- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey
- Movie release year
- 1983
- Lyrics added on
- 19 Jun 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Vaanam Keezhe Vanthaal Enna' is a carefree, philosophical yet energetic tracks celebrating freedom, living in the present, and accepting the illusory nature of life (Maya). The protagonist expresses an intoxicated sense of joy where ordinary boundaries—like sky and earth—do not matter. By comparing human life to nature, birds, and animals that do not dwell on sorrow or drown in worries, the lyrics encourage embracing a carefree existence without getting weighed down by life's complexities or existential dilemmas.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Vaanam keezhe vanthaal enna / Ada boomi melae ponaal enna”
In Tamil prosody, Etukai / Emonai involves agreement of second letters or initial alliteration across lines, such as Vaanam / Boomi creating rhythmic harmony.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Nijamo nizhalo kadhaiyo kanavo”
The lyrics rely heavily on rhetorical questions about life, reality, and dreams, highlighting philosophical uncertainty and carefree detachment.
Metaphor
“Kavalai kadalil viluvathu illai”
Comparing worries to an ocean ('Kavalai kadal') to depict the depth of human sorrow which animals naturally avoid.
Simile / Personification
“Thinamum manam pol thiriyum kuruvi”
Comparing oneself to a free bird wandering at heart's rhythm, personifying human freedom through nature.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic track from 'Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey' (1983) features Kamal Haasan in a dual role. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with playback vocals delivered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Vaali's lyrics famously blend philosophical concepts of Maya (illusion) with upbeat, energetic disco rhythms.
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