Vaazhkai Unnai
From Pulivaal · 2014
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Harihara Sudhan
- Music director
- N. R. Raghunanthan
- Details
- Pulivaal2014
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vazhakai unnai odavidum | Life will make you run |
| Varaimurai indri aadavidum | It will make you dance without limits |
| Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae | After running a long distance |
| Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae | After the heart wilts down |
| Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum | It informs you that it was the wrong direction |
| Male | |
| Dhooram kadandhu | Only after crossing the distance |
| Vandhaal thaanae | And making the journey |
| Oorai sera mudiyum | Can one reach the destination |
| Uyaram thaandi vandhaal thaanae | Only after overcoming the heights |
| Thuyaram thaanda mudiyum. …. | Can one overcome sorrow |
| Male | |
| Vazhakai unnai odavidum | Life will make you run |
| Varaimurai indri aadavidum | It will make you dance without limits |
| Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae | After running a long distance |
| Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae | After the heart wilts down |
| Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum | It informs you that it was the wrong direction |
| Male | |
| Vidhaigal thammai alikkaamal | Without seeds destroying themselves |
| Vergal enbadhu kidayaadhu | Roots do not come into existence |
| Viyarvai enbadhai ilakkaamal | Without shedding sweat |
| Vettri enbadhu kidayaadhu | Victory cannot be achieved |
| Male | |
| Thedi ponadhu veru nee | What you set out searching for is different |
| Thedi adaivadhu veru | What you end up getting is different |
| Yedho ondrai adayum bodhu | When you achieve something |
| Yedhuvo thozhaiyum paaru | Notice how something else gets lost |
| Male | |
| Manidhan podum kanakkil ellam | In all calculations made by human beings |
| Sariyum thavarum undu | There are both rights and wrongs |
| Kaalam podum kanakil ellam | In all calculations made by time |
| Sarigal mattumae undu | There are only absolute truths |
| Male | |
| Unadhu kanakkum kaala kanukkum | If your calculation and time's calculation |
| Oththu ponaal nandru. ….. | Align with each other, it is good |
| Male | |
| Vazhakai unnai odavidum | Life will make you run |
| Varaimurai indri aadavidum | It will make you dance without limits |
| Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae | After running a long distance |
| Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae | After the heart wilts down |
| Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum | It informs you that it was the wrong direction |
| Male | |
| Niththam kutram purigindraai | Every day you commit misdeeds |
| Ninaithu kooda magizhkindraai | You even feel happy thinking about them |
| Ellaa kannum thoonguvadhaai | Believing that all eyes are asleep |
| Innoru kuttram ilaikindrai | You commit yet another wrong |
| Male | |
| Paavam enbadhu un kuppai | Sin is your garbage |
| Adhu niththam serum paaru | Observe how it accumulates daily |
| Paavakuppai ellam kooti | Gather all that garbage of sins |
| Payirukku uramaai podu | And turn it into manure for the crop |
| Male | |
| Karumbu kattil yaanai pugundhaal | If an elephant enters a sugarcane field |
| Yedhuvum illai mitcham | Nothing remains behind |
| Yaanai kadhil erumbu nulaindhaal | If an ant enters an elephant's ear |
| Adhuvae thuyarin utchcham | That becomes the peak of suffering |
| Male | |
| Madiyil kanamae illai endraal | If there is no heavy weight in your lap |
| Vazhvil yedhu atchcham… | What is there to fear in life? |
| Male | |
| Vazhakai unnai odavidum | Life will make you run |
| Varaimurai indri aadavidum | It will make you dance without limits |
| Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae | After running a long distance |
| Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae | After the heart wilts down |
| Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum | It informs you that it was the wrong direction |
| Male | |
| Dhooram kadandhu | Only after crossing the distance |
| Vandhaal thaanae | And making the journey |
| Oorai sera mudiyum | Can one reach the destination |
| Uyaram thaandi vandhaal thaanae | Only after overcoming the heights |
| Thuyaram thaanda mudiyum. …. | Can one overcome sorrow |
| Male | |
| Vazhakai unnai odavidum | Life will make you run |
| Varaimurai indri aadavidum | It will make you dance without limits |
| Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae | After running a long distance |
| Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae | After the heart wilts down |
| Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum | It informs you that it was the wrong direction |
வாழ்க்கை உன்னை
ஓட விடும் வரைமுறையின்றி
ஆட விடும் நீண்ட தூரம் ஓடிய
பின்னே நெஞ்சு கூட வாடிய
பின்னே தப்பான திசையென்று
தகவல் தரும்
Life will make you run
It will make you dance without limits
After running a long distance
After the heart wilts down
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
தூரம் கடந்து
வந்தால் தானே ஊரை
சேர முடியும் உயரம்
தாண்டி வந்தால் தானே
துயரம் தாண்ட முடியும்
Only after crossing the distance
And making the journey
Can one reach the destination
Only after overcoming the heights
Can one overcome sorrow
வாழ்க்கை உன்னை
ஓட விடும் வரைமுறையின்றி
ஆட விடும் நீண்ட தூரம் ஓடிய
பின்னே நெஞ்சு கூட வாடிய
பின்னே தப்பான திசையென்று
தகவல் தரும்
Life will make you run
It will make you dance without limits
After running a long distance
After the heart wilts down
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
விதைகள் தம்மை
அழிக்காமல் வேர்கள் என்பது
கிடையாது வியர்வை என்பதை
இழக்காமல் வெற்றி என்பது
கிடையாது
Without seeds destroying themselves
Roots do not come into existence
Without shedding sweat
Victory cannot be achieved
தேடி போனது
வேறு நீ தேடி அடைவது
வேறு ஏதோ ஒன்றை
அடையும் போது எதுவோ
தொலையும் பாரு
What you set out searching for is different
What you end up getting is different
When you achieve something
Notice how something else gets lost
மனிதன் போடும்
கணக்கில் எல்லாம்
சரியும் தவறும் உண்டு
காலம் போடும் கணக்கில்
எல்லாம் சரிகள் மட்டுமே
உண்டு
In all calculations made by human beings
There are both rights and wrongs
In all calculations made by time
There are only absolute truths
உனது கணக்கும்
காலக் கணக்கும் ஒத்துப்
போனால் நன்று
If your calculation and time's calculation
Align with each other, it is good
வாழ்க்கை உன்னை
ஓட விடும் வரைமுறையின்றி
ஆட விடும் நீண்ட தூரம் ஓடிய
பின்னே நெஞ்சு கூட வாடிய
பின்னே தப்பான திசையென்று
தகவல் தரும்
Life will make you run
It will make you dance without limits
After running a long distance
After the heart wilts down
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
நித்தம் குற்றம்
புரிகின்றாய் நினைத்து
கூட மகிழ்கின்றாய்
எல்லாக் கண்ணும்
தூங்குவதாய் இன்னொரு
குற்றம் இழைக்கின்றாய்
Every day you commit misdeeds
You even feel happy thinking about them
Believing that all eyes are asleep
You commit yet another wrong
பாவம் என்பது
உன் குப்பை அது நித்தம்
சேரும் பாரு பாவக் குப்பை
எல்லாம் கூட்டி பயிருக்கு
உரமாய் போடு
Sin is your garbage
Observe how it accumulates daily
Gather all that garbage of sins
And turn it into manure for the crop
கரும்பு காட்டில்
யானை புகுந்தால் எதுவும்
இல்லை மிச்சம் யானை
காதில் எறும்பு நுழைந்தால்
அதுவே துயரின் உச்சம்
If an elephant enters a sugarcane field
Nothing remains behind
If an ant enters an elephant's ear
That becomes the peak of suffering
மடியில் கணமே
இல்லையென்றால்
வாழ்வில் ஏது அச்சம்
If there is no heavy weight in your lap
What is there to fear in life?
வாழ்க்கை உன்னை
ஓட விடும் வரைமுறையின்றி
ஆட விடும் நீண்ட தூரம் ஓடிய
பின்னே நெஞ்சு கூட வாடிய
பின்னே தப்பான திசையென்று
தகவல் தரும்
Life will make you run
It will make you dance without limits
After running a long distance
After the heart wilts down
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
தூரம் கடந்து
வந்தால் தானே ஊரை
சேர முடியும் உயரம்
தாண்டி வந்தால் தானே
துயரம் தாண்ட முடியும்
Only after crossing the distance
And making the journey
Can one reach the destination
Only after overcoming the heights
Can one overcome sorrow
வாழ்க்கை உன்னை
ஓட விடும் வரைமுறையின்றி
ஆட விடும் நீண்ட தூரம் ஓடிய
பின்னே நெஞ்சு கூட வாடிய
பின்னே தப்பான திசையென்று
தகவல் தரும்
Life will make you run
It will make you dance without limits
After running a long distance
After the heart wilts down
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Life will make you run
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
It will make you dance without limits
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
After running a long distance
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
After the heart wilts down
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
Dhooram kadandhu
Only after crossing the distance
Vandhaal thaanae
And making the journey
Oorai sera mudiyum
Can one reach the destination
Uyaram thaandi vandhaal thaanae
Only after overcoming the heights
Thuyaram thaanda mudiyum. ….
Can one overcome sorrow
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Life will make you run
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
It will make you dance without limits
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
After running a long distance
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
After the heart wilts down
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
Vidhaigal thammai alikkaamal
Without seeds destroying themselves
Vergal enbadhu kidayaadhu
Roots do not come into existence
Viyarvai enbadhai ilakkaamal
Without shedding sweat
Vettri enbadhu kidayaadhu
Victory cannot be achieved
Thedi ponadhu veru nee
What you set out searching for is different
Thedi adaivadhu veru
What you end up getting is different
Yedho ondrai adayum bodhu
When you achieve something
Yedhuvo thozhaiyum paaru
Notice how something else gets lost
Manidhan podum kanakkil ellam
In all calculations made by human beings
Sariyum thavarum undu
There are both rights and wrongs
Kaalam podum kanakil ellam
In all calculations made by time
Sarigal mattumae undu
There are only absolute truths
Unadhu kanakkum kaala kanukkum
If your calculation and time's calculation
Oththu ponaal nandru. …..
Align with each other, it is good
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Life will make you run
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
It will make you dance without limits
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
After running a long distance
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
After the heart wilts down
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
Niththam kutram purigindraai
Every day you commit misdeeds
Ninaithu kooda magizhkindraai
You even feel happy thinking about them
Ellaa kannum thoonguvadhaai
Believing that all eyes are asleep
Innoru kuttram ilaikindrai
You commit yet another wrong
Paavam enbadhu un kuppai
Sin is your garbage
Adhu niththam serum paaru
Observe how it accumulates daily
Paavakuppai ellam kooti
Gather all that garbage of sins
Payirukku uramaai podu
And turn it into manure for the crop
Karumbu kattil yaanai pugundhaal
If an elephant enters a sugarcane field
Yedhuvum illai mitcham
Nothing remains behind
Yaanai kadhil erumbu nulaindhaal
If an ant enters an elephant's ear
Adhuvae thuyarin utchcham
That becomes the peak of suffering
Madiyil kanamae illai endraal
If there is no heavy weight in your lap
Vazhvil yedhu atchcham…
What is there to fear in life?
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Life will make you run
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
It will make you dance without limits
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
After running a long distance
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
After the heart wilts down
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
Dhooram kadandhu
Only after crossing the distance
Vandhaal thaanae
And making the journey
Oorai sera mudiyum
Can one reach the destination
Uyaram thaandi vandhaal thaanae
Only after overcoming the heights
Thuyaram thaanda mudiyum. ….
Can one overcome sorrow
Vazhakai unnai odavidum
Life will make you run
Varaimurai indri aadavidum
It will make you dance without limits
Neenda dhooram odiya pinnae
After running a long distance
Nenju koodu vaadiyapinnae
After the heart wilts down
Thappaana dhisai endru thagaval tharum
It informs you that it was the wrong direction
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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