Deepathai Vaithu
From Kadavulai Kanden · 1963
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Kadavulai Kanden1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Humming….. | [Humming] |
| Female | |
| Deepathai vaithu kondu | Holding a lamp light, |
| Thirukkuralum padikkalam | One can read the sacred Thirukkural. |
| Deepathai vaithu kondu | Holding a lamp light, |
| Thirukkuralum padikkalam | One can read the sacred Thirukkural. |
| Theeyai kondu moodar ellaam | But using the same fire, foolish people |
| Oorai kooda erikkalam | Can even burn down an entire town. |
| Theeyai kondu moodar ellaam | But using the same fire, foolish people |
| Oorai kooda erikkalam | Can even burn down an entire town. |
| Female | |
| Deepathai vaithu kondu | Holding a lamp light, |
| Thirukkuralum padikkalam | One can read the sacred Thirukkural. |
| Female | |
| Kobam mattum adangi vittaal | If anger alone is subdued and controlled, |
| Gopurathil yeralaam | One can rise to the top of the temple tower. |
| Kobam mattum adangi vittaal | If anger alone is subdued and controlled, |
| Gopurathil yeralaam | One can rise to the top of the temple tower. |
| Gunam irunthu manamirundhaal | If good character and a compassionate heart exist, |
| Kadavulaaga maaralaam | A human being can transform into God. |
| Gunam irunthu manamirundhaal | If good character and a compassionate heart exist, |
| Kadavulaaga maaralaam | A human being can transform into God. |
| Female | |
| Deepathai vaithu kondu | Holding a lamp light, |
| Thirukkuralum padikkalam | One can read the sacred Thirukkural. |
| Female | |
| Kann irandu kaal irandu | Two eyes, two legs, |
| Kai irandu padaithaan | And two hands He created. |
| Katti vaithu kaapatharkku | To keep them bound and protected, |
| Manadhu ondrai samaithaan | He fashioned a single mind. |
| Female | |
| Kann irandu kaal irandu | Two eyes, two legs, |
| Kai irandu padaithaan | And two hands He created. |
| Katti vaithu kaapatharkku | To keep them bound and protected, |
| Manadhu ondrai samaithaan | He fashioned a single mind. |
| Female | |
| Ninaithu paarkka maranthu vittaal | If one forgets to pause and reflect, |
| Murattu thanam valarum | Roughness and foolish stubbornness will grow. |
| Ninaithu paarkka maranthu vittaal | If one forgets to pause and reflect, |
| Murattu thanam valarum | Roughness and foolish stubbornness will grow. |
| Murattuthanam nirainthavanai | A person consumed by stubborn anger, |
| Ulagam ellam pazhikkum | Will be blamed and shunned by the entire world. |
| Hoo oo oo hoo oo oo o | [Vocalizing] |
| Haaa ..aaa..aaa..aaa.. | [Vocalizing] |
| Female | |
| Deepathai vaithu kondu | Holding a lamp light, |
| Thirukkuralum padikkalam | One can read the sacred Thirukkural. |
| Female | |
| Kaatrin vegam thanai adakki | By controlling the force of the wind, |
| Suthi koduthaal panpaadum | And channeling it through a flute, sweet music is born. |
| Malai kallai kooda malarai pola | Even a mountain rock, sculpted softly like a flower, |
| Sedhuki vaithaal vandaadum | Will attract dancing bees. |
| Female | |
| Kaatrin vegam thanai adakki | By controlling the force of the wind, |
| Suthi koduthaal panpaadum | And channeling it through a flute, sweet music is born. |
| Malai kallai kooda malarai pola | Even a mountain rock, sculpted softly like a flower, |
| Sedhuki vaithaal vandaadum | Will attract dancing bees. |
| Female | |
| Aattru vellam madaiyil vandhaal | When river floodwaters are controlled by sluice gates, |
| Payirgal kodi undaagum | Millions of crops flourish. |
| Aattru vellam madaiyil vandhaal | When river floodwaters are controlled by sluice gates, |
| Payirgal kodi undaagum | Millions of crops flourish. |
| Aathirathil arivu kandaal | If wisdom is applied even in moments of fury, |
| Ulagam ellam kondadum | The entire world will celebrate you. |
| Hoo oo oo hoo oo oo o | [Vocalizing] |
| Haaa ..aaa..aaa..aaa.. | [Vocalizing] |
| Female | |
| Deepathai vaithu kondu | Holding a lamp light, |
| Thirukkuralum padikkalam | One can read the sacred Thirukkural. |
| Theeyai kondu moodar ellaam | But using the same fire, foolish people |
| Oorai kooda erikkalam | Can even burn down an entire town. |
| Female | |
| Deepathai vaithu kondu | Holding a lamp light, |
| Thirukkuralum padikkalam | One can read the sacred Thirukkural. |
முனங்கல் .....
[Humming]
தீபத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு
திருக்குறளும் படிக்கலாம்
தீபத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு
திருக்குறளும் படிக்கலாம்
தீயைக் கொண்டு மூடரெல்லாம்
ஊரைக் கூட எரிக்கலாம்
தீயைக் கொண்டு மூடரெல்லாம்
ஊரைக் கூட எரிக்கலாம்
Holding a lamp light,
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Holding a lamp light,
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
But using the same fire, foolish people
Can even burn down an entire town.
But using the same fire, foolish people
Can even burn down an entire town.
தீபத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு
திருக்குறளும் படிக்கலாம்
Holding a lamp light,
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
கோபம் மட்டும் அடங்கி விட்டால்
கோபுரத்தில் ஏறலாம்
கோபம் மட்டும் அடங்கி விட்டால்
கோபுரத்தில் ஏறலாம்
குணமிருந்து மனமிருந்தால்
கடவுளாக மாறலாம்
குணமிருந்து மனமிருந்தால்
கடவுளாக மாறலாம்
If anger alone is subdued and controlled,
One can rise to the top of the temple tower.
If anger alone is subdued and controlled,
One can rise to the top of the temple tower.
If good character and a compassionate heart exist,
A human being can transform into God.
If good character and a compassionate heart exist,
A human being can transform into God.
தீபத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு
திருக்குறளும் படிக்கலாம்
Holding a lamp light,
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
கண்ணிரண்டு காலிரண்டு
கையிரண்டு படைத்தான்
கட்டி வைத்துக் காப்பதற்கு
மனது ஒன்றை சமைத்தான்
Two eyes, two legs,
And two hands He created.
To keep them bound and protected,
He fashioned a single mind.
கண்ணிரண்டு காலிரண்டு
கையிரண்டு படைத்தான்
கட்டி வைத்துக் காப்பதற்கு
மனது ஒன்றை சமைத்தான்
Two eyes, two legs,
And two hands He created.
To keep them bound and protected,
He fashioned a single mind.
நினைத்துப் பார்க்க மறந்து விட்டால்
முரட்டுத்தனம் வளரும்
நினைத்துப் பார்க்க மறந்து விட்டால்
முரட்டுத்தனம் வளரும்
முரட்டுத்தனம் நிறைந்தவனை
உலகமெல்லாம் பழிக்கும்
ஹோ.ஓ .ஓ.ஹோ.ஓ.ஓ....
ஹா..ஆஆ...ஆஅ.. ஹா...ஆஅ...
If one forgets to pause and reflect,
Roughness and foolish stubbornness will grow.
If one forgets to pause and reflect,
Roughness and foolish stubbornness will grow.
A person consumed by stubborn anger,
Will be blamed and shunned by the entire world.
[Vocalizing]
[Vocalizing]
தீபத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு
திருக்குறளும் படிக்கலாம்
Holding a lamp light,
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
காற்றின் வேகம்தனை அடக்கி
சுதி கொடுத்தால் பண்பாடும்
மலைக்கல்லைக் கூட மலரைப் போலச்
செதுக்கி வைத்தால் வண்டாடும்
By controlling the force of the wind,
And channeling it through a flute, sweet music is born.
Even a mountain rock, sculpted softly like a flower,
Will attract dancing bees.
காற்றின் வேகம்தனை அடக்கி
சுதி கொடுத்தால் பண்பாடும்
மலைக்கல்லைக் கூட மலரைப் போலச்
செதுக்கி வைத்தால் வண்டாடும்
By controlling the force of the wind,
And channeling it through a flute, sweet music is born.
Even a mountain rock, sculpted softly like a flower,
Will attract dancing bees.
ஆற்று வெள்ளம் மடையில் வந்தால்
பயிர்கள் கோடி உண்டாகும்
ஆற்று வெள்ளம் மடையில் வந்தால்
பயிர்கள் கோடி உண்டாகும்
ஆத்திரத்தில் அறிவு கண்டால்
உலகமெங்கும் கொண்டாடும்
ஹோ.ஓ .ஓ.ஹோ.ஓ.ஓ....
ஹா..ஆஆ...ஆஅ.. ஹா...ஆஅ...
When river floodwaters are controlled by sluice gates,
Millions of crops flourish.
When river floodwaters are controlled by sluice gates,
Millions of crops flourish.
If wisdom is applied even in moments of fury,
The entire world will celebrate you.
[Vocalizing]
[Vocalizing]
தீபத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு
திருக்குறளும் படிக்கலாம்
தீயைக் கொண்டு மூடரெல்லாம்
ஊரைக் கூட எரிக்கலாம்
Holding a lamp light,
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
But using the same fire, foolish people
Can even burn down an entire town.
தீபத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு
திருக்குறளும் படிக்கலாம்
Holding a lamp light,
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Humming…..
[Humming]
Deepathai vaithu kondu
Holding a lamp light,
Thirukkuralum padikkalam
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Deepathai vaithu kondu
Holding a lamp light,
Thirukkuralum padikkalam
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Theeyai kondu moodar ellaam
But using the same fire, foolish people
Oorai kooda erikkalam
Can even burn down an entire town.
Theeyai kondu moodar ellaam
But using the same fire, foolish people
Oorai kooda erikkalam
Can even burn down an entire town.
Deepathai vaithu kondu
Holding a lamp light,
Thirukkuralum padikkalam
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Kobam mattum adangi vittaal
If anger alone is subdued and controlled,
Gopurathil yeralaam
One can rise to the top of the temple tower.
Kobam mattum adangi vittaal
If anger alone is subdued and controlled,
Gopurathil yeralaam
One can rise to the top of the temple tower.
Gunam irunthu manamirundhaal
If good character and a compassionate heart exist,
Kadavulaaga maaralaam
A human being can transform into God.
Gunam irunthu manamirundhaal
If good character and a compassionate heart exist,
Kadavulaaga maaralaam
A human being can transform into God.
Deepathai vaithu kondu
Holding a lamp light,
Thirukkuralum padikkalam
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Kann irandu kaal irandu
Two eyes, two legs,
Kai irandu padaithaan
And two hands He created.
Katti vaithu kaapatharkku
To keep them bound and protected,
Manadhu ondrai samaithaan
He fashioned a single mind.
Kann irandu kaal irandu
Two eyes, two legs,
Kai irandu padaithaan
And two hands He created.
Katti vaithu kaapatharkku
To keep them bound and protected,
Manadhu ondrai samaithaan
He fashioned a single mind.
Ninaithu paarkka maranthu vittaal
If one forgets to pause and reflect,
Murattu thanam valarum
Roughness and foolish stubbornness will grow.
Ninaithu paarkka maranthu vittaal
If one forgets to pause and reflect,
Murattu thanam valarum
Roughness and foolish stubbornness will grow.
Murattuthanam nirainthavanai
A person consumed by stubborn anger,
Ulagam ellam pazhikkum
Will be blamed and shunned by the entire world.
Hoo oo oo hoo oo oo o
[Vocalizing]
Haaa ..aaa..aaa..aaa..
[Vocalizing]
Deepathai vaithu kondu
Holding a lamp light,
Thirukkuralum padikkalam
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Kaatrin vegam thanai adakki
By controlling the force of the wind,
Suthi koduthaal panpaadum
And channeling it through a flute, sweet music is born.
Malai kallai kooda malarai pola
Even a mountain rock, sculpted softly like a flower,
Sedhuki vaithaal vandaadum
Will attract dancing bees.
Kaatrin vegam thanai adakki
By controlling the force of the wind,
Suthi koduthaal panpaadum
And channeling it through a flute, sweet music is born.
Malai kallai kooda malarai pola
Even a mountain rock, sculpted softly like a flower,
Sedhuki vaithaal vandaadum
Will attract dancing bees.
Aattru vellam madaiyil vandhaal
When river floodwaters are controlled by sluice gates,
Payirgal kodi undaagum
Millions of crops flourish.
Aattru vellam madaiyil vandhaal
When river floodwaters are controlled by sluice gates,
Payirgal kodi undaagum
Millions of crops flourish.
Aathirathil arivu kandaal
If wisdom is applied even in moments of fury,
Ulagam ellam kondadum
The entire world will celebrate you.
Hoo oo oo hoo oo oo o
[Vocalizing]
Haaa ..aaa..aaa..aaa..
[Vocalizing]
Deepathai vaithu kondu
Holding a lamp light,
Thirukkuralum padikkalam
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Theeyai kondu moodar ellaam
But using the same fire, foolish people
Oorai kooda erikkalam
Can even burn down an entire town.
Deepathai vaithu kondu
Holding a lamp light,
Thirukkuralum padikkalam
One can read the sacred Thirukkural.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a profound philosophical piece written by lyricist Kannadasan for the 1963 film 'Kadavulai Kanden'. The core message focuses on the dual nature of human energy, power, and intellect: the same tool or emotion can be used constructively or destructively based on self-discipline. Fire can light up a lamp to read scripture (Thirukkural), or it can destroy an entire village in the hands of fools. Similarly, mind control, emotional regulation, and restraint turn raw human energy into divinity and beauty, just as sculpted stone attracts bees or controlled wind produces melody.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Antithesis
“Deepathai vaithu kondu Thirukkuralum padikkalam / Theeyai kondu moodar ellaam Oorai kooda erikkalam”
Contrasting the constructive use of fire (reading Thirukkural) with its destructive potential (burning down a town).
Simile (Upamai)
“Malai kallai kooda malarai pola Sedhuki vaithaal vandaadum”
Comparing a hard, sculpted mountain stone to a delicate flower that attracts bees when carved with care.
Metaphor
“Aattru vellam madaiyil vandhaal Payirgal kodi undaagum / Aathirathil arivu kandaal Ulagam ellam kondadum”
Comparing the controlled flow of river water through sluice gates to controlling human rage with wisdom.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kobam mattum adangi vittaal Gopurathil yeralaam”
Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across words or lines ('Kobam' / 'Gopurathil', 'Gunam' / 'Kadavulaaga').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by P. Susheela, this song is considered one of Kannadasan's classic moral didactic songs in Tamil cinema. Kannadasan frequently referenced Thirukkural and ancient Tamil ethics in his movie lyrics to impart life wisdom to the masses.
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