Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaangum Panathukkum

From Dhoni · 2012

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dhoni2012

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaangum panathukkum vaazhkkaikumaeBetween the money earned and actual life
Oru sammantham illaThere is no connection at all
Patta padippukkum paakura vaelaikkumBetween the degree earned and the job done
Sammantham illaThere is no connection
Ennaiya thaechu mannil porandaalum ottuvathillaEven if you rub oil and roll in the dirt, nothing sticks
Kannuku munnala nadapathu ellaam kanavum illaEverything happening before our eyes is not a dream
Vadaga veetula veesura kaathuku kattanam undaa daIs there a fee for the breeze blowing in a rented house, my friend?
Irupathuthaan podhum enbavan oruthan undaa da..Is there anyone who says what they have is enough?
Inga ezhaiyin siripil iraivanathaan paathavan undaa..Is there anyone here who has truly seen God in the smile of the poor?
Male
Vaangum panathukkum vaazhkkaikumaeBetween the money earned and actual life
Oru sammantham illaThere is no connection at all
Patta padippukkum paakura vaelaikkumBetween the degree earned and the job done
Sammantham illaThere is no connection
Male
Annaikum innaikum ennaikumBack then, today, and forever
Indha annadangachi vaazhkaThis life is shared in hardship like siblings
Kanavilthaanae nammakkuOnly in our dreams do we have
Pala aranmanaigal irukkuMany grand palaces to live in
Thanikkum thaaraikkum alaiyumWandering between water and land
Oru vaaththa pola vaazhkkaLife is like a duck on the move
Manasu siraga virichaa naama parakka mudiyumaa…If the mind spreads its wings, can we actually fly?
Male
Chandiranum irukku natchattiram irukkuThere is the moon and there are stars
Enni enni paaru athu velli panam namakku..Count them up, those are our silver coins!
Olagam yaavum sonthamunnalum ezhaingathaan..Even if told the whole world is ours, we remain poor..
Male
Vaangum panathukkum vaazhkkaikumaeBetween the money earned and actual life
Oru sammantham illaThere is no connection at all
Patta padippukkum paakura vaelaikkumBetween the degree earned and the job done
Sammantham illaThere is no connection
Male
………………………....
Male
Kummudu pottae pottaeBy constantly bowing down in deference
Naama gujinju valanju ponomWe ended up bent and stooped
Koonum vizhugalaWe did not develop a physical hunchback
Manam kooni pochudaaBut our mind has become bent and humbled, my friend
Oravu naraiya irukkuThere are plenty of relatives
Adhu selavuthaanae nammakkuThat only brings expenses for us
Saeththu vechcha soththuThe wealth we have accumulated
Adhu natputhaanadaaIs only true friendship, my friend
Male
Thandavaalam naduvae pooththa poova polaLike a flower blooming in the middle of railway tracks
Sogathilum sirippom sothanaiyil molaippomWe will smile through sorrow and blossom through trials
Aduththa naalai aduththa naalil paarkalaamWe shall face tomorrow when tomorrow comes
Male
Vaangum panathukkum vaazhkkaikumaeBetween the money earned and actual life
Oru sammantham illaThere is no connection at all
Patta padippukkum paakura vaelaikkumBetween the degree earned and the job done
Sammantham illaThere is no connection
Ennaiya thaechu mannil porandaalum ottuvathillaEven if you rub oil and roll in the dirt, nothing sticks
Kannuku munnala nadapathu ellaam kanavum illaEverything happening before our eyes is not a dream
Vadaga veetula veesura kaathuku kattanam undaa daIs there a fee for the breeze blowing in a rented house, my friend?
Dumb bam dumb bamDumb bam dumb bam
Irupathuthaan podhum enbavan oruthan undaa da..Is there anyone who says what they have is enough?
Inga ezhaiyin siripil iraivanathaan paathavan undaa..Is there anyone here who has truly seen God in the smile of the poor?
Male
Vaangum panathukkum vaazhkkaikumaeBetween the money earned and actual life
Oru sammantham illa..haeiThere is no connection at all.. hey!
Patta padippukkum paakura vaelaikkumBetween the degree earned and the job done
Sammantham illaThere is no connection

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Dhoni' (2012) is a philosophical reflection on the struggles of middle-class and working-class life. Written by Na. Muthukumar and composed by Ilaiyaraaja, it highlights the mismatch between modern education and employment, as well as the disparity between income and life satisfaction. The lyrics convey that wealth and degrees do not guarantee happiness or stability. Despite financial hardships, the song maintains a hopeful and resilient outlook. It emphasizes that true wealth lies in friendship and optimism, comparing the middle-class human spirit to a flower blooming amidst railway tracks—resilient and thriving despite harsh surroundings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamanam)

Oru vaaththa pola vaazhkka

Compares life to a duck wandering between land and water ('Oru vaaththa pola vaazhkka').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Enni enni paaru athu velli panam namakku..

Metaphorically compares the moon and stars to silver coins belonging to the poor.

Imagery & Visual Simile

Thandavaalam naduvae pooththa poova pola

Paints a vivid picture of resilience by comparing human survival in hardship to a flower blooming in the middle of railway tracks.

Rhyme / Monotony (Edhugai & Monai)

Patta padippukkum paakura vaelaikkum

Uses Tamil poetic rhyming structures like 'Patta padippukkum / paakura vaelaikkum' to create rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Vaangum Panathukkum' was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam for the movie 'Dhoni' (2012), directed by Prakash Raj. The lyrics written by Na. Muthukumar reflect the core theme of the film, which critiques the Indian education system and the societal pressure placed on youth.

Keep listening

More from Dhoni