Vilakku Vaipom
From Athma · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female | |
| Mani vilakkil | In the gemstone lamp |
| Female & Chorus :Vaazhai poo vaazhai poo | Banana flower wick, banana flower wick |
| Female :Thiriyeduthu | Taking the wick |
| Female & Chorus :Nei vittu nei vittu | Pouring ghee, pouring ghee |
| Female :Adi thikkettum muththuchudar aada | Hey, so that pearl-like flames dance in all eight directions |
| Female | |
| Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female | |
| Marakkilayil kaattrilaadum | Swaying in the breeze on the tree branch |
| Manja kodiyae | O yellow flag |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female :Mana kurayai theerthu vaikum | She who resolves the grievances of the heart |
| Manikodiyae | O precious flag-like divine presence |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female | |
| Kulamagalae koodi nindru | O virtuous women, let us stand together |
| Kulavai ittu paaduvom | Let us sing with joy and ululation |
| Kolusollika koyil munnae | With anklets tinkling in front of the temple |
| Kummi kotti aaduvom | Let us clap hands and dance the Kummi folk dance |
| Irukkudhoru saami dhaan | There is indeed a God |
| Chorus :Oh ho oh ho oh ho | Oh ho oh ho oh ho |
| Female :Ulagarinja saedhi dhaan | This is a truth known to the entire world |
| Chorus :Oh ho oh ho oh ho | Oh ho oh ho oh ho |
| Female :Maranjirukkum neraijirukkum | Divine power remains hidden yet omnipresent |
| Marupavanga yaaru kooradi | Tell me, who can deny this truth? |
| Female | |
| Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female | |
| Thalai eduththu theemai ellaam | All the evil that rears its head |
| Thathi kudhikkum | And leaps and bounds around |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female :Kalai eduthu kaathiruppa | She will weed out and protect us |
| Amman nenachaa | If the Goddess decides so |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female | |
| Alai kadalai aanai ittu | By issuing a command to the wavy sea |
| Adakkiduvor yaaradi | Who can subdue it? |
| Arumai ulla aadhi shakthi | The glories of the precious primordial force, Aadhi Shakthi |
| Perumaigalai kooradi | Tell me of her immense virtues |
| Naathigathai pesida | Even to speak words of atheism |
| Chorus :Oh ho oh ho oh ho | Oh ho oh ho oh ho |
| Female :Naakku thandhadhu yaaradi | Who gave us the tongue? Tell me! |
| Chorus :Oh ho oh ho oh ho | Oh ho oh ho oh ho |
| Female :Maranjirukum neraijirukum | Divine power remains hidden yet omnipresent |
| Maruppavanga yaaru kooradi | Tell me, who can deny this truth? |
| Female | |
| Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female | |
| Mani vilakkil | In the gemstone lamp |
| Female & Chorus :Vaazhai poo vaazhai poo | Banana flower wick, banana flower wick |
| Female :Thiriyeduthu | Taking the wick |
| Female & Chorus :Nei vittu nei vittu | Pouring ghee, pouring ghee |
| Female :Adi thikkettum muththuchudar aada | Hey, so that pearl-like flames dance in all eight directions |
| Female | |
| Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom | Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
| Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh |
விளக்கு வெப்போம் விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.....
குலம் விளங்க விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.......
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
மணி விளக்கில்
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
வாழை பூ வாழை பூ
திரியெடுத்து
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
நெய் விட்டு நெய் விட்டு
அடி திக்கெட்டும் முத்துச்சுடர் ஆட
In the gemstone lamp
Banana flower wick, banana flower wick
Taking the wick
Pouring ghee, pouring ghee
Hey, so that pearl-like flames dance in all eight directions
விளக்கு வெப்போம் விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு : ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.....
குலம் விளங்க விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ......
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
மரக்கிளையில் காற்றிலாடும்
மஞ்ச கொடியே
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.....
மன குறையை தீர்த்து வைக்கும்
மணிகொடியே
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.....
Swaying in the breeze on the tree branch
O yellow flag
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
She who resolves the grievances of the heart
O precious flag-like divine presence
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
குலமகளே கூடி நின்று
குலவை இட்டு பாடுவோம்
கொலுசொலிக்க கோயில் முன்னே
கும்மி கொட்டி ஆடுவோம்
இருக்குதொரு சாமிதான்
குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
உலகறிஞ்ச சேதி தான்
குழு :
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
மறஞ்சிருக்கும் நெறஞ்சிருக்கும்
மறுப்பவங்க யாரு கூறடி
O virtuous women, let us stand together
Let us sing with joy and ululation
With anklets tinkling in front of the temple
Let us clap hands and dance the Kummi folk dance
There is indeed a God
Oh ho oh ho oh ho
This is a truth known to the entire world
Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Divine power remains hidden yet omnipresent
Tell me, who can deny this truth?
விளக்கு வெப்போம் விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.....
குலம் விளங்க விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.....
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
தலை எடுத்து தீமை எல்லாம்
தட்டி குதிச்சா
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.....
களை எடுத்து காத்திருப்பா
அம்மன் நெனச்சா
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ....
All the evil that rears its head
And leaps and bounds around
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
She will weed out and protect us
If the Goddess decides so
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
அலை கடலை ஆணை இட்டு
அடக்கிடுவோர் யாரடி
அருமை உள்ள ஆதி சக்தி
பெருமைகளை கூறடி
நாத்திகத்தை பேசிட
குழு :
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
நாக்கு தந்தது யாரடி
குழு :
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
மறஞ்சிருக்கும் நெறஞ்சிருக்கும்
மறுப்பவங்க யாரு கூறடி
By issuing a command to the wavy sea
Who can subdue it?
The glories of the precious primordial force, Aadhi Shakthi
Tell me of her immense virtues
Even to speak words of atheism
Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Who gave us the tongue? Tell me!
Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Divine power remains hidden yet omnipresent
Tell me, who can deny this truth?
விளக்கு வெப்போம் விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ......
குலம் விளங்க விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ......
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
மணி விளக்கில்
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
வாழை பூ வாழை பூ
திரியெடுத்து
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
நெய் விட்டு நெய் விட்டு
அடி திக்கெட்டும் முத்துச்சுடர் ஆட
In the gemstone lamp
Banana flower wick, banana flower wick
Taking the wick
Pouring ghee, pouring ghee
Hey, so that pearl-like flames dance in all eight directions
விளக்கு வெப்போம் விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.....
குலம் விளங்க விளக்கு வெப்போம்
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.......
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ.......
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ......
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Mani vilakkil
In the gemstone lamp
Female & Chorus :Vaazhai poo vaazhai poo
Banana flower wick, banana flower wick
Female :Thiriyeduthu
Taking the wick
Female & Chorus :Nei vittu nei vittu
Pouring ghee, pouring ghee
Female :Adi thikkettum muththuchudar aada
Hey, so that pearl-like flames dance in all eight directions
Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Marakkilayil kaattrilaadum
Swaying in the breeze on the tree branch
Manja kodiyae
O yellow flag
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Female :Mana kurayai theerthu vaikum
She who resolves the grievances of the heart
Manikodiyae
O precious flag-like divine presence
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Kulamagalae koodi nindru
O virtuous women, let us stand together
Kulavai ittu paaduvom
Let us sing with joy and ululation
Kolusollika koyil munnae
With anklets tinkling in front of the temple
Kummi kotti aaduvom
Let us clap hands and dance the Kummi folk dance
Irukkudhoru saami dhaan
There is indeed a God
Chorus :Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Female :Ulagarinja saedhi dhaan
This is a truth known to the entire world
Chorus :Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Female :Maranjirukkum neraijirukkum
Divine power remains hidden yet omnipresent
Marupavanga yaaru kooradi
Tell me, who can deny this truth?
Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Thalai eduththu theemai ellaam
All the evil that rears its head
Thathi kudhikkum
And leaps and bounds around
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Female :Kalai eduthu kaathiruppa
She will weed out and protect us
Amman nenachaa
If the Goddess decides so
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Alai kadalai aanai ittu
By issuing a command to the wavy sea
Adakkiduvor yaaradi
Who can subdue it?
Arumai ulla aadhi shakthi
The glories of the precious primordial force, Aadhi Shakthi
Perumaigalai kooradi
Tell me of her immense virtues
Naathigathai pesida
Even to speak words of atheism
Chorus :Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Female :Naakku thandhadhu yaaradi
Who gave us the tongue? Tell me!
Chorus :Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Oh ho oh ho oh ho
Female :Maranjirukum neraijirukum
Divine power remains hidden yet omnipresent
Maruppavanga yaaru kooradi
Tell me, who can deny this truth?
Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Mani vilakkil
In the gemstone lamp
Female & Chorus :Vaazhai poo vaazhai poo
Banana flower wick, banana flower wick
Female :Thiriyeduthu
Taking the wick
Female & Chorus :Nei vittu nei vittu
Pouring ghee, pouring ghee
Female :Adi thikkettum muththuchudar aada
Hey, so that pearl-like flames dance in all eight directions
Vilakku vaippom vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp, let us light the lamp
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Female :Kulam vilanga vilakku vaipom
Let us light the lamp for the prosperity of the family
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This devotional song from the film Athma celebrates the ritual of lighting lamps to invoke divine blessings, prosperity, and protection for the family and community. The lyrics describe traditional temple festivities where women gather, chant, and dance Kummi while honoring the Mother Goddess (Aadhi Shakthi). It highlights how divine energy dispels darkness, eliminates evil, and bestows peace.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaal / Alliteration (Tamil)
“Thalai eduththu theemai ellaam / Thathi kudhikkum”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' in consecutive words.
Edhugai / Rhyming (Tamil)
“Kulamagalae koodi nindru / Kulavai ittu paaduvom”
Matching second letters ('la') across lines 'Kulamagalae' and 'Kulavai'.
Metaphor
“Adi thikkettum muththuchudar aada”
Describing the flame as a pearl-like radiance ('muththuchudar') symbolizing purity and brightness.
Rhetorical Question
“Naathigathai pesida / Naakku thandhadhu yaaradi”
Challenging atheism by asking who gave humans the tongue to speak in the first place.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Vilakku Vaippom' from Athma (1993) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the veteran lyricist Vaali. The film stars Rahman, Gautami, and Suresh Gopi.
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