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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanaththai Parthen (Sad)

From Manithan · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vanitha, Kovai Murali
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Manithan1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaanathai paarthenI looked at the sky
Bhoomiyai paarthenI looked at the earth
Manushanai innum paarkalaiyaeBut I haven't seen a true human being yet
Male
Vaanathai paarthenI looked at the sky
Bhoomiyai paarthenI looked at the earth
Manushanai innum paarkalaiyaeBut I haven't seen a true human being yet
Naan pirandhadhu azhudhida thaanaWas I born only to cry?
Ei vidhiyae seri thaanaHey Destiny, is this fair?
Male
Thangai ennum thangam ingaeMy sister, who is pure gold, is here
Theeyil vegum ippodhuBurning in the fire right now
Kangal sindhum kaneeralaeWith the tears shed from my eyes
Endha theeyum anaiyadhuNo fire can ever be extinguished
Male
Vaanathai paarthenI looked at the sky
Bhoomiyai paarthenI looked at the earth
Manushanai innum paarkalaiyaeBut I haven't seen a true human being yet
Male
Vaanathai paarthenI looked at the sky
Bhoomiyai paarthenI looked at the earth
Manushanai innum paarkalaiyaeBut I haven't seen a true human being yet
Naan pirandhadhu azhudhida thaanaWas I born only to cry?
Ei vidhiyae seri thaanaHey Destiny, is this fair?
Male
Nilamaiyai solla mudiyadhuThe predicament cannot be explained
Nilavukku tharkolai kidaiyadhuThe moon cannot commit suicide
Poovai vaitha paaviyaeThe sinner who adorned her with flowers
Theeyai veikkiraan…Is the one setting fire to her...
Male
Neruppukku unmai theriyadhuThe fire does not know the truth
Therindhaal neruppu yeriyadhuIf it knew, the fire would refuse to burn
Unmai vandhu pesumaaWill the truth speak up?
Oomai naan ammaI have become mute, oh mother
Male
Mananaal paarthavan naanaeI am the one who witnessed her wedding day
Pina naal paarpadhum naanaeAnd I am the one witnessing her corpse day
Mananaal paarthavan naanaeI am the one who witnessed her wedding day
Pina naal paarpadhum naanaeAnd I am the one witnessing her corpse day
Male
Vaanathai paarthenI looked at the sky
Bhoomiyai paarthenI looked at the earth
Manushanai innum paarkalaiyaeBut I haven't seen a true human being yet
Naan pirandhadhu azhudhida thaanaWas I born only to cry?
Ei vidhiyae seri thaanaHey Destiny, is this fair?
Male
Yerkanavae avan yerithu vittaanHe had already burned her heart
Yerithathai marupadi yerithu vittaanAnd now he has set fire again to what was already burned
Dharmam kaakkum dhevanooThe God who protects righteousness
Toonghi poi vittaanHas fallen fast asleep
Male
Vaazhkai edhu vendru puriyavillaiI do not understand what life means
Vaai vittu azhavum vasadhiyillaiI do not even have the privilege to weep out loud
Vendha punnil allavooInto an existing burnt wound
Velum paindhadhuA spear has pierced through
Male
Vidhiyaal vandhadha illaiDid this trouble come because of fate? No
Sadhiyaal vandhadhae thollaiThis trouble came due to a wicked conspiracy
Vidhiyaal vandhadha illaiDid this trouble come because of fate? No
Sadhiyaal vandhadhae thollaiThis trouble came due to a wicked conspiracy
Male
Vaanathai paarthenI looked at the sky
Bhoomiyai paarthenI looked at the earth
Manushanai innum paarkalaiyaeBut I haven't seen a true human being yet
Naan pirandhadhu azhudhida thaanaWas I born only to cry?
Ei vidhiyae seri thaanaHey Destiny, is this fair?
Male
Thangai ennum thangam ingaeMy sister, who is pure gold, is here
Theeyil vegum ippodhuBurning in the fire right now
Kangal sindhum kaneeralaeWith the tears shed from my eyes
Endha theeyum anaiyadhuNo fire can ever be extinguished
Male
Vaanathai paarthenI looked at the sky
Bhoomiyai paarthenI looked at the earth
Manushanai innum paarkalaiyaeBut I haven't seen a true human being yet
Naan pirandhadhu azhudhida thaanaWas I born only to cry?
Ei vidhiyae seri thaana…Hey Destiny, is this fair...?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses profound grief and existential anguish over human cruelty and betrayal. The protagonist laments that despite searching across the heavens and the earth, he has yet to find a real human being with humanity. He questions fate after witnessing his beloved sister suffer a tragic, cruel burning, expressing helplessness as his tears cannot put out the flames consuming her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thangai ennum thangam ingae

Compares the protagonist's sister directly to gold ('thangai ennum thangam') to emphasize her pure and precious nature.

Antithesis / Irony (Muran)

Mananaal paarthavan naanae / Pina naal paarpadhum naanae

Contrasts 'Mananaal' (wedding day) with 'Pina naal' (day of becoming a corpse), highlighting the stark, heartbreaking tragedy of life.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Vidhiyaal vandhadha illai / Sadhiyaal vandhadhae thollai

The second letter consonant 'dhi' matches across consecutive lines ('Vidhiyaal' / 'Sadhiyaal').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is from the 1987 action-drama film 'Manithan' starring Rajinikanth and Rubini. The music was composed by Chandrabose, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu and sung emotionally by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

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