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Thalayanai Mandiram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vanampadi Koodu Thedum

From Thalayanai Mandiram · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thalayanai Mandiram
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
1 Jan 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaanampaadi koodu thedum
Intha naeram enna paadum
Vaanampaadi koodu thedum
Intha naeram enna paadum
Vanthu ingu vaazhantha kaalam
Kaanal neeril kaanum kolam
Kasinthu kanneer varum…mmm…
Vaanampaadi koodu thedum
Intha naeram enna paadum
Soga raagam paadum naeram
Vaarththai ingu oomai aagum
Pazhaiya kaalam thirumbumaa
Vasantham meendum arumbumaa
Idhu oru vaedanthaangal
Kalaikirom indru naangal
Idhu oru vaedanthaangal
Kalaikirom indru naangal
Paasamae po po
Manathai maranthu po….
Vaanampaadi koodu thedum
Intha naeram enna paadum
Vanthu ingu vaazhntha kaalam
Kaanal neeril kaanum kolam
Kasinthu kanneer varum…mmm…
Vaanampaadi koodu thedum
Intha naeram enna paadum
Paadum nenjam paaramaagum
Yaengum kangal eeramaagum
Uravu nammai inaiththathae
Pirivu indru azhaiththathae
Mugavari vaangik kondom
Mugangalai thaandi sendrom
Mugavari vaangik kondom
Mugangalai thaandi sendrom
Vidai perum vaelai
Vaarththai varavillai….ee…
Vaanampaadi koodu thedum
Intha naeram enna paadum
Vanthu ingu vaazhntha kaalam
Kaanal neeril kaanum kolam
Kasinthu kanneer varum…mmm…
Vaanampaadi koodu thedum
Intha naeram enna paadum
The skylark searches for its nest,
what will it sing at this hour?
The skylark searches for its nest,
what will it sing at this hour?
The time we spent living here
is like patterns seen in a mirage.
Tears gently well up and flow... mmm...
The skylark searches for its nest,
what will it sing at this hour?
When singing a song of sorrow,
words here become speechless.
Will those old days ever return?
Will spring blossom once again?
This was like Vedanthangal (a bird sanctuary),
and today we disperse and part ways.
This was like Vedanthangal (a bird sanctuary),
and today we disperse and part ways.
Oh dear affection, go away,
forget this heart and go...
The skylark searches for its nest,
what will it sing at this hour?
The time we spent living here
is like patterns seen in a mirage.
Tears gently well up and flow... mmm...
The skylark searches for its nest,
what will it sing at this hour?
The singing heart grows heavy,
longing eyes turn wet with tears.
Bonds of love brought us together,
yet separation calls upon us today.
We exchanged addresses,
and moved beyond the familiar faces.
We exchanged addresses,
and moved beyond the familiar faces.
At this hour of farewell,
words simply will not come... ee...
The skylark searches for its nest,
what will it sing at this hour?
The time we spent living here
is like patterns seen in a mirage.
Tears gently well up and flow... mmm...
The skylark searches for its nest,
what will it sing at this hour?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vaanampaadi koodu thedum is a melancholic song centered around the theme of farewell and nostalgia. Using the metaphor of a skylark returning to its nest at dusk, the lyrics express the deep emotional weight of parting ways after spending a golden period of life together. Memories of shared joy now feel like a mirage in the desert—beautiful yet unreachable. The lyricist compares their temporary home or gathering place to Vedanthangal, a well-known bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu where migratory birds stay for a season and eventually scatter. As the moment of departure arrives, words fail, eyes swell with tears, and the heart becomes heavy with grief. Even as addresses are exchanged to maintain bonds, the painful reality of separation dominates their thoughts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Idhu oru vaedanthaangal / Kalaikirom indru naangal”

'Idhu oru vaedanthaangal' compares the dwelling/institution to Vedanthangal, a bird sanctuary where migratory birds gather temporarily before dispersing.

Metaphor

“Kaanal neeril kaanum kolam”

'Kaanal neeril kaanum kolam' compares past memories to a design drawn on mirage water, symbolizing illusion and lost time.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Paadum nenjam paaramaagum / Yaengum kangal eeramaagum”

'Paaramaagum' and 'Eeramaagum' rhyme at the end of consecutive lines to create a rhythmic melodic flow.

Apostrophe / Personification

“Paasamae po po / Manathai maranthu po….”

Addressing 'Paasame' (Affection/Love) directly as a person and telling it to leave.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song famously uses 'Vedanthangal' (the famous migratory bird sanctuary near Chennai, Tamil Nadu) as a poignant metaphor for a place of temporary stay where people form deep emotional bonds before going their separate ways.

Keep listening

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Nalanum NandhiniyumTenderRelocation
Varaadha Kaalangal1980
Nathiyai Thedi Vantha KadalGriefSeparation
Kalli Adi Kalli2001
NandhaSeparationMelancholic
Oruvar Manathai Oruvar1966
Gowri KalyanamSeparationGrief

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