The Philosophy behind the title ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’
“Vaaranam Aayiram is an autobiographical and a very personal story and if people didn’t know that 70% of the film is from my life”. – Gautam Vasudev Menon
We use the word masterpiece too often nowadays, if something deserves this word, it must be a movie named ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ (Tamil) / ‘Surya S/O Krishnan’ (Telugu). It’s been 11 years for this poetry and every frame of this poetic bliss is still etched in our memories. So,
What is this movie about? Of course, everyone who watched this movie knows what is this movie about. But, How many of us know the philosophy behind naming this movie as ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ (Title of the film in Tamil)… The Telugu title is more like a catchphrase, but the Tamil title is something which will leave you in awe.
Do you know why?
Let us decipher ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’
Vaaranam = Elephant, Aayiram = One Thousand
It is translated from Tamil as “One Thousand Elephants”
It is the title of a verse in ‘Nachiyar Thirumozhi.’ These lines are delivered by Aandaaal, a 10th-century saint who fell deeply in love with Lord Vishnu. Her only life goal was to physically and spiritually connect with her lord. In this verse she tells her friend about her dream wedding with Lord Vishnu.
Verse:
Surrounded by one thousand elephants
The Lord, I’m trusting is walking in front of me
Abundant golden pots around
Entrances ornate with flower streamers, I saw with my eyes, my friend, I did.
Malini mentions these lines at the climax
She recalls Aandaal’s dream and likens her husband’s prowess to Lord Vishnu.
(Her late husband’s name Krishnan is another name of Lord Vishnu)
We can also notice that Priya was in love with Surya from her childhood, and married him after everything he went through.
There are also some other references to Aandaaal in the movie.
This title simply indicated that every loving wife is Aandaal, and her husband is Lord Vishnu.
That’s Gautam Vasudev Menon for you. Thank you Gautam Vasudev Menon for everything.
Just remember these words
“WHATEVER HAPPENS LIFE HAS TO GO ON.”
