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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vannakkili Annakkili

From Valiba Vilayattu · 1990

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Mano, Vidya
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Valiba Vilayattu1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Indha thookam yenadiWhy this deep sleep, my dear?
Nenjil yekkam yenadiWhy this longing in your heart, my dear?
Unmai kandu pidithaenI discovered the truth
Penmai unnai madhithaenI respected your womanhood
Kaadhali kaadhali …Beloved, beloved...
Male
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Indha thookam yenadiWhy this deep sleep, my dear?
Nenjil yekkam yenadiWhy this longing in your heart, my dear?
Unmai kandu pidithaenI discovered the truth
Penmai unnai madhithaenI respected your womanhood
Kaadhali kaadhali …Beloved, beloved...
Male
Pen vaazhkkaiyae ingu sabamaanadhuA woman's life here has become a curse
Adhai nee ethirthu pudhu por nadathuFight against it and wage a new war
Un vaazhkkaiyoo romba paavamaanadhuYour life has become so pitiable
Vizhi neer thulaithu ezhuvaai sirithuWipe away tears from your eyes, arise and smile
Male
Andraikku vishathaiIn those ancient times, the poison
Sivan thaan arunthi nindraanLord Shiva drank and endured
Indraikku vishathaiToday, the poison
Paarvathi arunthi vittaalGoddess Parvati has swallowed
Yaar meedhumae pazhithaan illaiyaeThere is no blame on anyone
Yaar meedhumae pazhithaan illaiyaeThere is no blame on anyone
Male
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Indha thookam yenadiWhy this deep sleep, my dear?
Nenjil yekkam yenadiWhy this longing in your heart, my dear?
Unmai kandu pidithaenI discovered the truth
Penmai unnai madhithaenI respected your womanhood
Kaadhali kaadhali …Beloved, beloved...
Male
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Female
Yaar vaarthaiyil naan kann mooduvaenBy whose words shall I close my eyes?
Siluvai sumandhaen mul mel nadandhaenI bore a cross, I walked on thorns
Un maarbilae saaindhu pan paaduvenLeaning on your chest, I will sing a melody
Thunai nee arindhaen thuyaram kuraindhaenRealizing you are my companion, my sorrow diminished
Female
Veiyilil manalil vidhaiyaai nan kidandhaenI lay like a seed in the scorching sand
Mazhaiyaai vizhundhaai mulaithae naan malarndhaenYou showered like rain, I sprouted and blossomed
Kanneeraiyae indru thaenaakinenToday I transformed tears into honey
Kanneeraiyae indru thaenaakinenToday I transformed tears into honey
Male
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Indha thookam yenadiWhy this deep sleep, my dear?
Nenjil yekkam yenadiWhy this longing in your heart, my dear?
Unmai kandu pidithaenI discovered the truth
Penmai unnai madhithaenI respected your womanhood
Kaadhali kaadhali …Beloved, beloved...
Male
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Indha thookam yenadiWhy this deep sleep, my dear?
Nenjil yekkam yenadiWhy this longing in your heart, my dear?
Unmai kandu pidithaenI discovered the truth
Penmai unnai madhithaenI respected your womanhood
Kaadhali kaadhali …Beloved, beloved...
Male
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot
Vannakkili annakkiliColorful parrot, swan-like parrot

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song addresses the hardships and societal curses faced by women, encouraging resilience and strength in the face of sorrow. The lyricist draws mythological parallels, contrasting Lord Shiva swallowing poison in ancient lore with women bearing life's bitterness today. Despite trials represented by bearing crosses and walking on thorns, love and understanding offer solace, transforming tears into sweet hope.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Unmai kandu pidithaen / Penmai unnai madhithaen

In lines 'Unmai kandu pidithaen' and 'Penmai unnai madhithaen', the second consonant 'n' (ன்) creates rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor / Mythological Allusion

Andraikku vishathai Sivan thaan arunthi nindraan / Indraikku vishathai Paarvathi arunthi vittaal

Comparing the female protagonist's suffering to Parvati drinking poison just as Shiva did during the churning of the ocean.

Metaphor

Veiyilil manalil vidhaiyaai nan kidandhaen / Mazhaiyaai vizhundhaai mulaithae naan malarndhaen

Comparing hardship and salvation to a seed lying in hot sand that sprouts upon receiving rainfall.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by renowned lyricist Vairamuthu, 'Vannakkili Annakkili' features poetic end-rhymes (Iyaibu) and heavy allegorical references to Tamil folklore and Hindu mythology, highlighting female empowerment within Tamil cinema soundtracks of the early 1990s.

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