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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanam Ennum

From Villu Pattukaran · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Villu Pattukaran1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Haa…aaa…aa…haa..aah…Haa…aaa…aa…haa..aah…
Haa…aaa…aa…haa.Haa…aaa…aa…haa.
Haa…aaa…aaa..haa…aa…Haa…aaa…aaa..haa…aa…
Hahaa..aa…haha..aa…aa….Hahaa..aa…haha..aa…aa….
Female
Vaanam ennumThe one who is like the sky,
Thaayae thaayaeOh mother, oh mother!
Gnyaanam ennumThe one who is like wisdom,
Theeyae theeyaeOh fire, oh fire!
Otti varum otturavuThe bonding affection that comes attached,
Vittadhammaa ippozhudhuHas severed right now, oh mother!
Sattana pattri kol ammaaCling onto me instantly, oh mother!
Aa…..aaa….aa….Aa…..aaa….aa….
Female
Vaanam ennumThe one who is like the sky,
Thaayae thaayaeOh mother, oh mother!
Gnyaanam ennumThe one who is like wisdom,
Theeyae theeyaeOh fire, oh fire!
Female
Sogam varum bodhuWhen sorrow arrives,
Thaayae thunai neeyae enaSaying that you are my mother and refuge,
Velai edhir paarthu vaa vaaAwaiting the right moment, come, come,
Enai kaavaai yenaAsking you to protect me,
Raagam udan thaalam vara paadugirenI sing with melody and rhythm.
Female
Kaalam pari pogumTime is slipping away,
Neram idhu bhaaram tharaThis moment inflicts a heavy burden,
Gnyaanam abhimaanamGrant wisdom, self-respect,
Paadham thunai yaavum tharaYour feet, and all support.
Naavaal thamizh paavaal unai thedugirenWith tongue and Tamil poetry, I search for you.
Female
Thee pazhi paavamaaIs blameworthy sin a fire?
Vizhunthida thaangidumaa..aa…Can it withstand falling down?
Thaan seidha paavamaa …aa….Is it a sin committed by oneself?
Nee thoda neengidumaaWill it disappear if you touch it?
Thaayae enadhammaa …aa…aa…aa…Oh mother, my dear mother!
Female
Vaanam ennumThe one who is like the sky,
Thaayae thaayaeOh mother, oh mother!
Gnyaanam ennumThe one who is like wisdom,
Theeyae theeyaeOh fire, oh fire!
Otti varum otturavuThe bonding affection that comes attached,
Vittadhammaa ippozhudhuHas severed right now, oh mother!
Sattana pattri kol ammaaCling onto me instantly, oh mother!
Aaa….aa….aa…..Aaa….aa….aa…..
Female
Vaanam ennumThe one who is like the sky,
Thaayae thaayaeOh mother, oh mother!
Gnyaanam ennumThe one who is like wisdom,
Theeyae theeyaeOh fire, oh fire!
Chorus
Haaa…aaa….aaa….aa…Haaa…aaa….aaa….aa…
Female
Enna solli azhaiththaalumNo matter what name I call you by,
Inippaana porulaeOh sweet essence,
Chorus :Haa..aa..aa…haa…aa…aa…Chorus: Haa..aa..aa…haa…aa…aa…
Female :Indru vandhu thoda vendumFemale: Today you must come and touch me,
Enakkaaga arulaeOh grace, for my sake!
Chorus :Haa..aa..aa…haa…aa…aa…Chorus: Haa..aa..aa…haa…aa…aa…
Female
Ennai innum marakkaadhaUnforgettable memory of me,
Irukkaadha ninaivaeThat lingers ceaselessly,
Indru ingu ninaivaakkaTo make it come true today,
Oru ezhai kanavaeA poor person's dream,
Female
En uyirai izhakkavaaShall I sacrifice my life?
Immaiyum nanmaiyum kodukkavaaShall I give goodness in this birth?
Chorus :Haa…aa…aa…Chorus: Haa…aa…aa…
Female :Unmaigalai uraikkavaaFemale: Shall I speak the truths?
Uththami en peyar nilaikkavaaSo that my reputation as a virtuous woman endures?
Chorus :Haa…aa…aa…Chorus: Haa…aa…aa…
Female :Thirai vilakkidavaaFemale: Shall I lift the veil?
Chorus :Haa…Chorus: Haa…
Female :Karai udaithidavaaFemale: Shall I breach the shore?
Chorus :Haa…Chorus: Haa…
Female
Thirai vilakkidavaaShall I lift the veil?
Tharai udaithidavaaShall I break open the ground?
Alai kadalena nilai kalangidaWhen my state falters like a surging ocean,
Thunai koduththidavaaWill you grant me your support?
Malai magal undhanOh daughter of the mountain (Goddess Parvati),
Kalai magal paadumWill you prevent the sorrow sung by your daughter of arts (Saraswati)?
Thuyar thaduththidavaa …aa……Prevent the sorrow... aa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply emotional prayer and plea addressed to the Divine Mother, invoking her supreme traits as the vast sky and sacred fire of wisdom. The singer laments over broken bonds, deep sorrow, and the weight of harsh times, earnestly pleading for spiritual protection, justice, and refuge under the Mother's feet.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaanam ennum / Thaayae thaayae / Gnyaanam ennum / Theeyae theeyae

Compares the Mother directly to the vast sky ('Vaanam ennum Thaayae') and the fire of wisdom ('Gnyaanam ennum Theeyae').

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Thirai vilakkidavaa / Karai udaithidavaa

Use of second-letter rhyming across lines such as 'Otti' and 'Vittadhammaa', as well as 'Thirai' and 'Karai'.

Simile (Uvamai)

Alai kadalena nilai kalangida

Compares the turbulence of mind to a wild ocean ('Alai kadalena').

Did you know?

Trivia

Villu Pattukaran (1992) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by legendary lyricist Vaali. The soundtrack emphasizes traditional Tamil folk art forms, notably the Villu Paattu (Bow Song) tradition.

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