Oorai paarappaLook at the town, my friend,
Nee yaarai polappaWhom will you survive on?
Vaada kannae vellaaduCome, my dear white goat,
Vaayirundhaal solli viduIf you have a voice, speak up!
Female
Munangal…..(Groaning sound...)
Female
Nattukku thalaivanendruClaiming to be a leader of the nation,
Naalu kodi thookki konduLifting away four crores of rupees,
Veetukku sothu serkumAccumulating wealth for their own home,
Veeraadhi veerar unduThere are 'great valiant warriors'.
Female
Koottathil avarai kanduSeeing them in public gatherings,
Koshangal seivaar unduThere are people who chant slogans for them.
Aadendrum mandhai endrumCalling them sheep and a herd,
Avanaithaan sollvadhunduIt is he who is spoken of.
Oorai paarappaLook at the town, my friend,
Nee yaarai polappaWhom will you survive on?
Vaada kannae vellaaduCome, my dear white goat,
Vaayirundhaal solli viduIf you have a voice, speak up!
Vaada kannae vellaaduCome, my dear white goat,
Vaayirundhaal solli viduIf you have a voice, speak up!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaada Kannae Vellaadu from Thanga Durai (1972) is a sharp satirical song that critiques societal hypocrisy, corrupt politicians, opportunism, and the blind submissiveness of the common people. Written by Kannadasan and sung with dynamic flair by L. R. Eswari, the narrator addresses a white goat—a metaphor for the silent, helpless common man—asking it to speak up if it has a voice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory / Extended Metaphor

Vaada kannae vellaadu / Aadendrum mandhai endrum

The 'Vellaadu' (white goat) and 'mandhai' (herd) serve as allegories for the silent, gullible, and easily manipulated public who follow corrupt leaders without questioning.

Oxymoron / Antithesis

Ullathil nanjai veithu / Udhatilae thaenai vaithu

Contrasting elements ('poison in heart' vs. 'honey on lips') are used to describe hypocritical preachers and fake leaders.

Irony / Sarcasm

Veetukku sothu serkum / Veeraadhi veerar undu

Sarcastic use of praise ('Veeraadhi veerar' - great brave warriors) to mock corrupt politicians who siphon millions for personal gain.

Edhukai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)

Velgindra katchi kandu / Selkkindra manidhar undu

Rhyming of the second consonant ('l') across successive lines to create rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannadasan used this song as a sharp political commentary reflecting the turbulent state politics and opportunism prevalent in Tamil Nadu during the early 1970s. L.R. Eswari's expressive rendition and M.S. Vishwanathan's vibrant composition elevated the track into a popular cabaret-style social satire piece.

Keep listening

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