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Lyrics & meaning

Vanthavanellam Vazhnthidavillai

From Karumaiyil Orr Azhahu · 1980

Lyricist
Gnaaniyaar
Singer
T. L. Maharajan
Music director
Agasthiyar
Movie name
Karumaiyil Orr Azhahu
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
29 Oct 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillai
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillai
Oongiyavan ellam thaangividavillai
Thaanguvadhu ulagai needhi nermaiyada aa aa
Thambhi vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillai
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillai
Vaanilae velli undu
Nilaa undu ulagukkaaga
Mannilae pon undu
Oon undu namakkaaga
Kannilae karunai undu
Kaduram undu needhikkaaga
Nandu saaga nandugal piranthathu
Gnyaalam uivadharkaaga
Thambhi vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillai
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillai
Thedinaan oruvan
Selvangal thannai kaapaattra
Vaadinaan vadhanginaan
Oruvan thannai gnyaniyaakka
Kandaayaa thambhi kadavul kaatiya unmai
Dhaganam aanaan oruvan… mattravan ottran
Pichai eduppavan naan
Pitchai koduppavan nee
Pichai eduppavan naan
Pitchai koduppavan nee
Aasaikku adimai naan
Aasaikku adimai naan adhai adakkubavan nee
Naesaa unnai purindhavan endrum azhivadhillai
Eesaa unnai maruthuvan endrum
Vaazhnthum vaazhvadhillai…ee…ee…
Thambhi vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillai
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillai
Oongiyavan ellam thaangividavillai
Thaanguvadhu ulagai needhi nermaiyada aa aa
Vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillai
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillai
Not everyone who is born truly lives.
Not everyone who lives rises high.
Not everyone who rises supports others.
What sustains this world is justice and honesty!
Brother, not everyone who came has truly lived.
Not everyone who lived has risen high.
In the sky there is a star,
And the moon, for the sake of the world.
In the earth there is gold,
And food for our sake.
In the eyes there is kindness,
And firmness for the sake of justice.
The mother crab dies as her young are born,
So that the world may thrive.
Brother, not everyone who came has truly lived.
Not everyone who lived has risen high.
One man went searching
For wealth to protect himself.
Another withered and struggled
To turn himself into a wise soul.
Did you see, brother, the truth that God revealed?
One turned to ashes... while the other stood alone in truth.
I am the one who begs,
You are the one who gives.
I am the one who begs,
You are the one who gives.
I am a slave to desire,
I am a slave to desire, but You are the one who masters it.
Beloved Lord, whoever understands You will never perish.
Oh Lord, whoever denies You
Does not truly live, even while alive...
Brother, not everyone who came has truly lived.
Not everyone who lived has risen high.
Not everyone who rose has supported others.
What sustains this world is justice and honesty!
Not everyone who is born truly lives.
Not everyone who lives rises high.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song from 'Karumaiyil Orr Azhahu' (1980) reflects on the transient nature of human existence, material wealth, and pride. Addressing a younger brother, the lyricist Gnaaniyaar observes that arrival on earth or acquiring wealth does not equal true life or spiritual elevation. True nobility lies in sustaining the world through righteousness, compassion, and divine wisdom. The lyrics contrast the worldly seeker who hoards wealth with the seeker of truth who sacrifices ego and desires. In the final verses, the speaker acknowledges human weakness and servitude to desire, contrasting it with divine grace and self-control. Understanding God brings eternal life, whereas denying the Divine renders one's existence meaningless even while alive.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antadi / Chaining (Emoni)

“Vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillai / Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillai”

The end concept or words of one line lead directly into the next (Vandhavan... / Vazhndhavan... / Oongiyavan... / Thaanguvadhu...), creating an interconnected chain of thought.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Vaanilae velli undu / Mannilae pon undu / Kannilae karunai undu”

Rhyming of the second consonant sound across consecutive lines ('Vaanilae', 'Mannilae', 'Kannilae').

Contrast / Antithesis

“Pichai eduppavan naan / Pitchai koduppavan nee”

Contrasting human frailty and begging with divine mastery and giving alms.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Gnaaniyaar for the 1980 Tamil film 'Karumaiyil Orr Azhahu', this track serves as a classical philosophical discourse (Thathuva Paadal) characteristic of mid-20th-century Tamil cinema morality songs.

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