Vaadumo Oviyam
From Pudhiya Raagam · 1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thaararara rararara raaraa | [Vocalizing musical notes] |
| Thaararara rararara raa | [Vocalizing musical notes] |
| Thaararara rararara raaraa | [Vocalizing musical notes] |
| Laala laala laala laala laallaa lalaalla | [Vocalizing musical notes] |
| Male | |
| Vaadumo oviyam | Will a painting wither away? |
| Female :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam | Female: Ah... will an epic poem sing? |
| Male | |
| Aa… sandhosham kaanaadha ullam | Ah... a heart that has not seen happiness, |
| Female :Aa… sangeetham kettaalae thullum | Female: Ah... will leap with joy upon hearing music. |
| Male | |
| Oru raagam paadu podhum | Just sing a melody, that is enough, |
| Female :Adhil sogam yaavum odum | Female: All sorrow will run away in it. |
| Both :Nalam kaanalaam dhinam | Both: We can see wellness every day. |
| Female | |
| Vaadumo oviyam | Will a painting wither away? |
| Male :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam | Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing? |
| Male | |
| Verum venneerum | Even hot water, |
| Serndhaal ennaagum | what happens if it joins? |
| Vaadum solai thaan | The garden will wither away. |
| Kaalam seigindra kolam ellaamae | All the designs made by Time |
| Dhevan leelai thaan | are but the divine play of God. |
| Female | |
| Paasam vaithaalum | Even if one showers affection, |
| Nesam vaithaalum | even if one shows love, |
| Paavam thaanaa sol | tell me, is it a sin? |
| Gangai endrenni kaanal endraaga | Mistaking a mirage for the Ganges river, |
| Kutram yaar mel sol | tell me, whose fault is it? |
| Male | |
| Veenaikkedhu vaazhvu | What life does a Veena have |
| Female :Meettidaadha podhu | Female: when it is left unplayed? |
| Male :Nyaanam illaiyaanaal | Male: Without wisdom, |
| Female :Gaanam ingu yedhu | Female: where is the song here? |
| Male | |
| Nissaa garisari sari nisaa | [Swaras: Ni Sa Ga Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Ni Sa] |
| Dhani padhaa | [Swaras: Dha Ni Pa Dha] |
| Female :Mapaa dhasanidha padha | Female: [Swaras: Ma Pa Dha Sa Ni Dha Pa Dha] |
| Mapa gama riga | [Swaras: Ma Pa Ga Ma Ri Ga] |
| Male :Nisaa rigama rigaa mapadha | Male: [Swaras: Ni Sa Ri Ga Ma Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha] |
| Female :Risaa nidhapa magaa risani | Female: [Swaras: Ri Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa Ni] |
| Female | |
| Vaadumo oviyam | Will a painting wither away? |
| Male :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam | Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing? |
| Female | |
| Maalai mullaaga | The evening jasmine, |
| Mannan kallaaga | the king turning to stone, |
| Yengum jeevan naan | I am a soul yearning in distress. |
| Male : Thaaram illaadha | Male: Without a life partner, |
| Baaram nenjodu | bearing a heavy burden in my heart, |
| Thaangum jeevan naan | I am a soul enduring it all. |
| Female | |
| Aatril inneram | In the river at this moment, |
| Kaatril thallaadum | tossing in the wind, |
| Padagai polae naan | I am like a helpless boat. |
| Male : Vaalum illaadha | Male: Without a tail, |
| Noolum illaadha | and without a string, |
| Pattam polae naan | I am like a drifting kite. |
| Male | |
| Naanum neeyum indru | Today, you and I, |
| Female :Pogum paadhai ondru | Female: travel on a single shared path. |
| Male :Vaattam neengi vaazhum | Male: To live free of affliction, |
| Female :Velai ondru undu | Female: a time shall surely come. |
| Female | |
| Nissaa garisari sari nisaa | [Swaras: Ni Sa Ga Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Ni Sa] |
| Dhani padhaa | [Swaras: Dha Ni Pa Dha] |
| Male :Mapaa dhasanidha padha | Male: [Swaras: Ma Pa Dha Sa Ni Dha Pa Dha] |
| Mapa gama riga | [Swaras: Ma Pa Ga Ma Ri Ga] |
| Female :Nisaa rigama rigaa mapadha | Female: [Swaras: Ni Sa Ri Ga Ma Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha] |
| Male :Risaa nidhapa magaa risani | Male: [Swaras: Ri Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa Ni] |
| Male | |
| Vaadumo oviyam | Will a painting wither away? |
| Female :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam | Female: Ah... will an epic poem sing? |
| Male | |
| Aa… sandhosham kaanaadha ullam | Ah... a heart that has not seen happiness, |
| Female :Aa… sangeetham kettaalae thullum | Female: Ah... will leap with joy upon hearing music. |
| Male | |
| Oru raagam paadu podhum | Just sing a melody, that is enough, |
| Female :Adhil sogam yaavum odum | Female: All sorrow will run away in it. |
| Both :Nalam kaanalaam dhinam | Both: We can see wellness every day. |
| Female | |
| Vaadumo oviyam | Will a painting wither away? |
| Male :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam | Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing? |
........................
[Vocalizing musical notes]
[Vocalizing musical notes]
[Vocalizing musical notes]
[Vocalizing musical notes]
வாடுமோ.....ஓவியம்.....
ஆஆ... பாடுமோ காவியம்
ஆஆ... சந்தோஷம் காணாத உள்ளம்
ஆஆ... சங்கீதம் கேட்டாலே துள்ளும்
Will a painting wither away?
Female: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
ஒரு ராகம் பாடு போதும்
அதில் சோகம் யாவும் ஓடும்
இருவர் :
நலம் காணலாம் தினம்
Ah... a heart that has not seen happiness,
Female: Ah... will leap with joy upon hearing music.
வாடுமோ ஓவியம்…
ஆஆ... பாடுமோ காவியம்
Just sing a melody, that is enough,
Female: All sorrow will run away in it.
Both: We can see wellness every day.
வேரும் வெந்நீரும்
சேர்ந்தால் என்னாகும்
வாடும் சோலை தான்
காலம் செய்கின்ற
கோலம் எல்லாமே
தேவன் லீலை தான்
Will a painting wither away?
Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
பாசம் வைத்தாலும்
நேசம் வைத்தாலும்
பாவம் தானா சொல்
கங்கை என்றெண்ணி
கானல் என்றாக
குற்றம் யார் மேல் சொல்
Even hot water,
what happens if it joins?
The garden will wither away.
All the designs made by Time
are but the divine play of God.
வீணைக்கேது வாழ்வு
மீட்டிடாத போது
ஞானம் இல்லையானால்
கானம் இங்கு ஏது
Even if one showers affection,
even if one shows love,
tell me, is it a sin?
Mistaking a mirage for the Ganges river,
tell me, whose fault is it?
நிஸ்ஸா கரிஸரி
ஸரி நிஸா தநி பதா
மபா தஸநித
பத மப கம ரிக
நிஸா ரிகம ரிகா மபத
ரிஸா நிதப மகா ரிஸநி
What life does a Veena have
Female: when it is left unplayed?
Male: Without wisdom,
Female: where is the song here?
வாடுமோ ஓவியம்…
ஆஆ... பாடுமோ காவியம்
[Swaras: Ni Sa Ga Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Ni Sa]
[Swaras: Dha Ni Pa Dha]
Female: [Swaras: Ma Pa Dha Sa Ni Dha Pa Dha]
[Swaras: Ma Pa Ga Ma Ri Ga]
Male: [Swaras: Ni Sa Ri Ga Ma Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha]
Female: [Swaras: Ri Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa Ni]
மாலை முள்ளாக
மன்னன் கல்லாக
ஏங்கும் ஜீவன் நான்
ஆண் : தாரம் இல்லாத
பாரம் நெஞ்சோடு
தாங்கும் ஜீவன் நான்
Will a painting wither away?
Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
ஆற்றில் இந்நேரம்
காற்றில் தள்ளாடும்
படகைப் போலே நான்
வாலும் இல்லாத
நூலும் இல்லாத
பட்டம் போலே நான்
The evening jasmine,
the king turning to stone,
I am a soul yearning in distress.
Male: Without a life partner,
bearing a heavy burden in my heart,
I am a soul enduring it all.
நானும் நீயும் இன்று
போகும் பாதை ஒன்று
வாட்டம் நீங்கி வாழும்
வேளை ஒன்று உண்டு
In the river at this moment,
tossing in the wind,
I am like a helpless boat.
Male: Without a tail,
and without a string,
I am like a drifting kite.
நிஸ்ஸா கரிஸரி
ஸரி நிஸா தநி பதா
மபா தஸநித பத மப கம ரிக
நிஸா ரிகம ரிகா மபத
ரிஸா நிதப மகா ரிஸநி
Today, you and I,
Female: travel on a single shared path.
Male: To live free of affliction,
Female: a time shall surely come.
வாடுமோ.....ஓவியம்.....
ஆஆ... பாடுமோ காவியம்
ஆஆ... சந்தோஷம் காணாத உள்ளம்
ஆஆ... சங்கீதம் கேட்டாலே துள்ளும்
[Swaras: Ni Sa Ga Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Ni Sa]
[Swaras: Dha Ni Pa Dha]
Male: [Swaras: Ma Pa Dha Sa Ni Dha Pa Dha]
[Swaras: Ma Pa Ga Ma Ri Ga]
Female: [Swaras: Ni Sa Ri Ga Ma Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha]
Male: [Swaras: Ri Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa Ni]
ஒரு ராகம் பாடு போதும்
அதில் சோகம் யாவும் ஓடும்
இருவர் :
நலம் காணலாம் தினம்
Will a painting wither away?
Female: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
வாடுமோ ஓவியம்…
ஆஆ... பாடுமோ காவியம்
Ah... a heart that has not seen happiness,
Female: Ah... will leap with joy upon hearing music.
Just sing a melody, that is enough,
Female: All sorrow will run away in it.
Both: We can see wellness every day.
Will a painting wither away?
Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
Thaararara rararara raaraa
[Vocalizing musical notes]
Thaararara rararara raa
[Vocalizing musical notes]
Thaararara rararara raaraa
[Vocalizing musical notes]
Laala laala laala laala laallaa lalaalla
[Vocalizing musical notes]
Vaadumo oviyam
Will a painting wither away?
Female :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam
Female: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
Aa… sandhosham kaanaadha ullam
Ah... a heart that has not seen happiness,
Female :Aa… sangeetham kettaalae thullum
Female: Ah... will leap with joy upon hearing music.
Oru raagam paadu podhum
Just sing a melody, that is enough,
Female :Adhil sogam yaavum odum
Female: All sorrow will run away in it.
Both :Nalam kaanalaam dhinam
Both: We can see wellness every day.
Vaadumo oviyam
Will a painting wither away?
Male :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam
Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
Verum venneerum
Even hot water,
Serndhaal ennaagum
what happens if it joins?
Vaadum solai thaan
The garden will wither away.
Kaalam seigindra kolam ellaamae
All the designs made by Time
Dhevan leelai thaan
are but the divine play of God.
Paasam vaithaalum
Even if one showers affection,
Nesam vaithaalum
even if one shows love,
Paavam thaanaa sol
tell me, is it a sin?
Gangai endrenni kaanal endraaga
Mistaking a mirage for the Ganges river,
Kutram yaar mel sol
tell me, whose fault is it?
Veenaikkedhu vaazhvu
What life does a Veena have
Female :Meettidaadha podhu
Female: when it is left unplayed?
Male :Nyaanam illaiyaanaal
Male: Without wisdom,
Female :Gaanam ingu yedhu
Female: where is the song here?
Nissaa garisari sari nisaa
[Swaras: Ni Sa Ga Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Ni Sa]
Dhani padhaa
[Swaras: Dha Ni Pa Dha]
Female :Mapaa dhasanidha padha
Female: [Swaras: Ma Pa Dha Sa Ni Dha Pa Dha]
Mapa gama riga
[Swaras: Ma Pa Ga Ma Ri Ga]
Male :Nisaa rigama rigaa mapadha
Male: [Swaras: Ni Sa Ri Ga Ma Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha]
Female :Risaa nidhapa magaa risani
Female: [Swaras: Ri Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa Ni]
Vaadumo oviyam
Will a painting wither away?
Male :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam
Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
Maalai mullaaga
The evening jasmine,
Mannan kallaaga
the king turning to stone,
Yengum jeevan naan
I am a soul yearning in distress.
Male : Thaaram illaadha
Male: Without a life partner,
Baaram nenjodu
bearing a heavy burden in my heart,
Thaangum jeevan naan
I am a soul enduring it all.
Aatril inneram
In the river at this moment,
Kaatril thallaadum
tossing in the wind,
Padagai polae naan
I am like a helpless boat.
Male : Vaalum illaadha
Male: Without a tail,
Noolum illaadha
and without a string,
Pattam polae naan
I am like a drifting kite.
Naanum neeyum indru
Today, you and I,
Female :Pogum paadhai ondru
Female: travel on a single shared path.
Male :Vaattam neengi vaazhum
Male: To live free of affliction,
Female :Velai ondru undu
Female: a time shall surely come.
Nissaa garisari sari nisaa
[Swaras: Ni Sa Ga Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Ni Sa]
Dhani padhaa
[Swaras: Dha Ni Pa Dha]
Male :Mapaa dhasanidha padha
Male: [Swaras: Ma Pa Dha Sa Ni Dha Pa Dha]
Mapa gama riga
[Swaras: Ma Pa Ga Ma Ri Ga]
Female :Nisaa rigama rigaa mapadha
Female: [Swaras: Ni Sa Ri Ga Ma Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha]
Male :Risaa nidhapa magaa risani
Male: [Swaras: Ri Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa Ni]
Vaadumo oviyam
Will a painting wither away?
Female :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam
Female: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
Aa… sandhosham kaanaadha ullam
Ah... a heart that has not seen happiness,
Female :Aa… sangeetham kettaalae thullum
Female: Ah... will leap with joy upon hearing music.
Oru raagam paadu podhum
Just sing a melody, that is enough,
Female :Adhil sogam yaavum odum
Female: All sorrow will run away in it.
Both :Nalam kaanalaam dhinam
Both: We can see wellness every day.
Vaadumo oviyam
Will a painting wither away?
Male :Aa… paadumo kaaviyam
Male: Ah... will an epic poem sing?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Vaadumo Oviyam is a deeply emotional, philosophical song from Pudhiya Raagam (1991), written by Vaali. The song explores themes of grief, human destiny, emotional isolation, and the restorative power of music. Through poetic comparisons of life to a painting (oviyam) or epic poem (kaaviyam), the song questions whether artistic beauty and human spirit can truly wither under the weight of fate and sorrow.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Padagai polae naan”
Compares the speaker's aimless and vulnerable existence to a boat tossing helplessly in a windy river.
Simile (Upamai)
“Pattam polae naan”
Compares an unguided, lonely soul to a kite lacking both a tail and holding string.
Etukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Paasam vaithaalum / Nesam vaithaalum”
Rhyming of the second consonant ('s') across consecutive lines to create melodic rhythm.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)
“Veenaikkedhu vaazhvu / Meettidaadha podhu”
Asks a philosophical question about the value of an unplayed instrument to reflect unused human potential.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pudhiya Raagam (1991) was directed by actor Rahman, marking his directorial debut. The film's musical score was composed by L. Vaidyanathan, who prominently integrated classical Carnatic swara passages (Swaraprastara) directly into the vocal melody, sung by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki.
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