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Lyrics & meaning

Vaanin Madhi Pol

From Kanniyin Kathali · 1949

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. V. Janaki
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kanniyin Kathali1949

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvaeA life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Nigarae illaathathaeHas no equal anywhere;
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharumTruth always brings true happiness.
Female
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvaeA life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Nigarae illaathathaeHas no equal anywhere;
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharumTruth always brings true happiness.
Female
Paaril…..nee….kaan…Look... you... behold in this world...
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvaeA life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Nigarae illaathathaeHas no equal anywhere;
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharumTruth always brings true happiness.
Female
Kaarmugil polae alaiyum vaazhvaeA life wandering endlessly like dark clouds,
Nillaathu nilaiyae veenaeIs unstable and utterly futile,
Sorvu migumae maanaFatigue will only increase, O proud heart!
Female
Kaarmugil polae alaiyum vaazhvaeA life wandering endlessly like dark clouds,
Nillaathu nilaiyae veenaeIs unstable and utterly futile,
Sorvu migumae maanaFatigue will only increase, O proud heart!
Female
Paaril…..nee….kaan…Look... you... behold in this world...
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvaeA life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Nigarae illaathathaeHas no equal anywhere;
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharumTruth always brings true happiness.
Female
Saagasamae thagumo puvi maelIs deceit and trickery appropriate on this earth?
Naer vazhiyae uyarvaam nidhameThe righteous path alone is true treasure and elevation.
Vaedhanai migumae suvai kedumaePain will increase and life's sweetness will be ruined,
Poi vaazhvaal manam punpadumaeThe mind gets wounded through a life of lies.
Female
Paaril…..nee….kaan…Look... you... behold in this world...
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvaeA life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Nigarae illaathathaeHas no equal anywhere;
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharumTruth always brings true happiness.
Female
Thoodhae illatha dhinamae vaaraaMay days filled with peace without anguish arrive,
Aanatham ne peruvaayaeMay you attain supreme happiness!
Kaavi ulaavidum aaninam polaeLike herds roaming freely in lush fields,
Ullaasamaagavae vaazhvaaiMay you live joyfully and happily!
Female
Paaril…..nee….kaan…Look... you... behold in this world...
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvaeA life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Nigarae illaathathaeHas no equal anywhere;
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharumTruth always brings true happiness.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song from 'Kanniyin Kathali' (1949) emphasizes the importance of living a righteous and truthful life. It contrasts a virtuous life—which glows serenely like the full moon in the night sky—with a life filled with falsehood and deceit, which drifts aimlessly and unstably like dark rainclouds. The lyrics advise that trickery and dishonest means on earth lead only to mental pain, sorrow, and loss of life's sweetness. Instead, the song encourages following the honest path ('Naer vazhi'), which brings lasting elevation and peace. By renouncing deceit, one can experience pure joy and freedom, compared to cattle grazing happily and unrestrained in open pastures. Ultimate peace and true happiness are achieved only through a life grounded in truth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvae

Compares a peaceful, truthful life to the serene moon in the sky ('Vaanin mathi pol').

Upamai (Simile)

Kaarmugil polae alaiyum vaazhvae

Compares an unstable, deceitful life to restless dark clouds ('Kaarmugil polae').

Contrast (Ethirsol / Antithesis)

Kaarmugil polae alaiyum vaazhvae

Juxtaposes the serene illumination of truth ('Mathi') with the wandering darkness of falsehood ('Kaarmugil').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vaedhanai migumae suvai kedumae

Uses rhyming endings like 'migumae', 'kedumae', 'punpadumae' across consecutive lines to create melodic rhythm.

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Trivia

'Kanniyin Kathali' (1949) is a historically landmark film as it marked the lyrical debut of Kaviarasu Kannadasan in Tamil cinema. Directed by K. Ramnoth, the movie was an adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous play 'Twelfth Night'.

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