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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vangi Vanden

From Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Devendran
Details
Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaangi vanthaen oru vaazhai maramI bought and brought a banana tree
Vantha pinnae athu thaazhai maramAfter coming, it turned into a thorny screwpine tree
Vaangi vanthaen oru vaazhai maramI bought and brought a banana tree
Vantha pinnae athu thaazhai maramAfter coming, it turned into a thorny screwpine tree
Male
Ilavaazha thandu mullaanathaaDid the tender banana stem turn into a thorn?
En kaigal theenda viragaanathaaWhen my hands touched it, did it become firewood?
Azhuthaalum thozhuthaalum vazhiyae kidaiyaathaaEven if I cry or pray, is there no way out?
Male
Vaangi vanthaen oru vaazhai maramI bought and brought a banana tree
Vantha pinnae athu thaazhai maramAfter coming, it turned into a thorny screwpine tree
Male
Paai pottu vahchirukkuThe mat has been spread out
Neeyillaama paalum paazhaanathuWithout you, even the milk has gone to waste
En maelae kuththamillaiIt is not my fault
Vaa kannamma urangi naalaanathuCome Kannamma, it has been days since I slept
Male
Andru sonna vaarththaiThe words spoken that day
Meiyillai pennaeWere not true, oh woman
Indru sollum vaarththaiThe words spoken today
Poyillai kannaeAre not lies, my dear
Male
Vazhi vitu kodukkaTo step aside and yield way
Vaai vittu azhuthaenI wept out loud
Viral ennai veuththaalIf the finger rejects me
Intha nagam engu povaenWhere will this nail go?
Male
Vaangi vanthaen oru vaazhai maramI bought and brought a banana tree
Vantha pinnae athu thaazhai maramAfter coming, it turned into a thorny screwpine tree
Male
Pombalainga kanneer vittaaIf women shed tears
Oor thaangaathu bhoomi rendaagumaeThe town cannot bear it, the earth will split into two
Aambalainga kanneer vittaaIf men shed tears
Yaar ketpaaga illai anuthaabamaeWho will listen? There is no sympathy
Male
Kaarththigai ponaal mazhai illai maanaeOnce Kaarththigai month passes, there is no rain, my dear
Karunaiyum ponaal vaazhvillaithaanaeIf compassion leaves, there is no life either
Unthan manam karumbaa illai idhu irumbaaIs your heart sweet like sugarcane, or is it made of iron?
Vennilavum irukka inga irulodu vaazhvaaWhile the full moon exists, should one live in darkness?
Male
Vaangi vanthaen oru vaazhai maramI bought and brought a banana tree
Vantha pinnae athu thaazhai maramAfter coming, it turned into a thorny screwpine tree
Male
Ilavaazha thandu mullaanathaaDid the tender banana stem turn into a thorn?
En kaigal theenda viragaanathaaWhen my hands touched it, did it become firewood?
Azhuthaalum thozhuthaalum vazhiyae kidaiyaathaaEven if I cry or pray, is there no way out?
Male
Vaangi vanthaen oru vaazhai maramI bought and brought a banana tree
Vantha pinnae athu thaazhai maramAfter coming, it turned into a thorny screwpine tree
Vaangi vanthaen oru vaazhai maramI bought and brought a banana tree
Vantha pinnae athu thaazhai maramAfter coming, it turned into a thorny screwpine tree

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the agony of marital discord and unfulfilled expectations in life. The protagonist uses the metaphor of bringing home a fruitful banana tree (representing peace and happiness), only for it to turn into a thorny screwpine tree (symbolizing unexpected strife and pain). He laments his loneliness, pleading for reconciliation while reflecting on how his past mistakes or words were untrue, and asserting his current sincerity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Vaangi vanthaen oru vaazhai maram / Vantha pinnae athu thaazhai maram

Comparing a relationship/life to a banana tree (vaazhai maram) turning into a thorny screwpine (thaazhai maram).

Analogy

Viral ennai veuththaal / Intha nagam engu povaen

Comparing the inseparable bond of husband and wife to a finger and its fingernail.

Contrast / Anthesis

Pombalainga kanneer vittaa... Aambalainga kanneer vittaa...

Contrasting societal reaction to women's tears versus men's tears.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum (1988) features lyrics written by Vairamuthu, highlighting deep rural metaphors such as 'Vaazhai' (banana tree, symbolic of prosperity) versus 'Thaazhai' (screwpine tree, symbolic of sharpness and pain).

Keep listening

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