Vaazhum Samuthayame
From Kalyana Kalam · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Kalyana Kalam1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam | Oh living society, marriage... |
| Naalum sumaiyaanathae | ...has become a daily burden. |
| Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam | Oh living society, marriage... |
| Naalum sumaiyaanathae | ...has become a daily burden. |
| Male | |
| Appan itta veli adhu oththu varaathu | The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us, |
| Thappu endra pothum adhai vittu varaathu | Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it. |
| Irulae udaiyaanathu | Darkness has become the default attire. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam | Oh living society, marriage... |
| Naalum sumaiyaanathae | ...has become a daily burden. |
| Male | |
| Manamagalo uruvaagiraal | A bride takes shape, |
| Maappillaiyai mudhaliravilthaan paarkkiraal | Yet she sees the groom only on the nuptial night. |
| Manamagalo uruvaagiraal | A bride takes shape, |
| Maappillaiyai mudhaliravilthaan paarkkiraal | Yet she sees the groom only on the nuptial night. |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana kosham santhosha vesham | Wedding chants are merely a facade of happiness, |
| Kanneeril vaasam poomaalai veesum | Residing in tears while throwing flower garlands. |
| Irunthum dhesam panjaangam pesum | Yet, this country still preaches traditional almanacs. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam | Oh living society, marriage... |
| Naalum sumaiyaanathae | ...has become a daily burden. |
| Male | |
| Appan itta veli adhu oththu varaathu | The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us, |
| Thappu endra pothum adhai vittu varaathu | Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it. |
| Irulae udaiyaanathu | Darkness has become the default attire. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam | Oh living society, marriage... |
| Naalum sumaiyaanathae | ...has become a daily burden. |
| Male | |
| Ramarukku tholillaiyo | Does Lord Rama no longer have strong shoulders? |
| Varathatchanai vil murikka aalillaiyo | Is there no one to break the bow of dowry? |
| Ramarukku tholillaiyo | Does Lord Rama no longer have strong shoulders? |
| Varathatchanai vil murikka aalillaiyo | Is there no one to break the bow of dowry? |
| Male | |
| Aalaanathingae thappaagi pochchu | Coming of age here has turned out to be a mistake, |
| Seedhaikkellaam koondhal naraiyaachchu | The hair of all modern Seethas has turned grey waiting. |
| Veenai kooda viralaagi pochu | Even the Veena has turned into mere fingers. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam | Oh living society, marriage... |
| Naalum sumaiyaanathae | ...has become a daily burden. |
| Male | |
| Thanthai thantha simmaasanam | The throne given by my father, |
| Nondugira raasigalae en vaaganam | Lame horses are my vehicles. |
| Thanthai thantha simmaasanam | The throne given by my father, |
| Nondugira raasigalae en vaaganam | Lame horses are my vehicles. |
| Male | |
| Vizhi moodi kondae vilaiyaada vanthaen | I came to play with my eyes closed, |
| Unmaikku naanae thirai pottu kondaen | I myself put a curtain over the truth. |
| Udhadum manasum pagaiyaaga kandaen | I saw my lips and mind become enemies to each other. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam | Oh living society, marriage... |
| Naalum sumaiyaanathae | ...has become a daily burden. |
| Male | |
| Appan itta veli adhu oththu varaathu | The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us, |
| Thappu endra pothum adhai vittu varaathu | Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it. |
| Irulae udaiyaanathu | Darkness has become the default attire. |
வாழும் சமுதாயமே கல்யாணம்
நாளும் சுமையானதே
வாழும் சமுதாயமே கல்யாணம்
நாளும் சுமையானதே
Oh living society, marriage...
...has become a daily burden.
Oh living society, marriage...
...has become a daily burden.
அப்பன் இட்ட வேலி அது ஒத்து வராது
தப்பு என்ற போதும் அதை விட்டு வராது
இருளே உடையானது.......
The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us,
Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it.
Darkness has become the default attire.
வாழும் சமுதாயமே கல்யாணம்
நாளும் சுமையானதே
Oh living society, marriage...
...has become a daily burden.
மணமகளோ உருவாகிறாள்
மாப்பிள்ளையை முதலிரவில்தான் பார்க்கிறாள்
மணமகளோ உருவாகிறாள்
மாப்பிள்ளையை முதலிரவில்தான் பார்க்கிறாள்
A bride takes shape,
Yet she sees the groom only on the nuptial night.
A bride takes shape,
Yet she sees the groom only on the nuptial night.
கல்யாண கோஷம் சந்தோஷ வேஷம்
கண்ணீரில் வாசம் பூமாலை வீசும்
இருந்தும் தேசம் பஞ்சாங்கம் பேசும்.....
Wedding chants are merely a facade of happiness,
Residing in tears while throwing flower garlands.
Yet, this country still preaches traditional almanacs.
வாழும் சமுதாயமே கல்யாணம்
நாளும் சுமையானதே
Oh living society, marriage...
...has become a daily burden.
அப்பன் இட்ட வேலி அது ஒத்து வராது
தப்பு என்ற போதும் அதை விட்டு வராது
இருளே உடையானது.......
The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us,
Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it.
Darkness has become the default attire.
வாழும் சமுதாயமே கல்யாணம்
நாளும் சுமையானதே
Oh living society, marriage...
...has become a daily burden.
ராமருக்கு தோளில்லையோ
வரதட்சணை வில் முறிக்க ஆளில்லையோ
ராமருக்கு தோளில்லையோ
வரதட்சணை வில் முறிக்க ஆளில்லையோ
Does Lord Rama no longer have strong shoulders?
Is there no one to break the bow of dowry?
Does Lord Rama no longer have strong shoulders?
Is there no one to break the bow of dowry?
ஆளானதிங்கே தப்பாகி போச்சு
சீதைகளுக்கெல்லாம் கூந்தல் நரைச்சாச்சு
வீணை கூட விறகாகி போச்சு.....
Coming of age here has turned out to be a mistake,
The hair of all modern Seethas has turned grey waiting.
Even the Veena has turned into mere fingers.
வாழும் சமுதாயமே கல்யாணம்
நாளும் சுமையானதே
Oh living society, marriage...
...has become a daily burden.
தந்தை தந்த சிம்மாசனம்
நொண்டுகின்ற ராசிகளே என் வாகனம்
தந்தை தந்த சிம்மாசனம்
நொண்டுகின்ற ராசிகளே என் வாகனம்
The throne given by my father,
Lame horses are my vehicles.
The throne given by my father,
Lame horses are my vehicles.
விழி மூடிக் கொண்டே விளையாட வந்தேன்
உண்மைக்கு நானே திரைப் போட்டுக் கொண்டேன்
உதடும் மனசும் பகையாகக் கண்டேன்.....
I came to play with my eyes closed,
I myself put a curtain over the truth.
I saw my lips and mind become enemies to each other.
வாழும் சமுதாயமே கல்யாணம்
நாளும் சுமையானதே
Oh living society, marriage...
...has become a daily burden.
அப்பன் இட்ட வேலி அது ஒத்து வராது
தப்பு என்ற போதும் அதை விட்டு வராது
இருளே உடையானது.......
The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us,
Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it.
Darkness has become the default attire.
Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam
Oh living society, marriage...
Naalum sumaiyaanathae
...has become a daily burden.
Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam
Oh living society, marriage...
Naalum sumaiyaanathae
...has become a daily burden.
Appan itta veli adhu oththu varaathu
The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us,
Thappu endra pothum adhai vittu varaathu
Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it.
Irulae udaiyaanathu
Darkness has become the default attire.
Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam
Oh living society, marriage...
Naalum sumaiyaanathae
...has become a daily burden.
Manamagalo uruvaagiraal
A bride takes shape,
Maappillaiyai mudhaliravilthaan paarkkiraal
Yet she sees the groom only on the nuptial night.
Manamagalo uruvaagiraal
A bride takes shape,
Maappillaiyai mudhaliravilthaan paarkkiraal
Yet she sees the groom only on the nuptial night.
Kalyaana kosham santhosha vesham
Wedding chants are merely a facade of happiness,
Kanneeril vaasam poomaalai veesum
Residing in tears while throwing flower garlands.
Irunthum dhesam panjaangam pesum
Yet, this country still preaches traditional almanacs.
Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam
Oh living society, marriage...
Naalum sumaiyaanathae
...has become a daily burden.
Appan itta veli adhu oththu varaathu
The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us,
Thappu endra pothum adhai vittu varaathu
Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it.
Irulae udaiyaanathu
Darkness has become the default attire.
Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam
Oh living society, marriage...
Naalum sumaiyaanathae
...has become a daily burden.
Ramarukku tholillaiyo
Does Lord Rama no longer have strong shoulders?
Varathatchanai vil murikka aalillaiyo
Is there no one to break the bow of dowry?
Ramarukku tholillaiyo
Does Lord Rama no longer have strong shoulders?
Varathatchanai vil murikka aalillaiyo
Is there no one to break the bow of dowry?
Aalaanathingae thappaagi pochchu
Coming of age here has turned out to be a mistake,
Seedhaikkellaam koondhal naraiyaachchu
The hair of all modern Seethas has turned grey waiting.
Veenai kooda viralaagi pochu
Even the Veena has turned into mere fingers.
Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam
Oh living society, marriage...
Naalum sumaiyaanathae
...has become a daily burden.
Thanthai thantha simmaasanam
The throne given by my father,
Nondugira raasigalae en vaaganam
Lame horses are my vehicles.
Thanthai thantha simmaasanam
The throne given by my father,
Nondugira raasigalae en vaaganam
Lame horses are my vehicles.
Vizhi moodi kondae vilaiyaada vanthaen
I came to play with my eyes closed,
Unmaikku naanae thirai pottu kondaen
I myself put a curtain over the truth.
Udhadum manasum pagaiyaaga kandaen
I saw my lips and mind become enemies to each other.
Vaazhum samuthaayamae kalyaanam
Oh living society, marriage...
Naalum sumaiyaanathae
...has become a daily burden.
Appan itta veli adhu oththu varaathu
The boundary fence laid by fathers does not suit us,
Thappu endra pothum adhai vittu varaathu
Even when known to be wrong, one cannot break free from it.
Irulae udaiyaanathu
Darkness has become the default attire.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a sharp critique of societal norms surrounding marriage, patriarchy, and the dowry system in contemporary India. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses poignant allegories to depict how traditional practices, rigid customs, and forced matches burden young men and women. Instead of being a joyous celebration, marriage becomes an oppressive ritual where truth is masked, brides age waiting for dowry-free proposals, and individuals are forced into hypocrisy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Varathatchanai vil murikka aalillaiyo”
Comparing the social evil of dowry to the formidable bow of Lord Shiva ('Varathatchanai vil'), suggesting it requires monumental heroic effort to destroy.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Kalyaana kosham santhosha vesham / Kanneeril vaasam poomaalai veesum”
The rhyming end sounds in 'kosham', 'vesham', 'vaasam', and 'pesum' create a rhythmic contrast highlighting fake happiness vs grim reality.
Personification
“Udhadum manasum pagaiyaaga kandaen”
Depicting the lips and the mind as two opposing enemies, symbolizing internal conflict and forced dishonesty due to societal pressure.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh and rendered passionately by S. P. Balasubramanyam, 'Vaazhum samuthaayamae' stands out as one of Vairamuthu's early socially conscious philosophical songs from the 1982 film Kalyana Kalam.
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