Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanathu Poongili

From Thiripura Sundari · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Janaki, Jency
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thiripura Sundari1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaanathu poongili maanena vaazhndhavalShe who lived like a heavenly parrot and a gentle deer
Mannil veezhndhaalammaaHas now fallen onto the ground, alas!
Endrum kanneeril vaazhndhaalammaaShe lived forever in tears, alas!
Endrum kanneeril vaazhndhaalammaaShe lived forever in tears, alas!
Female
Vaanathu poongili maanena vaazhndhavalShe who lived like a heavenly parrot and a gentle deer
Mannil veezhndhaalammaaHas now fallen onto the ground, alas!
Endrum kanneeril vaazhndhaalammaaShe lived forever in tears, alas!
Endrum kanneeril vaazhndhaalammaaShe lived forever in tears, alas!
Female
Kaadhal nambikkai kanavaaga aanaalIf faith in love turns out to be merely a dream,
Kadavul nambikkai ennaavadhoWhat will become of faith in God?
Vaedham solvorae pagaiyaagi ponaalIf those who preach the sacred Vedas turn into enemies,
Yaarai nambi thaan pen vaazhvadhoRelying on whom can a woman live her life?
Oruvanin kaaladi sugam endru nambiBelieving that happiness lay at one man's feet,
Sendraen nizhal polavaeI followed him just like a shadow.
Raaman ena urugi sonnaanHe spoke with melting devotion like Rama,
Raavananaai maari vittaanBut turned out to be Ravana in disguise.
Female
Vaanathu poongili maanena vaazhndhavalShe who lived like a heavenly parrot and a gentle deer
Naalai vaazhvaalammaaWill live a better life tomorrow, alas!
Kaalam maarida kaanbaal ammaShe will see the times change, alas!
Kaalam maarida kaanbaal ammaShe will see the times change, alas!
Female
Naalai pozhudhendrum nalamaagum endruBelieving that tomorrow will always bring good health and prosperity,
Nambi vaazhndhaal thaan pen vaazhalaamOnly by living with hope can a woman survive.
Tholil azhagaaga manamaalai soodumWearing a beautiful wedding garland upon her shoulders,
Sorgam oru vaelai nee kaanalaamYou may witness a heaven on earth one day.
Ulagathu vaazhkkaiyil nadakkaadhadhennaWhat is there that cannot happen in worldly life?
Thozhi kalangaadhiruMy dear friend, do not be disheartened.
Oru pozhudhu avarkku vandhaalIf one moment belongs to them,
Maru pozhudhu unakku varumThe very next moment will belong to you.
Female
Vaanathu poongili maanena vaazhndhavalShe who lived like a heavenly parrot and a gentle deer
Naalai vaazhvaalammaaWill live a better life tomorrow, alas!
Kaalam maarida kaanbaal ammaShe will see the times change, alas!
Kaalam maarida kaanbaal ammaShe will see the times change, alas!
Female
Vaanathu poongili maanena vaazhndhavalShe who lived like a heavenly parrot and a gentle deer
Naalai vaazhvaal ammaaWill live a better life tomorrow, alas!
Kaalam maarida kaanbaal ammaShe will see the times change, alas!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song depicts the tragic fall and eventual hope of an innocent woman who lived gracefully like a heavenly bird, only to be plunged into sorrow by betrayal. She laments how her trust was broken by a partner who feigned nobility like Lord Rama but revealed himself to be treacherous like Ravana, raising existential questions about trust, religion, and human nature. However, the song shifts from grief to comfort and optimism. It offers solace to the suffering woman, reminding her that times inevitably change and that endurance and hope are essential for survival. It assures her that fortunes fluctuate, and her day of happiness and justice will surely come.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Vaanathu poongili maanena vaazhndhaval

Compares the innocence and purity of the woman to a heavenly parrot ('poongili') and a deer ('maanena').

Contrast & Mythological Allusion

Raaman ena urugi sonnaan / Raavananaai maari vittaan

Contrasts the righteous ideal hero Rama with the antagonist Ravana to depict dramatic deception and betrayal by a lover.

Anaphora / Repetition (Erattai)

Kaalam maarida kaanbaal amma

Repetition of chorus lines to emphasize both suffering initially ('Endrum kanneeril vaazhndhaalammaa') and hope later ('Kaalam maarida kaanbaal amma').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary poet Kannadasan, this song showcases his signature philosophical style of using Ramayana references (Rama vs. Ravana) to explain real-life human betrayals and offering deep emotional solace through poetic lyricism.

Keep listening

More from Thiripura Sundari