A Refugee's Ode

We read about War and see the destruction that it causes. But apart from our sympathies for the victims, it is still largely news for us, as we don't usually get to comprehend the emotions of the people stuck in battlefields.

Written in the context of the Srilankan-Eelam War, the song Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae penned by lyricist Variamuthu to an A.R.Rahman score, is one that compels us to internalize the sentiments of people torn by war. With a small hope that I'd succeed in preserving the essence of the song in translation, I've made a rudimentary effort to open this up for my non-Tamil friends...

Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae

Kadal Vaasal Thelikkum Veedae

Pana Mara Kaadae, Paravaigal Koodae

Marumurai Oru Murai Paarpoma?

Uthattil Punnagai Puthaithom

Uyirai Udambukkul Puthaithom

Verum Koodugal Mattum Oorvalam Pogindrom

{Our dear nation, we bid farewell...

The sea that sprinkles our front yard, 

the palm groves, the bird nests,

will we ever meet again?      

We’ve buried our smiles in our lips

We’ve buried our lives in our bodies 

We’re just corpses taking out a procession}

Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae

Kadal Vaasal Thelikkum Veedae

Pana Mara Kaadae, Paravaigal Koodae

Marumurai Oru Murai Paarpoma?

Uthattil Punnagai Puthaithom

Uyirai Udambukkul Puthaithom

Verum Koodugal Mattum Oorvalam Pogindrom

{Our dear nation, we bid farewell...

The sea that sprinkles our front yard, 

the palm groves, the bird nests,

will we ever meet again?     

We’ve buried our smiles in our lips

We’ve buried our lives in our bodies 

We’re just corpses taking out a procession}

Kanthal Aanaalum Thaai Madi Poal

Oru Sugam Varuma? Varuma?

Kanthal Aanaalum Thaai Madi Poal

Oru Sugam Varuma? Varuma?

Sorgam Sendraalum Sontha Oor Poal

Suthanthiram Varuma? Varuma?

{Even if tormented, is there a place more comforting
than a mother’s lap? Is there? 

Even if tormented, is there a place more comforting
than a mother’s lap? Is there? 

Even if it's heaven, will it have the independence 

like it's in one’s own hometown?}

Kan Thirantha Dhesam Angae

Kan Moodum Dhesam Engae?

Kan Thirantha Dhesam Angae

Kan Moodum Dhesam Èngae?

Pirivoam Nathigalae, Pizhaithaal Varugiroam.

Meendum Thaayagam Azhaithaal Varugiroam.

Kanneer Thiraiyil Pirantha Mannai

Kadaisiyaaga Paarkindrøam.

{Here is where we opened our eyes, 

Where is it that we’ll close our eyes? 

Here is where we opened our eyes, 

Where is it that we’ll close our eyes? 

Oh, rivers, let’s part, we’ll come back if we survive,

If motherland comes calling sometime, we’ll come…

With tears, one last time…

we bid adieu to the soil that birthed us}

. 

Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae

Kadal Vaasal Thelikkum Veedae

Pana Mara Kaadae, Paravaigal Koodae

Marumurai Oru Murai Paarpoma?

Uthattil Punnagai Puthaithom

Uyirai Udambukkul Puthaithom

Verum Koodugal Mattum Oorvalam Pogindrom

{Our dear nation, we bid farewell...

The sea that sprinkles our front yard, 

the palm groves, the bird nests,

will we ever meet again?      

We’ve buried our smiles in our lips

We’ve buried our lives in our bodies 

We’re just corpses taking out a procession}

Engal Sangeetham Pillaiyin Azhugaiyile Tholaithoam

Engal Sangeetham Pillaiyin Azhugaiyile Tholaithoam

Engal Ilamthingal Vedikundu Puthaiyile Puthaithoam

Mun Nilavil Malaril Kidandhoam,
Pin Iravil Mullil Kizhinthoam

{We lost our music to our children's cries...
We lost our music to our children's cries...

We buried our crescent moon in our bunkers

We slept on roses under the waxing moon and 

On thorny bushes during the waning moon…}

Kadal Neer Paravai Dhaan Irunthaal santhippoam

Vanamae Malaigalae Vaazhnthaal santhippoam

Thalaiyil Konjam Nenjil Athigam

Sumaigal Sumanthu Pogindrom. 

{We are just water birds, we’ll meet if we survive...

The forests, the mountains, we’ll meet if we live…

A little on our heads, a lot on our hearts,

We are leaving with heavy baggages…}   

Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae

Kadal Vaasal Thelikkum Veedae

Pana Mara Kaadae, Paravaigal Koodae

Marumurai Oru Murai Paarpoma?

Uthattil Punnagai Puthaithom

Uyirai Udambukkul Puthaithom

Verum Koodugal Mattum Oorvalam Pogindrom

{Our dear nation, we bid farewell...

The sea that sprinkles our front yard, 

the palm groves, the bird nests,

will we ever meet again?      

We’ve buried our smiles in our lips

We’ve buried our lives in our bodies 

We’re just corpses taking out a procession}

{Search words: Kannathil Muthamittal, Tamil Song,
Madhavan, Manirathinam, translation, meaning, war}