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Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhnthal Ungalai

From Sontham (1973) · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sontham (1973)1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaazhnthaal ungalai pol vaazha vendumIf one lives, one should live like you.
Vayasaana kaalaththilum nesam vendumLove and affection should endure even in old age.
Konjuthu konjuthu kadhalum kangalilaeLove caresses fondly in your eyes.
Innum kottuthu kottuthu melamum nenjinilaeThe wedding drums still beat rhythmically in the heart.
Female
Vaazhnthaal ungalai pol vaazha vendumIf one lives, one should live like you.
Vayasaana kaalaththilum nesam vendumLove and affection should endure even in old age.
Konjuthu konjuthu kadhalum kangalilaeLove caresses fondly in your eyes.
Innum kottuthu kottuthu melamum nenjinilaeThe wedding drums still beat rhythmically in the heart.
Female
Azhagazhagaa thilagam adhu appa thantha idhayamA beautiful tilak on the forehead, and that heart gifted by father...
Anbu malaril vaasam ponguthaeFragrance overflows in the flower of affection.
Azhagazhagaa thilagam adhu appa thantha idhayamA beautiful tilak on the forehead, and that heart gifted by father...
Anbu malaril vaasam ponguthaeFragrance overflows in the flower of affection.
Veettu kadhaigal pesi thaai vizhi irandum sivanthuSpeaking of family memories, mother's eyes turn red with affection...
Kamalam pol katchiyalikkuthaeLooking like a lotus flower blossoming.
Female
Thaai konda mangalam poo vanna kungumamThe auspicious lotus-colored kumkum worn by mother...
Naan kolla vendiyae deviyai venduvaenI pray to the Goddess that I too may attain such bliss.
Thulluthu thulluthu punnagai kannangalaeCheeks bounce with joyous smiles.
Ullam ennuthu ennuthu aayiram ennangalaeThe heart contemplates thousands of thoughts.
Female
Vaazhnthaal ungalai pol vaazha vendumIf one lives, one should live like you.
Vayasaana kaalaththilum nesam vendumLove and affection should endure even in old age.
Konjuthu konjuthu kadhalum kangalilaeLove caresses fondly in your eyes.
Innum kottuthu kottuthu melamum nenjinilaeThe wedding drums still beat rhythmically in the heart.
Female
Seval kumaran manathu than deivayaanai kanduSeeing his Deivayanai, young Murugan's heart...
Sinthu paadum inbam ennavoWhat joy it feels as it sings a melodious song!
Kadhal naduvil vanthu intha kumari seiyyum kurumbumComing in the middle of love, this young girl's playful mischief...
Poojai neram karadiyaanathoHas it become like an unwanted distraction during a sacred prayer?
Female
Naan ennum ennangal naalaiya mappillaiThe wish I nurture is that my future bridegroom...
Peranbu thanthaiyin saayalil vendumaeShould carry the qualities and likeness of my loving father.
Nallaram enbathu valluvan sonnathuthaanVirtuous living is what Saint Valluvar spoke of.
Illaram enbathu ippadi ullathuthaanA true domestic life is indeed meant to be like this!
Female
Vaazhnthaal ungalai pol vaazha vendumIf one lives, one should live like you.
Vayasaana kaalaththilum nesam vendumLove and affection should endure even in old age.
Konjuthu konjuthu kadhalum kangalilaeLove caresses fondly in your eyes.
Innum kottuthu kottuthu melamum nenjinilaeThe wedding drums still beat rhythmically in the heart.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This beautiful composition celebrates the lifelong love, harmony, and enduring affection between an ideal married couple. The speaker admires her parents' bond, noting that even in their old age, their eyes radiate deep love and their hearts echo with the excitement of their wedding day. She prays to lead a similar virtuous family life ('illaram') in the future with a partner who possesses the loving qualities of her father, referencing Thiruvalluvar's traditional ideals of domestic virtue.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Konjuthu konjuthu kadhalum kangalilae

Words like 'Konjuthu konjuthu' (fondling/caressing) and 'kottuthu kottuthu' (beating drums) are repeated to heighten rhythmic effect and express intense emotion.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kamalam pol katchiyalikkuthae

The mother's gentle emotional gaze is compared to a blossoming lotus flower ('Kamalam pol').

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nallaram enbathu valluvan sonnathuthaan / Illaram enbathu ippadi ullathuthaan

The second letters 'l' in 'Nallaram' and 'Illaram' rhyme, creating a harmonious sound while connecting the ideas of righteousness and family life.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anbu malaril vaasam ponguthae

'Anbu malar' metaphorically equates love to a sweet, fragrance-overflowing flower.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this classic track rendered by S. Janaki highlights traditional Tamil family values and directly references Saint Thiruvalluvar's 'Thirukkural' chapter on 'Illaram' (Virtuous Household Life).

Keep listening

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