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Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhvethu Nal Vaazhvethu

From Bhagyavathi · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
S. Dakshinamurthi
Details
Bhagyavathi1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethuWhat life is this, what good life is this?
Kandathae kaatchiyenumFor those who think whatever they see is the ultimate vision,
Kondathae kolamenumAnd whatever stance they adopt is the ultimate truth,
Kannmoodi pazhakkamullorThose who are accustomed to living blindly with eyes shut,
Kangalukku munnalaeIn front of the eyes of such people,
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethuWhat life is this, what good life is this?
Male
Ennamum eedaeriUntil noble thoughts are fulfilled,
Yaettrirukkum pazhi maariAnd the blame falsely placed upon her is cleared,
Annai manam magizhum varaiUntil a mother's heart rejoices,
Kann kalakkamallaaathuOther than endless tears and distress in the eyes,
Male
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethuWhat life is this, what good life is this?
Male
Unmaiyin uyarvunarnthuUnderstanding the greatness of truth,
Ulagam…aa….aa….aa….aah….aa…The world... aa... aa... aa... aah... aa...
Male
Unmaiyin uyarvunarnthuUnderstanding the greatness of truth,
Ulagam thirunthum varaiUntil the world reforms itself,
Kanneerum kavalaiyumaeTears and worries alone,
Kaanum payanallaathuAre the only fruit to be gained, nothing else,
Male
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethuWhat life is this, what good life is this?
Male
Onda nizhal sonthamillaiThere is no shelter to call one's own,
Uttravargal yaarumillaiThere are no kith and kin to lean on,
Onda nizhal sonthamillaiThere is no shelter to call one's own,
Uttravargal yaarumillaiThere are no kith and kin to lean on,
Mainthan vaazhvai enniThinking about her son's future life,
Manam kalangum penmanikkuFor the woman whose heart aches in distress,
Male
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethuWhat life is this, what good life is this?
Male
Vaazhvodu poraadiStruggling against life,
Naalthorum manam vaadiWithering in heart day after day,
Vaazhvodu poraadiStruggling against life,
Naalthorum manam vaadiWithering in heart day after day,
Oyaatha uzhaippaalae odaavathallaathuOther than turning into a broken shell due to unceasing hard work,
Male
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu….What life is this, what good life is this?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu' is a deeply emotional lamentation expressing sorrow over a life dominated by hardship, social injustice, and suffering. It highlights the plight of a devoted mother who endures false accusations, lack of family support, and homelessness while worrying endlessly about her son's future. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi criticizes a blind society that fails to see the truth, lamenting that until righteousness prevails and truth is recognized, life remains an unending struggle of tears and weariness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain (Pallavi repetition)

Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu

The line 'Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu' repeats throughout the song to constantly echo existential despair and questioning.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kandathae kaatchiyenum / Kondathae kolamenum

The second consonant 'nd' matches across successive lines ('Kandathae' / 'Kondathae'), creating a melodic and poetic rhythm in Tamil.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

Oyaatha uzhaippaalae odaavathallaathu

The term 'odai' compares a human life exhausted by relentless labor to a broken, useless shell.

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Trivia

Bhagyavathi (1957) featured iconic actors Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. Singer C. S. Jayaraman was renowned in Tamil cinema for his distinctively sharp, high-pitched, and emotionally resonant vocal delivery, which was frequently utilized for highly dramatic and philosophical solos composed by S. Dakshinamurthi.

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