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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbenum Oliyaga

From Chiranjeevi · 1984

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Chiranjeevi1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Anbenum oliyaagaAs the light of love,
Aalaya maniyaagaAs the sacred temple bell,
Oor vaazha uzhaippavan siranjeeviThe immortal one who toils for the welfare of the town,
Then paangu kaatraagaAs the sweet southern breeze,
Thiru chabai paattaagaAs the hymn of the holy assembly,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever.
Male
Anbenum oliyaagaAs the light of love,
Aalaya maniyaagaAs the sacred temple bell,
Oor vaazha uzhaippavan siranjeeviThe immortal one who toils for the welfare of the town,
Then paangu kaatraagaAs the sweet southern breeze,
Thiru chabai paattaagaAs the hymn of the holy assembly,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever.
Male
Vaan vanangum uyarndha neriyilFollowing a high moral path honored by the heavens,
Paal manakkum kuralin vazhiyilThrough a gentle voice smelling of pure milk,
Vaan vanangum uyarndha neriyilFollowing a high moral path honored by the heavens,
Paal manakkum kuralin vazhiyilThrough a gentle voice smelling of pure milk,
Nadhi polavae nadakkindravanHe flows like a steady river,
Nilavaagavae thaeigindravanHe wanes selflessly like the moon,
Ennaalum boomiyil siranjeeviChiranjeevi, immortal on this earth forever,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever.
Male
Anbenum oliyaagaAs the light of love,
Aalaya maniyaagaAs the sacred temple bell,
Oor vaazha uzhaippavan siranjeeviThe immortal one who toils for the welfare of the town,
Then paangu kaatraagaAs the sweet southern breeze,
Thiru chabai paattaagaAs the hymn of the holy assembly,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever.
Male
Vaai manakka sirikkum manidhanA man who smiles with genuine sweetness,
Thaai nilathai uyarthum thalaivanA leader who uplifts his motherland,
Vaai manakka sirikkum manidhanA man who smiles with genuine sweetness,
Thaai nilathai uyarthum thalaivanA leader who uplifts his motherland,
Arivaalayam padaikkindravanThe one who creates a temple of wisdom,
Periyorgalai thudhikkindravanThe one who respects and praises elders,
Ennaalum boomiyil siranjeeviChiranjeevi, immortal on this earth forever,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever.
Male
Anbenum oliyaagaAs the light of love,
Aalaya maniyaagaAs the sacred temple bell,
Oor vaazha uzhaippavan siranjeeviThe immortal one who toils for the welfare of the town,
Then paangu kaatraagaAs the sweet southern breeze,
Thiru chabai paattaagaAs the hymn of the holy assembly,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever,
Ennaalum vaazhbavan siranjeeviChiranjeevi, the one who lives forever.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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