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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaalibam Vaanavil

From Kannukkoru Vannakili · 1991

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Mano, Anuradha, Sunandha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannukkoru Vannakili1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Mogam vandhaal motcham unduIf desire arrives, salvation exists
Dhegam endraal yogam unduIf there is a body, bliss exists
Chorus
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Male
Ramanin kadhaigalumThe stories of Rama...
Chorus :Namaukku adhu edharkkuChorus: Why do we need that?
Male :Geethaiyin uraigalumMale: The teachings of the Gita...
Chorus :Etharkingu namakkuChorus: Why do we need them here?
Male
Mudhiyavar paadhai veru thaanThe path of the elderly is different indeed
Ilaiyavar paadhai veru thaanThe path of the youth is different indeed
Solvathu easy easy thaanGiving advice is easy, easy indeed
Kettu nee yosi yosi thaanListen and think, think about it indeed
Laalaa lal laa lala lal laaaLaalaa lal laa lala lal laaa
Laalaa lal laa lala lal laaaLaalaa lal laa lala lal laaa
Male
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Mogam vandhaal motcham unduIf desire arrives, salvation exists
Dhegam endraal yogam unduIf there is a body, bliss exists
Chorus
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Male
Manadhukku pidithathuWhat the heart desires...
Chorus :Mayakathai kodukkumChorus: Gives intoxication...
Male :Mayakathai koduppathuMale: What gives intoxication...
Chorus :Manadhinai kedukkumChorus: Corrupts the mind...
Male
Ninaipathai thaedumSeeking whatever it thinks of,
Manadhu thaanIt is the mind indeed,
Nerukathil paadum manadhu thaanIt is the mind that sings in intimacy,
Inbathai varavu veiya daaCredit pleasure as income, my friend!
Ilamaiyai selavu seiya daaSpend your youth as an expense, my friend!
Laalaa lal laa lala lal laaaLaalaa lal laa lala lal laaa
Laalaa lal laa lala lal laaaLaalaa lal laa lala lal laaa
Male
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Mogam vandhaal motcham unduIf desire arrives, salvation exists
Dhegam endraal yogam unduIf there is a body, bliss exists
Chorus
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...
Vaalibam….Youth...
Vaanavil…..A rainbow...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song celebrates the fleeting beauty and energy of youth, metaphorically comparing it to a vibrant rainbow. It dismisses traditional religious scriptures and moral lectures like the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita as irrelevant to the young generation, advocating instead for living in the moment and enjoying physical pleasures while young.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagathani)

Vaalibam…. Vaanavil…..

Youth ('Vaalibam') is directly compared to a colorful yet temporary rainbow ('Vaanavil').

Rhyme / Alliteration (Mona / Ethirai)

Mogam vandhaal motcham undu / Dhegam endraal yogam undu

Assonance and rhyme created using 'Mogam' and 'Motcham', and 'Dhegam' and 'Yogam'.

Contrast / Antithesis

Inbathai varavu veiya daa / Ilamaiyai selavu seiya daa

Juxtaposition of accounting/economic concepts 'Varavu' (income/credit) and 'Selavu' (expense/spend) applied to pleasure and youth.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kannukkoru Vannakili' was released in 1991. Pulamaipithan's lyrics playfully capture the generational clash between traditional moral preachings and carefree youth philosophy.

Keep listening

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