Vandi Urundoda Achani
From Vannakili · 1959
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singers
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vannakili1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Vandi urundoda achaani thevai | An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward, |
| Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae | Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times, |
| Rendu anbullam thevai | Two loving hearts are needed. |
| Female | |
| Vandi urundoda achaani thevai | An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward, |
| Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae | Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times, |
| Rendu anbullam thevai | Two loving hearts are needed. |
| Male | |
| Sondham kondadavendru | To claim kinship and connection, |
| Anbu kondu | With heartfelt love, |
| Coachil maappillai vaaraarae indru | The bridegroom comes in a carriage today! |
| Coachil maappillai vaaraarae indru | The bridegroom comes in a carriage today! |
| Male | |
| Sondham kondadavendru | To claim kinship and connection, |
| Anbu kondu | With heartfelt love, |
| Coachil maappillai vaaraarae indru | The bridegroom comes in a carriage today! |
| Coachil maappillai vaaraarae indru | The bridegroom comes in a carriage today! |
| Female | |
| Vandhaalum palan illaiyae | Even if he comes, it is of no use, |
| Anbai thandhaalum adhai vanga aal illaiyae | Even if love is offered, there is no one to accept it. |
| Vandhaalum palan illaiyae | Even if he comes, it is of no use, |
| Anbai thandhaalum adhai vanga aal illaiyae | Even if love is offered, there is no one to accept it. |
| Female | |
| Vandi urundoda achaani thevai | An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward, |
| Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae | Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times, |
| Rendu anbullam thevai | Two loving hearts are needed. |
| Female | |
| Nilavai kandu malarum alli | The night lily blossoms upon seeing the moon, |
| Vilakkai kandu malaruma..aa | Will it ever blossom upon seeing a lamp? |
| Nilavai kandu malarum alli | The night lily blossoms upon seeing the moon, |
| Vilakkai kandu malaruma | Will it ever blossom upon seeing a lamp? |
| Ulagam kondaadum sooriyan vandhaalum | Even if the sun celebrated by the whole world arrives, |
| Unmai inbam kondaaduma | Will it experience true joy? |
| Male | |
| Vilangumbadi sollamaa | Explain it to me clearly, my lady, |
| Vennilavum yaaramma | Who is this bright moon, my lady? |
| Velaikkaran enakku adhu puriyuma | Will a simple worker like me understand all this? |
| Vilangumbadi sollamaa | Explain it to me clearly, my lady, |
| Vennilavum yaaramma | Who is this bright moon, my lady? |
| Velaikkaran enakku adhu puriyuma | Will a simple worker like me understand all this? |
| En velaiyai naan paarkka vendum theriyuma | Don't you know I must attend to my work? |
| Summa vilaiyaada vendam | Do not play around unnecessarily, |
| Adhai kodammaa ….kodamma | Give that to me... give it, madam! |
| Male | |
| Vandi urundoda achaani thevai | An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward, |
| Female :Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae | Female: Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times, |
| Rendu anbullam thevai | Two loving hearts are needed. |
| Male | |
| Vambhu ennamaa vanga | Why invite unnecessary trouble, madam? |
| Adhai thaanga | To endure such trouble, |
| Vandha vazhi paarthu neraaga ponga | Go back straight along the path you came, |
| Unga vazhi paarthu neraaga ponga | Go straight along your own path! |
| Female | |
| Vazhi paarthu naan pogavae | For me to travel watching my path, |
| Endhan manam naadum nilavaagi vazhikattunga | Become the moon my heart longs for and show me the way! |
| Vazhi paarthu naan pogavae | For me to travel watching my path, |
| Endhan manam naadum nilavaagi vazhikattunga | Become the moon my heart longs for and show me the way! |
| Male | |
| Aaa… | Aaa… |
| Female :Hmm..mmm.. | Female: Mm... mmm... |
| Male | |
| Vandi urundoda achaani thevai | An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward, |
| Female :Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae | Female: Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times, |
| Rendu anbullam thevai | Two loving hearts are needed. |
| Male :Ohoo | Male: Oh ho! |
| Both :Vandi urundoda achaani thevai | Both: An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward, |
| Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae | Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times, |
| Rendu anbullam thevai | Two loving hearts are needed. |
வண்டி உருண்டோட அச்சாணி தேவை
என்றும் அதுபோல வாழ்க்கை ஓடவே
ரெண்டு அன்புள்ளம் தேவை
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Two loving hearts are needed.
வண்டி உருண்டோட அச்சாணி தேவை
என்றும் அதுபோல வாழ்க்கை ஓடவே
ரெண்டு அன்புள்ளம் தேவை
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Two loving hearts are needed.
சொந்தம் கொண்டாடவென்று
அன்பு கொண்டு
கோச்சில் மாப்பிள்ளை வாராரே இன்று
கோச்சில் மாப்பிள்ளை வாராரே இன்று
To claim kinship and connection,
With heartfelt love,
The bridegroom comes in a carriage today!
The bridegroom comes in a carriage today!
சொந்தம் கொண்டாடவென்று
அன்பு கொண்டு
கோச்சில் மாப்பிள்ளை வாராரே இன்று
கோச்சில் மாப்பிள்ளை வாராரே இன்று
To claim kinship and connection,
With heartfelt love,
The bridegroom comes in a carriage today!
The bridegroom comes in a carriage today!
வந்தாலும் பலன் இல்லையே
அன்பைத் தந்தாலும் அதை வாங்க ஆளில்லையே
வந்தாலும் பலன் இல்லையே
அன்பைத் தந்தாலும் அதை வாங்க ஆளில்லையே
Even if he comes, it is of no use,
Even if love is offered, there is no one to accept it.
Even if he comes, it is of no use,
Even if love is offered, there is no one to accept it.
வண்டி உருண்டோட அச்சாணி தேவை
என்றும் அதுபோல வாழ்க்கை ஓடவே
ரெண்டு அன்புள்ளம் தேவை
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Two loving hearts are needed.
நிலவைக் கண்டு மலரும் அல்லி
விளக்கைக் கண்டு மலருமா
நிலவைக் கண்டு மலரும் அல்லி
விளக்கைக் கண்டு மலருமா..ஆ ..
உலகம் கொண்டாடும் சூரியன் வந்தாலும்
உண்மை இன்பம் கொண்டாடுமா
The night lily blossoms upon seeing the moon,
Will it ever blossom upon seeing a lamp?
The night lily blossoms upon seeing the moon,
Will it ever blossom upon seeing a lamp?
Even if the sun celebrated by the whole world arrives,
Will it experience true joy?
விளங்கும்படி சொல்லம்மா
வெண்ணிலவும் யாரம்மா
வேலைக்காரன் எனக்கு அது புரியுமா
விளங்கும்படி சொல்லம்மா
வெண்ணிலவும் யாரம்மா
வேலைக்காரன் எனக்கு அது புரியுமா
என் வேலையை நான் பார்க்க வேண்டும் தெரியுமா
சும்மா வெளையாட வேண்டாம்
அதை கொடும்மா கொடும்மா
Explain it to me clearly, my lady,
Who is this bright moon, my lady?
Will a simple worker like me understand all this?
Explain it to me clearly, my lady,
Who is this bright moon, my lady?
Will a simple worker like me understand all this?
Don't you know I must attend to my work?
Do not play around unnecessarily,
Give that to me... give it, madam!
வண்டி உருண்டோட அச்சாணி தேவை
என்றும் அதுபோல வாழ்க்கை ஓடவே
ரெண்டு அன்புள்ளம் தேவை
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Female: Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Two loving hearts are needed.
வம்பு என்னம்மா வாங்க அதைத் தாங்க
வந்த வழிப் பார்த்து நேராகப் போங்க
உங்க வழிப் பார்த்து நேராகப் போங்க
Why invite unnecessary trouble, madam?
To endure such trouble,
Go back straight along the path you came,
Go straight along your own path!
வழிப் பார்த்து நான் போகவே எந்தன்
மனம் நாடும் நிலவாகி வழிக்காட்டுங்க
வழிப் பார்த்து நான் போகவே எந்தன்
மனம் நாடும் நிலவாகி வழிக்காட்டுங்க
ஆஹ்........
ம்..ம்...ம்...
For me to travel watching my path,
Become the moon my heart longs for and show me the way!
For me to travel watching my path,
Become the moon my heart longs for and show me the way!
வண்டி உருண்டோட அச்சாணி தேவை
என்றும் அதுபோல வாழ்க்கை ஓடவே
ரெண்டு அன்புள்ளம் தேவை
ஓஹோ
Aaa…
Female: Mm... mmm...
வண்டி உருண்டோட அச்சாணி தேவை
என்றும் அதுபோல வாழ்க்கை ஓடவே
ரெண்டு அன்புள்ளம் தேவை
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Female: Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Two loving hearts are needed.
Male: Oh ho!
Both: An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Two loving hearts are needed.
Vandi urundoda achaani thevai
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae
Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Rendu anbullam thevai
Two loving hearts are needed.
Vandi urundoda achaani thevai
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae
Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Rendu anbullam thevai
Two loving hearts are needed.
Sondham kondadavendru
To claim kinship and connection,
Anbu kondu
With heartfelt love,
Coachil maappillai vaaraarae indru
The bridegroom comes in a carriage today!
Coachil maappillai vaaraarae indru
The bridegroom comes in a carriage today!
Sondham kondadavendru
To claim kinship and connection,
Anbu kondu
With heartfelt love,
Coachil maappillai vaaraarae indru
The bridegroom comes in a carriage today!
Coachil maappillai vaaraarae indru
The bridegroom comes in a carriage today!
Vandhaalum palan illaiyae
Even if he comes, it is of no use,
Anbai thandhaalum adhai vanga aal illaiyae
Even if love is offered, there is no one to accept it.
Vandhaalum palan illaiyae
Even if he comes, it is of no use,
Anbai thandhaalum adhai vanga aal illaiyae
Even if love is offered, there is no one to accept it.
Vandi urundoda achaani thevai
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae
Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Rendu anbullam thevai
Two loving hearts are needed.
Nilavai kandu malarum alli
The night lily blossoms upon seeing the moon,
Vilakkai kandu malaruma..aa
Will it ever blossom upon seeing a lamp?
Nilavai kandu malarum alli
The night lily blossoms upon seeing the moon,
Vilakkai kandu malaruma
Will it ever blossom upon seeing a lamp?
Ulagam kondaadum sooriyan vandhaalum
Even if the sun celebrated by the whole world arrives,
Unmai inbam kondaaduma
Will it experience true joy?
Vilangumbadi sollamaa
Explain it to me clearly, my lady,
Vennilavum yaaramma
Who is this bright moon, my lady?
Velaikkaran enakku adhu puriyuma
Will a simple worker like me understand all this?
Vilangumbadi sollamaa
Explain it to me clearly, my lady,
Vennilavum yaaramma
Who is this bright moon, my lady?
Velaikkaran enakku adhu puriyuma
Will a simple worker like me understand all this?
En velaiyai naan paarkka vendum theriyuma
Don't you know I must attend to my work?
Summa vilaiyaada vendam
Do not play around unnecessarily,
Adhai kodammaa ….kodamma
Give that to me... give it, madam!
Vandi urundoda achaani thevai
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Female :Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae
Female: Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Rendu anbullam thevai
Two loving hearts are needed.
Vambhu ennamaa vanga
Why invite unnecessary trouble, madam?
Adhai thaanga
To endure such trouble,
Vandha vazhi paarthu neraaga ponga
Go back straight along the path you came,
Unga vazhi paarthu neraaga ponga
Go straight along your own path!
Vazhi paarthu naan pogavae
For me to travel watching my path,
Endhan manam naadum nilavaagi vazhikattunga
Become the moon my heart longs for and show me the way!
Vazhi paarthu naan pogavae
For me to travel watching my path,
Endhan manam naadum nilavaagi vazhikattunga
Become the moon my heart longs for and show me the way!
Aaa…
Aaa…
Female :Hmm..mmm..
Female: Mm... mmm...
Vandi urundoda achaani thevai
An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Female :Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae
Female: Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Rendu anbullam thevai
Two loving hearts are needed.
Male :Ohoo
Male: Oh ho!
Both :Vandi urundoda achaani thevai
Both: An linchpin is needed for a cart to roll forward,
Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae
Similarly, for life to run smoothly at all times,
Rendu anbullam thevai
Two loving hearts are needed.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic duet from the 1959 Tamil film 'Vannakili' uses the humble metaphor of a bullock cart and its axle pin (achaani) to illustrate the fundamental need for mutual love and companionship in human life. Just as a heavy cart cannot roll safely or effectively without an axle pin holding the wheels together, the journey of life cannot progress joyously without two hearts united in love and understanding. Throughout the song, playful dialogue unfolds between the leads. While metaphors of the water lily (alli), moon, and artificial lamp contrast true love with superficial affection, the social dynamics between a worker and a maiden add depth to their romantic banter, reinforcing that true happiness stems from reciprocal affection rather than grand nobility.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uwamai (Metaphor / Simile)
“Vandi urundoda achaani thevai / Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae”
Comparing the journey of life to a moving cart and the uniting force of love to an axle pin (achaani).
Allegory / Symbolic Contrast
“Nilavai kandu malarum alli / Vilakkai kandu malaruma”
Using the night-blooming lily (alli), moon (nilavu), and lamp (vilakku) to symbolize how true love responds naturally only to its true counterpart.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Vandi urundoda achaani thevai / Endrum adhu pola vaazhkai odavae”
The second letter 'n' (ன் / ண்) rhymes across consecutive lines (Vandi / Endrum).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, 'Vandi Urundoda Achaani Thevai' remains one of the most famous metaphorical folk-philosophical songs in rural Tamil cinema. The core line 'Rendu anbullam thevai' became a popular adage in Tamil culture regarding marriage and companionship.
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