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Lyrics & meaning

Vanthaara Vazha Vaikkum

From Periya Veetu Pannakkaran · 1990

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Periya Veetu Pannakkaran
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
13 Jan 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum
Ada yaesu buthar gandhi
Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Gangaiyum kaaviri paayira naadu
Indha nan naattukku eedinai yaedhu
Thangamum thaan undu boomiyil thaedu
Sundhara thaen thazmizh paattinil paadu
Ingulla selvam thannai yaar eduthu ponaalum
Anbennum selvam thannai kollai kolla aagumo
Ezhaiyin naadu yendru yaelanangal sonnaalum
Eppodhum arivil ingu yaarum ezhai illaiyae
Un paechukkal yaechukkal kaatrinil pochu
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum
Ada yaesu buthar gandhi
Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Aei thanannana naanaanaa naanaanaa naanaa
Thananna nannaa thananna nannaa
Oho………………..
Koozhukkum kanjikkum paadu pattaalum
Sorundu veettukku thaedi vandhorkku
Thannikku queue vinil naalum nindraalum
Kaappiyum tea undu naadi vandhorkku
Ethanai katchigalum aarambithu kollaiyaa
Boomikkul kambai nattu kodiya yaethi kollaiyaa
Naattukku thalaivan pola paechu kooda paesaiyaa
Ottukku vandhu kaasai veesi kooda paaraiyaa
Thaerdhalin naerathil yosikka maattom
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Ennaadaanaalum en madhamaanaalum
Ada yaesu buthar gandhi
Avanga manasa pola vaazha vaikkum
Vandhaara vaazha vaikkum ooru aehae
Thandhaana thaanam solli paadu
Thandhaanan naannaana naanaa aehae
Thandhaana naannaana naanaa
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
Whatever country you are from, whatever your religion,
look, with a generous heart like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
this land lets everyone thrive!
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
In this land where the Ganga and Kaveri flow,
what can ever equal this blessed country?
There is gold here too, just search the earth!
Sing about it in sweet, beautiful Tamil song!
No matter who takes away the wealth found here,
can anyone ever steal the wealth called love?
Even if people mock this as a poor man's nation,
no one here was ever poor in wisdom!
Your empty talk and insults have vanished into thin air!
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
Whatever country you are from, whatever your religion,
look, with a generous heart like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
this land lets everyone thrive!
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
Hey, thanannana naanana naanana naana!
Thananna nanna thananna nanna!
Oho...
Even if we toil and struggle for a bowl of gruel,
for those who come seeking our humble little home,
even if we stand in queues every day for drinking water,
there is always coffee and tea for those who visit!
How many parties are founded just to loot?
Planting a pole in the earth, raising a flag, all just to loot?
Go ahead and make speeches like a leader of the nation!
Go ahead and throw cash around for votes!
When election time comes, we don't even stop to think!
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
Whatever country you are from, whatever your religion,
look, with a generous heart like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi,
this land lets everyone thrive!
This is a land that gives life to all who arrive, hey!
Sing aloud to the rhythm of 'thanthana thanam'!
Thanthana nannana naana, hey!
Thanthana nannana naana!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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