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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaama Vaa

From Karpoora Mullai · 1991

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Karpoora Mullai1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………………………...
Female
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhenae chinna raaniHere I come, little queen
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhenae chinna raaniHere I come, little queen
Kelu un veettu vaasalilListen, at your doorstep
Paattu kachaeri thaanThere is a music concert happening
Podu ennodu potti thaanCompete with me if you dare
Pottaa mugaari thaanIf you compete, it will end in a mournful tune (Mugaari)
Female
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhenae chinna raani hooHere I come, little queen, ho...
Female
Gaanam paadum vaanampaadiThe singing skylark
Koodu thaedudhuIs searching for its nest
Kaalam thorum vaazhndhirukkaTo live peacefully through time
Veedu thaedudhuIt is searching for a home
Vaaram maadham varusham endruAs weeks, months, and years pass by
Naatkal odhudhuDays are fleeting away
Nee varaamal vizhigal ennumWithout your arrival, the flower-like eyes
Pookkal vaadudhuAre wilting away
Female
Unnai endhan sondham endruTo make you proclaim that you are my kin
Solla vaikkumI will make you say it
Chorus
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhaalae chinna raaniShe has arrived, the little queen
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhaalae chinna raani..She has arrived, the little queen..
Kelu un veettu vaasalilListen, at your doorstep
Paattu kachaeri thaanThere is a music concert happening
Podu ennodu potti thaanCompete with me if you dare
Pottaa mugaari thaanIf you compete, it will end in a mournful tune
Chorus
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhaalae chinna raani ho…She has arrived, the little queen ho…
Female
Naadellaam kettu kai thattumThe entire country listens and applauds
Nee paadum vaai paattu thaanTo the vocal songs that you sing
Aanaalum en nenjai thattumYet, the only thing that touches my heart
Ammaa un thaalaattu thaanIs your tender lullaby, mother
Female
Pillai petra sedhiyaiThe truth about giving birth to a child
Nee thaandi thaayaeOh mother, don't keep it hidden
Pothi pothi innum moodaadhaeDo not keep concealing it anymore
Ennai petra annaiyaeOh mother who gave birth to me
Un vaayaal neeyaeFrom your own mouth
Oththu kolla veippen odaadhaeI will make you accept the truth; do not run away
Chorus
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhaalae chinna raaniShe has arrived, the little queen
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhaalae chinna raani..She has arrived, the little queen..
Kelu un veettu vaasalilListen, at your doorstep
Paattu kachaeri thaanThere is a music concert happening
Podu ennodu potti thaanCompete with me if you dare
Pottaa mugaari thaanIf you compete, it will end in a mournful tune
Chorus
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhaalae chinna raaniShe has arrived, the little queen
Vaammaa vaa sandi raaniCome, oh stubborn queen
Vandhaalae chinna raani ho…She has arrived, the little queen ho…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this playful yet emotionally charged song from Karpoora Mullai (1991), the singer teases and confronts a woman, referring to her affectionally and playfully as a stubborn queen ('sandi raani'). Through poetic banter and musical rivalry, the narrator challenges her to a vocal duel, warning that competing with him will only bring her to defeat ('mugaari'). Behind the playful rivalry lies a deep yearning for maternal recognition and love, as the narrator urges her to stop hiding the truth of motherhood and acknowledge her bond with him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagim)

Nee varaamal vizhigal ennum / Pookkal vaadudhu

Comparing eyes to wilting flowers ('vizhigal ennum pookkal vaadudhu') to express deep longing and sorrow of waiting.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Edhukai / Monai)

Gaanam paadum vaanampaadi

Repetition of similar consonant sounds at the start of adjacent words ('Gaanam', 'Vaanampaadi') giving a musical rhythm.

Cultural Raga Allusion

Pottaa mugaari thaan

Reference to 'Mugaari' (Mukhari raga), which is traditionally associated with sadness and lamentation in South Indian classical music.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Karpoora Mullai' (1991) was directed by Fazil and stars Amala, Raja, and Srividya. The song's soundtrack was composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this track.

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