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Lyrics & meaning

Vanna Kolu Paaru

From Karaiyai Thodatha Alaigal · 1985

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
Vani Jairam, Chorus
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Karaiyai Thodatha Alaigal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vanna kolu paaru oru vaazhththu kavi paaduLook at the colorful Golu display and sing a song of blessing.
Thanga mayil polae nee thaalam pottu aaduDance to the rhythm like a golden peacock.
Vanna kolu paaru oru vaazhththu kavi paaduLook at the colorful Golu display and sing a song of blessing.
Thanga mayil polae nee thaalam pottu aaduDance to the rhythm like a golden peacock.
Thanga mayil polae nee thaalam pottu aaduDance to the rhythm like a golden peacock.
Chorus
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Chorus
………………....
Female
Neru petra thennai nam baharathaththin annaiStraight and upright like a coconut tree, our Mother India.
Veeramulla penmai kavi bharathiyin thanmaiBrave womanhood is the quality championed by poet Bharathi.
Seedhanangal kettu varum aanukku nee vettuGive a sharp blow to the man who demands dowry.
Aanum pennum ondru samaneedhi vendum indruMan and woman are equal; equal justice is needed today.
Chorus
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Female
Vanna kolu paaru oru vaazhththu kavi paaduLook at the colorful Golu display and sing a song of blessing.
Thanga mayil polae nee thaalam pottu aaduDance to the rhythm like a golden peacock.
Thanga mayil polae nee thaalam pottu aaduDance to the rhythm like a golden peacock.
Female
Manaivikkaaga koyil katti vananguvorum unduThere are those who build a temple for their wife and worship her.
Maalaiyitta maadhu manam vaada seivor unduThere are also those who make the heart of their wedded wife wither.
Kaasu ondrai thedi dhinam yaengum nenjam kodiMillions of hearts yearn every day in search of money.
Ketkka vendum kelvi penn paavam yaendi thozhiWe must ask the question: why commit sins against women, my friend?
Chorus
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Female
Vanna kolu paaru oru vaazhththu kavi paaduLook at the colorful Golu display and sing a song of blessing.
Thanga mayil polae nee thaalam pottu aaduDance to the rhythm like a golden peacock.
Thanga mayil polae nee thaalam pottu aaduDance to the rhythm like a golden peacock.
Chorus
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!
Gobala gobala kettukka gobalaGopala, Gopala, listen up, Gopala!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Karaiyai Thodatha Alaigal' set during Navratri/Golu celebrations blends festive cheer with progressive social awareness. While inviting women to celebrate and dance like golden peacocks, the lyrics deliver strong feminist messages advocating for gender equality, opposing the practice of dowry, and condemning violence or disrespect towards women. Drawing inspiration from poet Subramania Bharathi's vision of 'Pudhumai Penn' (modern courageous woman), the song highlights the societal contrasts in how women are treated—revered on one hand and exploited on the other—and calls for true equality and justice in modern society.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Thanga mayil polae nee thaalam pottu aadu

Compares the grace and rhythm of the dancing woman to a golden peacock ('Thanga mayil polae').

Contrast (Muran)

Manaivikkaaga koyil katti vananguvorum undu / Maalaiyitta maadhu manam vaada seivor undu

Contrasts men who honor their wives to the extent of building temples for them with men who mistreat and cause mental distress to their wives.

Refrain / Anaphora

Gobala gobala kettukka gobala

Repetition of the line 'Gobala gobala kettukka gobala' acts as a lively, conversational chorus refrain calling for attention.

Edhukai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)

Neru petra thennai nam baharathaththin annai / Veeramulla penmai kavi bharathiyin thanmai

The second consonant 'ru' in 'Neru' matches 'ee' sound and rhythmic alignment with 'Veeramulla' across lines to create internal acoustic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Chandrabose with lyrics by Muthulingam and sung by Vani Jairam along with a chorus, the track creatively utilizes the traditional Golu festival setting as a backdrop to voice strong socio-political messages against dowry and male chauvinism, invoking Mahakavi Bharathiyar's ideals.

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