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Lyrics & meaning

Vinaa Vinaa

From Papanasam · 2015

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Hariharan
Music director
Ghibran
Details
Papanasam2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vinaa vinaa orae vinaaA question, a question, just one question
Vidaamalae ezhum vinaaA question that arises relentlessly
Nirai vuraa orae kanaaAn unfulfilled dream
Iraivanaa manidhanaaIs it God or man?
Male
Aatril sellum neerilIn the water flowing in the river
Netrin vellam ethuWhich is yesterday's flood?
Netrellaam maayaiyaeAll of yesterday is an illusion
Male
Sooraikkaatrin oodaaiThrough the whirlwind
Saayaanaanaar kaadaaiLike a forest that did not bow down
Vendumor menmaiyaeA gentleness is needed
Male
Boopaalam ketkaadhoWill we not hear the morning raga?
Aagaayam nam deepam aagaadhoWill the sky not become our lamp?
Male
Vinaa vinaa orae vinaaA question, a question, just one question
Vidaamalae ezhum vinaaA question that arises relentlessly
Male
SikkumaaWill it get trapped?
Sikkumaa silanthi thaan amaithaWill a spider get trapped
Than valaiyilIn its own web?
Male
SikkuthaeIt gets trapped
Sikkuthae manadhu paavamennumThe mind gets trapped in the false web
Poi valaiyilCalled sin
Male
Ammai appan kaakkum pillaiA child protected by parents
Aayul nooru vaazhumWill live a hundred years
Immai seidha nanmai nammaiThe good deeds done in this birth
Theemaikondru kaakkumWill protect us from evil
Male
Anbae uyariya aavanamLove is the highest charter
Seidhaa aram nammai kaaththidumRighteousness performed will protect us
Male
Vinaa vinaa orae vinaaA question, a question, just one question
Vidaamalae ezhum vinaaA question that arises relentlessly
Nirai vuraa orae kanaaAn unfulfilled dream
Iraivanaa manidhanaaIs it God or man?
Male
KaththiyaaIs it the sword?
Puthiyaa irandil velvadhedhuOr the intellect—which wins between the two?
Sol manamaeTell me, oh mind
PuthiyaeIntellect
Puthiyae ulagil vellukindraIntellect is the weapon that wins
AayudhamaeIn this world
Male
Paaraimelae therai ponaalIf a toad walks on a rock
Paadhachuvadu illaiyaeThere are no footprints left behind
Veraippolae unmaikoodaJust like roots, even the truth
Veliyae vandhaal thollaiyaeIs trouble if it comes out
Male
Kooraa manamae ragasiyamDo not reveal secrets, oh mind
Ulagil uravae avasiyamRelationships are essential in this world
Male
Vinaa vinaa orae vinaaA question, a question, just one question
Vidaamalae ezhum vinaaA question that arises relentlessly
Nirai vuraa orae kanaaAn unfulfilled dream
Iraivanaa manidhanaaIs it God or man?
Male
Aatril sellum neerilIn the water flowing in the river
Netrin vellam ethuWhich is yesterday's flood?
Netrellaam maayaiyaeAll of yesterday is an illusion
Male
Sooraikkaatrin oodaaiThrough the whirlwind
Saayaanaanaar kaadaaiLike a forest that did not bow down
Vendumor menmaiyaeA gentleness is needed
Male
Boopaalam ketkaadhoWill we not hear the morning raga?
Aagaayam nam deepam aagaadhoWill the sky not become our lamp?
Boopaalam ketkaadho…ooo…Will we not hear the morning raga... ooo...
Aagaayam nam deepam aagaadho..Will the sky not become our lamp?..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vinaa Vinaa' from Papanasam is a philosophical and haunting tracks that explores themes of morality, guilt, human intellect, and unconditional love for family. Set against the backdrop of a family trying to cover up an accidental crime to protect themselves, the song questions whether human wisdom can outsmart fate and law, pondering if intellect (Puthi) is a far superior weapon than violence (Kaththi). Through evocative metaphors—such as a spider getting caught in its own web, unseen footprints of a toad on a rock, and hidden roots—lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar captures the protagonist's psychological struggle. The song emphasizes that while truth can sometimes destroy fragile lives if exposed, righteousness, love, and protective maternal/paternal bonds serve as ultimate shields against adversity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Sikkuthae manadhu paavamennum Poi valaiyil

Compares human mind getting entangled in guilt/sin to a spider getting trapped in its own web.

Antithesis / Contrast

Kaththiyaa Puthiyaa irandil velvadhedhu

Contrasts brute force/violence ('Kaththi' - knife/sword) with intellect/wit ('Puthi').

Simile

Veraippolae unmaikooda Veliyae vandhaal thollaiyae

Compares hidden truth to tree roots; exposing it destroys the foundation.

Rhetorical Question

Boopaalam ketkaadho Aagaayam nam deepam aagaadho

Uses philosophical questions to evoke deep introspection regarding fate and hope.

Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Ammai appan kaakkum pillai / Immai seidha nanmai nammai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines (e.g., 'Ammai' / 'Immai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vinaa Vinaa' was composed by M. Ghibran, sung powerfully by legendary singer Hariharan, with lyrics written by late lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar. The song serves as the thematic backbone of Papanasam (2015), the Tamil remake of the Malayalam blockbuster Drishyam. It plays during critical sequences where the protagonist (played by Kamal Haasan) meticulously constructs a false alibi to protect his family.

Keep listening

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