- Lyricist
- Super Subu
- Singers
- Nivas K. Prasanna, Malgudi Subha
- Music director
- Nivas K. Prasanna
- Movie name
- Vattam
- Movie release year
- 2022
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The title song of 'Vattam' serves as a philosophical and cynical reflection on the cyclical nature of life, fate, and human behavior. Expressed through the personification of Time or Destiny (speaking in both English and Tamil), the lyrics emphasize that everything in the world—literature, chemistry, history, zero, and eternity—operates in circles ('Vattam'). Humanity is depicted as caught in endless loops of folly, pride, ambition, and greed, believing money drives the world when in reality cosmic cycles govern all actions. In the second half, the song takes on a punchy, satirical tone directed at societal constructs, material wealth, and political power. It urges the listener to shed illusions ('aridhaaram' / makeup), take control of their destiny wisely, and understand that life's end is often just another beginning.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Vattam thaan ilakkiyam raasaa”
The phrase 'Vattam thaan' (It is a circle) is repeated at the start of consecutive lines to strongly reinforce the central philosophical theme of life's cyclicality.
Emoni / Ethirukai (Tamil Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kattam pottu puttaano / Thittaththa theettith thaan”
Second-letter rhyming (Kattugalaai/Kattam - Thittam - Vattam) and ending rhymes create a rhythmic, conversational flow typical of modern Tamil lyric writing.
Metaphor
“Vattam thaan vedhiyal raasaa”
Comparing various abstract disciplines and cosmic truths (Literature, Chemistry, History, Zero, Eternity) directly to a circle ('Vattam').
Rhetorical Questioning
“Sozhaludhaa uruludhaa / Thirumbunaa kozhambudhaa”
A series of quick rhetorical questions ('Sozhaludhaa uruludhaa...') used to provoke thought regarding the confusion and endless motion of human existence.
Antithesis / Contrast
“You are such a fool one day / But you are cool one day”
Contrasting opposing human states ('fool' vs 'cool', 'bury your head' vs 'shine') to show the volatile, changing nature of human mood and fate.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by Nivas K. Prasanna for the 2022 Tamil film 'Vattam', directed by Kamalakannan and starring Sibiraj. Lyricist Super Subu uses a blend of casual Tamil colloquialisms and English introspections to embody the voice of an omniscient observer (Time/Fate). Veteran singer Malgudi Shubha provides powerful background vocals alongside composer Nivas K. Prasanna.
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