- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- R. Govarthanam
- Movie name
- Orey Vazhi
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Apr 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Anbum Aramum Uyirena Kondaal from the 1959 film Orey Vazhi is a philosophical song rendered by P. Susheela, penned by lyricist Kannadasan, and composed by R. Govarthanam. The song advocates that true happiness in human existence stems from holding love (Anbu) and moral duty or righteousness (Aram) as vital as life itself. It encourages equanimity toward life's alternating pleasures and hardships, drawing moral lessons from nature, such as the endless giving of the plantain tree, the maternal nourishment of the cow, and the supreme fidelity of a dove.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Vaazhai polum vattradha karunai”
Compares inexhaustible human compassion to the ever-flourishing plantain tree.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Anbum aramum uyirena kondaal”
Repetition of initial vowel sounds 'A' creating rhythmic harmony across words in the line.
Ethukai (Second-letter Assonance)
“Vaazhai polum vattradha karunai”
Matching second consonant sounds 'zh' across consecutive lines (Vaazhai / Vendum / Ezhai).
Metaphor / Comparison (Upama Alankaram)
“Annaiyae pondrathu pasuvaagum”
Compares the cow's nurturing milk to a maternal presence for the helpless.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Orey Vazhi (1959) featured music composed by R. Govarthanam, who was the brother of famous composer R. Sudarsanam. Kannadasan derived the philosophical themes of this song directly from the classical Tamil moral treatise Thirukkural, specifically chapters on Anbudaimai (Possession of Love) and Aranvaliyuruthal (Assertion of Righteousness).
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