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Lyrics & meaning

Deivam Iruppathu Engey

From Saraswathi Sabatham · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Saraswathi Sabatham
Movie release year
1966
Lyrics added on
30 Sept 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Deivam irupathu engae
Deivam irupathu engae
Deivam irupathu en..gae
Deivam irupathu engae
Deivam irupathu engae
Adhu ingae ver engae
Deivam irupathu engae
Adhu ingae ver engae
Deivam irupathu engae
{Thelindha ninaivum
Thirandha nenjum
Niraindhadhundo angae} (2)
Deivam irupathu engae
{Ponnum porulum
Nirainthavar nenjam
Poiyil valarndha kaadu } (2)
{Ennum ezhuthum
Nirainthavar nenjam
Iraivan thigalum veedu} (2)
Deivam irupathu engae
Aadai anigalan aadambarangal
Aandavan virumbuvadhillai
Aadai anigalan aadambarangal
Aandavan virumbuvadhillai
{Anggoru kannum
Inggoru kannum
Aalaya vazhipaadillai} (2)
{Isaiyil kalayil
Kaviyil mazhalai
Mozhiyil iraivan undu} (2)
{Ivai thaan dheivam
Enbathai arindhaal
Yerkum unadhu thondu} (2)
Deivam yerkum unadhu thondu
Deivam irupathu engae
Adhu ingae ver engae
Deivam irupathu engae
Nandri nirainthavar engae
Deivam angae
Nanmai purinthavar engae
Deivam angae
Pazhamai ninainthavar engae
Deivam angae
Paasam malarnthavar engae
Deivam angae….ae…..
Deivam irupathu ingae
Where does God dwell?
Where does God dwell?
Where does God dwell?
Where does God dwell?
Where does God dwell?
Right here, where else?
Where does God dwell?
Right here, where else?
Where does God dwell?
Where clear thoughts
and an open heart
are found in abundance, there He is!
Where does God dwell?
The hearts of those filled
with gold and wealth
are forests grown on lies.
The hearts of those filled
with wisdom and learning
are homes where God shines!
Where does God dwell?
Fine clothes, jewels, and outward show—
God does not desire these.
Fine clothes, jewels, and outward show—
God does not desire these.
With one eye looking here
and another looking there,
that is not true temple worship.
In music, in art,
in poetry, and in the sweet words
of a child, God is present.
Once you understand
that this is truly divine,
He will accept your devotion.
God will accept your devotion.
Where does God dwell?
Right here, where else?
Where does God dwell?
Where those full of gratitude are,
God is there!
Where those who do good deeds are,
God is there!
Where those who remember their roots are,
God is there!
Where those with blossoming love are,
God is there!
God dwells right here!
Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic philosophical song from the movie Saraswathi Sabatham (1966), written by Kannadasan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, explores the fundamental question of where divinity truly resides. It challenges the conventional idea that God lives in grand temples or in the presence of ostentatious rituals, rich clothes, and material wealth. The song asserts that a mind obsessed purely with gold and money becomes a dark forest built on lies, whereas a heart enriched with knowledge, arts, and pure thought becomes a house where God shines.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinodhal)

“Deivam irupathu engae”

The repeated question 'Deivam irupathu engae?' serves as the central theme, prompting self-reflection rather than seeking a physical location.

Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)

“Ponnum porulum nirainthavar nenjam poiyil valarndha kaadu”

Comparing the heart filled only with riches to a 'forest grown on lies' (poiyil valarndha kaadu) and the educated mind to 'a house where God shines' (iraivan thigalum veedu).

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Ponnum porulum”

Matching initial consonants across words like 'Ponnum' and 'Porulum' or 'Ennum' and 'Ezhuthum'.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Nandri nirainthavar engae / Deivam angae”

Structured repetition of 'Deivam angae' emphasizes the qualities that attract divinity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Saraswathi Sabatham (1966) is a landmark mythological drama directed by A. P. Nagarajan, starring Sivaji Ganesan. Though the context marks the artists as unknown, the music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, lyrics were penned by Kannadasan, and the vocals were delivered by T. M. Soundararajan. The song serves as a core philosophical message central to the plot's debate between the power of knowledge, wealth, and devotion.

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