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Lyrics & meaning

Vellakethu Vellakethu

From Per Sollum Pillai · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Per Sollum Pillai1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Unarvindri kidandhaa uzhaikkaama irundhaaIf we lie down without awareness or hard work
Varungaalam namakku valamaaga varumaaWill our future turn out prosperous for us?
Vandhaachu vandhaachu varngaalam namakkuOur future has arrived, it has arrived!
Chorus
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Male
Vaattidum pasiyoda kannu muzhichomWe stayed awake suffering from tormenting hunger
Vaadaama poruppoda senju mudichomWithout wilting, we completed our duties responsibly
Thaamara poovaaga agam malarumOur inner heart blooms like a lotus flower
Thaai mugam marakaama nitham nenachomWe remembered our mother's face daily without forgetting
Male
Kaiyila irukkum velaThe work that is in our hands
Adhu kandidum pandiga naalaWill see a festival day
Nenjula ulladhu polaJust as it is in our hearts
Ada nimmadhi vandhidum maelaPeace of mind will surely rise above
Male
Panathaalae nimmadhi thaanThrough money alone, peace of mind...
Chorus :Kidaikkaadhu kidaikkaadhuChorus: Is unobtainable, unobtainable!
Male :Panakkaaran manasukku thaanMale: For a rich person's heart...
Chorus :Adhu yedhu adhu yedhuChorus: Where is that peace? Where is it?
Male
Pasichaalum thavichaalumEven if hungry or suffering thirst
Ezhainga veettula nimmadhi unduThere is peace of mind in a poor person's home
Chorus
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Male
HaeiHey!
Chorus
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Male
Unarvindri kidandhaaIf we lie down without awareness
Uzhaikkaama irundhaaIf we stay without hard work
Varungaalam namakku valamaaga varumaaWill our future turn out prosperous for us?
Vandhaachu vandhaachu varngaalam namakkuOur future has arrived, it has arrived!
Chorus
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Male
Odidum nadhi pola manasirundhaaIf one's heart is like a flowing river
Adhu serndhidum idam ellaam sezhithirukkumEvery place it reaches will flourish
Oorula un pola ullam varumaaCan a heart like yours be found in this town?
Perula un pera cholla varumaaCan anyone's name be praised like your name?
Male
Sothukku suthuvadhaaruWho wanders endlessly for property?
Ingu nithamum azhuvadhaaruWho cries here every day?
Chorus
Uthama puthiran yaaru inguWho is the righteous son here?
Sathiyam ullavar yaaruWho is the one with truthfulness?
Male
Naer sellum oru pillaiA child who walks on the straight path
Chorus
Nee thaanae nee thaanaeIsn't it you? Isn't it you?
Male
Per sollum oru pillaiA child who brings fame and name
Chorus
Nee thaanae nee thaanaeIsn't it you? Isn't it you?
Valarndhaachu uyarndhaachuGrown up and risen high
Endraikkum endraikkum raajaadhi raajaaForever and ever, king of kings!
Chorus
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Male
HaaHaa!
Chorus
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Male
Unarvindri kidandhaaIf we lie down without awareness
Uzhaikkaama irundhaaIf we stay without hard work
Varungaalam namakku valamaaga varumaaWill our future turn out prosperous for us?
Vandhaachu vandhaachu varngaalam namakkuOur future has arrived, it has arrived!
Chorus
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up
Male
HaeiHey!
Chorus
Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhamaLight the lamp, light the lamp, today is Friday
Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelamaLike a lamp, our life's situation will brighten up

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vilakkaethu Vilakkaethu from Per Sollum Pillai (1987) is a joyful and uplifting song centered on optimism, hard work, filial piety, and moral integrity. Using the metaphor of lighting an auspicious lamp on a Friday, the song conveys that true prosperity and brightness in life come from persistent effort and righteous living rather than idle waiting.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Velakka pola velichamaagum namma nelama

Compares the positive change in life's state to the brightness spread by a lit lamp.

Simile (Upamai)

Thaamara poovaaga agam malarum

Compares the happiness of the inner self blooming to a blooming lotus flower.

Simile (Upamai)

Odidum nadhi pola manasirundhaa

Compares a generous and pure mind to a flowing river that brings fertility everywhere it goes.

Repetition (Epanalepsis / Anaphora)

Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu vellikkizhama

Repeats phrases like 'Vilakkaethu vilakkaethu' and 'Nee thaanae nee thaanae' for rhythmic emphasis and emotional resonance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Per Sollum Pillai (1987) stars Kamal Haasan in the lead role, with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The phrase 'Per Sollum Pillai' translates to 'A child who brings honor/fame to the family', a central thematic motif embedded in this track.

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