Vaanathilirunthu
From Poonthottam · 1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
| Male | |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
| Male | |
| Appan indri ammai indri vandhavanaa | Am I one who came without a father and without a mother? |
| Aandavanai thandhai endru kondavanaa | Am I one who took God as his father? |
| Suttrugindra boomi ennai | The spinning earth, me... |
| Naadhiyatra pillai endru | Considering me an orphaned child, |
| Thatheduthu konda maganaa | Am I the son it adopted? |
| Naan mannoda maganaa vinnoda maganaa | Am I the son of the earth or the son of the sky? |
| Thannaala porandhaenaa | Was I born all on my own? |
| Ennoda ulagil ammaa endrenakku | In my world, to call someone mother, |
| Yaaraenum kidaiyaadhaa | Do I not have anyone? |
| Male | |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
| Male | |
| Yengo oru moolaiyilae | Somewhere in some corner, |
| Enna petha thaai irukkaa | My birth mother exists. |
| Ammaa un nenjinilae | Oh mother, in your heart, |
| Enna petha nenappirukkaa | Is there any memory of giving birth to me? |
| Ammaa undhan madiyil | Oh mother, in your lap, |
| Saaindhu azhudhaal konjam nimmadhi | If I lean and cry, there will be a little peace. |
| Ennai marandha thaayai | The mother who forgot me, |
| Naanum marandhaal enna en gadhi | If I too forget her, what will become of my fate? |
| Male | |
| Thoppul kodi vettiya podhae | When you severed the umbilical cord, |
| Uravai vetti vittaayaa | Did you sever the relationship as well? |
| Tholaivil irundhu paarthu kondae | Watching from a distance, |
| Thuyaril midhakka vaithaayaa | Did you make me float in grief? |
| Engirukkae engirukkae nalla badhil sollammaa | Where are you? Where are you? Give me a good answer, mother. |
| Male | |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
| Male | |
| Ulagil naanum padithadhellaam | Everything I studied in this world, |
| Ondrum atra padippallavaa | Isn't it a meaningless education? |
| Vaelai thaedum oorukkullae | In a town where people look for jobs, |
| Thaayai thaedum magan allavaa | Am I not a son searching for his mother? |
| Thaaiyin viralai pidithae | Holding the mother's finger, |
| Nadakkum maganai paarukkum podhilae | Whenever I see a son walking, |
| Thaniyaai naanum nadandhen | I walked all alone, |
| Endhan thaayin ennam nenjilae | With thoughts of my mother in my heart. |
| Male | |
| Petredutha thaayae thaayae | Oh mother who gave birth to me, mother! |
| Eriyudhadi paasa theeyae | The fire of affection is burning! |
| Thiraiyai vilakki vandhiduvaayaa | Will you part the curtain and come? |
| Anbu mazhai pozhindhiduvaayaa | Will you shower the rain of love? |
| Engirukkae engirukkae nalla badhil sollammaa | Where are you? Where are you? Give me a good answer, mother. |
| Male | |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
| Male | |
| Appan indri ammai indri vandhavanaa | Am I one who came without a father and without a mother? |
| Aandavanai thandhai endru kondavanaa | Am I one who took God as his father? |
| Suttrugindra boomi ennai | The spinning earth, me... |
| Naadhiyatra pillai endru | Considering me an orphaned child, |
| Thatheduthu konda maganaa | Am I the son it adopted? |
| Naan mannoda maganaa vinnoda maganaa | Am I the son of the earth or the son of the sky? |
| Thannaala porandhaenaa | Was I born all on my own? |
| Ennoda ulagil ammaa endrenakku | In my world, to call someone mother, |
| Yaaraenum kidaiyaadhaa | Do I not have anyone? |
| Male | |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
| Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa | Did I jump down from the sky? |
| Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa | Did I burst out from inside the earth? |
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
அப்பன் இன்றி அம்மை இன்றி வந்தவனா
ஆண்டவனை தந்தை என்று கொண்டவனா
சுற்றுகின்ற பூமி என்னை நாதியற்ற பிள்ளை என்று
தத்தெடுத்துக் கொண்ட மகனா
நான் மண்ணோட மகனா விண்ணோட மகனா
தன்னால பொறந்தேனா
என்னோட உலகில் அம்மா என்றெனக்கு
யாரேனும் கிடையாதா
Am I one who came without a father and without a mother?
Am I one who took God as his father?
The spinning earth, me...
Considering me an orphaned child,
Am I the son it adopted?
Am I the son of the earth or the son of the sky?
Was I born all on my own?
In my world, to call someone mother,
Do I not have anyone?
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
எங்கோ ஒரு மூலையிலே
என்னப் பெத்த தாய் இருக்கா
அம்மா உன் நெஞ்சினிலே
என்னப் பெத்த நினைப்பிருக்கா
அம்மா உந்தன் மடியில்
சாய்ந்து அழுதால் கொஞ்சம் நிம்மதி
என்னை மறந்த தாயை
நானும் மறந்தால் என்ன என் கதி
Somewhere in some corner,
My birth mother exists.
Oh mother, in your heart,
Is there any memory of giving birth to me?
Oh mother, in your lap,
If I lean and cry, there will be a little peace.
The mother who forgot me,
If I too forget her, what will become of my fate?
தொப்புள் கொடி வெட்டிய போதே
உறவை வெட்டி விட்டாயா
தொலைவில் இருந்து பார்த்துக் கொண்டே
துயரில் மிதக்க வைத்தாயா
எங்கிருக்கே எங்கிருக்கே
நல்ல பதில் சொல்லம்மா
When you severed the umbilical cord,
Did you sever the relationship as well?
Watching from a distance,
Did you make me float in grief?
Where are you? Where are you? Give me a good answer, mother.
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
உலகில் நானும் படித்ததெல்லாம்
ஒன்றும் அற்ற படிப்பல்லவா
வேலை தேடும் ஊருக்குள்ளே
தாயைத் தேடும் மகனல்லவா
தாயின் விரலைப் பிடித்தே
நடக்கும் மகனைப் பார்க்கும் போதிலே
தனியாய் நானும் நடந்தேன்
எந்தன் தாயின் எண்ணம் நெஞ்சிலே
Everything I studied in this world,
Isn't it a meaningless education?
In a town where people look for jobs,
Am I not a son searching for his mother?
Holding the mother's finger,
Whenever I see a son walking,
I walked all alone,
With thoughts of my mother in my heart.
பெற்றெடுத்த தாயே தாயே
எரியுதடி பாசத் தீயே
திரையை விலக்கி வந்திடுவாயா
அன்பு மழை பொழிந்துடுவாயா
எங்கிருக்கே எங்கிருக்கே
நல்ல பதில் சொல்லம்மா
Oh mother who gave birth to me, mother!
The fire of affection is burning!
Will you part the curtain and come?
Will you shower the rain of love?
Where are you? Where are you? Give me a good answer, mother.
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
அப்பன் இன்றி அம்மை இன்றி வந்தவனா
ஆண்டவனை தந்தை என்று கொண்டவனா
சுற்றுகின்ற பூமி என்னை நாதியற்ற பிள்ளை என்று
தத்தெடுத்துக் கொண்ட மகனா
நான் மண்ணோட மகனா விண்ணோட மகனா
தன்னால பொறந்தேனா
என்னோட உலகில் அம்மா என்றெனக்கு
யாரேனும் கிடையாதா
Am I one who came without a father and without a mother?
Am I one who took God as his father?
The spinning earth, me...
Considering me an orphaned child,
Am I the son it adopted?
Am I the son of the earth or the son of the sky?
Was I born all on my own?
In my world, to call someone mother,
Do I not have anyone?
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
வானத்தில் இருந்து குதிச்சு வந்தேனா
பூமிக்குள் இருந்து வெடிச்சு வந்தேனா
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Did I jump down from the sky?
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Appan indri ammai indri vandhavanaa
Am I one who came without a father and without a mother?
Aandavanai thandhai endru kondavanaa
Am I one who took God as his father?
Suttrugindra boomi ennai
The spinning earth, me...
Naadhiyatra pillai endru
Considering me an orphaned child,
Thatheduthu konda maganaa
Am I the son it adopted?
Naan mannoda maganaa vinnoda maganaa
Am I the son of the earth or the son of the sky?
Thannaala porandhaenaa
Was I born all on my own?
Ennoda ulagil ammaa endrenakku
In my world, to call someone mother,
Yaaraenum kidaiyaadhaa
Do I not have anyone?
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Yengo oru moolaiyilae
Somewhere in some corner,
Enna petha thaai irukkaa
My birth mother exists.
Ammaa un nenjinilae
Oh mother, in your heart,
Enna petha nenappirukkaa
Is there any memory of giving birth to me?
Ammaa undhan madiyil
Oh mother, in your lap,
Saaindhu azhudhaal konjam nimmadhi
If I lean and cry, there will be a little peace.
Ennai marandha thaayai
The mother who forgot me,
Naanum marandhaal enna en gadhi
If I too forget her, what will become of my fate?
Thoppul kodi vettiya podhae
When you severed the umbilical cord,
Uravai vetti vittaayaa
Did you sever the relationship as well?
Tholaivil irundhu paarthu kondae
Watching from a distance,
Thuyaril midhakka vaithaayaa
Did you make me float in grief?
Engirukkae engirukkae nalla badhil sollammaa
Where are you? Where are you? Give me a good answer, mother.
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Ulagil naanum padithadhellaam
Everything I studied in this world,
Ondrum atra padippallavaa
Isn't it a meaningless education?
Vaelai thaedum oorukkullae
In a town where people look for jobs,
Thaayai thaedum magan allavaa
Am I not a son searching for his mother?
Thaaiyin viralai pidithae
Holding the mother's finger,
Nadakkum maganai paarukkum podhilae
Whenever I see a son walking,
Thaniyaai naanum nadandhen
I walked all alone,
Endhan thaayin ennam nenjilae
With thoughts of my mother in my heart.
Petredutha thaayae thaayae
Oh mother who gave birth to me, mother!
Eriyudhadi paasa theeyae
The fire of affection is burning!
Thiraiyai vilakki vandhiduvaayaa
Will you part the curtain and come?
Anbu mazhai pozhindhiduvaayaa
Will you shower the rain of love?
Engirukkae engirukkae nalla badhil sollammaa
Where are you? Where are you? Give me a good answer, mother.
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Appan indri ammai indri vandhavanaa
Am I one who came without a father and without a mother?
Aandavanai thandhai endru kondavanaa
Am I one who took God as his father?
Suttrugindra boomi ennai
The spinning earth, me...
Naadhiyatra pillai endru
Considering me an orphaned child,
Thatheduthu konda maganaa
Am I the son it adopted?
Naan mannoda maganaa vinnoda maganaa
Am I the son of the earth or the son of the sky?
Thannaala porandhaenaa
Was I born all on my own?
Ennoda ulagil ammaa endrenakku
In my world, to call someone mother,
Yaaraenum kidaiyaadhaa
Do I not have anyone?
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Vaanathil irundhu kudhichu vandhenaa
Did I jump down from the sky?
Boomikkul irundhu vedichu vandhenaa
Did I burst out from inside the earth?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Vaanathil Irundhu from the film Poonthottam (1998) is a deeply emotional song depicting the anguish of an orphan seeking identity and maternal love. The protagonist questions his surreal beginnings—asking if he fell from the skies or emerged from the ground—reflecting the deep vacuum created by not knowing his real parents. Throughout the track, he desperately wonders whether his birth mother remembers him anywhere in the world and questions if cutting the umbilical cord meant severing maternal bonds forever. He highlights how worldly achievements and education feel hollow without knowing the mother who brought him into existence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)
“Naan mannoda maganaa vinnoda maganaa”
The speaker asks a series of hyperbolic questions about his origins to emphasize the painful obscurity of his parentage.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Eriyudhadi paasa theeyae”
Comparing the burning intensity of filial yearning to a burning fire (paasa theeyae).
Contrast / Antithesis (Muran Aani)
“Naan mannoda maganaa vinnoda maganaa”
Contrasting the sky (vinnoda) and earth (mannoda) to signify homelessness across universe scales.
Did you know?
Trivia
Poonthottam (1998) features music composed by Deva with lyrics written by Vasan. The film stars Murali and Devayani in lead roles, with this emotional track sung by Ilaiyaraaja, capturing the tragic search for maternal attachment.
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