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Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhum Varai

From Paadum Vaanampadi · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Latha Kannan
Music directors
Bappi Lahiri, Shankar Ganesh
Details
Paadum Vaanampadi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaazhum varai poraaduFight as long as you live
Vazhi undu endrae paaduSing that there is always a way
Aah….vaazhum varai poraaduAh... fight as long as you live
Vazhi undu endrae paaduSing that there is always a way
Indru road-tilae naalai veettilaeToday on the street, tomorrow in a home
Mazhai endrum nam kaattilaeProsperity will always rain in our forest
Female
Maadi vettu jannalumkoodaEven the window of a multi-story house
Sattaiya pottirukkuIs wearing a shirt
Saerikulla chinna pullaWhile a little child in the slum
Ammanamaa irukkuIs left naked
Male
Ada maadi vettu jannalumkoodaHey, even the window of a multi-story house
Sattaiya pottirukkuIs wearing a shirt
Saerikulla chinna pullaWhile a little child in the slum
Ammanamaa irukkuIs left naked
Male
Oru kaalam uruvaagumAn era will dawn
Nilai maarum unmaiyae….The situation will change, it is the truth...
Female :Oru kaalamFemale: An era
Male :UruvaagumMale: Will dawn
Both :Nilai maarum unmaiyae….Both: The situation will change, it is the truth...
Male
Yaezhaigal paadum padalai kettuHearing the song sung by the poor
Ennathu parikaasamWhy this mockery?
Veedhiyil paadum paadal naalaiThe song sung on the street today
Oorilae vilai pesumWill command a high price in town tomorrow
Female
Ada yaezhaigal paadum padalai kettuHey, hearing the song sung by the poor
Ennathu parikaasamWhy this mockery?
Veedhiyil paadum paadal naalaiThe song sung on the street today
Oorilae vilai pesumWill command a high price in town tomorrow
Male
Ennaalum en geethamForever my song
Mann aalum unmaiyaeWill rule the earth, it is the truth
Female :EnnaalumFemale: Forever
Male :En geethamMale: My song
Both :Mann aalum unmaiyaeBoth: Will rule the earth, it is the truth
Male
Vaazhum varai poraaduFight as long as you live
Vazhi undu endrae paaduSing that there is always a way
Aah….vaazhum varai poraaduAh... fight as long as you live
Vazhi undu endrae paaduSing that there is always a way

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaazhum Varai Poraadu from the movie Paadum Vaanampadi (1985) is an energetic and socially conscious anthem centered around hope, perseverance, and social justice. Written by Vairamuthu, the lyric contrasts the extreme wealth inequality in society—pointing out how affluent homes decorate even their windows with drapes while impoverished children in slums go unclothed. Despite these bleak circumstances, the song conveys an unshakeable message of optimism, encouraging the marginalized to keep fighting and singing because better days are bound to come. The song highlights the transformative power of art and perseverance. It asserts that the music born out of street struggles, which the upper classes currently mock, will one day gain widespread recognition and rule the hearts of people everywhere. It serves as a powerful call to resilience, reminding listeners that hardship is temporary and determined effort will eventually alter reality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Vaazhum varai poraadu / Vazhi undu endrae paadu

Repetition of the initial letter 'Va' in 'Vaazhum' and 'Vazhi' creates a rhythmic cadence in the chorus.

Irony / Contrast (Ethir-inai)

Maadi vettu jannalumkooda sattaiya pottirukku / Saerikulla chinna pulla ammanamaa irukku

Striking social contrast comparing curtains on rich house windows to naked slum children to highlight economic disparity.

Personification

Maadi vettu jannalumkooda sattaiya pottirukku

The window of a multi-story house is personified as 'wearing a shirt' (referring to window curtains).

Idiomatic Metaphor

Mazhai endrum nam kaattilae

The phrase 'Mazhai endrum nam kaattilae' utilizes the Tamil idiom 'kaattil mazhai', symbolizing sudden prosperity and abundance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Paadum Vaanampadi (1985) is the official Tamil remake of the 1982 Hindi blockbuster Disco Dancer. The soundtrack was composed by Bappi Lahiri, marking one of his prominent original/adapted projects in Tamil cinema, starring actor Anand Babu.

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