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Moodu Manthiram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vanam Pesuma (Pathos)

From Moodu Manthiram · 1989

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Moodu Manthiram
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
1 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaanam pesumaa adhu saatchi koorumaa
Nenjil ulla ennangal
Konjam indru sollungal
Oo….oo….kangalae
Kangal pesumae oru saatchi koorumae
Unnai thedi naan vanthaen
Unthan ennam naan kandaen
Oo….oo….nenjamae….
Neeyaa….aa…
Male :Neeyaa antha raagam
Yaeno indru sogam
Female :Naanaa…aa…
Male :Naanaai naanum illai
Theeyil vaadum mullai
Mullai kodiyaa indru kattu vittathu
Male :Dheiva vilakkaa indru kettuvittathu
Female :VIttu pona pantham unnai thedum kangal
Kangal pesumae oru saatchi koorumae
Unnai thedi naan vanthaen
Unthan ennam naan kandaen
Oo….oo….nenjamae….
Yaaro…oo….
Female :Yaaro seitha paavam
Yaarai solli laabam
Male :Yaeno….oo…
Female :Yaeno intha vanjam
Kaayam aana nenjam
Nenjai suttathu oru thunba neruppu
Female :Thunba neruppai intha kaigal anaikkum
Male :Kandaen untha sogam
Kanneer sinthum vaanam
Vaanam pesumaa adhu saatchi koorumaa
Male :Unnai thedi naan vanthaen
Unthan ennam naan kandaen
Oo….oo….nenjamae….
Will the sky speak? Will it bear witness?
The thoughts within the heart,
Please speak them out today,
Oh... oh... dear eyes!
The eyes will speak, they will bear witness.
I came searching for you,
I understood your feelings,
Oh... oh... my heart...
Is it you... ah...?
Male: Are you that melody?
Why is there sorrow today?
Female: Is it me... ah...?
Male: I am not myself anymore,
Like a jasmine withering in fire.
Did the jasmine vine break loose today?
Male: Has the sacred lamp gone out today?
Female: Though the bond was broken, my eyes still seek you.
The eyes will speak, they will bear witness.
I came searching for you,
I understood your feelings,
Oh... oh... my heart...
Someone... oh...
Female: It is a sin committed by someone else,
What is the use of blaming anyone?
Male: Why... oh...
Female: Why this cruelty?
My heart is wounded.
A fire of sorrow scorched the heart,
Female: These hands will put out that fire of sorrow.
Male: I saw your sorrow,
Even the sky sheds tears.
Will the sky speak? Will it bear witness?
Male: I came searching for you,
I understood your feelings,
Oh... oh... my heart...
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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