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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanukku Thanthai

From Aadu Puli Aattam · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, L. R. Anjali
Music director
Vijaya Bhaskar
Details
Aadu Puli Aattam1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaanukku thandhai yevanoWho is the father of the sky?
Mannukku moolam yevanoWho is the root source of the earth?
Yaavukkum avanae ellaiHe is the ultimate boundary for everything,
Avanukkum thandhai illaiYet He Himself has no father.
Allaa petra pillai thaanae yaarumEveryone is indeed a child blessed by Allah.
Allaa petra pillai thaanae yaarumEveryone is indeed a child blessed by Allah.
Female
Laa ilaahaa illallaahuThere is no god but Allah,
Muhammadhur rasoolullaahiMuhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Laa ilaahaa illallaahuThere is no god but Allah,
Muhammadhur rasoolullaahiMuhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Male
Vaanukku thandhai yevanoWho is the father of the sky?
Mannukku moolam yevanoWho is the root source of the earth?
Yaavukkum avanae ellaiHe is the ultimate boundary for everything,
Avanukkum thandhai illaiYet He Himself has no father.
Allaa petra pillai thaanae yaarumEveryone is indeed a child blessed by Allah.
Allaa petra pillai thaanae yaarumEveryone is indeed a child blessed by Allah.
Male
Nabigal perumaanThe revered Prophet,
Mecca vittu madheenaaFrom Mecca to Medina,
Nadandhu patta thunbamThe hardship he endured while walking,
Namakkellaam varumaaCan ours ever compare to that?
Andha naalai ninaikkattum nenjamLet the heart remember those days;
Aayiram tharam solvenI will say it a thousand times,
Nam thunbam konjamOur suffering is very small.
Avanukku munnaal ingu ellorum mandhaiBefore Him, everyone here is like a flock;
Male
Anaadhi yaarum illaiNo one is an orphan,
Avanae thaan thandhaiHe Himself is the Father.
Anaadhi yaarum illaiNo one is an orphan,
Avanae thaan thandhaiHe Himself is the Father.
Female
Laa ilaahaa illallaahuThere is no god but Allah,
Muhammadhur rasoolullaahiMuhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Laa ilaahaa illallaahuThere is no god but Allah,
Muhammadhur rasoolullaahiMuhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Male
Vaanukku thandhai yevanoWho is the father of the sky?
Mannukku moolam yevanoWho is the root source of the earth?
Yaavukkum avanae ellaiHe is the ultimate boundary for everything,
Avanukkum thandhai illaiYet He Himself has no father.
Allaa petra pillai thaanae yaarumEveryone is indeed a child blessed by Allah.
Allaa petra pillai thaanae yaarumEveryone is indeed a child blessed by Allah.
Male
Kovil kandu sollu undhan kavalaiExpress your worries upon seeing a temple;
Pogindra vazhi engumAlong all the paths you travel,
Kaathu nirkkum siluvaiThe cross stands waiting;
Vaanil moondraam pirai varum podhuWhen the third-day crescent moon appears in the sky,
Vaasalil thundai ittu thiru quraan odhuPlace a cloth at the doorway and recite the holy Quran.
Thuyarathai angae sonnaal sugamagum sindhaiIf you pour out your sorrow there, your mind will find peace.
Male
Anaadhi yaarum illaiNo one is an orphan,
Avanae thaan thandhaiHe Himself is the Father.
Anaadhi yaarum illaiNo one is an orphan,
Avanae thaan thandhaiHe Himself is the Father.
Female
Laa ilaahaa illallaahuThere is no god but Allah,
Muhammadhur rasoolullaahiMuhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Laa ilaahaa illallaahuThere is no god but Allah,
Muhammadhur rasoolullaahiMuhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Male
Vaanukku thandhai yevanoWho is the father of the sky?
Mannukku moolam yevanoWho is the root source of the earth?
Yaavukkum avanae ellaiHe is the ultimate boundary for everything,
Avanukkum thandhai illaiYet He Himself has no father.
Allaa petra pillai thaanae yaarumEveryone is indeed a child blessed by Allah.
Allaa petra pillai thaanae yaarumEveryone is indeed a child blessed by Allah.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a profound expression of spiritual unity, religious harmony, and divine solace composed by lyricist Kannadasan. It reflects on the omnipotence and oneness of God, highlighting that God is the ultimate origin and parent of all creation, leaving no human being an orphan. The lyrics remind listeners that human trials are minor compared to the legendary hardships endured by spiritual leaders like Prophet Muhammad during his historic journey from Mecca to Medina. Furthermore, the song advocates universal secularism and devotion by integrating elements from Hinduism (temple/kovil), Christianity (cross/siluvai), and Islam (crescent moon and holy Quran). It reassures humanity that seeking solace through any faithful spiritual path brings comfort to the mind, as everyone is ultimately a child of the same Supreme Creator.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ettugai (Second-letter Assonance)

Vaanukku thandhai yevano / Mannukku moolam yevano

The second letter 'n' (ன) matches across consecutive lines, creating acoustic harmony.

Metaphor

Avanukku munnaal ingu ellorum mandhai

Humanity is compared to a single flock ('mandhai') before the Supreme Creator.

Interfaith Symbolism / Syncretism

Kovil kandu sollu undhan kavalai / Pogindra vazhi engum / Kaathu nirkkum siluvai / Vaanil moondraam pirai varum podhu

The lyricist weaves symbols of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam into consecutive verses to convey universal religious unity.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Anaadhi yaarum illai / Avanae thaan thandhai

Lines end with matching sounds ('yevano', 'illai', 'thandhai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the movie 'Aadu Puli Aattam' (1977) stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan as a action-thriller directed by S. P. Muthuraman with music composed by Vijaya Bhaskar, Kannadasan incorporated the Islamic creed (Shahada) directly into the Tamil lyrics. It remains a classic example of secular and inclusive songwriting in Tamil film music history.

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