T.M. Soundarajan delivers ‘Nallavar Vaakku’ from the album Vakkuruthi. Lyricist Kannadasan and composer Shankar Ganesh create a solemn reflection on promise-keeping through historical parallels.
Nallavar Vaakku
T. M. Soundarajan • From “Vakkuruthi”
Nallavar Vaakku Lyrics Translation T. M. Soundarajan | Vakkuruthi
Kannadasan equates a vow-keeping heart to a dwelling for God. His lines reject written contracts for virtuous individuals, framing spoken words as golden inscriptions.
Nallavar Vaakku NalvaakkuA good man’s word’s a righteous word.
Adhil Sellum Vaakku SelvaakkuIt’s a word that carries true authority.
Sonna Sollai Kaakkum UllamA heart that keeps the word it’s given,
Adhu Deivam Vaazhgindra IllamThat’s the home where God lives.
Kannan Koduththa Vaakkuruthi AndruThe promise Lord ‘Krishna’ gave back then,
Gowravar Saenaiyai AzhiththathadaaIt wiped out the ‘Kaurava’ army.
Annal Gandhigin VaakkuruthiThe promise of the Great ‘Gandhi’,
Nam Adimai Thalaiyai ThagarththathadaaIt shattered our chains of slavery.
Makkalin Thalaivan Lenin AndruBack then, ‘Lenin’, the people’s leader,
Sonna Vaakku PaliththathadaThe word he spoke became a reality.
Madhangalin Thalaivar SonnathellaamEverything the religious leaders said,
Manakkann Munnaal NadanthathadaaIt’s all happened right before our eyes.
Nallavar Vaakku NalvaakkuA good man’s word’s a righteous word.
Adhil Sellum Vaakku SelvaakkuIt’s a word that carries true authority.
Sonna Sollai Kaakkum UllamA heart that keeps the word it’s given,
Adhu Deivam Vaazhgindra IllamThat’s the home where God lives.
Deivam Vaazhgindra IllamThe home where God lives.
Nallavarkku Edharkku KaiyezhuththuWhy’d a good person need a signature?
Avar Sollum Sollae Pon EzhuthuThe word they speak’s a golden inscription.
Theeyavar Podum KaiyezhuththumEven the signatures of wicked men,
Nalam Seiyyaathenbathu Kurai KaruththuWon’t bring any good, in my humble view.
Budhan Edhanai Ezhuthi VaiththaanWhat did Lord ‘Buddha’ leave in writing?
Verum Thaththubam Thaanae Solli VaiththaanHe just spoke and left us his philosophy.
Sonnavan Sollai Nambi ViduJust trust in the speaker’s word.
Adhu Thozhvi Adainthaal KettuviduIf it fails, then go ahead and question it,
Pdhil KettuviduGo ask for an answer.
Nallavar Vaakku NalvaakkuA good man’s word’s a righteous word.
Adhil Sellum Vaakku SelvaakkuIt’s a word that carries true authority.
Sonna Sollai Kaakkum UllamA heart that keeps the word it’s given,
Adhu Deivam Vaazhgindra IllamThat’s the home where God lives.
Deivam Vaazhgindra IllamThe home where God lives.
Adhu Deivam Vaazhgindra IllamThat’s the home where God lives.
Nallavar Vaakku Music Video
Kannadasan’s historical references clarify the Nallavar Vaakku lyrics meaning. Gandhi’s promises broke chains while Lenin’s words shaped realities in this Tamil composition.