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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbum Aranum

From Orey Vazhi · 1959

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Orey Vazhi1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Anbum aramum uyirena kondaalIf love and righteousness are cherished as life itself,
Adhuthaan aanandhamthat indeed is true bliss.
Anbum aramum uyirena kondaalIf love and righteousness are cherished as life itself,
Adhuthaan aanandhamthat indeed is true bliss,
Vaazhvil adhuthaan aanandhamin life, that alone is true bliss.
Varum inbamum thunbamumThe joy and sorrow that come,
Samamena ninaithaalif treated as equal,
Endrum per inbamit brings everlasting supreme bliss,
Vaazhvil endrum per inbameternal supreme bliss in life.
Anbum aramum uyirena kondaalIf love and righteousness are cherished as life itself,
Adhuthaan aanandhamthat indeed is true bliss,
Vaazhvil adhuthaan aanandhamin life, that alone is true bliss.
Female
Vaazhai polum vattradha karunaiLike the ever-nourishing plantain tree, unceasing compassion
Vendum maandhar vaazhvilaeis required in human life.
Vaazhai polum vattradha karunaiLike the ever-nourishing plantain tree, unceasing compassion
Vendum maandhar vaazhvilaeis required in human life.
Ezhai eliyoor innalgalaiThe distress of the poor and helpless,
Kalaindhaal inbamaeremoving it brings true joy.
Ezhai eliyoor innalgalaiThe distress of the poor and helpless,
Kalaindhaal inbamaeremoving it brings true joy.
Dharmam valarndhaal inbamaeWhen righteousness flourishes, it brings true joy.
Female
Anbum aramum uyirena kondaalIf love and righteousness are cherished as life itself,
Adhuthaan aanandhamthat indeed is true bliss,
Vaazhvil adhuthaan aanandhamin life, that alone is true bliss.
Female
Aadharavilla makkalukellaamFor all the destitute and helpless people,
Annaiyae pondrathu pasuvaagumthe cow is equivalent to a mother.
Aadharavilla makkalukellaamFor all the destitute and helpless people,
Annaiyae pondrathu pasuvaagumthe cow is equivalent to a mother.
Idhu paal tharum velaiyil amma endraeAs it gives milk, calling out 'Amma' (mother),
Paaduvadhae thamizh isai aagumsinging its praise is true Tamil music.
Idhu paal tharum velaiyil amma endraeAs it gives milk, calling out 'Amma' (mother),
Paaduvadhae thamizh isai aagumsinging its praise is true Tamil music,
Paaduvadhae thamizh isai aagumsinging its praise is true Tamil music.
Female
Anbum aramum uyirena kondaalIf love and righteousness are cherished as life itself,
Adhuthaan aanandhamthat indeed is true bliss,
Vaazhvil adhuthaan aanandhamin life, that alone is true bliss.
Female
Kaadhal vaazhkaiyil maada puravinIn love life, the domestic pigeon's
Kanniyam ingae yaarukku varumdignity and devotion, who here can attain?
Kaadhal vaazhkaiyil maada puravinIn love life, the domestic pigeon's
Kanniyam ingae yaarukku varumdignity and devotion, who here can attain?
Than naadhan pirindhaal paedai puravumIf separated from its mate, the female dove
Naatkal irandil maandu vidumperishes within two days.
Than naadhan pirindhaal paedai puravumIf separated from its mate, the female dove
Naatkal irandil maandu vidumperishes within two days,
Naatkal irandil maandu vidumperishes within two days.
Female
Anbum aramum uyirena kondaalIf love and righteousness are cherished as life itself,
Adhuthaan aanandhamthat indeed is true bliss,
Vaazhvil adhuthaan aanandhamin life, that alone is true bliss.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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).

Keep listening

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