Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vinaiyale Vandha Theemai

From Asai Magan · 1953

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Details
Asai Magan1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vinaiyaalae….ae…ae…ae….vantha theemaiThe evil that resulted from one's own actions...
Thanai ninainthae novathaenoWhy suffer inside by repeatedly thinking about it?
Male
Vinaiyaalae vantha thaeemaiThe evil that resulted from one's own actions,
Thanai ninainthae novathaenoWhy suffer inside by repeatedly thinking about it?
Vinaiyaalae vantha thaeemaiThe evil that resulted from one's own actions,
Thanai ninainthae novathaenoWhy suffer inside by repeatedly thinking about it?
Male
Azhuvathaale aavathenna…aa…aa…aa…What can be achieved by weeping...?
Azhuvathaale aavathenna…What can be achieved by weeping?
Andru seitha vinaiyaalaeBecause of the deeds committed back then,
Male
Vinaiyaalae vantha thaeemaiThe evil that resulted from one's own actions,
Thanai ninainthae novathaenoWhy suffer inside by repeatedly thinking about it?
Male
Alavu meriya anbu seithanaiYou showered boundless, excessive affection,
Amuthamae visham aagi vittathuAnd so, even nectar has turned into poison,
Adhanai neeyum arigilaayo….Do you not even realize this truth?
Male
Vinaiyaalae vantha thaeemaiThe evil that resulted from one's own actions,
Thanai ninainthae novathaenoWhy suffer inside by repeatedly thinking about it?
Male
Kalippudanae thaalaattiyaeLulling him to sleep with joy,
Karunaiyodu paaloottiyaeNurturing him with compassionate milk,
Kannin mani polaeGuarding him like the pupil of your eye,
Iravu pagal kaaththu vantha maganivanoIs this the son you protected day and night?
Male
Nanmai enum nalla vidhaiyaalaeWith the good seed called virtue,
Thaayae nee un maganai uruvaakkavillaiyaeO mother, you did not shape your son,
Nanmai enum nalla vidhaiyaalaeWith the good seed called virtue,
Thaayae nee un maganai uruvaakkavillaiyaeO mother, you did not shape your son,
Male
Theemai enum neeroottri paapamaam eru vaiththaeWatering him with evil and fertilizing with sin,
Thaaimai enum peranbu oliyinaalae valaththaeWhile raising him under the bright light of immense maternal love,
Nanmagal anugaathu veliyum thaanaagiActing as a fence yourself so good qualities could not reach him,
Nee kaaththu vanthathin palanitho thaayaeIs this the ultimate result of your protective rearing, O mother?
Nee seithathaal vantha vinaiyae….This is the inevitable karma born of your own actions...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant philosophical song addresses a mother who is lamenting the ruinous state or misdeeds of her son. The narrator questions the futility of weeping over a predicament born entirely of her own past actions and choices in raising him. It highlights how blind, unrestrained affection can corrupt even the best intentions, turning sweet nectar into poison. Using agricultural metaphors, the song admonishes the mother for failing to plant the seeds of virtue and morality. Instead, through overindulgence and misguided protection, she nurtured vice and sin under the banner of maternal love. Ultimately, the song serves as a stern reminder of karma—that one reaps precisely what one sows in character and parenting.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Kannin mani polae

Compares the mother's intense care for her son to protecting the precious pupil of one's eye ('Kannin mani polae').

Uruvagamy (Metaphor)

Nanmai enum nalla vidhaiyaalae

Extensive use of agricultural metaphors comparing virtues to seeds ('Nanmai enum nalla vidhai'), bad deeds to water ('Theemai enum neeroottri'), and sins to fertilizer ('paapamaam eru').

Paradox / Oxymoron

Amuthamae visham aagi vittathu

Contrasts divine nectar turning into deadly poison to illustrate how excessive unguided love leads to negative outcomes.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kalippudanae thaalaattiyae

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in consecutive lines ('Kalippudanae', 'Karunaiyodu', 'Kannin').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Aasai Magan' (1953) featured music originally composed by C. R. Subbaraman and finished by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy after Subbaraman's untimely demise. Lyricist Kuyilan penned these deeply philosophical lines reflecting traditional Tamil notions of karma and moral upbringing.

Keep listening

More from Asai Magan