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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaada Kanne Velladu

From Thanga Durai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Thanga Durai
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
9 Jun 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaada kannae vellaadu
Vaayirundhaal solli vidu
Vaada kannae vellaadu
Vaayirundhaal solli vidu
En oorai paarappa
Nee yaarai polappa
Vaada kannae vellaadu
Vaayirundhaal solli vidu
Munangal…..
Dhinam dhorum pesi kondu
Silai pola ullam kondu
Madhu undu mangai kondu
Vaazhkindra manidhar undu
Avan melae bakthi kollum
Adiyaargal migavum undu
Avan melae bakthi kollum
Adiyaargal migavum undu
Aadendrum mandhai endrum
Avanaithaan sollvadhundu
Oorai paarappa
Nee yaarai polappa
Vaada kannae vellaadu
Vaayirundhaal solli vidu
Munangal…..
Velgindra katchi kandu
Selkkindra manidhar undu
Selvargal pakkam sendru
Jae podum koodam undu
Solgindra vaarthai ellaam
Sonnavudan marappor undu
Aadendrum mandhai endrum
Avanaithaan sollvadhundu
Oorai paarappa
Nee yaarai polappa
Munangal…..
Ulalthil nanjai veithu
Udhatilae thaenai vaithu
Unmaithaan vellum endru
Ubanyaasam seivaar undu
Avan pesum nyaayam ketkka
Aathmaakkal selvadhundu
Aadendrum mandhai endrum
Avanaithaan sollvadhundu
Oorai paarappa
Nee yaarai polappa
Vaada kannae vellaadu
Vaayirundhaal solli vidu
Munangal…..
Nattukku thalaivanendru
Naalu kodi thookki kondu
Veetukku sothu serkum
Veeraadhi veerar undu
Koottathil avarai kandu
Koshangal seivaar undu
Aadendrum mandhai endrum
Avanaithaan sollvadhundu
Oorai paarappa
Nee yaarai polappa
Vaada kannae vellaadu
Vaayirundhaal solli vidu
Vaada kannae vellaadu
Vaayirundhaal solli vidu
Come here, my dear goat!
If you have a voice, speak up and tell me.
Come here, my dear goat!
If you have a voice, speak up and tell me.
Look at my town, my friend,
Whom do you resemble?
Come here, my dear goat!
If you have a voice, speak up and tell me.
(Humming...)
Talking big every single day,
with a heart as cold as stone,
indulging in liquor and women,
there are men who live this way!
Devoted blindly to such a man,
there are so many followers.
Devoted blindly to such a man,
there are so many followers.
When people speak of sheep and herds,
it is him they are truly talking about!
Look at this town, my friend,
Whom do you resemble?
Come here, my dear goat!
If you have a voice, speak up and tell me.
(Humming...)
Seeing which political party is winning,
there are people who cross over;
going over to the side of the rich,
there is a crowd that cheers for them!
Every word that they speak,
there are people who forget the moment it is said!
When people speak of sheep and herds,
it is them they are truly talking about!
Look at this town, my friend,
Whom do you resemble?
(Humming...)
Keeping poison in their hearts,
and honey on their lips,
declaring that truth alone wins,
there are those who preach grand sermons!
To hear the righteousness he preaches,
there are naive souls who still go!
When people speak of sheep and herds,
it is them they are truly talking about!
Look at this town, my friend,
Whom do you resemble?
Come here, my dear goat!
If you have a voice, speak up and tell me.
(Humming...)
Claiming to be the nation's leader,
carrying four different flags,
amassing wealth for their own homes,
there are such "mighty heroes"!
Seeing him in the middle of crowds,
there are people who shout slogans for him!
When people speak of sheep and herds,
it is them they are truly talking about!
Look at this town, my friend,
Whom do you resemble?
Come here, my dear goat!
If you have a voice, speak up and tell me.
Come here, my dear goat!
If you have a voice, speak up and tell me.
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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