Vaai Thirandhu
From Thanga Padhumai · 1959
- Lyricist
- Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Thanga Padhumai1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Vaai thirandhu sollamma? | Open your mouth and speak, O Mother! |
| Vaai thirandhu sollamma? | Open your mouth and speak, O Mother! |
| Un magalin kadhai kaelamma | Listen to your daughter's story, O Mother! |
| Thunbam karai kadanthu pona pinbum maunama? | Even after grief has overflowed its boundaries, are you still silent? |
| Needhi murai kadantha neeyum pengal deivamaa | By standing silent while justice is violated, are you truly the goddess of women? |
| Vaai thirandhu sollamma? | Open your mouth and speak, O Mother! |
| Un magalin kadhai kaelamma | Listen to your daughter's story, O Mother! |
| Thunbam karai kadanthu pona pinbum maunama? | Even after grief has overflowed its boundaries, are you still silent? |
| Needhi murai kadantha neeyum pengal deivamaa | By standing silent while justice is violated, are you truly the goddess of women? |
| Vaai thirandhu sollamma? | Open your mouth and speak, O Mother! |
| Female | |
| Madura thirunagaramadhira | Making the holy city of Madurai tremble, |
| Sigarathodu kuralum uyara | With her voice rising as high as the mountain peaks, |
| Marai kattravar padhara | Causing those learned in scripture to shudder in fear, |
| Pori sidhariya naavengae | Where is that fiery tongue that spat sparks of fury? |
| Madura thirunagaramadhira | Making the holy city of Madurai tremble, |
| Sigarathodu kuralum uyara | With her voice rising as high as the mountain peaks, |
| Marai kattravar padhara | Causing those learned in scripture to shudder in fear, |
| Pori sidhariya naavengae | Where is that fiery tongue that spat sparks of fury? |
| Female | |
| Magara kodiyum | The fish emblem banner, |
| Kottravanin mani pon mudiyum | And the king's gem-adorned golden crown, |
| Kattodu mannil veezha pongiya manamengae | Where is that enraged mind that brought them crashing down to the soil? |
| Magara kodiyum | The fish emblem banner, |
| Kottravanin mani pon mudiyum | And the king's gem-adorned golden crown, |
| Kattodu mannil veezha pongiya manamengae | Where is that enraged mind that brought them crashing down to the soil? |
| Manamengae manamengae manamengae | Where is that mind? Where is that mind? Where is that mind? |
| Female | |
| Kanniludhirum malar eduthu | Taking the flower-like tears shed from my eyes, |
| Karppu naaril saram thoduthu | Stringing them together on the thread of chastity, |
| Ananiyae un kaal adiyil saattrinen | O Mother, I laid them humbly at your feet! |
| Kanniludhirum malar eduthu | Taking the flower-like tears shed from my eyes, |
| Karppu naaril saram thoduthu | Stringing them together on the thread of chastity, |
| Ananiyae un kaal adiyil saattrinen | O Mother, I laid them humbly at your feet! |
| Female | |
| Dhinam aalayathil anbu vilakaettrinen | Every day in the temple, I lit the lamp of love, |
| Unnai nambi nambi endrum pottrinen | Trusting you deeply, I praised you forever, |
| Indru oliyilandha kanavarodu nirkkiren | Today I stand beside my husband who has lost the light of his eyes! |
| Unnai nambi nambi endrum pottrinen | Trusting you deeply, I praised you forever, |
| Indru oliyilandha kanavarodu nirkkiren | Today I stand beside my husband who has lost the light of his eyes! |
| Oliyilandha kanavarodu nirkkiren | I stand beside my husband who has lost his sight, |
| Oliyilandha kanavarodu nirkkiren | I stand beside my husband who has lost his sight! |
| Female | |
| Sembum kallum deivam endru | That those who consider idol statues of copper and stone as God |
| Nambuvorgal pitharendru | Are merely insane people, |
| Sithargal uraitha mozhi meithaano? | Is the declaration made by the Siddhar sages the absolute truth? |
| Sirpigal sedhukki vaitha | Inside the artistic statues |
| Sithira silaigalukkul | Carved expertly by sculptors, |
| Devi vandhirupadhuvum poi thaano? | Is the belief that a goddess resides inside merely a lie? |
| Female | |
| Thani silambeduthu oorthazharpada | Taking a single anklet to set the entire city ablaze, |
| Sinatherindha sakthiyundena padaitha karvamoo? | Is it pride in having created such a fierce power? |
| Manaisugam keduthu kanmani sudarthanai parithu | Ruining home life, snatching away the precious sight of my husband's eyes, |
| Vaada vaithal nee valartha dharmamoo? | And making us wither in pain, is this the righteousness you cultivated? |
| Amma ..amma..amma…amma…. | O Mother... O Mother... O Mother... O Mother... |
வாய் திறந்து சொல்லம்மா?
வாய் திறந்து சொல்லம்மா?
உன் மகளின் கதைக் கேளம்மா
துன்பம் கரை கடந்து போன பின்பும் மௌனமா?
நீதி முறை கடந்த நீயும் பெண்கள் தெய்வமா
வாய் திறந்து சொல்லம்மா?
உன் மகளின் கதையைக் கேளம்மா
துன்பம் கரை கடந்து போன பின்பும் மௌனமா?
நீதி முறை கடந்த நீயும் பெண்கள் தெய்வமா
வாய் திறந்து சொல்லம்மா?
Open your mouth and speak, O Mother!
Open your mouth and speak, O Mother!
Listen to your daughter's story, O Mother!
Even after grief has overflowed its boundaries, are you still silent?
By standing silent while justice is violated, are you truly the goddess of women?
Open your mouth and speak, O Mother!
Listen to your daughter's story, O Mother!
Even after grief has overflowed its boundaries, are you still silent?
By standing silent while justice is violated, are you truly the goddess of women?
Open your mouth and speak, O Mother!
பெற்றுதாவென்று வேண்டும்
மதுரைத் திருநகரமதிர
சிகரத்தோடு குரலும் உயர
மறை கற்றவர் பதறப்
பொறி சிதறிய நாவெங்கே
மதுரைத் திருநகரமதிர
சிகரத்தோடு குரலும் உயர
மறை கற்றவர் பதறப்
பொறி சிதறிய நாவெங்கே
Making the holy city of Madurai tremble,
With her voice rising as high as the mountain peaks,
Causing those learned in scripture to shudder in fear,
Where is that fiery tongue that spat sparks of fury?
Making the holy city of Madurai tremble,
With her voice rising as high as the mountain peaks,
Causing those learned in scripture to shudder in fear,
Where is that fiery tongue that spat sparks of fury?
மகரக் கொடியும்
கொற்றவனின் மணி பொன் முடியும்
கட்டொடு மண்ணில் வீழப் பொங்கிய மனமெங்கே
மகரக் கொடியும்
கொற்றவனின் மணி பொன் முடியும்
கட்டொடு மண்ணில் வீழப் பொங்கிய மனமெங்கே
மனமெங்கே மனமெங்கே மனமெங்கே ...
The fish emblem banner,
And the king's gem-adorned golden crown,
Where is that enraged mind that brought them crashing down to the soil?
The fish emblem banner,
And the king's gem-adorned golden crown,
Where is that enraged mind that brought them crashing down to the soil?
Where is that mind? Where is that mind? Where is that mind?
கண்ணிலுதிரும் மலரெடுத்து
கற்பு நாரில் சரம் தொடுத்து
அன்னையே உன் காலடியில் சாற்றினேன்
கண்ணிலுதிரும் மலரெடுத்து
கற்பு நாரில் சரம் தொடுத்து
அன்னையே உன் காலடியில் சாற்றினேன்
Taking the flower-like tears shed from my eyes,
Stringing them together on the thread of chastity,
O Mother, I laid them humbly at your feet!
Taking the flower-like tears shed from my eyes,
Stringing them together on the thread of chastity,
O Mother, I laid them humbly at your feet!
தினம் ஆலயத்தில் அன்பு விளக்கேற்றினேன்
உன்னை நம்பி நம்பி என்றும் போற்றினேன்
இன்று ஒளியிழந்த கணவரோடு நிற்கிறேன்
உன்னை நம்பி நம்பி என்றும் போற்றினேன்
இன்று ஒளியிழந்த கணவரோடு நிற்கிறேன்
ஒளியிழந்த கணவரோடு நிற்கிறேன்
ஒளியிழந்த கணவரோடு நிற்கிறேன்
Every day in the temple, I lit the lamp of love,
Trusting you deeply, I praised you forever,
Today I stand beside my husband who has lost the light of his eyes!
Trusting you deeply, I praised you forever,
Today I stand beside my husband who has lost the light of his eyes!
I stand beside my husband who has lost his sight,
I stand beside my husband who has lost his sight!
செம்பும் கல்லும் தெய்வமென்று
நம்புவோர்கள் பித்தரென்று
சித்தர்கள் உரைத்தமொழி மெய்தானோ?
சிற்பிகள் செதுக்கி வைத்த
சித்திரச் சிலைகளுக்குள்
தேவி வந்திருப்பதுவும் பொய்தானோ?
That those who consider idol statues of copper and stone as God
Are merely insane people,
Is the declaration made by the Siddhar sages the absolute truth?
Inside the artistic statues
Carved expertly by sculptors,
Is the belief that a goddess resides inside merely a lie?
தனிச் சிலம்பெடுத்து ஊர்தழற்படச்
சினத்தெரிந்த சக்தியுண்டெனப் படைத்த கர்வமோ?
மனைச்சுகம் கெடுத்து கண்மணிச் சுடர்தனைப் பறித்து
வாட வைத்தல் நீ வளர்த்த தர்மமோ?
அம்மா....அம்மா....அம்மா.....அம்மா....
Taking a single anklet to set the entire city ablaze,
Is it pride in having created such a fierce power?
Ruining home life, snatching away the precious sight of my husband's eyes,
And making us wither in pain, is this the righteousness you cultivated?
O Mother... O Mother... O Mother... O Mother...
Vaai thirandhu sollamma?
Open your mouth and speak, O Mother!
Vaai thirandhu sollamma?
Open your mouth and speak, O Mother!
Un magalin kadhai kaelamma
Listen to your daughter's story, O Mother!
Thunbam karai kadanthu pona pinbum maunama?
Even after grief has overflowed its boundaries, are you still silent?
Needhi murai kadantha neeyum pengal deivamaa
By standing silent while justice is violated, are you truly the goddess of women?
Vaai thirandhu sollamma?
Open your mouth and speak, O Mother!
Un magalin kadhai kaelamma
Listen to your daughter's story, O Mother!
Thunbam karai kadanthu pona pinbum maunama?
Even after grief has overflowed its boundaries, are you still silent?
Needhi murai kadantha neeyum pengal deivamaa
By standing silent while justice is violated, are you truly the goddess of women?
Vaai thirandhu sollamma?
Open your mouth and speak, O Mother!
Madura thirunagaramadhira
Making the holy city of Madurai tremble,
Sigarathodu kuralum uyara
With her voice rising as high as the mountain peaks,
Marai kattravar padhara
Causing those learned in scripture to shudder in fear,
Pori sidhariya naavengae
Where is that fiery tongue that spat sparks of fury?
Madura thirunagaramadhira
Making the holy city of Madurai tremble,
Sigarathodu kuralum uyara
With her voice rising as high as the mountain peaks,
Marai kattravar padhara
Causing those learned in scripture to shudder in fear,
Pori sidhariya naavengae
Where is that fiery tongue that spat sparks of fury?
Magara kodiyum
The fish emblem banner,
Kottravanin mani pon mudiyum
And the king's gem-adorned golden crown,
Kattodu mannil veezha pongiya manamengae
Where is that enraged mind that brought them crashing down to the soil?
Magara kodiyum
The fish emblem banner,
Kottravanin mani pon mudiyum
And the king's gem-adorned golden crown,
Kattodu mannil veezha pongiya manamengae
Where is that enraged mind that brought them crashing down to the soil?
Manamengae manamengae manamengae
Where is that mind? Where is that mind? Where is that mind?
Kanniludhirum malar eduthu
Taking the flower-like tears shed from my eyes,
Karppu naaril saram thoduthu
Stringing them together on the thread of chastity,
Ananiyae un kaal adiyil saattrinen
O Mother, I laid them humbly at your feet!
Kanniludhirum malar eduthu
Taking the flower-like tears shed from my eyes,
Karppu naaril saram thoduthu
Stringing them together on the thread of chastity,
Ananiyae un kaal adiyil saattrinen
O Mother, I laid them humbly at your feet!
Dhinam aalayathil anbu vilakaettrinen
Every day in the temple, I lit the lamp of love,
Unnai nambi nambi endrum pottrinen
Trusting you deeply, I praised you forever,
Indru oliyilandha kanavarodu nirkkiren
Today I stand beside my husband who has lost the light of his eyes!
Unnai nambi nambi endrum pottrinen
Trusting you deeply, I praised you forever,
Indru oliyilandha kanavarodu nirkkiren
Today I stand beside my husband who has lost the light of his eyes!
Oliyilandha kanavarodu nirkkiren
I stand beside my husband who has lost his sight,
Oliyilandha kanavarodu nirkkiren
I stand beside my husband who has lost his sight!
Sembum kallum deivam endru
That those who consider idol statues of copper and stone as God
Nambuvorgal pitharendru
Are merely insane people,
Sithargal uraitha mozhi meithaano?
Is the declaration made by the Siddhar sages the absolute truth?
Sirpigal sedhukki vaitha
Inside the artistic statues
Sithira silaigalukkul
Carved expertly by sculptors,
Devi vandhirupadhuvum poi thaano?
Is the belief that a goddess resides inside merely a lie?
Thani silambeduthu oorthazharpada
Taking a single anklet to set the entire city ablaze,
Sinatherindha sakthiyundena padaitha karvamoo?
Is it pride in having created such a fierce power?
Manaisugam keduthu kanmani sudarthanai parithu
Ruining home life, snatching away the precious sight of my husband's eyes,
Vaada vaithal nee valartha dharmamoo?
And making us wither in pain, is this the righteousness you cultivated?
Amma ..amma..amma…amma….
O Mother... O Mother... O Mother... O Mother...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
In this powerful emotional lament from Thanga Padhumai (1959), the heroine passionately questions Goddess Kannagi (or the divine mother idol) regarding the injustice inflicted upon her sightless husband. She invokes the historic legend of Kannagi, who burned down Madurai in rage when her husband Kovalan was falsely executed, questioning why that legendary divine anger and justice are absent now when a devoted woman stands suffering beside her blind husband. She questions the efficacy of idol worship and whether the Siddhar philosophers were right in calling stone-worship meaningless, pouring out her agonizing disillusionment after a lifetime of devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Madura thirunagaramadhira”
Repetition of the second consonant 'dh' across consecutive lines (Madura / Sigarathodu / Marai).
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Kanniludhirum malar eduthu / Karppu naaril saram thoduthu”
Comparing tears to flowers ('Kanniludhirum malar') and chastity to a thread ('Karppu naaril').
Rhetorical Question (Sembulam)
“Sithargal uraitha mozhi meithaano?”
Challenging the divinity of the goddess through piercing rhetorical questions regarding idol worship and justice.
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Sirpigal sedhukki vaitha / Sithira silaigalukkul”
Initial sound agreement using 'S' sounds across 'Sirpigal', 'Sedhukki', and 'Sithira'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is one of the grand classic Tamil film compositions featuring P. Leela's intense classical vocal capabilities set to Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy's dramatic composition. Lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram incorporated rationalist arguments popularized by the Dravidian movement into classical Tamil poetry, referencing the legendary Kannagi from the epic Silappatikaram alongside Siddhar philosophy.
Keep listening
More from Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai
Thanga Padhumai