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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vadai Vadai Ulundhu

From Jeevanadhi · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Jeevanadhi1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Sirisunnu paakkaathinga idhu seeragam kalantha vadaiDon't look at it as small, this is a vada mixed with cumin seeds
Sirisunnu paakkaathinga idhu seeragam kalantha vadaiDon't look at it as small, this is a vada mixed with cumin seeds
Nalla jeeranam aakkum vadaiA vada that promotes good digestion
Female
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Female
Soodae aaraama suvaiyaeWithout the warmth cooling down, and without the taste
Maaraama moodiyae vachcha vaddaiChanging, a vada kept covered
Idhu murugalaa sutta vadaiThis is a crispy fried vada
Soodae aaraama suvaiyaeWithout the warmth cooling down, and without the taste
Maaraama moodiyae vachcha vaddaiChanging, a vada kept covered
Idhu murugalaa sutta vadaiThis is a crispy fried vada
Otta alavaa potta vadaiA vada fried with a perfectly sized hole
Female
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Female
Paaththaa poraathu pasiyum theeraathuJust looking won't be enough, nor will your hunger be satisfied
Vaada pudikakaathingaDon't stand around catching the aroma
Adhukkum vaadagai ketpenunga haangI will ask rent even for that, hey!
Paaththaa poraathu pasiyum theeraathuJust looking won't be enough, nor will your hunger be satisfied
Vaada pudikakaathingaDon't stand around catching the aroma
Adhukkum vaadagai ketpenungaI will ask rent even for that
Female
: Pallae illaatha kezhavanga koodaEven old folk without any teeth
Padhamaa kadikkum vadaiCan softly bite into this vada
Milagaa pazhamaa niraincha vadaiA vada filled with ripe red chillies
Female
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Female
Elavam panjukkum medhuvai koduththathuIt gave softness even to silk cotton
Engooru ulunthu vadaiOur town's urad dal vada
Pasum neiyyaaga manakkum vadaiA vada that smells rich like cow's ghee
Kudichhcittu thallaadum manushana koodaEven a man stumbling around after drinking
Kambaaga nimiththum vadaiThis vada straightens him up like a pole
Pudhu thembaaga maaththum vadaiA vada that transforms into fresh vigor
Female
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Female
Kaase illaama aasaiyai vachchukittuHarboring desire without having any money
Thottukittu podaathingaDon't keep touching it and moving away
Kai pattuchchunnaa aagaathunga haang…If your hand touches it, it won't be accepted, hey!
Kaase illaama aasaiyai vachchukittuHarboring desire without having any money
Thottukittu podaathingaDon't keep touching it and moving away
Kai pattuchchunnaa aagaathunga haang…If your hand touches it, it won't be accepted, hey!
Female
Idhu carla rail-u la kadarkarai manalulaIn cars, trains, and on the beach sands
Malivaa kedaikkum vadaiA vada that is cheaply available
Ellaa manasaiyum mayangum vadaiA vada that entrances everyone's heart
Female
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Female
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadaiA vada with a very low price
Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadaiVada, vada, ah... urad dal vada
Velai rompa koranja vadai…..hoi….A vada with a very low price... hey!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful street-vendor song from 'Jeevanadhi' features a street hawker selling crispy urad dal vadas. The singer humorously pitches the qualities of her freshly made snacks, boasting about their low price, digestive benefits due to cumin, and softness that allows toothless elders to eat them easily. She teasingly warns onlookers not to smell the tempting aroma for free, threatening to charge rent for the scent. Through hyperbole, she claims her vadas lend softness to silk cotton and instantly sober up drunkards with a boost of fresh energy. The lyrics highlight the ubiquitous presence of vadas across trains, cars, and beach sands, serving as an irresistible, affordable delicacy loved by everyone.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Pun (Sledai)

Vaada pudikakaathinga / Adhukkum vaadagai ketpenunga

Clever phonetic play connecting 'Vaada' (aroma/scent) with 'Vaadagai' (rent).

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Elavam panjukkum medhuvai koduththathu Engooru ulunthu vadai

Exaggerating the softness of the vada by stating it lent its softness to silk cotton.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Kudichhcittu thallaadum manushana kooda Kambaaga nimiththum vadai

Humorously exaggerating that eating the vada will instantly sober up a drunk person and make them stand straight like a stick.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Vadai vadai aa…..ulunthu vadai / Velai rompa koranja vadai

Repetition of the initial 'Va' sound across words in the opening refrains.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Legendary maestro M. S. Viswanathan, this quirky promotional hawker song highlights S. P. Sailaja's versatile vocal range in performing upbeat, comedic Tamil folk numbers.

Keep listening

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