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Lyrics & meaning

Aayirathil Oruthiamma

From Kai Kodutha Deivam · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Kai Kodutha Deivam1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
AayirathilIn a thousand,
Oruthiyamma neeyou are one of a kind, my lady.
Ulagam arinthidadhaA soul so rare that
Piraviyamma neethe world has never known.
Male
PaarvaiyilaeIn your look,
Kumariyamma pazhakathilaeyou are a young woman, but in disposition,
Kuzhandhaiyamma aayirathilyou are an innocent child; in a thousand,
Oruthiyamma neeyou are one of a kind, my lady.
Male
{ Paalilum{ Whiter than milk,
Venmai paniyilumsofter than dew/snow, }
Menmai } (2)softer than dew/snow } (2)
Male
Pachai ilamLike the tender green
Kili mozhi neeparrot's speech, you speak,
Solvadhu unmaiwhat you utter is pure truth.
Paavigal nenjamThe hearts of sinners
Uraithidum vanjamdwell in deceit,
Male
Unmaiyendruto call their words the truth,
Solvadharku deivamum anjumeven God would hesitate in fear.
Then endra sol endrum then aagumoDoes saying the word 'honey' ever make it sweet honey?
Thee endru sonnalum thee aagumo oooDoes uttering the word 'fire' ever burn like fire? Ooo
Male
AayirathilIn a thousand,
Oruthiyamma neeyou are one of a kind, my lady.
Ulagam arinthidadhaA soul so rare that
Piraviyamma neethe world has never known.
Male
PaarvaiyilaeIn your look,
Kumariyamma pazhakathilaeyou are a young woman, but in disposition,
Kuzhandhaiyamma aayirathilyou are an innocent child; in a thousand,
Oruthiyamma neeyou are one of a kind, my lady.
Male
{ Pennodu{ Born alongside a woman,
Thondri pennoduand having lived with a woman, }
Vaazhndhum } (2)and having lived with a woman } (2)
Pen manadhuThe true heart of a woman,
Ennavendru puriyavillaiyohave you still failed to understand?
Male
Kan ennaWhat kind of eyes are those eyes,
Kanno nenjenna nenjowhat kind of heart is that heart?
Kalangam solbavarkuFor those who cast blame and dishonor,
Ullam illaiyodo they have a heart at all?
Male
AadharamA hundred proofs
Noorendru oor sollalamthe town may claim to present,
Aanaalum poi endru naan solluvenyet I will declare it all to be a lie.
Male
AayirathilIn a thousand,
Oruthiyamma neeyou are one of a kind, my lady.
Ulagam arinthidadhaA soul so rare that
Piraviyamma neethe world has never known.
Male
PaarvaiyilaeIn your look,
Kumariyamma pazhakathilaeyou are a young woman, but in disposition,
Kuzhandhaiyamma aayirathilyou are an innocent child; in a thousand,
Oruthiyamma neeyou are one of a kind, my lady.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Kai Kodutha Deivam' is an emotional defense and poetic tribute to the innocence and purity of the female protagonist. The singer passionately praises her virtue, describing her as a rare soul unmatched by anyone else. He asserts that while she appears grown in womanhood, her heart remains as pure, gentle, and innocent as that of a child. He scorns the vicious rumors and malicious accusations spread by deceitful people, pointing out that mere false words cannot alter the truth, just as saying 'fire' does not burn.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor & Simile (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)

{ Paalilum Venmai paniyilum Menmai }

Compares her purity to milk ('Paalilum venmai'), softness to snow/dew ('paniyilum menmai'), and gentle speech to a tender parrot ('Pachai ilam kili mozhi').

Rhetorical Question & Philosophical Analogy

Then endra sol endrum then aagumo Thee endra sonnalum thee aagumo ooo

Kannadasan uses profound analogies ('Does saying honey make it sweet honey? Does saying fire burn?') to argue that mere accusation or verbal slander does not make an innocent person guilty.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kan enna Kanno nenjenna nenjo

The repetition of initial sounds in 'Kan enna Kanno nenjenna nenjo' creates rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Emonai / Edhughai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Paarvaiyilae Kumariyamma pazhakathilae

Rhyming of the second consonants ('Paarvaiyilae' / 'Kumariyamma') reinforces the poetic cadence of the chorus.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Aayirathil Oruthiyamma Nee' features legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan in the movie 'Kai Kodutha Deivam' (1964). Composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, Kannadasan's lyrics in this track are renowned for defending womanhood against societal prejudice and gossip.

Keep listening

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