Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Chiranjeevi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Anbenum Oliyaga

From Chiranjeevi · 1984

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Chiranjeevi
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
3 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Anbenum oliyaaga
Aalaya maniyaaga
Oor vaazha uzhaippavan siranjeevi
Then paangu kaatraaga
Thiru chabai paattaaga
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Anbenum oliyaaga
Aalaya maniyaaga
Oor vaazha uzhaippavan siranjeevi
Then paangu kaatraaga
Thiru chabai paattaaga
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Vaan vanangum uyarndha neriyil
Paal manakkum kuralin vazhiyil
Vaan vanangum uyarndha neriyil
Paal manakkum kuralin vazhiyil
Nadhi polavae nadakkindravan
Nilavaagavae thaeigindravan
Ennaalum boomiyil siranjeevi
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Anbenum oliyaaga
Aalaya maniyaaga
Oor vaazha uzhaippavan siranjeevi
Then paangu kaatraaga
Thiru chabai paattaaga
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Vaai manakka sirikkum manidhan
Thaai nilathai uyarthum thalaivan
Vaai manakka sirikkum manidhan
Thaai nilathai uyarthum thalaivan
Arivaalayam padaikkindravan
Periyorgalai thudhikkindravan
Ennaalum boomiyil siranjeevi
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Anbenum oliyaaga
Aalaya maniyaaga
Oor vaazha uzhaippavan siranjeevi
Then paangu kaatraaga
Thiru chabai paattaaga
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeevi
As the light of love,
As the chime of a temple bell,
The one who toils for his people to thrive is Chiranjeevi,
As a gentle southern breeze,
As a sacred church hymn,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi!
As the light of love,
As the chime of a temple bell,
The one who toils for his people to thrive is Chiranjeevi,
As a gentle southern breeze,
As a sacred church hymn,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi!
Following high principles that the heavens revere,
Walking the pure, sweet path of the Kural (ancient Tamil ethical verses),
Following high principles that the heavens revere,
Walking the pure, sweet path of the Kural,
He who journeys forward like a flowing river,
He who gives of himself like the waning moon,
Is Chiranjeevi on this earth for all time,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi!
As the light of love,
As the chime of a temple bell,
The one who toils for his people to thrive is Chiranjeevi,
As a gentle southern breeze,
As a sacred church hymn,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi!
A man who smiles with sweet warmth,
A leader who uplifts his motherland,
A man who smiles with sweet warmth,
A leader who uplifts his motherland,
He who creates temples of learning,
He who bows to and honors his elders,
Is Chiranjeevi on this earth for all time,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi!
As the light of love,
As the chime of a temple bell,
The one who toils for his people to thrive is Chiranjeevi,
As a gentle southern breeze,
As a sacred church hymn,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi,
The one who lives forever is Chiranjeevi!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song celebrates the ideal leader and righteous human being referred to as 'Chiranjeevi' (the immortal one). It praises a figure who lives selflessly for the good of society, serving as a beacon of love, a comforting presence like the southern wind, and a holy voice of wisdom. His actions elevate his motherland and earn him eternal glory on Earth. Through vivid imagery, the lyrics describe how he moves with the grace of a river, sacrifices himself like the waning moon for the benefit of others, builds places of learning, and respects elders. Because of his selfless contributions and spotless moral character, his name and legacy are destined to live on forever.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvam (Metaphor)

“Anbenum oliyaaga / Aalaya maniyaaga”

Compares love to light ('Anbenum oli') and the protagonist to a temple bell ('Aalaya mani'), establishing his divine and guiding presence.

Uvamai (Simile)

“Nadhi polavae nadakkindravan / Nilavaagavae thaeigindravan”

Uses 'polavae' to compare the protagonist's steady progress to a river flowing and his selfless sacrifice to the waning moon ('Nilavaagavae').

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Vaan vanangum uyarndha neriyil / Paal manakkum kuralin vazhiyil”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Va' in 'Vaan' and 'Pa' in 'Paal' creating a melodic rhythm.

Edukai (Second Letter Agreement)

“Arivaalayam padaikkindravan / Periyorgalai thudhikkindravan”

The second letter harmony in 'Arivaalayam' ('ri') and 'Periyorgalai' ('ri') enhances the phonetic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by renowned Tamil lyricist Muthulingam, who served as an official poet laureate (Aasthana Kavingnar) of the Tamil Nadu state government. The title 'Chiranjeevi' literally translates to 'one who possesses eternal life' in Sanskrit and Tamil, referencing the legendary immortals of Indian tradition.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Ungalil Naan Oruvan1974
SamaiyalkaranResilienceCompassion
Ellorum Kondaduvom1961
Paava MannippuCelebratoryCompassion
Ithu Nattai Kaakkum Kai1977
Indru Pol Endrum VaazhgaWork And DutyDignity
Ondre Solvaan1974
Sirithu Vazha VendumCelebratoryResilience
Enni Varum Ennamellam1987
Ondru Engal JadhiyeCelebratoryResilience
Naan Abdul1995
Anbu Magan – 1995 FilmCelebratoryHope

From the same album

More songs from Chiranjeevi

View album
Sondhama Illai1984
ChiranjeeviMelancholic
Nilavu Vandhu Neeraada1984
ChiranjeeviPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.