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Lyrics & meaning

Vandhanam Vandhanam

From Naadu · 2023

Lyricist
M Saravanan
Singers
Gold Devaraj, Muthu Sirpi, Puratchi Mani, Nehru Samidurai
Music director
C. Sathya
Details
Naadu2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ye vandhanamHey, greetings!
Enga nattukulla varuga tharum doctoraeO doctor, who is arriving in our land!
Vandhanam vandhanam vandhanamGreetings, greetings, greetings!
Male
Ye vandhanamHey, greetings!
Vandhanam vandhanamGreetings, greetings!
Vandhanam solrom doctoraeWe extend our greetings to you, doctor!
Ye vanakkamHey, welcome!
Vanakkam vanakkamWelcome, welcome!
Vanakkam solrom doctoraeWe extend our welcome to you, doctor!
Male
Enga ooru ponnungaThe young women of our village
Koodi ninnu kolava odurom doctoraeGather together and make joyful ululations, doctor!
Aiyaa varaverkkirom doctoruSir, we welcome you, doctor!
Vaazhthu solrom doctoruWe convey our blessings and wishes, doctor!
Male
Neenga aasapattu kombhu oodhurom doctoruSince you desired it, we blow the traditional horn, doctor!
Virindhu veikkurom vizha edukkuromWe prepare a grand feast and hold a celebration!
Virumbhi neenga kettinganaIf you ask us fondly,
Koothu katturom koothu kotturomWe will perform street plays and beat the drums!
Koothu koothu koothu ye koothuFolk play, folk play, folk play, hey folk play!
Chorus
……………...
Male
Mala mela kudiyiruppuOur settlement is situated atop the mountain!
Nithanga kari soru irukkuEvery day, meat rice is served here!
Paarthaalae echil oorumJust looking at it makes one's mouth water!
Neenga thottukolla uppu kandamSalted dried meat for you as a side dish!
Male
Aruvi kudikka mattumThe waterfall is strictly for drinking water,
Aaru thuvaikka mattumThe river is strictly for washing clothes!
Male Chorus :Aruvi kudikka mattumMale Chorus: The waterfall is strictly for drinking water,
Aaru thuvaikka mattumThe river is strictly for washing clothes!
Male
Irukkum mattumAs long as we live,
Irakka mattomWe will never bow down or compromise our pride!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic welcome song from the movie 'Naadu' (2023) depicts tribal/hill village folk warmly greeting a doctor who has come to serve their remote hilly settlement. The villagers express their gratitude and hospitable nature by offering traditional ululations (kolavai), blowing cultural horn instruments, hosting grand feasts with local delicacies like meat rice and salted dried meat, and staging folk street plays (therukoothu) in his honor. In the latter half, the song highlights the disciplined lifestyle and unwavering self-respect of the hill community. They explain how natural resources are preserved with distinct purpose—waterfalls solely for drinking and rivers for washing—and proclaim that as long as they live, they will maintain their dignity and hospitality without bowing down to adversity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)

Aruvi kudikka mattum / Aaru thuvaikka mattum

The second consonant sound 'ru' matches across adjacent lines, creating rhythmic harmony.

Repetition / Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)

Vandhanam vandhanam vandhanam

The word 'Vandhanam' (Greetings) is repeated multiple times consecutively to emphasize traditional hospitality and respect.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Virindhu veikkurom vizha edukkurom

Repetition of the initial letter 'Vi' in 'Virindhu' and 'Vizha' creates a pleasing sonic rhythm.

Imagery

Paarthaalae echil oorum / Neenga thottukolla uppu kandam

Sensory visual and gustatory imagery evoking traditional hill village cuisine that triggers salivation.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features authentic Tamil folk singers including Gold Devaraj and Muthu Sirpy, giving it a raw, traditional tribal aesthetic. The movie 'Naadu', directed by M. Saravanan, revolves around the healthcare challenges faced by remote hill communities in Tamil Nadu and highlights the contrast between urban medical practice and rural realities.

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