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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhkaiye Vattamaai

From The Lion King · 2019

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singers
Shakthi Shree, Lebo M
Music director
Hans Zimmer
Details
The Lion King2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
………………………....
Male
Indha boomi pandhilOn this spherical Earth,
Naam pirandhomWe were born,
Kann koosa avvinnai kandomWe saw the eye-dazzling sky,
Male
Annaal mudhalFrom that day,
Indha nodi varaiUntil this very moment,
Viyappil ulagai paarkkirom…We look at the world in wonder...
Male
Kanda kaatchigalThe sights we have seen,
Alai endraeAre merely like waves,
Kaanaa inbangal kadalUnseen joys are an entire ocean,
Velli vaanveliyumThe silver outer space,
Andha sooriyanumAnd that sun,
Solgindrana ellaam ondrae….All declare that everything is one....
Male
Vaazhkkaiyae vattamaaiLife is a circle,
Adhan meedhu naamUpon which we,
Oru naal veezhvomShall fall one day,
Oru naal meelvomShall rise one day,
Nambikkai kolvomLet us hold onto faith,
Ondraaga naam selvomTogether we shall go,
Indha vaazhkkai…This life...
Vaazhkkaiyae vattamaaiLife is a circle,
Male
Vaazhkkaiyae vattamaaiLife is a circle,
Adhan meedhu naamUpon which we,
Oru naal veezhvomShall fall one day,
Oru naal meelvomShall rise one day,
Nambikkai kolvomLet us hold onto faith,
Ondraaga naam selvomTogether we shall go,
Indha vaazhkkai…This life...
Vaazhkkaiyae vattamaaiLife is a circle

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is the Tamil adaptation of the iconic 'Circle of Life' from Disney's The Lion King. It reflects on the marvel of existence, starting from birth and the awe of taking in the vast cosmos. It conveys that human experiences and unseen joys are as endless as the ocean, all tied together in unity under the sun and outer space. Ultimately, the lyrics convey the philosophical essence of life's endless cycle. Life brings both downfalls and rises, but with unity and faith, all living creatures walk this path together within the grand circle of existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaazhkkaiyae vattamaai

Life is explicitly equated to a circle ('vattamaai') to represent its cyclical and continuous nature.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaanaa inbangal kadal

Unseen happiness is visually metaphorized as a vast ocean ('kadal'), emphasizing its infinite possibilities.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Oru naal veezhvom / Oru naal meelvom

Juxtaposition of opposites—falling ('veezhvom') and rising/recovering ('meelvom')—to depict the highs and lows of life.

Repetition (Anaphora)

Vaazhkkaiyae vattamaai

Repetition of the refrain 'Vaazhkkaiyae vattamaai' reinforces the central theme of the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is the official Tamil rendition of Elton John and Tim Rice's classic 'Circle of Life', adapted by lyricist Madhan Karky for the 2019 live-action/CGI remake of The Lion King.

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