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Lyrics & meaning

Aadhi Enbathu Thottilile

From Veedu Varai Uravu · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Veedu Varai Uravu
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
31 Oct 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aadhi enbathu thottililae
Varum antham enbathu kattililae
Aadhi enbathu thottililae
Varum antham enbathu kattililae
Needhi enbathu manithanidam
Needhi enbathu manithanidam
Avan nirkkum idamo iraivanidam
Nirkkum idamo iraivanidam..
Aadhi enbathu thottililae
Varum antham enbathu kattililae
Aththai maman kanavugalum
Udan annan thambi uravugalum
Aththai maman kanavugalum
Udan annan thambi uravugalum
Soththu kidaiththaal varuvathundu
Adhu vattrum pozhuthu maraivathundu
Vattrum pozhuthu maraivathundu
Aadhi enbathu thottililae
Varum antham enbathu kattililae
Pantha janangal parivaaram
Perum padhavi mogam adhigaaram
Pantha janangal parivaaram
Perum padhavi mogam adhigaaram
Intha ulagin alangolam
Idhil entha uravum sila kaalam
Entha uravum sila kaalam
Aadhi enbathu thottililae
Varum antham enbathu kattililae
Vellikkizhamai varumendru
Oru thingal kizhamai vilakkettri
Vellikkizhamai varumendru
Oru thingal kizhamai vilakkettri
Kannai vizhiththu kaaththathammaa dhinam
Ennei vidaththaan maranthathammaa
Ennei vidaththaan maranthathammaa
Aadhi enbathu thottililae
Varum antham enbathu kattililae
Needhi enbathu manithanidam
Avan nirkkum idamo iraiva
The beginning is in the cradle,
The inevitable end is on the deathbed.
The beginning is in the cradle,
The inevitable end is on the deathbed.
Justice lies with mankind,
Justice lies with mankind,
Yet the place one stands before is God.
The place one stands before is God...
The beginning is in the cradle,
The inevitable end is on the deathbed.
The hopes of aunts and uncles,
And the close bonds of brothers,
The hopes of aunts and uncles,
And the close bonds of brothers,
Arrive when wealth comes in,
And vanish when that wealth runs dry.
Vanish when that wealth runs dry...
The beginning is in the cradle,
The inevitable end is on the deathbed.
Relatives, family, and followers,
The craze for high status and power—
Relatives, family, and followers,
The craze for high status and power—
Are just the hollow show of this world;
In this life, every relationship lasts only a little while.
Every relationship lasts only a little while...
The beginning is in the cradle,
The inevitable end is on the deathbed.
Hoping that Friday would arrive,
Lighting a lamp on a Monday,
Hoping that Friday would arrive,
Lighting a lamp on a Monday,
It stayed awake and waited,
Yet forgot to pour oil each day.
Yet forgot to pour oil each day...
The beginning is in the cradle,
The inevitable end is on the deathbed.
Justice lies with mankind,
Yet the place one stands before is God.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic philosophical song composed by M. S. Viswanathan and penned by Kaviarasar Kannadasan explores the impermanence of human life, earthly ties, and material pursuits. The opening lines establish the fundamental truth that life begins in a cradle and inevitably ends on a bier, emphasizing that while humans try to administer justice, ultimate accountability and destiny rest solely with God.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

“Aadhi enbathu thottililae / Varum antham enbathu kattililae”

Contrasting 'Aadhi' (beginning/birth) with 'Antham' (end/death), as well as 'Thottil' (cradle) with 'Kattil' (funeral bed) to highlight life's brevity.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

“Aadhi enbathu thottililae ... Needhi enbathu manithanidam”

The second consonant sound 'dhi' matches between 'Aadhi' and 'Needhi'.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Kannai vizhiththu kaaththathammaa dhinam / Ennei vidaththaan maranthathammaa”

Using the lighting of a lamp and forgetting the oil as a metaphor for devotion or effort without fundamental sustaining elements.

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Trivia

Written by the legendary poet Kannadasan, this song is widely remembered for K. J. Yesudas's deeply soulful vocal delivery and MSV's minimalist orchestration that highlights the deep philosophical weight of the lyrics.

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