Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaal Veesum Vaazhkai

From Kirumi · 2015

Lyricist
S. Gnanakaravel
Singer
Gana Bala
Music directors
Not listed
Details
Kirumi2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaal veesum vaazhkaiLife is like a brandished sword
Nee nimirndhaal thalai illaiIf you hold your head high, you lose your head
Nee unnai kaakkaTo protect yourself
Panindhaal pizhai illaiThere is no wrong in bowing down
Male
Un pookkil ponaalIf you go on your own way
Oor seendaathaeThe town will not bother you
Unna don pola kaati kondaalIf you show yourself off like a don
Kai kaal irukaathaeYour hands and legs will not remain intact
Male
Vaal veesum vaazhkaiLife is like a brandished sword
Nee nimirndhaal thalai illaiIf you hold your head high, you lose your head
Nee unnai kaakkaTo protect yourself
Panindhaal pizhai illaiThere is no wrong in bowing down
Male
Nee pogumThat the road you walk on
Saalai un perilWill turn into your name
Indrae maaraToday itself
Ennaathae thollaiDo not think and invite trouble
Male
Un velaiYour work
Mattum seithaalaeIf you just mind and do
Un naatkalYour days
Azhagaagum naalaiWill become beautiful tomorrow
Male
Vedikkai paarthuJust watching the spectacle
Veenaai thirigindraaiYou wander around in vain
Vettai naai polaeLike a hunting dog
Nakkai neeti yeno alaigindraiWhy do you wander around panting with your tongue out?
Male
Yaar ingaeWhoever here
Enna seithaalumDoes whatever
Kangal rendaiYour two eyes
Thirai pottu mooduCover them with a curtain
Male
Time ketaalIf someone asks for the time
Yaarkum sollathaeDo not tell anyone
Un time-aiYour own time
Saripaarthu ooduCheck it and run
Male
Naai vesham podumA dog wearing a dog costume
Naai ingillaiIs not here
Vesham podamal manithan vaazhaWithout wearing a disguise, for a human to live
Engum vazhi illaiThere is no way anywhere
Male
Vaal veesum vaazhkaiLife is like a brandished sword
Nee nimirndhaal thalai illaiIf you hold your head high, you lose your head
Nee unnai kaakkaTo protect yourself
Panindhaal pizhai illaiThere is no wrong in bowing down
Male
Un pookkil ponaalIf you go on your own way
Oor seendaathaeThe town will not bother you
Inge nee unnum sotril koodaHere, even on the rice you eat
Un per kidaiyaathae….Your name is not written....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Vaal Veesum Vaazhkai' from the movie Kirumi offers a gritty, pragmatic reflection on surviving in a dangerous and unforgiving world. It likens life to a brandished sword, warning that pride, posturing, or trying to act like a boss ('don') will only invite self-destruction. To stay safe, one must embrace humility, stay out of other people's affairs, and focus strictly on one's own livelihood. It paints a cynical yet realistic picture of society, noting that honesty alone is rarely enough to survive without adopting protective disguises or caution.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Vaal veesum vaazhkai

Compares life to a brandished sword ('Vaal veesum vaazhkai'), expressing its constant threat and sharpness.

Simile

Vettai naai polae

Compares a restless, meddling person to a hunting dog panting with its tongue out ('Vettai naai polae').

Monaai (Alliteration)

Vaal veesum vaazhkai

Repetition of the 'Va' sound across words creates rhythmic emphasis.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nee nimirndhaal thalai illai / Panindhaal pizhai illai

Rhyming of the second letter 'mi' in 'Nimirndhaal' and 'ni' in 'Panindhaal'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kirumi (2015) is a critically acclaimed Tamil realistic drama-thriller directed by Anucharan and co-written by Manikandan (director of Kaaka Muttai). The film's musical score was composed by K.

Keep listening

More from Kirumi