Vanthaara Vazha Vaikkum
From Periya Veetu Pannakkaran · 1990
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Periya Veetu Pannakkaran1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum | Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to, |
| Ada yaesu buthar gandhi | Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi, |
| Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum | It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill. |
| Male | |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Male | |
| Gangaiyum kaaviri paayira naadu | This is the land where the Ganges and Kaveri flow. |
| Indha nan naattukku eedinai yaedhu | What can equal this wonderful land? |
| Thangamum thaan undu boomiyil thaedu | Gold exists in this soil, search for it! |
| Sundhara thaen thazmizh paattinil paadu | Sing in beautiful, sweet Tamil songs! |
| Ingulla selvam thannai yaar eduthu ponaalum | Whoever takes away the material wealth from here, |
| Anbennum selvam thannai kollai kolla aagumo | Can anyone ever loot the wealth of love? |
| Ezhaiyin naadu yendru yaelanangal sonnaalum | Even if people mock this as a poor man's land, |
| Eppodhum arivil ingu yaarum ezhai illaiyae | No one here is ever poor in wisdom and mind! |
| Un paechukkal yaechukkal kaatrinil pochu | Your taunts and scoffs have blown away in the wind! |
| Male | |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum | Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to, |
| Ada yaesu buthar gandhi | Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi, |
| Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum | It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill. |
| Male | |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Male | |
| Aei thanannana naanaanaa naanaanaa naanaa | Hey, thandhanaana naanaanaa naanaanaa naanaa... |
| Male | |
| Thananna nannaa thananna nannaa | Thananna nannaa thananna nannaa... |
| Oho……………….. | Oho... |
| Male | |
| Koozhukkum kanjikkum paadu pattaalum | Even if people toil hard for basic porridge and gruel, |
| Sorundu veettukku thaedi vandhorkku | For those who come weary seeking refuge at their doorstep, |
| Thannikku queue vinil naalum nindraalum | Even if they stand in long queues daily for drinking water, |
| Kaappiyum tea undu naadi vandhorkku | There is still coffee and tea for guests who come seeking them! |
| Ethanai katchigalum aarambithu kollaiyaa | So many political parties are started and flourish, |
| Boomikkul kambai nattu kodiya yaethi kollaiyaa | Planting a pole in the earth and hoisting flags galore! |
| Naattukku thalaivan pola paechu kooda paesaiyaa | Speeches are made pretending to be leaders of the nation, |
| Ottukku vandhu kaasai veesi kooda paaraiyaa | Trying to throw money around to buy votes during elections! |
| Thaerdhalin naerathil yosikka maattom | Yet we fail to think wisely during election time! |
| Male | |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum | Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to, |
| Ada yaesu buthar gandhi | Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi, |
| Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum | It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill. |
| Male | |
| Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae | This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life. |
| Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu | Sing along with rhythm and joy. |
| Thandhaanan naannaana naanaa aehae | Thandhaanan naannaana naanaa aehae... |
| Thandhaana naannaana naanaa | Thandhaana naannaana naanaa... |
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
எந்நாடானாலும் எம்மதமானாலும்
அட ஏசு புத்தர் காந்தி
அவங்க மனச போல வாழ வைக்கும்
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to,
Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill.
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
கங்கையும் காவிரி பாயிற நாடு
இந்த நன் நாட்டுக்கு ஈடிணை ஏது
தங்கமும் தான் உண்டு பூமியில் தேடு
சுந்தரத் தேன் தமிழ் பாட்டினில் பாடு
இங்குள்ள செல்வம் தன்னை
யார் எடுத்துப் போனாலும்
அன்பென்னும் செல்வம் தன்னை
கொள்ளை கொள்ள ஆகுமோ
ஏழையின் நாடு என்று ஏளனங்கள் சொன்னாலும்
எப்போதும் அறிவில் இங்கு
யாரும் ஏழை இல்லையே
உன் பேச்சுக்கள் ஏச்சுக்கள் காற்றினில் போச்சு
This is the land where the Ganges and Kaveri flow.
What can equal this wonderful land?
Gold exists in this soil, search for it!
Sing in beautiful, sweet Tamil songs!
Whoever takes away the material wealth from here,
Can anyone ever loot the wealth of love?
Even if people mock this as a poor man's land,
No one here is ever poor in wisdom and mind!
Your taunts and scoffs have blown away in the wind!
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
எந்நாடானாலும் எம்மதமானாலும்
அட ஏசு புத்தர் காந்தி
அவங்க மனச போல வாழ வைக்கும்
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to,
Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill.
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
...................................
Hey, thandhanaana naanaanaa naanaanaa naanaa...
கூழுக்கும் கஞ்சிக்கும் பாடு பட்டாலும்
சோறுண்டு வீட்டுக்கு தேடி வந்தோர்க்கு
தண்ணிக்கு க்யூவினில் நாளும் நின்றாலும்
காப்பியும் டீ உண்டு நாடி வந்தோர்க்கு
எத்தனை கட்சிகளும் ஆரம்பித்துக் கொள்ளையா
பூமிக்குள் கம்பை நட்டு கொடிய ஏத்திக் கொள்ளையா
நாட்டுக்குத் தலைவன் போல பேச்சுக் கூட பேசையா
ஓட்டுக்கு வந்து காசை வீசிக் கூடப் பாரையா
தேர்தலின் நேரத்தில் யோசிக்க மாட்டோம்
Thananna nannaa thananna nannaa...
Oho...
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
எந்நாடானாலும் எம்மதமானாலும்
அட ஏசு புத்தர் காந்தி
அவங்க மனச போல வாழ வைக்கும்
Even if people toil hard for basic porridge and gruel,
For those who come weary seeking refuge at their doorstep,
Even if they stand in long queues daily for drinking water,
There is still coffee and tea for guests who come seeking them!
So many political parties are started and flourish,
Planting a pole in the earth and hoisting flags galore!
Speeches are made pretending to be leaders of the nation,
Trying to throw money around to buy votes during elections!
Yet we fail to think wisely during election time!
வந்தார வாழ வைக்கும் ஊரு ஏஹே
தந்தானத் தானம் சொல்லிப் பாடு
தந்தானன் நான்னான்ன நானா ஏஹே
தந்தானன் நான்னான்ன நானா
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to,
Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill.
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Thandhaanan naannaana naanaa aehae...
Thandhaana naannaana naanaa...
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum
Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to,
Ada yaesu buthar gandhi
Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum
It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill.
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Gangaiyum kaaviri paayira naadu
This is the land where the Ganges and Kaveri flow.
Indha nan naattukku eedinai yaedhu
What can equal this wonderful land?
Thangamum thaan undu boomiyil thaedu
Gold exists in this soil, search for it!
Sundhara thaen thazmizh paattinil paadu
Sing in beautiful, sweet Tamil songs!
Ingulla selvam thannai yaar eduthu ponaalum
Whoever takes away the material wealth from here,
Anbennum selvam thannai kollai kolla aagumo
Can anyone ever loot the wealth of love?
Ezhaiyin naadu yendru yaelanangal sonnaalum
Even if people mock this as a poor man's land,
Eppodhum arivil ingu yaarum ezhai illaiyae
No one here is ever poor in wisdom and mind!
Un paechukkal yaechukkal kaatrinil pochu
Your taunts and scoffs have blown away in the wind!
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum
Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to,
Ada yaesu buthar gandhi
Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum
It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill.
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Aei thanannana naanaanaa naanaanaa naanaa
Hey, thandhanaana naanaanaa naanaanaa naanaa...
Thananna nannaa thananna nannaa
Thananna nannaa thananna nannaa...
Oho………………..
Oho...
Koozhukkum kanjikkum paadu pattaalum
Even if people toil hard for basic porridge and gruel,
Sorundu veettukku thaedi vandhorkku
For those who come weary seeking refuge at their doorstep,
Thannikku queue vinil naalum nindraalum
Even if they stand in long queues daily for drinking water,
Kaappiyum tea undu naadi vandhorkku
There is still coffee and tea for guests who come seeking them!
Ethanai katchigalum aarambithu kollaiyaa
So many political parties are started and flourish,
Boomikkul kambai nattu kodiya yaethi kollaiyaa
Planting a pole in the earth and hoisting flags galore!
Naattukku thalaivan pola paechu kooda paesaiyaa
Speeches are made pretending to be leaders of the nation,
Ottukku vandhu kaasai veesi kooda paaraiyaa
Trying to throw money around to buy votes during elections!
Thaerdhalin naerathil yosikka maattom
Yet we fail to think wisely during election time!
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum
Whatever happens, whatever religion one belongs to,
Ada yaesu buthar gandhi
Ah, like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum
It allows everyone to live according to their hearts' goodwill.
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
This is a land that nurtures anyone who comes seeking life.
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Sing along with rhythm and joy.
Thandhaanan naannaana naanaa aehae
Thandhaanan naannaana naanaa aehae...
Thandhaana naannaana naanaa
Thandhaana naannaana naanaa...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Vandhaara Vaazha Vaikkum Ooru is a celebrated Tamil folk-pop song that glorifies the hospitable and inclusive culture of Tamil Nadu. It emphasizes how the land welcomes immigrants and people from all walks of life, allowing them to thrive peacefully regardless of caste or creed, inspired by great humanitarians like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi. The lyricist highlights that while material wealth can be stolen, the abundance of love, wisdom, and resilience in the community can never be diminished. Additionally, the song offers sharp yet lighthearted socio-political commentary. It contrasts the everyday hardships of common folk—such as standing in long queues for basic drinking water—with their unwavering generosity in welcoming guests with coffee and tea. It also critiques opportunistic politicians who attempt to buy votes during election seasons, reminding citizens of the power and responsibility of their vote.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaikkal (Alliteration)
“Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'v' in 'Vandhaara' and 'vaazha' creates rhythm and emphasis.
Edukai (Second letter rhyming)
“Gangaiyum kaaviri paayira naadu / Thangamum thaan undu boomiyil thaedu”
Rhyming of the second letter 'ng' in 'Gangaiyum' and 'Thangamum' across stanzas.
Uruvagamm (Metaphor)
“Anbennum selvam thannai kollai kolla aagumo”
'Anbennum selvam' metaphorically equates love to an indestructible fortune.
Irony / Contrast
“Thannikku queue vinil naalum nindraalum / Kaappiyum tea undu naadi vandhorkku”
Juxtaposing everyday poverty and queuing for drinking water with the unwavering habit of offering hospitality to guests.
Did you know?
Trivia
The proverb 'Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru' (the land that nurtures whoever arrives) is a legendary Tamil adage historically associated with Tamil Nadu and Chennai. Composed and scored by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja for the 1990 movie Periya Veetu Pannakkaran, this song captures both the warmth of rural Tamil culture and satirical political commentary typical of 1990s folk film music.
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