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Thalaivasal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vaasal Idhu Vaasal

From Thalaivasal · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Bala Bharathi
Movie name
Thalaivasal
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
3 Mar 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaasal idhu vaasal thalaivaasal..
Vaazhkai sollum vaasal.. mudhalvaasal…
Iravukku vidiyal thalaivaasal
Engalukku ulagae thalaivaasal
Vaasal idhu vaasal thalaivaasal..
Vaazhkai enbadhae..
Pallikoodam thaan
Vaazhum anubavam..
Vazhkai paadam thaan
Naetru varapovadhillai..
Naalai nam kaiyil illai..
Indru namadhendru kondaal…
Illai manadhodu thollai
Kaarthigai ponaalae mazhaiyae peiyaadhu
Vaalibam poanalae..vaazhkai sellaadhu
Thulli ezhu…
Vaasal idhu vaasal thalaivaasal..
Ilamai enbadhu..
Vaanavilladaa..
Ilamai theerum mun…
Ezhundhu nilladaa
Megam vilai ketpadhillai..
Kaatru kadan ketpadhillai..
Bhoomi unakaana rojaa..
Pugundhu vilayaadu raajaa…
Paadhai endraalum mullum angundu..
Mullae nindraalum paadhai ondrundu..
Kandupudi….
Vaasal idhu vaasal thalaivaasal..
Vaazhkai sollum vaasal.. mudhalvaasal…
Iravukku vidiyal thalaivaasal
Engalukku ulagae thalaivaasal
Vaasal idhu vaasal thalaivaasal..
This is a gateway, the main gateway...
The gateway that teaches life... the first gateway...
Dawn is the main gateway to the night,
and for us, the whole world is our gateway.
This is a gateway, the main gateway...
Life itself...
is a school,
and every experience...
is a lesson in life.
Yesterday will never return,
tomorrow is not in our hands,
if we embrace today as our own,
there will be no worry in our hearts.
Once Karthigai (the monsoon season) passes, the rain will not fall,
and once youth is gone, life cannot move forward.
Leap up and rise!
This is a gateway, the main gateway...
Youth is...
just like a rainbow, my friend,
before your youth runs out...
stand up on your feet!
The clouds ask for no price,
the wind demands nothing in return,
the earth is a rose meant for you,
step right in and play like a king!
Even along a path, there are thorns,
even among thorns, there is always a path,
go find it!
This is a gateway, the main gateway...
The gateway that teaches life... the first gateway...
Dawn is the main gateway to the night,
and for us, the whole world is our gateway.
This is a gateway, the main gateway...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vaasal Idhu Vaasal is a vibrant, youth-centric motivational song from the 1992 Tamil film Thalaivasal. Written by lyricist Vairamuthu and composed by Bala Bharathi, the song uses the metaphor of a doorway or main entrance (Thalaivasal) to symbolise entering life's vast stage. It frames life as an experiential school where every experience is a lesson and emphasizes living fully in the present rather than dwelling on the lost yesterday or an uncertain tomorrow. The song encourages young minds to embrace nature's boundless gifts and seize their youth before it fades like a fleeting rainbow. It acknowledges that while every journey contains obstacles and thorns, there is always a way forward for those who seek it with courage and enthusiasm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaazhkai enbadhae.. Pallikoodam thaan

Compares life directly to a school ('Vaazhkai enbadhae pallikoodam thaan') and youth to a rainbow ('Ilamai enbadhu vaanavilladaa').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Naetru varapovadhillai.. / Naalai nam kaiyil illai..

Matching initial sounds in consecutive lines like 'Naetru' and 'Naalai'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Megam vilai ketpadhillai.. / Kaatru kadan ketpadhillai..

Matching end words 'ketpadhillai' across consecutive lines to create a rhythmic cadence.

Antithesis (Muran)

Paadhai endraalum mullum angundu.. / Mullae nindraalum paadhai ondrundu..

Contrasting the presence of thorns on a path with the presence of a path among thorns.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Thalaivasal (1992) marked the major breakthrough for actor Vijay, who performed so notably in the film that he gained the permanent screen moniker 'Thalaivasal' Vijay. The energetic rendition by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam made the track a popular anthem in colleges across Tamil Nadu in the early 1990s.

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