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Paadum Vaanampadi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhum Varai

From Paadum Vaanampadi · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Latha Kannan
Music directors
Bappi Lahiri, Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Paadum Vaanampadi
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
27 Nov 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaazhum varai poraadu
Vazhi undu endrae paadu
Aah….vaazhum varai poraadu
Vazhi undu endrae paadu
Indru road-tilae naalai veettilae
Mazhai endrum nam kaattilae
Maadi vettu jannalumkooda
Sattaiya pottirukku
Saerikulla chinna pulla
Ammanamaa irukku
Ada maadi vettu jannalumkooda
Sattaiya pottirukku
Saerikulla chinna pulla
Ammanamaa irukku
Oru kaalam uruvaagum
Nilai maarum unmaiyae….
Female :Oru kaalam
Male :Uruvaagum
Both :Nilai maarum unmaiyae….
Yaezhaigal paadum padalai kettu
Ennathu parikaasam
Veedhiyil paadum paadal naalai
Oorilae vilai pesum
Ada yaezhaigal paadum padalai kettu
Ennathu parikaasam
Veedhiyil paadum paadal naalai
Oorilae vilai pesum
Ennaalum en geetham
Mann aalum unmaiyae
Female :Ennaalum
Male :En geetham
Both :Mann aalum unmaiyae
Vaazhum varai poraadu
Vazhi undu endrae paadu
Aah….vaazhum varai poraadu
Vazhi undu endrae paadu
Fight as long as you live,
Sing that there is always a way!
Ah... fight as long as you live,
Sing that there is always a way!
Today on the street, tomorrow in our own home,
Fortune will always shower upon us!
Even the windows of a rich mansion
are covered in clothes,
Yet a little child in the slums
is left without any clothes.
Look, even the windows of a rich mansion
are covered in clothes,
Yet a little child in the slums
is left without any clothes.
A new era will rise,
And our fortunes will change, it is true...
Female: A new era
Male: will rise,
Both: And our fortunes will change, it is true...
Hearing the song sung by the poor,
why do you make fun of it?
The song sung on the streets today
will command great worth in this town tomorrow!
Look, hearing the song sung by the poor,
why do you make fun of it?
The song sung on the streets today
will command great worth in this town tomorrow!
Forever, my song
will rule this world, it is the truth!
Female: Forever,
Male: my song
Both: will rule this world, it is the truth!
Fight as long as you live,
Sing that there is always a way!
Ah... fight as long as you live,
Sing that there is always a way!
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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