Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vellaiyai Manam

From Chokka Thangam · 2003

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singers
Swarnalatha, Sujatha Mohan, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Deva
Details
Chokka Thangam2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Vellaiyaai manam pillaiyaaiAre you not the one with a pure heart and child-like nature?
Gunam kondavan nee allavaAre you not the one possessing such virtuous character?
Thandhai thaai ena ennai thaangiyaSupporting me like both father and mother,
Dheivamum nee allava} (2)Are you not the living deity yourself?
Female
Thoosi puyal veesiEven when a dust storm blows violently,
Andha sooriyan saivathillaThat sun never tilts or bends.
Nooru thadai vandhumEven if a hundred obstacles stand in your way,
Nee eppovum thotradhillaYou have never faced defeat.
Female
Mullai poovaaLike a blooming jasmine flower,
Nee sirikkanumYou ought to smile,
Endhan sogamSo that my own sorrow,
Naan marakkanumI can completely forget.
Female
Vellaiyaai manam pillaiyaaiAre you not the one with a pure heart and child-like nature?
Gunam kondavan nee allavaAre you not the one possessing such virtuous character?
Thandhai thaai ena ennai thaangiyaSupporting me like both father and mother,
Dheivamum nee allavaAre you not the living deity yourself?
Female
Veruvitta aazhamaram nizhalilUnder the shade of a deep-rooted banyan tree,
Serugira baakkiyam thaan koduthaYou gave me the blessing to take shelter.
Endrum endrumForever and ever,
Naan maravaenI will never forget this kindness.
Male
Nandhavana pookalena malarndhuBlooming like flowers in a lush garden,
Naam sirikkum neram varum viraindhuThe time for us to smile together will arrive soon.
Thendral vandhuAs the gentle breeze arrives,
Naam midhappomWe shall float along with joy.
Female
Ungal oorgola vaibogaYour grand festive procession,
Katchi thannaiThat magnificent spectacle itself,
En kannaara naan kaanaTo witness it fully with my own eyes,
KathirikkenI am waiting eagerly.
Male
Ullam thullam boobaalathaiWith a leaping heart singing the morning raga,
Ondrinaindhae naam paaduvomUnited together, we shall sing.
Female
Vellaiyaai manam pillaiyaaiAre you not the one with a pure heart and child-like nature?
Gunam kondavan nee allavaAre you not the one possessing such virtuous character?
Female
Thandhai thaai ena ennai thaangiyaSupporting me like both father and mother,
Dheivamum nee allavaAre you not the living deity yourself?
Female
Thoosi puyal veesiEven when a dust storm blows violently,
Andha sooriyan saivathillaThat sun never tilts or bends.
Female
Nooru thadai vandhumEven if a hundred obstacles stand in your way,
Nee eppovum thotradhillaYou have never faced defeat.
Male
Undhan sogamSo that your grief,
Nee maranthidaYou may forget,
Mullai poovaiLike a jasmine flower,
Naan sirikirenI am now smiling.
Female
Vellaiyaai manam pillaiyaaiAre you not the one with a pure heart and child-like nature?
Gunam kondavan nee allavaAre you not the one possessing such virtuous character?
Thandhai thaai ena ennai thaangiyaSupporting me like both father and mother,
Dheivamum nee allavaAre you not the living deity yourself?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a deeply emotional tribute of gratitude, respect, and unconditional love towards a protective father figure or elder brother. The lyrics praise the individual's pure, innocent heart and child-like simplicity, while simultaneously highlighting their immense strength, comparing them to an unshakeable sun standing firm against fierce storms. The narrator views this guardian as a divine presence and a deep-rooted banyan tree that offers shelter to the entire family. Throughout the song, the narrator expresses hope for better days ahead when sorrow will be replaced by laughter and joy. In a touching role reversal towards the end, the speaker smiles like a jasmine flower specifically to relieve the beloved figure's burdens, underscoring a bond of mutual care, solace, and eternal devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile / Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Vellaiyaai manam pillaiyaai / Gunam kondavan nee allava

Compares a pure, unblemished heart to the color white ('vellai') and character to an innocent child ('pillai').

Extended Metaphor

Thoosi puyal veesi / Andha sooriyan saivathilla

Compares the protagonist's steadfastness against life's hardships to the sun staying unbowed during a dust storm.

Metaphor

Veruvitta aazhamaram nizhalil / Serugira baakkiyam thaan kodutha

Compares the guardian's protective refuge to the vast shade of a deep-rooted banyan tree ('aazhamaram').

Imagery / Symbolism

Nandhavana pookalena malarndhu ... Ullam thullam boobaalathai

Uses the morning raga ('Boopaalam') and blooming garden flowers as symbols of hope, new beginnings, and joy.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from 'Chokka Thangam' (2003) features music composed by Deva and lyrics written by Thamarai. The film stars Vijayakanth and Soundarya, where the song emphasizes the core emotional theme of sibling bonding and familial selflessness.

Keep listening

More from Chokka Thangam