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Pulivaal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhkai Unnai

From Pulivaal · 2014

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Harihara Sudhan
Music director
N. R. Raghunanthan
Movie name
Pulivaal
Movie release year
2014
Lyrics added on
3 Jun 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
Dhooram kadandhu
Vandhaal thaanae
Oorai sera mudiyum
Uyaram thaandi vandhaal thaanae
Thuyaram thaanda mudiyum. ….
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
Vidhaigal thammai alikkaamal
Vergal enbadhu kidayaadhu
Viyarvai enbadhai ilakkaamal
Vettri enbadhu kidayaadhu
Thedi ponadhu veru nee
Thedi adaivadhu veru
Yedho ondrai adayum bodhu
Yedhuvo thozhaiyum paaru
Manidhan podum kanakkil ellam
Sariyum thavarum undu
Kaalam podum kanakil ellam
Sarigal mattumae undu
Unadhu kanakkum kaala kanukkum
Oththu ponaal nandru. …..
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
Niththam kutram purigindraai
Ninaithu kooda magizhkindraai
Ellaa kannum thoonguvadhaai
Innoru kuttram ilaikindrai
Paavam enbadhu un kuppai
Adhu niththam serum paaru
Paavakuppai ellam kooti
Payirukku uramaai podu
Karumbu kattil yaanai pugundhaal
Yedhuvum illai mitcham
Yaanai kadhil erumbu nulaindhaal
Adhuvae thuyarin utchcham
Madiyil kanamae illai endraal
Vazhvil yedhu atchcham…
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
Dhooram kadandhu
Vandhaal thaanae
Oorai sera mudiyum
Uyaram thaandi vandhaal thaanae
Thuyaram thaanda mudiyum. ….
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
Life will make you run,
it will make you dance without limits.
After you run a long distance,
after your chest grows weary,
it will tell you that you took the wrong path.
Only by crossing the distance
and walking all the way
can you reach your destination.
Only by climbing past the heights
can you overcome your sorrow.
Life will make you run,
it will make you dance without limits.
After you run a long distance,
after your chest grows weary,
it will tell you that you took the wrong path.
Without seeds breaking themselves down,
there are no roots.
Without shedding your sweat,
there is no victory.
What you went searching for was one thing,
what you end up finding is another.
When you gain something,
look, something else gets lost.
In all the calculations made by man,
there is both right and wrong.
In all the calculations made by time,
there are only right outcomes.
If your calculation and time's calculation
agree with each other, it is good.
Life will make you run,
it will make you dance without limits.
After you run a long distance,
after your chest grows weary,
it will tell you that you took the wrong path.
You commit wrongs every day,
you even think of them and rejoice.
Believing that all eyes are asleep,
you commit yet another wrong.
Sin is your own trash,
look, it piles up every day.
Gather all the trash of your sins
and turn it into manure for your crops.
If an elephant enters a sugarcane field,
nothing will remain behind.
If an ant enters an elephant's ear,
that is the height of agony.
If you carry no guilt in your lap,
what is there to fear in life?
Life will make you run,
it will make you dance without limits.
After you run a long distance,
after your chest grows weary,
it will tell you that you took the wrong path.
Only by crossing the distance
and walking all the way
can you reach your destination.
Only by climbing past the heights
can you overcome your sorrow.
Life will make you run,
it will make you dance without limits.
After you run a long distance,
after your chest grows weary,
it will tell you that you took the wrong path.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song 'Vazhakai Unnai' explores the unpredictable, ironic, and karmic nature of human life. It highlights how humans often chase goals blindly, only to realize late in the journey that they were heading in the wrong direction. The song emphasizes perseverance, stating that sacrifice and hard work are prerequisites for success, just as a seed must dissolve itself to give birth to roots.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Vazhakai unnai odavidum / Varaimurai indri aadavidum

The second letter in adjacent lines rhymes ('zha' in Vazhakai / Varaimurai).

Monaal (Initial Rhyming/Alliteration)

Vidhaigal thammai alikkaamal / Vergal enbadhu kidayaadhu / Viyarvai enbadhai ilakkaamal / Vettri enbadhu kidayaadhu

The initial sound 'Vi' repeats in consecutive lines.

Metaphor

Paavam enbadhu un kuppai

Comparing sin to garbage ('Paavam enbadhu un kuppai') that can be repurposed into manure ('Payirukku uramaai podu') through repentance and growth.

Idiomatic Proverb (Madiyil Kanam)

Madiyil kanamae illai endraal / Vazhvil yedhu atchcham…

References the famous Tamil proverb 'Madiyil kanam இருந்தால் vazhiyil bayam' (If you carry guilt/weight in your lap, you fear the journey).

Did you know?

Trivia

Pulivaal (2014) is a black comedy thriller film directed by G. Marimuthu, starring Vimal, Prasanna, Oviya, Ananya, and Iniya. The film's music was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan, with lyrics penned by the acclaimed poet Vairamuthu.

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