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Lyrics & meaning

Vanam Pesuma (Pathos)

From Moodu Manthiram · 1989

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Moodu Manthiram1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaanam pesumaa adhu saatchi koorumaaWill the sky speak? Will it bear witness?
Nenjil ulla ennangalThe thoughts hidden inside the heart,
Konjam indru sollungalPlease tell them a little today.
Oo….oo….kangalaeOh... oh... eyes...
Male
Kangal pesumae oru saatchi koorumaeThe eyes will speak, they will bear witness.
Unnai thedi naan vanthaenI came searching for you.
Unthan ennam naan kandaenI understood your thoughts.
Oo….oo….nenjamae….Oh... oh... my heart...
Female
Neeyaa….aa…Is it you?...
Male :Neeyaa antha raagamMale: Are you that sweet melody?
Yaeno indru sogamWhy is there sorrow today?
Female :Naanaa…aa…Female: Is it me?...
Male :Naanaai naanum illaiMale: I am not myself anymore,
Theeyil vaadum mullaiLike a jasmine blossom withering in fire.
Female
Mullai kodiyaa indru kattu vittathuHas the jasmine vine broken today?
Male :Dheiva vilakkaa indru kettuvittathuMale: Has the divine lamp gone out today?
Female :VIttu pona pantham unnai thedum kangalFemale: The severed bond, eyes searching for you.
Male
Kangal pesumae oru saatchi koorumaeThe eyes will speak, they will bear witness.
Unnai thedi naan vanthaenI came searching for you.
Unthan ennam naan kandaenI understood your thoughts.
Oo….oo….nenjamae….Oh... oh... my heart...
Male
Yaaro…oo….Someone...
Female :Yaaro seitha paavamFemale: A sin committed by someone,
Yaarai solli laabamWhat benefit is there in blaming anyone?
Male :Yaeno….oo…Male: Why...
Female :Yaeno intha vanjamFemale: Why this vengeance?
Kaayam aana nenjamA heart that has been deeply wounded.
Male
Nenjai suttathu oru thunba neruppuA fire of sorrow burned the heart.
Female :Thunba neruppai intha kaigal anaikkumFemale: These hands will extinguish that fire of sorrow.
Male :Kandaen untha sogamMale: I saw your deep sorrow,
Kanneer sinthum vaanamThe sky shedding tears.
Female
Vaanam pesumaa adhu saatchi koorumaaWill the sky speak? Will it bear witness?
Male :Unnai thedi naan vanthaenMale: I came searching for you.
Unthan ennam naan kandaenI understood your thoughts.
Oo….oo….nenjamae….Oh... oh... my heart...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaanam Pesumaa from Moodu Manthiram (1989) is a poignant emotional duet that explores themes of deep anguish, lingering fate, and healing affection. The male and female protagonists lament the injustice of their circumstances, questioning whether the silent sky or their own sorrowful eyes can bear witness to their broken spirits. They compare their suffering to a jasmine vine scorched by fire and a divine lamp that has lost its flame. Despite the suffering caused by past sins or misunderstandings, the song carries a thread of solace and restoration. The female protagonist offers comforting assurance that her gentle hands will extinguish the burning fire of grief, while the male protagonist recognizes her tears and re-establishes their emotional bond through mutual empathy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Vaanam pesumaa adhu saatchi koorumaa

Attributing human traits like speaking and giving testimony to the silent sky.

Metaphor

Neeyaa antha raagam

Comparing the beloved directly to a sweet musical ragam (melody).

Metaphor & Imagery

Nenjai suttathu oru thunba neruppu

Comparing deep sorrow to a burning fire that scorches the heart.

Anaphora / Repetition (Edukku)

Kangal pesumae oru saatchi koorumae

Repetition of the phrase 'Kangal pesumae' to emphasize the expressive nature of eyes over silent words.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for Moodu Manthiram (1989) was composed by the popular music director duo Shankar-Ganesh, featuring lyrics by veteran poet Pulamaipithan. The song showcases a rare melodious duet pairing of Malaysia Vasudevan and S. P. Sailaja, highlighting their expressive vocal range in emotional numbers.

Keep listening

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