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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanathu Poongkili

From Tripura Sundari · 1978

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

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthavalShe who lived like a heavenly flower-bird and a deer,
Mannil veezhnthaalammaaHas fallen to the ground, oh mother!
Endrum kanneeril vaazhnthaalammaaShe lived forever in tears, oh mother!
Endrum kanneeril vaazhnthaalammaaShe lived forever in tears, oh mother!
Female
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthavalShe who lived like a heavenly flower-bird and a deer,
Mannil veezhnthaalammaaHas fallen to the ground, oh mother!
Endrum kanneeril vaazhnthaalammaaShe lived forever in tears, oh mother!
Endrum kanneeril vaazhnthaalammaaShe lived forever in tears, oh mother!
Female
Kadhal nambikkai kanagaala aanaalIf faith in love turned into a dream,
Kadavul nambikkai ennaavathoWhat will become of faith in God?
Vedham solvonae pagaiyaagi ponaalIf the one who preaches scriptures turns into an enemy,
Yaarai nampiththaan pen vaazhvathoWho can a woman trust and live with?
Female
Oruvanin kaaladi sugamendru vanthaenThinking happiness lies at a man's feet, I arrived,
Sendraen nizhal polavaeI followed him like a shadow.
Raman ena uruthi sonnaanHe promised to be Rama,
Raavananaai maarivittaanBut turned out to be Ravana!
Female
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthavalShe who lived like a heavenly flower-bird and a deer,
Naalai vaazhvaalammaaWill live tomorrow, oh mother!
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaaShe will witness time changing, oh mother!
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaaShe will witness time changing, oh mother!
Female
Naalai pozhuthendrum nalamaagumendruBelieving that tomorrow will bring good,
Nambi vaazhnthaalthaan pen vaazhalaamOnly with such faith can a woman survive.
Tholil azhagaaga manamaalai soodumWearing a beautiful wedding garland on her shoulder,
Sorkkam oruvelai nee kaanalaamYou may one day experience heaven.
Female
Ulagaththu vaazhkkaiyil nadakaathathennaWhat is impossible in this worldly life?
Thozhi kalangaathiruDo not lose heart, my friend.
Oru pozhuthu avarkku vanthaalIf one moment favors them,
Marupozhuthu unakku varumThe next moment will favor you.
Female
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthavalShe who lived like a heavenly flower-bird and a deer,
Naalai vaazhvaalammaaWill live tomorrow, oh mother!
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaaShe will witness time changing, oh mother!
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaaShe will witness time changing, oh mother!
Female
Pennin kanneerai sugamaaga paarththaenI watched a woman's tears comfortably,
Innum varavillai en deivamaeMy God has not arrived yet.
Intha kanneerum pazhi vaangi theerumThese tears will seek revenge completely,
Idhu en sollaalla avan sonnathuThis is not my word, it was said by Him.
Female
Naan konda vedhanai ennennavendruHow can I express here,
Ingae solvathuThe agony that I hold within?
Ragasiyaththil azhuthu viduCry in secret,
Mana sumaiyai irakki viduUnload the heavy burden from your heart.
Female
Vaanaththu poongili maanena vaazhnthavalShe who lived like a heavenly flower-bird and a deer,
Naalai vaazhvaalammaaWill live tomorrow, oh mother!
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaaShe will witness time changing, oh mother!
Kaalam maarida kaanpaalammaa….She will witness time changing, oh mother!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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.

Keep listening

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