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Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhvethu Nal Vaazhvethu

From Bhagyavathi · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
S. Dakshinamurthi
Movie name
Bhagyavathi
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
24 Apr 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu
Kandathae kaatchiyenum
Kondathae kolamenum
Kannmoodi pazhakkamullor
Kangalukku munnalae
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu
Ennamum eedaeri
Yaettrirukkum pazhi maari
Annai manam magizhum varai
Kann kalakkamallaaathu
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu
Unmaiyin uyarvunarnthu
Ulagam…aa….aa….aa….aah….aa…
Unmaiyin uyarvunarnthu
Ulagam thirunthum varai
Kanneerum kavalaiyumae
Kaanum payanallaathu
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu
Onda nizhal sonthamillai
Uttravargal yaarumillai
Onda nizhal sonthamillai
Uttravargal yaarumillai
Mainthan vaazhvai enni
Manam kalangum penmanikku
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu
Vaazhvodu poraadi
Naalthorum manam vaadi
Vaazhvodu poraadi
Naalthorum manam vaadi
Oyaatha uzhaippaalae odaavathallaathu
Vaazhvaethu nal vaazhvaethu….
What life is there? What good life can there be?
For those who think whatever they see is the only truth,
who believe whatever guise they wear is right,
for those who live by blind habits—
before their very eyes,
what life is there? What good life can there be?
Until our hopes are fulfilled,
until the blame cast upon us is cleared,
and until our mother's heart is filled with joy,
other than tearful eyes and anguish,
what life is there? What good life can there be?
Until the greatness of truth is understood,
and this world... ah... ah... ah... ah...
until the greatness of truth is understood,
and the world mends its ways,
other than tears and sorrow
as the only reward gained,
what life is there? What good life can there be?
With not even a shelter to call one's own,
with no loved ones or kin nearby,
with not even a shelter to call one's own,
with no loved ones or kin nearby,
worrying over her son's future,
for the woman whose heart is broken with grief,
what life is there? What good life can there be?
Struggling against life,
with a heart withering day after day,
struggling against life,
with a heart withering day after day,
other than being worn to pieces by endless toil,
what life is there? What good life can there be?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Did you know?

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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