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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vara Vendum Rani

From Thiyaga Ullam · 1975

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Thiyaga Ullam1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vellaiyudai maattrivittuAfter changing out of white attire,
Veroruvan kaipidiththuHolding another man's hand,
Vanna nira pattuduththiDressed in colorful silk,
Venthathenna vinthaiyadiWhat wonder is it that desire burnt?
Female
Varavendum rani ennai paaradiCome here Queen, look at me.
Ingae konjam thunaiyoduHere, along with some company,
Vanthathenna kooradi enna sonthamTell me why you came, what is this relationship?
Badhil solladiGive me an answer,
Malarodu manjal yaedhadiWhy is there turmeric with the flower?
Female
Varavendum rani ennai paaradiCome here Queen, look at me.
Ingae konjam thunaiyoduHere, along with some company,
Vanthathenna kooradi enna sonthamTell me why you came, what is this relationship?
Badhil solladiGive me an answer,
Malarodu manjal yaedhadiWhy is there turmeric with the flower?
Female
Kaarthigai ponaalOnce the month of Kaarthigai passes,
Pin maargazhi maathamThen comes the month of Maargazhi.
Orr thunai ponaalIf one companion leaves,
Pin orr thunai vendumThen another companion is needed.
Female
Oruththikku oruvan'One man for one woman',
Ennadi vaathamWhat kind of debate is that?
Unmaiyai sonnaalIf the truth is spoken,
Yedhadi paavamWhere is the sin in it?
Female
Ramanum illai angaeThere is no Rama over there,
Seedhaiyum illai ingaeNor is there a Sita over here.
Ramanum illai angaeThere is no Rama over there,
Seedhaiyum illai ingaeNor is there a Sita over here.
Bathil solladiGive me an answer,
Malarodu manjal yaedhadiWhy is there turmeric with the flower?
Female
Varavendum rani ennai paaradiCome here Queen, look at me.
Ingae konjam thunaiyoduHere, along with some company,
Vanthathenna kooradi enna sonthamTell me why you came, what is this relationship?
Badhil solladiGive me an answer,
Malarodu manjal yaedhadiWhy is there turmeric with the flower?
Female
Madhavi pinnaeBehind Madhavi,
Nam kovalan ponaanOur Kovalan went.
Kovalan thaanaeWas it not Kovalan himself,
Pin kaaviyamaanaanWho later became an epic hero?
Female
Neruppinai polaeJust like fire,
Mogamum vaattumLust too scorches.
Anaiththidum kaiththaanOnly the embracing hand,
Aaruthal kaattumOffers comfort.
Female
Sooriyan ponaal ennaWhat if the Sun is gone?
Chanthiran vaanil unduThe Moon is present in the sky.
Sooriyan ponaal ennaWhat if the Sun is gone?
Chanthiran vaanil unduThe Moon is present in the sky.
Badhil solladiGive me an answer,
Malarodu manjal yaedhadiWhy is there turmeric with the flower?
Female
Varavendum rani ennai paaradiCome here Queen, look at me.
Ingae konjam thunaiyoduHere, along with some company,
Vanthathenna kooradi enna sonthamTell me why you came, what is this relationship?
Badhil solladiGive me an answer,
Malarodu manjal yaedhadi….Why is there turmeric with the flower?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Thiyaga Ullam' (1975) presents a bold and unconventional narrative challenging traditional societal taboos around widowhood, remarriage, and female autonomy. The protagonist confronts rigid expectations, asserting that life moves on after loss, just as seasons change from Kaarthigai to Maargazhi. She questioning the idealization of lifelong devotion by pointing out human reality over mythic perfection. Through metaphors of nature (the sun setting and the moon taking its place) and references to classical Tamil epic characters like Kovalan and Madhavi, the song argues that human emotional and physical needs are natural. It advocates against moral judgement, urging society to accept companionship and joy over rigid traditional dogmas.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Nature Metaphor (Uvamai)

Sooriyan ponaal enna / Chanthiran vaanil undu

Compares losing a partner and moving on to the setting sun being replaced by the moon in the sky.

Literary Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Madhavi pinnae / Nam kovalan ponaan

Refers to Kovalan pursuing Madhavi from the classical Tamil epic Silappatikaram to normalize complex human dynamics.

Mythological Allusion

Ramanum illai angae / Seedhaiyum illai ingae

Invokes Lord Rama and Goddess Sita to point out that ordinary humans cannot be expected to live strictly by ideal divine standards.

Simile (Uvamai)

Neruppinai polae / Mogamum vaattum

Compares passion/desire to scorching fire that burns unless comforted.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu and sung by S. Janaki, this song stood out in 1970s Tamil cinema for its progressive and frank discussion on remarriage, widowhood, and personal companionate choices.

Keep listening

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