Vaanamengum Parithiyin
From Dhaagam · 1974
- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- M. B. Sreenivas
- Details
- Dhaagam1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaan engum parithiyin sothi | The light of the sun shines everywhere across the sky, |
| Malaigal meedhum parithiyin sothi | The light of the sun shines upon the mountains too. |
| Thaanai neerkadal meedhilum aangae | Even over the vast expanse of the watery ocean there, |
| Tharaiyin meedhum tharukkalin meedhum | Upon the land and upon the trees, |
| Male | |
| Kaanagathilum parppala aatrin | In the forests and along the banks of many rivers, |
| Karaigal meedhum parithiyin sothi | Upon those shores too shines the light of the sun. |
| Maanavan than ulathanil mattum | Yet, only within the mind of human beings, |
| Vandhu nirkkum irulidhu vennae | Why does this darkness come and linger? |
| Irulidhuvennae…. | What is this darkness, oh why? |
வானமெங்கும் பரிதியின் சோதி
மலைகள் மீதும் பரிதியின் சோதி
தானை நீர்க்கடல் மீதிலும் ஆங்கே
தரையின் மீதும் தருக்களின் மீதும்
The light of the sun shines everywhere across the sky,
The light of the sun shines upon the mountains too.
Even over the vast expanse of the watery ocean there,
Upon the land and upon the trees,
கானகத்திலும் பற்பல ஆற்றின்
கரைகள் மீதும் பரிதியின் சோதி
மாணவன் தன் உளத்தினில் மட்டும்
வந்து நிற்கும் இருளிது வென்னே
இருளிது வென்னே......
In the forests and along the banks of many rivers,
Upon those shores too shines the light of the sun.
Yet, only within the mind of human beings,
Why does this darkness come and linger?
What is this darkness, oh why?
Vaan engum parithiyin sothi
The light of the sun shines everywhere across the sky,
Malaigal meedhum parithiyin sothi
The light of the sun shines upon the mountains too.
Thaanai neerkadal meedhilum aangae
Even over the vast expanse of the watery ocean there,
Tharaiyin meedhum tharukkalin meedhum
Upon the land and upon the trees,
Kaanagathilum parppala aatrin
In the forests and along the banks of many rivers,
Karaigal meedhum parithiyin sothi
Upon those shores too shines the light of the sun.
Maanavan than ulathanil mattum
Yet, only within the mind of human beings,
Vandhu nirkkum irulidhu vennae
Why does this darkness come and linger?
Irulidhuvennae….
What is this darkness, oh why?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic poem by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar contrasts the divine light of nature with the inner darkness of the human mind. The poet observes how the sun's radiant light permeates every aspect of creation—the sky, mountains, oceans, land, trees, forests, and riverbanks are all bathed in brightness. In stark contrast to this outer illumination, Bharathiyar laments that human beings alone harbor darkness, ignorance, and gloom within their hearts. He expresses deep sorrow and philosophical wonder at why humans remain blind to light when all of nature is so splendidly illuminated.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis (Contrast)
“Maanavan than ulathanil mattum / Vandhu nirkkum irulidhu vennae”
Creates a profound contrast between the universal light shining throughout nature and the dark ignorance residing inside the human heart.
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Vaan engum parithiyin sothi”
The phrase 'parithiyin sothi' (light of the sun) is repeated at the end of multiple lines to emphasize the omnipresence of light.
Visual Imagery
“Tharaiyin meedhum tharukkalin meedhum”
Uses vivid descriptions of natural elements like sky, mountains, oceans, trees, and riverbanks to build a glowing visual landscape.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song uses lyrics penned by the revolutionary Tamil poet Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar. Set to music by M. B. Sreenivas for the 1974 film 'Dhaagam', this poem was rendered by K. J. Yesudas, capturing the deep philosophical essence of Bharathiyar's reflection on human nature versus natural grace.
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