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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhum Uyirinai Vangi

From Annai Abirami · 1972

Lyricist
Avvaiyaar
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
Details
Annai Abirami1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaazhum uyirinai vaangi vidalTaking away a living soul's life
Intha mannil evarkkum elithaagumIs an easy task for anyone on this earth.
Veezhum uyirai ezhupputhaloHowever, resurrecting a fallen life
Oru venthan ninaikkinum aagaathaiyyaa…Is impossible even if a great king desires it, Oh Lord.
Female
Kollaa viratham kondavarae nallorThose who observe the vow of non-killing are truly righteous people;
Mattru allaathaar yaaro ariyaen paraaparamae….Who the others are, I do not know, Oh Supreme Divine.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil philosophical verse emphasizes the sanctity of life and the core ethic of non-violence (Ahimsa). It highlights that ending a life is effortless for anyone on Earth, yet bringing a dead person back to life is impossible even for the most powerful ruler. Consequently, the poet asserts that only those who strictly observe the vow of non-killing are truly virtuous individuals, leaving the moral standing of all others in doubt before the Supreme Being.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Ethircholl)

Vaazhum uyirinai vaangi vidal / Veezhum uyirai ezhupputhalo

Contrasts 'Vaazhum uyir' (a living life) with 'Veezhum uyir' (a dying/fallen life) to illustrate the contrast between taking and giving life.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Vaazhum uyirinai vaangi vidal / Veezhum uyirai ezhupputhalo

The second letter sound ('zhum' - ழ்) rhymes in the opening words 'Vaazhum' and 'Veezhum'.

Apostrophe / Divine Invocation (Paraaparamae)

Mattru allaathaar yaaro ariyaen paraaparamae….

Directly addressing 'Paraaparam' (the Supreme Divinity) at the end of the stanza to anchor the moral claim in divine truth.

Did you know?

Trivia

This philosophical verse attributed to Avvaiyaar strongly echoes the Ahimsa teachings found in Thirukkural ('Kollaamai'). In the 1972 film Annai Abirami, it was set to music by violin maestro Kunnakudi Vaidhiyanathan and sung with deep devotion by P. Susheela.

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