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Nadodi Pattukkaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vanamellam Shenbagapoo Duet

From Nadodi Pattukkaran · 1992

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Nadodi Pattukkaran
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
23 Sept 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vanamellaam shenbagappoo
Vaanellaam kungumappoo
Vanamellaam shenbagappoo
Vaanellaam kungumappoo
Thean ellaam sindhi varum
Sendhoorapoo
Then podhigai kaatrinilae
Sendhazhampoo
Vanamellaam shenbagappoo
Vaanellaam kungumappoo
Aathoram poongarumbu
Kaaththirukkum siru erumbu
Akkaraiyil aayiram poo poo poo
Pooththirukku thaamarai poo
Ponniraththu kaanjarampoo
Putham pudhu poonjirupu toppu
Eppodhum maaraappu
Eduppaana poondhoppu
Enna enna engum thiththipp poo poo
Ottaadha oodhappoo
Udhiraadha veerappu
Vanna vanna inbam rettipp poo poo
Vazhi muzhudhum vanappu
Enakkazhaippu
Pudhu thogupu vaguppu
Kanakkeduppu……………
Vanamellaam shenbagappoo
Vaanellaam kungumappoo
Thean ellaam sindhi varum
Sendhoorapoo
Then podhigai kaatrinilae
Sendhazhampoo
Vanamellaam ……..laam…..mm….
Kettavarkku manam irumbu
Nallavarai nee virumbu
Ellorkkum varuvadhindha mooppu
Ezhaigalin nalluzhaippu
Enna ingu avar pizhaippu
Vaazhvu varum endru ethir paarppu
Veenaaga ilukkum vambu
Vinaiyaagum kaikalappu
Vittu vidu chinna thambi yeippu
Kaiyyodu edu silambu
Kalandhaada nimirndhezhumbu
Kaiyil varum nalla nalla vaaippu
Viruviruppu irukku
Surusuruppu
Aruvaruppu othukku
Varum sirappu
{Vanamellaam shenbagappoo
Vaanellaam kungumappoo
Then podhigai kaatrinilae
Sendhazhampoo} (2)
The whole forest is filled with champak flowers,
The whole sky is glowing like saffron,
The whole forest is filled with champak flowers,
The whole sky is glowing like saffron,
Dripping with sweet honey,
Is the bright red sindhooram flower!
In the breeze from the southern Podhigai hills,
Sways the fragrant screw-pine flower!
The whole forest is filled with champak flowers,
The whole sky is glowing like saffron!
By the riverbank stands sweet flowering sugarcane,
Waiting eagerly is a little ant.
On the other bank, a thousand flowers bloom, bloom, bloom!
The lotus is in full bloom,
Alongside golden-hued flowers,
In a brand-new grove smiling with fresh blooms!
Always gracefully covered,
Like a striking flower garden,
Oh, what sweetness blossoms everywhere!
A purple flower that stays untouched,
A proud spirit that never drops,
Colourful happiness doubles and blooms!
Beauty covers the entire path,
Calling out to me,
A fresh new collection of lessons,
Taking count of it all...
The whole forest is filled with champak flowers,
The whole sky is glowing like saffron,
Dripping with sweet honey,
Is the bright red sindhooram flower!
In the breeze from the southern Podhigai hills,
Sways the fragrant screw-pine flower!
Across the whole forest... mm...
The wicked have hearts of iron,
So cherish those who are good.
Old age will come to everyone eventually.
Despite the hard, honest work of the poor,
What kind of living do they have here?
Still, they live in hope that good times will come.
Picking useless quarrels,
And turning them into fights will only cause trouble.
Give up deceit, little brother!
Take up the silambam (martial arts) staff in your hand,
Stand tall and join in the match!
Great opportunities will surely reach your hands.
There is thrill,
And lively energy!
Cast aside all disgust and bitterness,
Greatness and honour will surely follow!
{The whole forest is filled with champak flowers,
The whole sky is glowing like saffron,
In the breeze from the southern Podhigai hills,
Sways the fragrant screw-pine flower!} (2)
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vanamellaam shenbagappoo is a rhythmic and visually rich Tamil song from the movie Nadodi Pattukkaran (1992). The song opens with vivid imagery of nature, celebrating a landscape overflowing with colorful flowers, sweet honey, and breezes originating from the sacred Podhigai mountains. The lush floral descriptions metaphorically reflect abundance, natural harmony, and the joy of life. As the song progresses, Gangai Amaran's lyrics shift toward reflective life philosophy. The song advises listeners on morality—reminding us that old age comes to all, advocating for kindness toward good-hearted people, validating the hard labor of the poor, and urging youth to abandon deceit and trivial disputes in favor of active, enthusiastic, and upright living.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Vanamellaam shenbagappoo / Vaanellaam kungumappoo”

The initial letter 'Va' is repeated across lines for rhythmic beat ('Vanamellaam' and 'Vaanellaam').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Viruviruppu irukku / Surusuruppu / Aruvaruppu othukku”

Words ending in '-ruppu' rhyme consecutively, creating a rapid folk cadence.

Metaphor

“Vaanellaam kungumappoo”

Comparing the red hues of the sky to 'kungumappoo' (vermilion/saffron flowers).

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Kettavarkku manam irumbu / Nallavarai nee virumbu”

Harmonizing the second consonant sound 'tt' and 'll' in adjacent instructional couplets.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Nadodi Pattukkaran (1992) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, starring Karthik and Kanaka. Gangai Amaran's lyrics use extensive Tamil botanical names (Shenbagam, Kungumam, Kaanjaram, Lotus, Sendhazham) to ground the song in traditional rural folklore aesthetics.

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