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Paaimarakkappal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanam Enge Mudikiradhu

From Paaimarakkappal · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Paaimarakkappal
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
2 Apr 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaanam engae mudigirathu
Kandu pidithavar sollungal
Vaazhkai engae mudigirathu
Kandu pidikka sollungal
Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engae
Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engae
Vaanam engae mudigirathu
Kandu pidithavar sollungal
Nadhiyin mudivai naam arivom
Vidhiyin mudivai yaar arivaar
Iravin mudivai naam arivom
Uravin mudivai yaar arivaar
Nadhiyin mudivai naam arivom
Vidhiyin mudivai yaar arivaar
Iravin mudivai naam arivom
Uravin mudivai yaar arivaar
Naetrugal inimel varuvathillai
Naalaigal innum varavillai
Naetrugal inimel varuvathillai
Naalaigal innum varavillai
Paadhaigal ingae therivadhillai
Payanangal mattum mudiyavillai
Vaanam engae mudigirathu
Kandu pidithavar sollungal
Imaiyae unakku urakkam illai
Iravae unakku irakkam illai
Idhayam pirivai porukkavillai
Enakkoo azhudhu palakkam illai
Imaiyae unakku urakkam illai
Iravae unakku irakkam illai
Idhayam pirivai porukkavillai
Enakkoo azhudhu palakkam illai
Deivathai engae theduvathu
Dhisaigal engae seruvadhu
Deivathai engae theduvathu
Dhisaigal engae seruvadhu
Nadhi vazhi pogum bommaiyai pol
Vidhi vazhi pogum penmai idhu
Vaanam engae mudigirathu
Kandu pidithavar sollungal
Vaazhkai engae mudigirathu
Kandu pidikka sollungal
Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engae
Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engae
Where does the sky end?
Whoever has found out, please tell me.
Where does life end?
Tell someone to find out.
The sailboat is here, but where is the seasonal wind?
The sailboat is here, but where is the seasonal wind?
Where does the sky end?
Whoever has found out, please tell me.
We know where a river ends,
but who knows the end of fate?
We know when the night ends,
but who knows when a bond will end?
We know where a river ends,
but who knows the end of fate?
We know when the night ends,
but who knows when a bond will end?
Yesterdays will never return,
tomorrows have not yet arrived.
Yesterdays will never return,
tomorrows have not yet arrived.
No path is visible here,
yet the journey never ends.
Where does the sky end?
Whoever has found out, please tell me.
O eyelids, you have no sleep,
O night, you have no mercy.
My heart cannot bear this separation,
and I am not used to crying.
O eyelids, you have no sleep,
O night, you have no mercy.
My heart cannot bear this separation,
and I am not used to crying.
Where should I search for God?
Where do all directions meet?
Where should I search for God?
Where do all directions meet?
Like a doll drifting down the river,
this woman drifts wherever fate takes her.
Where does the sky end?
Whoever has found out, please tell me.
Where does life end?
Tell someone to find out.
The sailboat is here, but where is the seasonal wind?
The sailboat is here, but where is the seasonal wind?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a deeply philosophical and melancholic reflection on human helplessness, destiny, and emotional separation. By drawing metaphors of a sailboat waiting helplessly without monsoon winds and a doll drifting along a river current, the song captures the angst of an individual facing uncertain paths in life. It contrasts predictable natural phenomena—such as the end of a river or night—with unpredictable human relationships and fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Nadhi vazhi pogum bommaiyai pol / Vidhi vazhi pogum penmai idhu”

Compares a woman drifting helplessly according to fate to a doll floating downstream along a river's course.

Personification

“Imaiyae unakku urakkam illai / Iravae unakku irakkam illai”

Addresses the eyelids ('Imaiyae') and night ('Iravae') as human-like beings capable of sleeping or displaying mercy.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Nadhiyin mudivai naam arivom / Vidhiyin mudivai yaar arivaar”

The second consonant 'dhi' matches between Nadhiyin and Vidhiyin, creating Tamil poetic harmony.

Metaphor

“Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engae”

The sailboat ('Paaimarakappal') represents the stranded human soul awaiting the wind of grace or guidance ('paruva kaattru').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the veteran musical legend K. V. Mahadevan with poignant lyrics by Vairamuthu, 'Vaanam engae mudigirathu' is renowned for K. J. Yesudas's soulful rendition that highlights existential questioning and sorrow.

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