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Avan Oru Sarithiram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vanakkam

From Avan Oru Sarithiram · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Avan Oru Sarithiram
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
9 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………………………
Aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa…
Vanakkam vanakkam vanakkam
Vanakkam pala murai sonnen
Sabaiyinar munnae thamizh magal kannae
Vanakkam pala murai sonnen
Sabaiyinar munnae thamizh magal kannae
Konda panpaadu maravaadha penmai
Indha thennaattin vazhi kaakkum menmai
Vanakkam pala murai sonnen
Sabaiyinar munnae thamizh magal kannae
Melai naadengum vinjaana kalaigal
Angu vilaiyaadum alangaara nilaigal
Melai naadengum vinjaana kalaigal
Angu vilaiyaadum alangaara nilaigal
Angu pen illai paesum kan illai
Angu pen illai paesum kan illai
Enna alangolamo enna pudhu mogamo
Vanakkam pala murai sonnen
Sabaiyinar munnae thamizh magal kannae
Vanna thilagangal oli veesum mugangal
Engal thirunaattu kulamaadhar nalangal
Vanna thilagangal oli veesum mugangal
Engal thirunaattu kulamaadhar nalangal
Anbu dheivangal inba chelvangal
Anbu dheivangal inba chelvangal
Aadum kalai aagumo paadum thamizhaagumo
Vanakkam pala murai sonnen
Sabaiyinar munnae thamizh magal kannae
Annai thaai paalai pillaikku koduthu
Anbu thaalaattu paattondru padithu
Annai thaai paalai pillaikku koduthu
Anbu thaalaattu paattondru padithu
Kaanum azhagenna thaedum sugam enna
Kaanum azhagenna thaedum sugam enna
Solla mozhi illaiyae paesa vilai illaiyae
...
Aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa...
Greetings, greetings, greetings!
I offer my greetings again and again,
Before this gathering, my dear daughter of Tamil!
I offer my greetings again and again,
Before this gathering, my dear daughter of Tamil!
A womanhood that never forgets its cherished traditions,
And the greatness that protects the ways of this southern land.
I offer my greetings again and again,
Before this gathering, my dear daughter of Tamil!
Across the Western nations, there are scientific arts,
And fancy spectacles that play out everywhere.
Across the Western nations, there are scientific arts,
And fancy spectacles that play out everywhere.
Yet there is no true womanhood, nor eyes that speak with soul.
Yet there is no true womanhood, nor eyes that speak with soul.
What kind of disorder is that, what strange new craze?
I offer my greetings again and again,
Before this gathering, my dear daughter of Tamil!
Faces glowing bright with colorful tilaks (forehead dots),
Show the noble grace of the women in our sacred land.
Faces glowing bright with colorful tilaks (forehead dots),
Show the noble grace of the women in our sacred land.
They are deities of love, treasures of pure joy!
They are deities of love, treasures of pure joy!
Are they the art of dance, or the singing spirit of Tamil?
I offer my greetings again and again,
Before this gathering, my dear daughter of Tamil!
When a mother feeds her child with milk,
And sings a gentle lullaby filled with love,
When a mother feeds her child with milk,
And sings a gentle lullaby filled with love,
What beauty can be seen, what true happiness is found!
What beauty can be seen, what true happiness is found!
Words cannot describe it, and no price can buy it.
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Avan Oru Sarithiram' (1977) is a grand celebration of traditional Tamil womanhood, virtue, and cultural heritage. Sung as a stage performance before a revered audience, the speaker begins with respectful greetings and praises Tamil women for preserving their cultural roots and modesty across generations. The lyrics contrast Western technological advancement and external glamor with the deep emotional warmth, expressive gaze, and maternal love characteristic of Tamil tradition. Kannadasan highlights symbolic elements like the pottu (tilak), maternal affection, and lullabies as irreplaceable treasures of Tamil culture.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodai (Repetition)

“Vanakkam vanakkam vanakkam”

The word 'Vanakkam' is repeated sequentially for emphasis and emotional warmth.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Konda panpaadu maravaadha penmai / Indha thennaattin vazhi kaakkum menmai”

The second consonant 'n' creates a rhythmic harmony between 'Konda' and 'Indha'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Anbu dheivangal inba chelvangal”

Women are metaphorically portrayed as 'deivangal' (goddesses) and 'chelvangal' (treasures).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Annai thaai paalai pillaikku koduthu / Anbu thaalaattu paattondru padithu”

The repeating initial vowel sound 'A' forms a pleasing auditory rhythm across the lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Avan Oru Sarithiram' (1977) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Manjula. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan, showcasing his characteristic flair for praising Tamil heritage and moral values.

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