Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aalayam Enbathu Veedagum

From Thamarai Nenjam · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thamarai Nenjam1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Aalayam enbathu veedaagumA temple becomes a home
Aasai veithaalIf one has true love and desire
Aanandha maaligai pol aagumIt becomes like a palace of joy
Sevai seidhaal} (2)If one renders selflessness and service
Vanna poovai allum kaiyil vaasam unduThe hands that gather colorful flowers retain their fragrance
Nalla sevai seiyum nenjil deivam unduGod resides in the heart that renders noble service
Female
Lalalalalalalaa…(2)La la la la la la la...
Sani dha pa ma ga riSa ni dha pa ma ga ri
Ni dha pa ma ga ri saNi dha pa ma ga ri sa
Child :Sani dha pa ma ga riChild: Sa ni dha pa ma ga ri
Ni dha pa ma ga ri saNi dha pa ma ga ri sa
Female
Kannazhagu pappa ..Beautiful-eyed baby...
HahaaaHahaaa
Un kaigalai kattu..Fold your hands...
HahaaaHahaaa
Un kai paarthu aayiram ullam vaazhumLooking up to your hands, a thousand hearts live
Chinna chinna raja..Little prince...
HahaaaHahaaa
En aruginil vaada..Come near me...
HahaaaHahaaa
Un mugam paarthu aayiram illam vaazhumLooking at your face, a thousand homes thrive
Female
Aalayam enbathu veedaagumA temple becomes a home
Aasai veithaalIf one has true love and desire
Aanandha maaligai pol aagumIt becomes like a palace of joy
Sevai seidhaalIf one renders selflessness and service
Female
{Kaagitha poovil vaasam illaiPaper flowers carry no fragrance
Rojaavai vaithaanSo he placed a real rose
Kaadhal konda raaniyin pakkamBeside the queen filled with love
Raajavai vaithaen} (2)I placed the king
Kannadi un ullam kallam illaa penn ullamYour heart is like a mirror, a pure woman's heart without guile
Unnai kandu uravaadum peadhai en ullamMy innocent heart bonded with yours upon seeing you
Female
Andhi padum podhumEven when twilight falls
En azhagiya veeduMy beautiful home
Pon oliyaalae maanikka vannam kattumGlows with ruby hues through golden light
Vennilavu vandhuThe white moon comes
En illathai kanduSeeing my home
Thaan vilaiyaada ooridam ennai ketkkumAnd asks me for a place to play
Female
Lalalalalalalaa…(4)La la la la la la la...
Female
Kodi koduthu uravinaroduLiving surrounded by loved ones and relatives
Vaazhvadhu thaan inbamIs true happiness
Kooda irundhu paadhiSharing half of what you have while eating together
Unbadhu per inbamIs supreme bliss
Irai podum ullangalHearts that feed the needy
Endrum vaazhum deepangalAre lamps that shine forever
Illai endru solladhaThey are golden cups that never say 'there is none'
Thanga kinnangalNever denying help
Female
Nallavar illam idhuThis is the home of righteous people
Palkazhai kazhagamA university of life
Idhu nadamaadum deivangalThis is an assembly where walking gods
Koodum sangamGather together
Kalakalappaaga nalla olimayamaagaLively and filled with bright radiance
Dhinam kalyaana veedenaLike a wedding house every day
Vaazhum illamIs the home where we live
Female
Aalayam enbathu veedaagumA temple becomes a home
Aasai veithaalIf one has true love and desire
Aanandha maaligai pol aagumIt becomes like a palace of joy
Sevai seidhaalIf one renders selflessness and service
Vanna poovai allum kaiyil vaasam unduThe hands that gather colorful flowers retain their fragrance
Nalla sevai seiyum nenjil deivam unduGod resides in the heart that renders noble service

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Aalayam Enbathu Veedaagum' highlights the sacred nature of family, selflessness, and loving service within a home. Kannadasan eloquently compares a peaceful, loving household to a temple and a grand palace of happiness. True joy, according to the song, comes not from material wealth alone, but from generosity, sharing food with others, and fostering unity among relatives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)

Aalayam enbathu veedaagum

Compares a loving home to a sacred temple ('Aalayam enbathu veedaagum') and generous human beings to walking divine beings ('Nadamaadum deivangal').

Rhyme / Monnai (Initial Rhyming)

Aalayam enbathu veedaagum / Aasai veithaal

Repetition of initial consonants or matching vowel lengths across successive lines ('Aalayam' / 'Aasai' / 'Aanandha').

Imagery

Pon oliyaalae maanikka vannam kattum / Vennilavu vandhu

Evokes vivid visual imagery of a home glowing in ruby tones during dusk and the moon seeking a space to play.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Thamarai Nenjam' (1968) directed by K. Balachander features iconic performances by Gemini Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi, and Vanisri. The track remains a celebrated classic for its soulful melody by P. Susheela and timeless moral philosophy.

Keep listening

More from Thamarai Nenjam