Who Am I
From Vaanam · 2011
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singer
- Benny Dayal
- Music director
- Yuvan Shankar Raja
- Details
- Vaanam2011
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| 1 2 3 4… lets walk | 1 2 3 4… let's walk |
| Dhinam dhinam marudhinam | Day by day, day after day |
| Kannaadiyai paarkkiren | I look into the mirror |
| Ennai naanae ketkiren | I ask myself |
| Who am i | Who am I? |
| Male | |
| Oru nodi sirikkiren | One moment I laugh |
| Marunodi azghukiren | The next moment I cry |
| Mayakkathil kidakkiren | I lie lost in an illusion |
| Who am i | Who am I? |
| Male | |
| Nerupinil pizhaikiren | I survive inside the fire |
| Who am i | Who am I? |
| Vazhum virupathil kodhikiren | I boil with the burning desire to live |
| Who am i | Who am I? |
| Kannavugal vithaikiren | I sow dreams like seeds |
| Kalaindhadhum thavikiren | When they shatter, I suffer in agony |
| Kadavulai ketkiren kulambudhae | I ask God, feeling completely bewildered |
| Male | |
| Who am i who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I? |
| Male | |
| Pirappadhum irappadhum | Being born and dying |
| Puzhuvukkum nadakkumae | Happens even to a mere worm |
| Saadhanaigal seidhu vida ninaikkiren | I wish to accomplish great feats |
| Dhinasari kavalaigal | As daily worries |
| Dhinam dhinam thurathida | Relentlessly chase me day after day |
| Aththanaiyum enakkullae pudhaikkiren | I bury everything deep within myself |
| Male | |
| Kuthamendru solvena | Shall I call it a fault? |
| Ullam enna solvenaa | Shall I speak what is in my heart? |
| Enna enna solveno | What all will I even say? |
| Enakkondrum puriyala | I do not understand anything at all |
| Male | |
| Who am i who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I? |
| Male | |
| Enakkena nanbargal | Thinking that I have no friends |
| Illaiyendru enni | For myself in this world |
| Ennai naanae nanbanaai ninaikkiren | I consider myself to be my own friend |
| Enakkena edhirigal | Thinking that no enemies exist |
| Yaarumillai endru enni | For me anywhere |
| Ennai naanae edhiriyaai verukkiren | I hate myself as my own enemy |
| Male | |
| Ennai naanae velvenaa | Will I conquer myself? |
| Ennai naanae kolvenaa | Or will I destroy myself? |
| Endhappakkam selveno | Which direction will I head towards? |
| Enakkondrum theriyala | I know nothing at all |
| Male | |
| Who am i who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I? |
| Male | |
| Dhinam dhinam marudhinam | Day by day, day after day |
| Kannaadiyai paarkkiren | I look into the mirror |
| Ennai naanae ketkiren | I ask myself |
| Who am i | Who am I? |
| Male | |
| Oru nodi sirikkiren | One moment I laugh |
| Marunodi azghukiren | The next moment I cry |
| Mayakkathil kidakkiren | I lie lost in an illusion |
| Who am i | Who am I? |
| Male | |
| Nerupinil pizhaikiren | I survive inside the fire |
| Who am i | Who am I? |
| Vazhum virupathil kodhikiren | I boil with the burning desire to live |
| Who am i | Who am I? |
| Kannavugal vithaikiren | I sow dreams like seeds |
| Kalaindhadhum thavikiren | When they shatter, I suffer in agony |
| Kadavulai ketkiren kulambudhae | I ask God, feeling completely bewildered |
| Male | |
| Who am i who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i who am i | Who am I, who am I, who am I? |
| Who am i who am i … | Who am I, who am I? |
| Whoooo..am …ii.. | Who am I? |
1 2 3 4 லெட்ஸ் டாக்
தினம் தினம் மறு தினம்
கண்ணாடியை பார்க்கிறேன்
என்னை நானே கேட்கிறேன்
ஹூ அம் ஐ
1 2 3 4… let's walk
Day by day, day after day
I look into the mirror
I ask myself
Who am I?
ஒரு நொடி
சிரிக்கிறேன் மறுநொடி
அழுகிறேன் மயக்கத்தில்
கிடக்கிறேன் ஹூ அம் ஐ
One moment I laugh
The next moment I cry
I lie lost in an illusion
Who am I?
நெருப்பினில்
பிழைக்கிறேன் ஹூ
அம் ஐ வாழும் விருப்பத்தில்
கொதிக்கிறேன் ஹூ அம் ஐ
கனவுகள் விதைக்கிறேன்
கலைந்ததும் தவிக்கிறேன்
கடவுளை கேட்கிறேன்
குழம்புதே
I survive inside the fire
Who am I?
I boil with the burning desire to live
Who am I?
I sow dreams like seeds
When they shatter, I suffer in agony
I ask God, feeling completely bewildered
ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I?
பிறப்பதும் இறப்பதும்
புழுவுக்கும் நடக்குமே சாதனைகள்
செய்து விட நினைக்கிறேன் தினசரி
கவலைகள் தினம் தினம் துரத்திட
அத்தனையும் எனக்குள்ளே
புதைக்கிறேன்
Being born and dying
Happens even to a mere worm
I wish to accomplish great feats
As daily worries
Relentlessly chase me day after day
I bury everything deep within myself
குத்தமென்று
சொல்வேனா உள்ளம்
என்ன சொல்வேனா
என்ன என்ன சொல்வேனோ
எனக்கொன்றும் புரியல
Shall I call it a fault?
Shall I speak what is in my heart?
What all will I even say?
I do not understand anything at all
ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I?
எனக்கென நண்பர்கள்
இல்லையென்று எண்ணி
என்னை நானே நண்பனாய்
நினைக்கிறேன் எனக்கென
எதிரிகள் யாருமில்லை என்று
எண்ணி என்னை நானே
எதிரியாய் வெறுக்கிறேன்
Thinking that I have no friends
For myself in this world
I consider myself to be my own friend
Thinking that no enemies exist
For me anywhere
I hate myself as my own enemy
என்னை நானே
வெல்வேனா என்னை நானே
கொல்வேனா எந்த பக்கம்
செல்வேனோ எனக்கொன்றும்
தெரியல
Will I conquer myself?
Or will I destroy myself?
Which direction will I head towards?
I know nothing at all
ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I?
தினம் தினம் மறு
தினம் கண்ணாடியை
பார்க்கிறேன் என்னை
நானே கேட்கிறேன் ஹூ
அம் ஐ
Day by day, day after day
I look into the mirror
I ask myself
Who am I?
ஒரு நொடி
சிரிக்கிறேன் மறு நொடி
அழுகிறேன் மயக்கத்தில்
கிடக்கிறேன் ஹூ அம் ஐ
One moment I laugh
The next moment I cry
I lie lost in an illusion
Who am I?
நெருப்பினில்
பிழைக்கிறேன் ஹூ
அம் ஐ வாழும் விருப்பத்தில்
கொதிக்கிறேன் ஹூ அம் ஐ
கனவுகள் விதைக்கிறேன்
கலைந்ததும் தவிக்கிறேன்
கடவுளை கேட்கிறேன்
குழம்புதே
I survive inside the fire
Who am I?
I boil with the burning desire to live
Who am I?
I sow dreams like seeds
When they shatter, I suffer in agony
I ask God, feeling completely bewildered
ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ ஹூ
அம் ஐ ஹூ அம் ஐ
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am I, who am I?
Who am I?
1 2 3 4… lets walk
1 2 3 4… let's walk
Dhinam dhinam marudhinam
Day by day, day after day
Kannaadiyai paarkkiren
I look into the mirror
Ennai naanae ketkiren
I ask myself
Who am i
Who am I?
Oru nodi sirikkiren
One moment I laugh
Marunodi azghukiren
The next moment I cry
Mayakkathil kidakkiren
I lie lost in an illusion
Who am i
Who am I?
Nerupinil pizhaikiren
I survive inside the fire
Who am i
Who am I?
Vazhum virupathil kodhikiren
I boil with the burning desire to live
Who am i
Who am I?
Kannavugal vithaikiren
I sow dreams like seeds
Kalaindhadhum thavikiren
When they shatter, I suffer in agony
Kadavulai ketkiren kulambudhae
I ask God, feeling completely bewildered
Who am i who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I?
Pirappadhum irappadhum
Being born and dying
Puzhuvukkum nadakkumae
Happens even to a mere worm
Saadhanaigal seidhu vida ninaikkiren
I wish to accomplish great feats
Dhinasari kavalaigal
As daily worries
Dhinam dhinam thurathida
Relentlessly chase me day after day
Aththanaiyum enakkullae pudhaikkiren
I bury everything deep within myself
Kuthamendru solvena
Shall I call it a fault?
Ullam enna solvenaa
Shall I speak what is in my heart?
Enna enna solveno
What all will I even say?
Enakkondrum puriyala
I do not understand anything at all
Who am i who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I?
Enakkena nanbargal
Thinking that I have no friends
Illaiyendru enni
For myself in this world
Ennai naanae nanbanaai ninaikkiren
I consider myself to be my own friend
Enakkena edhirigal
Thinking that no enemies exist
Yaarumillai endru enni
For me anywhere
Ennai naanae edhiriyaai verukkiren
I hate myself as my own enemy
Ennai naanae velvenaa
Will I conquer myself?
Ennai naanae kolvenaa
Or will I destroy myself?
Endhappakkam selveno
Which direction will I head towards?
Enakkondrum theriyala
I know nothing at all
Who am i who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I?
Dhinam dhinam marudhinam
Day by day, day after day
Kannaadiyai paarkkiren
I look into the mirror
Ennai naanae ketkiren
I ask myself
Who am i
Who am I?
Oru nodi sirikkiren
One moment I laugh
Marunodi azghukiren
The next moment I cry
Mayakkathil kidakkiren
I lie lost in an illusion
Who am i
Who am I?
Nerupinil pizhaikiren
I survive inside the fire
Who am i
Who am I?
Vazhum virupathil kodhikiren
I boil with the burning desire to live
Who am i
Who am I?
Kannavugal vithaikiren
I sow dreams like seeds
Kalaindhadhum thavikiren
When they shatter, I suffer in agony
Kadavulai ketkiren kulambudhae
I ask God, feeling completely bewildered
Who am i who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i who am i
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
Who am i who am i …
Who am I, who am I?
Whoooo..am …ii..
Who am I?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Who Am I' from Vaanam is a deeply philosophical and existential monologue about identity, inner conflict, and human resilience. The protagonist grapples with volatile emotions—shifting rapidly between laughter and tears, hope and despair—while questioning the meaning of their existence. Rather than settling for a mundane life shared by all living creatures, they dream of extraordinary accomplishments, yet feel stifled by the burden of daily struggles.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Antithesis)
“Oru nodi sirikkiren / Marunodi azghukiren”
Contrasts laughing ('sirikkiren') and crying ('azghukiren') in consecutive moments to depict extreme emotional turmoil.
Metaphor
“Kannavugal vithaikiren”
Compares forming hopes and ambitions to sowing seeds ('vithaikiren').
Muran (Antithesis)
“Ennai naanae nanbanaai ninaikkiren ... Ennai naanae edhiriyaai verukkiren”
Juxtaposes viewing oneself as a friend ('nanban') and as an enemy ('edhiri').
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pirappadhum irappadhum / Puzhuvukkum nadakkumae”
The second letter 'ra' in 'Pirappadhum' and 'irappadhum' creates a rhythmic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja for the film Vaanam (2011), directed by Krish. The lyrics were penned by Na. Muthu Kumar, known for capturing profound existential angst and philosophical themes in contemporary Tamil cinema.
Keep listening
More from Vaanam
Vaanam
Vaanam
Vaanam
Vaanam
Vaanam