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Lyrics & meaning

Vanthavanellam Vazhnthidavillai

From Karumaiyil Orr Azhahu · 1980

Lyricist
Gnaaniyaar
Singer
T. L. Maharajan
Music director
Agasthiyar
Details
Karumaiyil Orr Azhahu1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillaiNot everyone who arrived has truly lived a full life
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillaiNot everyone who lived prosperously has risen to great heights
Oongiyavan ellam thaangividavillaiNot everyone who rose high has sustained or supported others
Thaanguvadhu ulagai needhi nermaiyada aa aaWhat sustains the world is justice and honesty, O brother!
Thambhi vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillaiBrother, not everyone who arrived has truly lived a full life
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillaiNot everyone who lived prosperously has risen to great heights
Male
Vaanilae velli unduThere are stars in the sky
Nilaa undu ulagukkaagaThere is a moon for the sake of the world
Mannilae pon unduThere is gold in the earth
Oon undu namakkaagaThere is flesh and food for us
Male
Kannilae karunai unduThere is compassion in the eyes
Kaduram undu needhikkaagaThere is severity for the sake of justice
Nandu saaga nandugal piranthathuCrabs give birth even if it leads to their own death
Gnyaalam uivadharkaagaSo that the world may survive and flourish
Thambhi vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillaiBrother, not everyone who arrived has truly lived a full life
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillaiNot everyone who lived prosperously has risen to great heights
Male
Thedinaan oruvanOne man searched endlessly
Selvangal thannai kaapaattraFor wealth to safeguard himself
Vaadinaan vadhanginaanAnother withered and faded away
Oruvan thannai gnyaniyaakkaTo transform himself into a wise sage
Kandaayaa thambhi kadavul kaatiya unmaiDid you see, brother, the truth demonstrated by God?
Dhaganam aanaan oruvan… mattravan ottranOne turned to ashes... while the other became a detached observer
Male
Pichai eduppavan naanI am the one who begs for alms
Pitchai koduppavan neeYou are the one who bestows charity
Pichai eduppavan naanI am the one who begs for alms
Pitchai koduppavan neeYou are the one who bestows charity
Aasaikku adimai naanI am a slave to desires
Aasaikku adimai naan adhai adakkubavan neeI am a slave to desires, while you are the one who subdues them
Naesaa unnai purindhavan endrum azhivadhillaiO Beloved, one who truly understands you never perishes
Eesaa unnai maruthuvan endrumO Lord, one who denies or rejects you...
Vaazhnthum vaazhvadhillai…ee…ee…Does not truly live, even while alive...
Male
Thambhi vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillaiBrother, not everyone who arrived has truly lived a full life
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillaiNot everyone who lived prosperously has risen to great heights
Oongiyavan ellam thaangividavillaiNot everyone who rose high has sustained or supported others
Thaanguvadhu ulagai needhi nermaiyada aa aaWhat sustains the world is justice and honesty, O brother!
Vandhavan ellam vaazhnthuvidavillaiNot everyone who arrived has truly lived a full life
Vazhndhavan ellam oongividavillaiNot everyone who lived prosperously has risen to great heights

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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