P. Leela performs ‘Vaai Thirandhu’ from the album ‘Thanga Padhumai’. Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram wrote the lyrics. Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy composed the music. A mother’s desperate voice confronts silent deities, demanding accountability for her daughter’s suffering.
Vaai Thirandhu
P. Leela • From “Thanga Padhumai”
Vaai Thirandhu Lyrics Meaning P. Leela | Thanga Padhumai
The mother asks, “Even after sorrow has breached its banks, is there silence?” She challenges the goddess’s inaction. She questions the divine’s role in her daughter’s plight. Her words recall the legend of Kannagi and ancient acts of divine intervention.
Vai Thirandhu SollammaSpeak up, Mother.
Vai Thirandhu SollammaSpeak up, Mother.
Un Magalin Kadhai KelammaListen to your daughter’s tale.
Thunbam Karai Kadantha Pona Pinbum MaunamaEven after sorrow has breached its banks, is there silence?
Needhi Murai Kadantha Neeyum Pengal DeivamaAre you, who transcended justice, still a goddess for women?
Vai Thirandhu SollammaSpeak up, Mother.
Un Magalin Kadhai KelammaListen to your daughter’s tale.
Thunbam Karai Kadantha Pona Pinbum MaunamaEven after sorrow has breached its banks, is there silence?
Needhi Murai Kadantha Neeyum Pengal DeivamaAre you, who transcended justice, still a goddess for women?
Vai Thirandhu SollammaSpeak up, Mother.
Madura ThirunagaramadhiraAs in the sacred city of Madurai,
Sigarathodu Kuralum UyaraMay your voice rise to its peak.
Marai Kattrvar PadharaWhen those learned in sacred texts trembled,
Pori Sidhariya NavengeWhere is the tongue that scattered sparks?
Madura ThirunagaramadhiraAs in the sacred city of Madurai,
Sigarathodu Kuralum UyaraMay your voice rise to its peak.
Marai Kattrvar PadharaWhen those learned in sacred texts trembled,
Pori Sidhariya NavengeWhere is the tongue that scattered sparks?
Magara KodiyumWhen the ‘fish banner’,
Kottravanin Mani Pon MudiyumAnd the king’s jeweled gold crown,
Kattodu Mannil Veezha Pongiya ManamengeFell completely to the earth, where was your rising rage?
Magara KodiyumWhen the ‘fish banner’,
Kottravanin Mani Pon MudiyumAnd the king’s jeweled gold crown,
Kattodu Mannil Veezha Pongiya ManamengeFell completely to the earth, where was your rising rage?
Manamenge Manamenge ManamengeWhere is that rage, where is that rage, where is that rage?
Kanniludhirum Malar EduthuI took the flowers falling from my eyes,
Karppu Naril Saram ThoduthuThreaded them into a garland of ‘chastity’,
Ananiye Un Kal Adiyil SatrinenAnd offered it at your feet, ‘Anani’.
Kanniludhirum Malar EduthuI took the flowers falling from my eyes,
Karppu Naril Saram ThoduthuThreaded them into a garland of ‘chastity’,
Ananiye Un Kal Adiyil SatrinenAnd offered it at your feet, ‘Anani’.
Dhinam Alayathil Anbu VilakettrinenEvery day I lit the lamp of love in your temple.
Unnai Nambi Nambi Endrum PottrinenTrusting you repeatedly, I always praised you.
Indru Oliyilandha Kanavarodu NirkkirenToday I stand with a husband who has lost his light.
Unnai Nambi Nambi Endrum PottrinenTrusting you repeatedly, I always praised you.
Indru Oliyilandha Kanavarodu NirkkirenToday I stand with a husband who has lost his light.
Oliyilandha Kanavarodu NirkkirenI stand with a husband who has lost his light.
Oliyilandha Kanavarodu NirkkirenI stand with a husband who has lost his light.
Sembum Kallum Deivam EndruWere the words of the sages true,
Nambuvorgal PitharendruThat those who believe copper and stone are gods are mad?
Sithargal Uraitha Mozhi MeithanoWas that prophecy by the ‘sages’ true?
Sirpigal Sedhukki VaithaIs it also a lie,
Sithira SilaigalukkulThat the Goddess resides within
Devi Vandhiruppadhuvum Poi ThanoThe beautiful sculptures carved by artisans?
Thani Silambeduthu OorthazharpadaWas it the pride I created from having the power,
Sinatherindha Sakthiyundena Padaitha KarvamooTo take a single ‘anklet’ and burn down a city?
Manaisugam Keduthu Kanmani Sudarthanai ParithuOr is it the ‘dharma’ you fostered,
Vada Vaithal Nee Valartha DharmamooTo destroy inner peace, to snatch away a precious life, and leave it to wither?
Amma Amma Amma AmmaMother, Mother, Mother, Mother.
Vaai Thirandhu Music Video
This ‘Vaai Thirandhu’ lyrics translation examines how profound grief questions divine justice. The mother’s words probe the essence of faith. She asks if sacred statues truly hold a goddess. The song concludes with a deep existential query about belief.