Vaigaikarayinil Oru
From Natchathiram · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Natchathiram1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai | A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river |
| Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai | It seeks its connection in the wide sky |
| Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai | A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river |
| Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai | It seeks its connection in the wide sky |
| Thaniyae kaanudhu pagal iravai | All alone, it witnesses day and night |
| Thaniyae kaanudhu pagal iravai | All alone, it witnesses day and night |
| Adhu thanakkul vaithadhu dhaan kanavai | It keeps its dreams quietly within itself |
| Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai | A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river |
| Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai | It seeks its connection in the wide sky |
| Female | |
| Kaavallilaamal irukindradhu | It exists without any guard or protection |
| Adhu kavalaiyilaamal parakkindradhu | It flies effortlessly without any worry |
| Kaavallilaamal irukindradhu | It exists without any guard or protection |
| Adhu kavalaiyilaamal parakkindradhu | It flies effortlessly without any worry |
| Bodhaiyilae adhu vizhundhadhillai | It has never fallen into worldly intoxication |
| Bodhaiyilae adhu vizhundhadhillai | It has never fallen into worldly intoxication |
| Than poojaiyai eppodhum marandhadhillai | It has never forgotten its inner devotion |
| Female | |
| Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai | A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river |
| Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai | It seeks its connection in the wide sky |
| Thaniyae kaanudhu pagal iravai | All alone, it witnesses day and night |
| Adhu thanakkul vaithadhu dhaan kanavai | It keeps its dreams quietly within itself |
| Female | |
| Pennukku vaeligal naangu undu | A woman has four traditional boundaries surrounding her |
| Oru paechu vandhaalum theengu undu | Even a single rumor or harsh word brings her harm |
| Pennukku vaeligal naangu undu | A woman has four traditional boundaries surrounding her |
| Oru paechu vandhaalum theengu undu | Even a single rumor or harsh word brings her harm |
| Kannukku virundhena iruppadhundu | She may exist as a delight to others' eyes |
| Kannukku virundhena iruppadhundu | She may exist as a delight to others' eyes |
| Than kadamaiyai thaan aval ninaipadhundu | Yet she always remembers and honors her duty |
| Female | |
| Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai | A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river |
| Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai | It seeks its connection in the wide sky |
| Female | |
| Oru vagai surathil oru raagam | A specific musical note creates a specific melody |
| Adhil ondru kuraindhaal maru raagam | If one note diminishes, it becomes a different melody |
| Oru vagai surathil oru raagam | A specific musical note creates a specific melody |
| Adhil ondru kuraindhaal maru raagam | If one note diminishes, it becomes a different melody |
| Mangala virundhaal suga raagam | When auspiciousness exists, it creates a blissful melody |
| Nalla mangaiyar vaazhvil anu raagam | Deep affection blooms in the lives of virtuous women |
| Female | |
| Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai | A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river |
| Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai | It seeks its connection in the wide sky |
| Thaniyae kaanudhu pagal iravai | All alone, it witnesses day and night |
| Adhu thanakkul vaithadhu dhaan kanavai | It keeps its dreams quietly within itself |
| Female | |
| Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai | A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river |
| Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai | It seeks its connection in the wide sky |
வைகை கரையினில் ஒரு பறவை
அது வானத்தில் தேடுது தன் உறவை
வைகை கரையினில் ஒரு பறவை
அது வானத்தில் தேடுது தன் உறவை
தனியே காணுது பகல் இரவை
தனியே காணுது பகல் இரவை
அது தனக்குள் வைத்தது தன் கனவை
வைகை கரையினில் ஒரு பறவை
அது வானத்தில் தேடுது தன் உறவை
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
All alone, it witnesses day and night
All alone, it witnesses day and night
It keeps its dreams quietly within itself
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
காவலில்லாமல் இருக்கின்றது
அது கவலையில்லாமல் பறக்கின்றது
காவலில்லாமல் இருக்கின்றது
அது கவலையில்லாமல் பறக்கின்றது
போதையிலே அது விழுந்ததில்லை
போதையிலே அது விழுந்ததில்லை
தன் பூஜையை எப்போதும் மறந்ததில்லை
It exists without any guard or protection
It flies effortlessly without any worry
It exists without any guard or protection
It flies effortlessly without any worry
It has never fallen into worldly intoxication
It has never fallen into worldly intoxication
It has never forgotten its inner devotion
வைகை கரையினில் ஒரு பறவை
அது வானத்தில் தேடுது தாண் உறவை
தனியே காணுது பகல் இரவை
அது தனக்குள் வைத்தது தான் கனவை
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
All alone, it witnesses day and night
It keeps its dreams quietly within itself
பெண்ணுக்கு வேலிகள் நான்கு உண்டு
ஒரு பேச்சு வந்தாலும் தீங்கு உண்டு
பெண்ணுக்கு வேலிகள் நான்கு உண்டு
ஒரு பேச்சு வந்தாலும் தீங்கு உண்டு
கண்ணுக்கு விருந்தாய் இருப்பதுண்டு
கண்ணுக்கு விருந்தாய் இருப்பதுண்டு
தன் கடமையை தான் அவள் நினைப்பதுண்டு
A woman has four traditional boundaries surrounding her
Even a single rumor or harsh word brings her harm
A woman has four traditional boundaries surrounding her
Even a single rumor or harsh word brings her harm
She may exist as a delight to others' eyes
She may exist as a delight to others' eyes
Yet she always remembers and honors her duty
வைகை கரையினில் ஒரு பறவை
அது வானத்தில் தேடுது தன் உறவை
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
ஒரு வகை சுரத்தில் ஒரு ராகம்
அதில் ஒன்று குறைந்தால் மறு ராகம்
ஒரு வகை சுரத்தில் ஒரு ராகம்
அதில் ஒன்று குறைந்தால் மறு ராகம்
மங்கள விருந்தால் சுக ராகம்
நல்ல மங்கையர் வாழ்வில் அணு ராகம்
A specific musical note creates a specific melody
If one note diminishes, it becomes a different melody
A specific musical note creates a specific melody
If one note diminishes, it becomes a different melody
When auspiciousness exists, it creates a blissful melody
Deep affection blooms in the lives of virtuous women
வைகை கரையினில் ஒரு பறவை
அது வானத்தில் தேடுது தன் உறவை
தனியே காணுது பகல் இரவை
அது தனக்குள் வைத்தது தன் கனவை
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
All alone, it witnesses day and night
It keeps its dreams quietly within itself
வைகை கரையினில் ஒரு பறவை
அது வானத்தில் தேடுது தன் உறவை
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
Thaniyae kaanudhu pagal iravai
All alone, it witnesses day and night
Thaniyae kaanudhu pagal iravai
All alone, it witnesses day and night
Adhu thanakkul vaithadhu dhaan kanavai
It keeps its dreams quietly within itself
Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
Kaavallilaamal irukindradhu
It exists without any guard or protection
Adhu kavalaiyilaamal parakkindradhu
It flies effortlessly without any worry
Kaavallilaamal irukindradhu
It exists without any guard or protection
Adhu kavalaiyilaamal parakkindradhu
It flies effortlessly without any worry
Bodhaiyilae adhu vizhundhadhillai
It has never fallen into worldly intoxication
Bodhaiyilae adhu vizhundhadhillai
It has never fallen into worldly intoxication
Than poojaiyai eppodhum marandhadhillai
It has never forgotten its inner devotion
Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
Thaniyae kaanudhu pagal iravai
All alone, it witnesses day and night
Adhu thanakkul vaithadhu dhaan kanavai
It keeps its dreams quietly within itself
Pennukku vaeligal naangu undu
A woman has four traditional boundaries surrounding her
Oru paechu vandhaalum theengu undu
Even a single rumor or harsh word brings her harm
Pennukku vaeligal naangu undu
A woman has four traditional boundaries surrounding her
Oru paechu vandhaalum theengu undu
Even a single rumor or harsh word brings her harm
Kannukku virundhena iruppadhundu
She may exist as a delight to others' eyes
Kannukku virundhena iruppadhundu
She may exist as a delight to others' eyes
Than kadamaiyai thaan aval ninaipadhundu
Yet she always remembers and honors her duty
Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
Oru vagai surathil oru raagam
A specific musical note creates a specific melody
Adhil ondru kuraindhaal maru raagam
If one note diminishes, it becomes a different melody
Oru vagai surathil oru raagam
A specific musical note creates a specific melody
Adhil ondru kuraindhaal maru raagam
If one note diminishes, it becomes a different melody
Mangala virundhaal suga raagam
When auspiciousness exists, it creates a blissful melody
Nalla mangaiyar vaazhvil anu raagam
Deep affection blooms in the lives of virtuous women
Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
Thaniyae kaanudhu pagal iravai
All alone, it witnesses day and night
Adhu thanakkul vaithadhu dhaan kanavai
It keeps its dreams quietly within itself
Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai
A bird on the banks of the Vaigai river
Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai
It seeks its connection in the wide sky
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Vaigaikaraiyinil Oru Paravai' is a reflective, allegorical composition written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the 1980 film Natchathiram. The song uses a solitary bird on the banks of the Vaigai river as a metaphor for a woman navigating life's solitary journey. Although she flies freely without explicit guards or worries, she guards her own heart, keeping her deep aspirations to herself and never straying into moral distraction or intoxication. The lyrics touch upon cultural traditions, referencing the four societal boundaries of virtuous women (traditionally fear, modesty, reserve, and chastity) and emphasizing how fragile reputation can be. Kannadasan compares a woman's life to classical musical notes (swaras) and ragas, where even a subtle shift alters the harmony. Ultimately, the song celebrates a woman's dignity, devotion to duty, and inner moral compass despite navigating life alone.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Vaigaikaraiyinil oru paravai / Adhu vaanathil thaedudhu dhaan uravai”
The 'bird on the Vaigai riverbank' serves as a extended metaphor for a self-reliant, morally upright woman seeking higher purpose.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Oru vagai surathil oru raagam / Adhil ondru kuraindhaal maru raagam”
Consistent end rhyming using the suffix '-raagam' creates a musical rhythm matching the theme of swaras.
Ethirai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Kaavallilaamal irukindradhu / Adhu kavalaiyilaamal parakkindradhu”
The second letters 'va' and 'va' match across lines, creating pleasing Tamil poetic assonance.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Natchathiram' (1980) was directed by Dasari Narayana Rao and featured Sripriya and Sarat Babu in prominent roles. The music for the film was composed by the duo Sankar-Ganesh. Kannadasan's lyrics in this track are widely admired for blending classical musical terms (suram, raagam) with traditional Tamil philosophical commentary on womanhood.
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