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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanathu Poongkili

From Tripura Sundari · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Janaki, Jency
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Tripura Sundari
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
8 Jun 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthaval
Mannil veezhnthaalammaa
Endrum kanneeril vaazhnthaalammaa
Endrum kanneeril vaazhnthaalammaa
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthaval
Mannil veezhnthaalammaa
Endrum kanneeril vaazhnthaalammaa
Endrum kanneeril vaazhnthaalammaa
Kadhal nambikkai kanagaala aanaal
Kadavul nambikkai ennaavatho
Vedham solvonae pagaiyaagi ponaal
Yaarai nampiththaan pen vaazhvatho
Oruvanin kaaladi sugamendru vanthaen
Sendraen nizhal polavae
Raman ena uruthi sonnaan
Raavananaai maarivittaan
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthaval
Naalai vaazhvaalammaa
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaa
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaa
Naalai pozhuthendrum nalamaagumendru
Nambi vaazhnthaalthaan pen vaazhalaam
Tholil azhagaaga manamaalai soodum
Sorkkam oruvelai nee kaanalaam
Ulagaththu vaazhkkaiyil nadakaathathenna
Thozhi kalangaathiru
Oru pozhuthu avarkku vanthaal
Marupozhuthu unakku varum
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthaval
Naalai vaazhvaalammaa
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaa
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaa
Pennin kanneerai sugamaaga paarththaen
Innum varavillai en deivamae
Intha kanneerum pazhi vaangi theerum
Idhu en sollaalla avan sonnathu
Naan konda vedhanai ennennavendru
Ingae solvathu
Ragasiyaththil azhuthu vidu
Mana sumaiyai irakki vidu
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthaval
Naalai vaazhvaalammaa
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaa
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaa….
The sweet bird of the sky who lived like a gentle deer,
Has fallen down to earth, oh friend.
And she has lived forever in tears,
Forever she has lived in tears...
The sweet bird of the sky who lived like a gentle deer,
Has fallen down to earth, oh friend.
And she has lived forever in tears,
Forever she has lived in tears...
If faith in love turns into burning embers,
What will become of faith in God?
If the one who preaches sacred words turns into an enemy,
Trusting whom can a woman live?
Believing there was comfort at his feet, I came,
And followed him just like a shadow.
He promised he would be noble like Rama,
Yet he turned into cruel Ravana.
The sweet bird of the sky who lived like a gentle deer,
Will live happily tomorrow, my friend.
She will surely see the times change,
She will surely see the times change...
Believing that tomorrow will always be better,
Only with such hope can a woman live on.
To wear a lovely wedding garland upon your shoulders,
Perhaps you may yet experience that heavenly joy.
In this worldly life, what is impossible?
Do not lose heart, my friend.
If this day belongs to them,
The next day will surely be yours.
The sweet bird of the sky who lived like a gentle deer,
Will live happily tomorrow, my friend.
She will surely see the times change,
She will surely see the times change...
I took a woman's tears so lightly,
Yet my God has not arrived to save me.
Even these tears will exact their revenge;
These are not my words, but his.
All the deep agony I have suffered,
How can I speak of it here...?
Weep your tears in secret...
And set down the heavy burden from your heart.
The sweet bird of the sky who lived like a gentle deer,
Will live happily tomorrow, my friend.
She will surely see the times change,
She will surely see the times change...
Female
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Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
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Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Vaanaththu Poongili' is a poignant emotional conversation between two women, capturing betrayal, sorrow, resilience, and hope. The song reflects on a woman who once lived a innocent and gentle life (like a bird or a deer in heaven) but was brought down to earthly suffering by heartbreak and deception. She mourns how a man who swore to be righteous like Lord Rama ended up behaving like the deceitful Ravana.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthaval”

Compares the innocent woman to a heavenly bird, a deer, and a shadow following her partner.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

“Raman ena uruthi sonnaan / Raavananaai maarivittaan”

Contrasts the noble character Rama with the antagonist Ravana to highlight extreme betrayal.

Initial Rhyme (Moonaai)

“Raman ena uruthi sonnaan”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'R' across consecutive lines.

Consonance / Monai

“Kadhal nambikkai kanagaala aanaal”

Alliteration of the 'K' sound in Kadhal, Kanagaala, and Kadavul.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by the Legendary Kannadasan for the 1978 film 'Tripura Sundari', the song features a duet between S. Janaki and Jency. The composition showcases Ilaiyaraaja's signature blend of traditional Carnatic melodic structures and deep emotional orchestration.

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