Vidhiyaa Vidhavayaa
From Thambi Durai · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thambi Durai1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa | Is it fate, or is she a widow? |
| Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa | Is it the cruelty of past karma? |
| Sadhiyin karangalil | In the hands of treachery, |
| Ival or padhumaiyaa | Is she merely a puppet? |
| Enna kolam idhu oo… oo… | What a pathetic state this is... oh... |
| Soga chumai | A burden of sorrow, |
| Kanneerk kadhai oo…oo… | A story of tears... oh... |
| Pengal nilai ooo… | The plight of women... oh... |
| Male | |
| Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa | Is it fate, or is she a widow? |
| Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa | Is it the cruelty of past karma? |
| Male | |
| Manadhirkkugandha | To get a husband |
| Kanavan kidaikka | Desired by her heart, |
| Sumangaliyaai aanaval | She became an auspicious wife; |
| Kidaitha kanavan | Though the husband she got |
| Pizhaithu irukka | Is still alive, |
| Amangaliyaai ponaval | She has been forced into widowhood. |
| Male | |
| Malargal mudikka | Though her beloved is alive |
| Thalaivan irundhum | To adorn her with flowers, |
| Malar izhandhaal poongodi | This flowering vine has lost her bloom. |
| Valaiyal vazhanga | Though her companion is alive |
| Thunaivan irundhum | To grant her bangles, |
| Valai izhandhaal paningili | This gentle parrot has lost her bangles. |
| Male | |
| Poovum vanna pottum | Should flowers and the colorful bindi |
| Indha pennai neengalaamaa | Depart from this woman? |
| Kaimbpenn endra vedam | Can this womanhood endure |
| Indha penmai thaangalaamaa | The tragic garb of a widow? |
| Nyaayangalae oo… oo… | Oh justice... oh... |
| Poiyaavadhaa | Is it turning into a lie? |
| Maayangalae oo… oo… | Oh illusions... oh... |
| Meiyaavadhaa oo… | Are they becoming the truth? |
| Male | |
| Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa | Is it fate, or is she a widow? |
| Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa | Is it the cruelty of past karma? |
| Male | |
| Kudumba vilakkai | Setting the light of the family |
| Theruvil niruthi | Out on the street |
| Varuthuvadhu needhiyaa | And tormenting her, is that fair? |
| Vasantha paravai | A bird of spring |
| Veluthap pudavai | Draped in a faded white saree, |
| Uduthuvadhu nermaiyaa | Is it righteous to force her into this? |
| Male | |
| Aduthu kedukkum | Do the cruel hearts |
| Kodiya manangal | That ruin others |
| Uyarathilae vaazhvadhaa | Get to live in high positions? |
| Punidham niraindha | While pure and sacred |
| Manidha uyirgal | Human lives |
| Tharaiyinilae veezhvadhaa | Fall and suffer on the ground? |
| Male | |
| Thaayi magamaayi | Oh Mother Goddess Magamayi, |
| Vandhu neeyae kaakka vendum | You must come yourself to protect her. |
| Soozhi mannil saaya | To strike down the evil onto the earth, |
| Kaiyil soolam thookka vendum | You must raise the trident in your hand. |
| Unai nambiyae oo… oo… | Believing in you... oh... |
| Penn jenmamae | Womankind |
| Poraadudhae oo… oo… | Is struggling... oh... |
| Badhil vendumae oo… | An answer is required... oh... |
| Male | |
| Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa | Is it fate, or is she a widow? |
| Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa | Is it the cruelty of past karma? |
| Sadhiyin karangalil | In the hands of treachery, |
| Ival or padhumaiyaa | Is she merely a puppet? |
| Enna kolam idhu oo… oo… | What a pathetic state this is... oh... |
| Soga chumai | A burden of sorrow, |
| Kanneerk kadhai oo…oo… | A story of tears... oh... |
| Pengal nilai ooo… | The plight of women... oh... |
| Male | |
| Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa | Is it fate, or is she a widow? |
| Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa | Is it the cruelty of past karma? |
| Sadhiyin karangalil | In the hands of treachery, |
| Ival or padhumaiyaa | Is she merely a puppet? |
விதியா விதவையா
வினையின் கொடுமையா....
சதியின் கரங்களில்
இவள் ஒர் பதுமையா
என்னக்கோலம் இது ஓ.......ஓ...
சோகச் சுமை......
கண்ணீர்க் கதை ஓ......ஓ...
பெண்கள் நிலை ஓ......
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
In the hands of treachery,
Is she merely a puppet?
What a pathetic state this is... oh...
A burden of sorrow,
A story of tears... oh...
The plight of women... oh...
விதியா விதவையா
வினையின் கொடுமையா....
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
மனதிற்குகந்த கணவன் கிடைக்க
சுமங்கலியாய் ஆனவள்
கிடைத்த கணவன் பிழைத்து இருக்க
அமங்கலியாய்ப் போனவள்
To get a husband
Desired by her heart,
She became an auspicious wife;
Though the husband she got
Is still alive,
She has been forced into widowhood.
மலர்கள் முடிக்க
தலைவன் இருந்தும்
மலர் இழந்தாள் பூங்கொடி
வளையல் வழங்க
துணைவன் இருந்தும்
வளை இழந்தாள் பைங்கிளி
Though her beloved is alive
To adorn her with flowers,
This flowering vine has lost her bloom.
Though her companion is alive
To grant her bangles,
This gentle parrot has lost her bangles.
பூவும் வண்ணப்பொட்டும்
இந்தப் பெண்ணை நீங்கலாமா
கைம்பெண் என்ற வேடம்
இந்தப் பெண்மை தாங்கலாமா
நியாயங்களே ஓ........ஓ...
பொய்யாவதா........
மாயங்களே ஓ........ஓ...
மெய்யாவதா ஓ........
Should flowers and the colorful bindi
Depart from this woman?
Can this womanhood endure
The tragic garb of a widow?
Oh justice... oh...
Is it turning into a lie?
Oh illusions... oh...
Are they becoming the truth?
விதியா விதவையா
வினையின் கொடுமையா....
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
குடும்ப விளக்கை
தெருவில் நிறுத்தி
வருத்துவது நீதியா
வசந்தப் பறவை
வெளுத்தப் புடவை
உடுத்துவது நேர்மையா
Setting the light of the family
Out on the street
And tormenting her, is that fair?
A bird of spring
Draped in a faded white saree,
Is it righteous to force her into this?
அடுத்துக் கெடுக்கும்
கொடிய மனங்கள்
உயரத்திலே வாழ்வதா
புனிதம் நிறைந்த மனித உயிர்கள்
தரையினிலே வீழ்வதா
Do the cruel hearts
That ruin others
Get to live in high positions?
While pure and sacred
Human lives
Fall and suffer on the ground?
தாயி மகமாயி வந்து
நீயே காக்க வேண்டும்
சூழ்ச்சி மண்ணில் சாய
கையில் சூலம் தூக்க வேண்டும்
உனை நம்பியே ஓ.......ஓ......
பெண் ஜென்மமே.....
போராடுதே ஓ.......ஓ.......
பதில் வேண்டுமே ஓ.......
Oh Mother Goddess Magamayi,
You must come yourself to protect her.
To strike down the evil onto the earth,
You must raise the trident in your hand.
Believing in you... oh...
Womankind
Is struggling... oh...
An answer is required... oh...
விதியா விதவையா
வினையின் கொடுமையா....
சதியின் கரங்களில்
இவள் ஒர் பதுமையா
என்னக்கோலம் இது ஓ.......ஓ...
சோகச் சுமை......
கண்ணீர்க் கதை ஓ......ஓ...
பெண்கள் நிலை ஓ......
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
In the hands of treachery,
Is she merely a puppet?
What a pathetic state this is... oh...
A burden of sorrow,
A story of tears... oh...
The plight of women... oh...
விதியா விதவையா
வினையின் கொடுமையா....
சதியின் கரங்களில்
இவள் ஒர் பதுமையா
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
In the hands of treachery,
Is she merely a puppet?
Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
Sadhiyin karangalil
In the hands of treachery,
Ival or padhumaiyaa
Is she merely a puppet?
Enna kolam idhu oo… oo…
What a pathetic state this is... oh...
Soga chumai
A burden of sorrow,
Kanneerk kadhai oo…oo…
A story of tears... oh...
Pengal nilai ooo…
The plight of women... oh...
Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
Manadhirkkugandha
To get a husband
Kanavan kidaikka
Desired by her heart,
Sumangaliyaai aanaval
She became an auspicious wife;
Kidaitha kanavan
Though the husband she got
Pizhaithu irukka
Is still alive,
Amangaliyaai ponaval
She has been forced into widowhood.
Malargal mudikka
Though her beloved is alive
Thalaivan irundhum
To adorn her with flowers,
Malar izhandhaal poongodi
This flowering vine has lost her bloom.
Valaiyal vazhanga
Though her companion is alive
Thunaivan irundhum
To grant her bangles,
Valai izhandhaal paningili
This gentle parrot has lost her bangles.
Poovum vanna pottum
Should flowers and the colorful bindi
Indha pennai neengalaamaa
Depart from this woman?
Kaimbpenn endra vedam
Can this womanhood endure
Indha penmai thaangalaamaa
The tragic garb of a widow?
Nyaayangalae oo… oo…
Oh justice... oh...
Poiyaavadhaa
Is it turning into a lie?
Maayangalae oo… oo…
Oh illusions... oh...
Meiyaavadhaa oo…
Are they becoming the truth?
Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
Kudumba vilakkai
Setting the light of the family
Theruvil niruthi
Out on the street
Varuthuvadhu needhiyaa
And tormenting her, is that fair?
Vasantha paravai
A bird of spring
Veluthap pudavai
Draped in a faded white saree,
Uduthuvadhu nermaiyaa
Is it righteous to force her into this?
Aduthu kedukkum
Do the cruel hearts
Kodiya manangal
That ruin others
Uyarathilae vaazhvadhaa
Get to live in high positions?
Punidham niraindha
While pure and sacred
Manidha uyirgal
Human lives
Tharaiyinilae veezhvadhaa
Fall and suffer on the ground?
Thaayi magamaayi
Oh Mother Goddess Magamayi,
Vandhu neeyae kaakka vendum
You must come yourself to protect her.
Soozhi mannil saaya
To strike down the evil onto the earth,
Kaiyil soolam thookka vendum
You must raise the trident in your hand.
Unai nambiyae oo… oo…
Believing in you... oh...
Penn jenmamae
Womankind
Poraadudhae oo… oo…
Is struggling... oh...
Badhil vendumae oo…
An answer is required... oh...
Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
Sadhiyin karangalil
In the hands of treachery,
Ival or padhumaiyaa
Is she merely a puppet?
Enna kolam idhu oo… oo…
What a pathetic state this is... oh...
Soga chumai
A burden of sorrow,
Kanneerk kadhai oo…oo…
A story of tears... oh...
Pengal nilai ooo…
The plight of women... oh...
Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa
Is it fate, or is she a widow?
Vinaiyin kodumaiyaa
Is it the cruelty of past karma?
Sadhiyin karangalil
In the hands of treachery,
Ival or padhumaiyaa
Is she merely a puppet?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This emotional song expresses grief and indignation over the social and personal plight of a woman who has been unjustly cast into widowhood despite her husband being alive. The lyrics question fate, societal cruelty, and deceptive machinations that reduce a pure-hearted woman to a helpless puppet in the hands of treachery. Lyricist Vaali vividly portrays her lost joy—symbolized by stripped flowers, bangles, and bindi—and challenges societal notions of righteousness and justice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monorhyme / Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa / Sadhiyin karangalil”
The second letter 'dhi' matches across consecutive lines ('Vidhiyaa' / 'Sadhiyin').
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagai)
“Malar izhandhaal poongodi / Valai izhandhaal paningili”
Comparing the woman to a flowering vine ('Poongodi') and a dew-kissed parrot ('Paningili').
Antithesis / Contrast (Oduvu)
“Sumangaliyaai aanaval / Amangaliyaai ponaval”
Contrasting 'Sumangali' (auspicious married woman) with 'Amangali' (widow) to highlight her paradoxical tragic situation.
Rhetorical Question
“Nyaayangalae oo… oo… Poiyaavadhaa”
Using repeated questioning ('Vidhiyaa vidhavaiyaa', 'Poiyaavadhaa') to invoke empathy and challenge systemic injustice.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary poet Vaali, this song addresses the emotional turmoil of false widowhood and societal prejudice. Vaali frequently incorporated philosophical interrogations and social commentary into his situational song lyrics.
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