Deivam Thantha Veedu
From Aval Oru Thodarkathai · 1974
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Aval Oru Thodarkathai1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mmmmmm…mmm..mmmmmm | Mmmmmm…mmm..mmmmmm |
| oooo… ooooo.. ohooo | oooo… ooooo.. ohooo |
| Deivam thantha veedu veedhi irukku | The house given by God is the street outside |
| Male | |
| Deivam thantha veedu veedhi irukku | The house given by God is the street outside |
| Intha oorenna sondha veedenna | What is this town, and what is a house of one's own? |
| Intha oorenna sondha veedenna | What is this town, and what is a house of one's own? |
| Gnyaana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Vaazhvin porul enna | What is the meaning of life? |
| Nee vandha kadhai enna | What is the story of your origin? |
| Vaazhvin porul enna | What is the meaning of life? |
| Nee vandha kadhai enna | What is the story of your origin? |
| Male | |
| Naan kettu | Did my parents create me |
| Thaai thandhai padaitharaa | Because I requested it? |
| aaa…aaaaa..aa..aaaa…aaaa | aaa…aaaaa..aa..aaaa…aaaa |
| Male | |
| Naan kettu | Did my parents create me |
| Thaai thandhai padaitharaa | Because I requested it? |
| Illai en pillai enai | Or was my child born |
| Kettu pirandhaanaa | After asking for my permission? |
| Deivam seidha paavam | This is a sin committed by God |
| Ithu podi thangachi | Go on, my little sister |
| Kondraal paavam thindraal pochu | It's a sin if you kill, but the sin goes away if you consume it; that is my stance |
| Idhuthaan en katchi | That is my philosophy |
| Male | |
| Aadhi veedu andham kaadu | The house of origin is home, and the end is the graveyard forest |
| Ithil naan enna | In between, what am I? |
| Adiyae nee enna | And my dear, what are you? |
| Gnyaana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Vaazhvin porulenna | What is the meaning of life? |
| Nee vandha kadhai enna | What is the story of your origin? |
| Male | |
| Deivam thantha veedu | The house given by God |
| Veedhi irukku | Is the street outside |
| Deivam thantha veedu | The house given by God |
| Veedhi irukku | Is the street outside |
| Male | |
| Verum kovil | It is a empty temple |
| Idhilenna abhishekam.. | Why perform ritual bathings here? |
| Un manam engum therukkoothu | Your mind is filled with street theater |
| Pagal vesham | And daytime masquerades |
| Kallikkenna mullil veli | Why put a thorny fence for a cactus? |
| Podi thangachi | Go on, little sister |
| Kaatrukkedhu thottakkaaran | Who is the gardener for the wind? |
| Idhuthaan en katchi | This is my philosophical stance |
| Male | |
| Kondadhenna koduppadhenna | What is taking and what is giving? |
| Idhil thaai enna | In all this, what is a mother? |
| Manandha thaaram enna | And what is a wedded wife? |
| Gnyaana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Vaazhvin porul enna | What is the meaning of life? |
| Nee vandha kadhai enna | What is the story of your origin? |
| Male | |
| Thelivaaga therindhaalae | If everything is understood clearly, it is Siddhanta (established truth) |
| Sithaandham | Siddhanta |
| Adhu theriyaamal ponaalae | If it remains beyond understanding, it is Vedanta (deep philosophy) |
| Vedhaandham | Vedanta |
| Mannai thondi thanneer thedum | You dig the earth seeking water |
| Anbu thangachi | My dear sister |
| Ennai thondi gnyaanam kanden | I dug inside myself and found true wisdom |
| Idhuthaan en katchi | This is my stance |
| Male | |
| Unmai enna poimai enna | What is truth and what is falsehood? |
| Idhil thaen enna | In this, what is sweet honey? |
| Kadikkum thael enna | And what is a biting scorpion? |
| Gnyaana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Vaazhvin porul enna | What is the meaning of life? |
| Nee vandha kadhai enna | What is the story of your origin? |
| Male | |
| Deivam thantha veedu | The house given by God |
| Veedhi irukku | Is the street outside |
| Deivam thantha veedu | The house given by God |
| Veedhi irukku | Is the street outside |
ம்ம்ம்ம்....ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்ம்...
ஓஓ.....ஓ....ஓஹோ...
தெய்வம் தந்த வீடு வீதி இருக்கு
Mmmmmm…mmm..mmmmmm
oooo… ooooo.. ohooo
The house given by God is the street outside
தெய்வம் தந்த வீடு
வீதி இருக்கு
இந்த ஊரென்ன சொந்த வீடென்ன
இந்த ஊரென்ன சொந்த வீடென்ன
ஞானப் பெண்ணே
வாழ்வின் பொருள் என்ன
நீ வந்த கதை என்ன
வாழ்வின் பொருள் என்ன
நீ வந்த கதை என்ன
The house given by God is the street outside
What is this town, and what is a house of one's own?
What is this town, and what is a house of one's own?
Oh wise woman
What is the meaning of life?
What is the story of your origin?
What is the meaning of life?
What is the story of your origin?
நான் கேட்டு
தாய்தந்தை படைத்தாரா.....
ஆ...ஆ....ஆ....
Did my parents create me
Because I requested it?
aaa…aaaaa..aa..aaaa…aaaa
நான் கேட்டு
தாய்தந்தை படைத்தாரா
இல்லை என் பிள்ளை
எனை கேட்டு பிறந்தானா
தெய்வம் செய்த பாவம்
இது போடி தங்கச்சி
கொன்றால் பாவம் தின்றால் போச்சு
இதுதான் என் கட்சி
Did my parents create me
Because I requested it?
Or was my child born
After asking for my permission?
This is a sin committed by God
Go on, my little sister
It's a sin if you kill, but the sin goes away if you consume it; that is my stance
That is my philosophy
ஆதி வீடு அந்தம் காடு
இதில் நான் என்ன
அடியே நீ என்ன ஞானப் பெண்ணே
வாழ்வின் பொருள் என்ன
நீ வந்த கதை என்ன
The house of origin is home, and the end is the graveyard forest
In between, what am I?
And my dear, what are you?
Oh wise woman
What is the meaning of life?
What is the story of your origin?
தெய்வம் தந்த வீடு
வீதி இருக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த வீடு வீதி இருக்கு....
The house given by God
Is the street outside
The house given by God
Is the street outside
வெறும் கோவில்
இதில் என்ன அபிஷேகம்
உன் மனம் எங்கும் தெருக்கூத்து
பகல் வேஷம்
கள்ளிகென்ன முள்ளில் வேலி
போடி தங்கச்சி
காற்றுக்கேது தோட்டக்காரன்
இதுதான் என் கட்சி
It is a empty temple
Why perform ritual bathings here?
Your mind is filled with street theater
And daytime masquerades
Why put a thorny fence for a cactus?
Go on, little sister
Who is the gardener for the wind?
This is my philosophical stance
கொண்டதென்ன கொடுப்பதென்ன
இதில் தாய் என்ன
மனந்த தாரம் என்ன
ஞானப் பெண்ணே
வாழ்வின் பொருள் என்ன
நீ வந்த கதை என்ன
What is taking and what is giving?
In all this, what is a mother?
And what is a wedded wife?
Oh wise woman
What is the meaning of life?
What is the story of your origin?
தெளிவாகத் தெரிந்தாலே
சித்தாந்தம்
அது தெரியாமல் போனாலே வேதாந்தம்
மண்ணைத் தோண்டி தண்ணீர் தேடும்
அன்புத் தங்கச்சி
என்னை தோண்டி ஞானம் கண்டேன்
இதுதான் என் கட்சி
If everything is understood clearly, it is Siddhanta (established truth)
Siddhanta
If it remains beyond understanding, it is Vedanta (deep philosophy)
Vedanta
You dig the earth seeking water
My dear sister
I dug inside myself and found true wisdom
This is my stance
உண்மை என்ன பொய்மை என்ன
இதில் தேன் என்ன
கடிக்கும் தேள் என்ன
ஞானப் பெண்ணே
வாழ்வின் பொருள் என்ன
நீ வந்த கதை என்ன
What is truth and what is falsehood?
In this, what is sweet honey?
And what is a biting scorpion?
Oh wise woman
What is the meaning of life?
What is the story of your origin?
தெய்வம் தந்த வீடு
வீதி இருக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த வீடு வீதி இருக்கு
The house given by God
Is the street outside
The house given by God
Is the street outside
Mmmmmm…mmm..mmmmmm
Mmmmmm…mmm..mmmmmm
oooo… ooooo.. ohooo
oooo… ooooo.. ohooo
Deivam thantha veedu veedhi irukku
The house given by God is the street outside
Deivam thantha veedu veedhi irukku
The house given by God is the street outside
Intha oorenna sondha veedenna
What is this town, and what is a house of one's own?
Intha oorenna sondha veedenna
What is this town, and what is a house of one's own?
Gnyaana pennae
Oh wise woman
Vaazhvin porul enna
What is the meaning of life?
Nee vandha kadhai enna
What is the story of your origin?
Vaazhvin porul enna
What is the meaning of life?
Nee vandha kadhai enna
What is the story of your origin?
Naan kettu
Did my parents create me
Thaai thandhai padaitharaa
Because I requested it?
aaa…aaaaa..aa..aaaa…aaaa
aaa…aaaaa..aa..aaaa…aaaa
Naan kettu
Did my parents create me
Thaai thandhai padaitharaa
Because I requested it?
Illai en pillai enai
Or was my child born
Kettu pirandhaanaa
After asking for my permission?
Deivam seidha paavam
This is a sin committed by God
Ithu podi thangachi
Go on, my little sister
Kondraal paavam thindraal pochu
It's a sin if you kill, but the sin goes away if you consume it; that is my stance
Idhuthaan en katchi
That is my philosophy
Aadhi veedu andham kaadu
The house of origin is home, and the end is the graveyard forest
Ithil naan enna
In between, what am I?
Adiyae nee enna
And my dear, what are you?
Gnyaana pennae
Oh wise woman
Vaazhvin porulenna
What is the meaning of life?
Nee vandha kadhai enna
What is the story of your origin?
Deivam thantha veedu
The house given by God
Veedhi irukku
Is the street outside
Deivam thantha veedu
The house given by God
Veedhi irukku
Is the street outside
Verum kovil
It is a empty temple
Idhilenna abhishekam..
Why perform ritual bathings here?
Un manam engum therukkoothu
Your mind is filled with street theater
Pagal vesham
And daytime masquerades
Kallikkenna mullil veli
Why put a thorny fence for a cactus?
Podi thangachi
Go on, little sister
Kaatrukkedhu thottakkaaran
Who is the gardener for the wind?
Idhuthaan en katchi
This is my philosophical stance
Kondadhenna koduppadhenna
What is taking and what is giving?
Idhil thaai enna
In all this, what is a mother?
Manandha thaaram enna
And what is a wedded wife?
Gnyaana pennae
Oh wise woman
Vaazhvin porul enna
What is the meaning of life?
Nee vandha kadhai enna
What is the story of your origin?
Thelivaaga therindhaalae
If everything is understood clearly, it is Siddhanta (established truth)
Sithaandham
Siddhanta
Adhu theriyaamal ponaalae
If it remains beyond understanding, it is Vedanta (deep philosophy)
Vedhaandham
Vedanta
Mannai thondi thanneer thedum
You dig the earth seeking water
Anbu thangachi
My dear sister
Ennai thondi gnyaanam kanden
I dug inside myself and found true wisdom
Idhuthaan en katchi
This is my stance
Unmai enna poimai enna
What is truth and what is falsehood?
Idhil thaen enna
In this, what is sweet honey?
Kadikkum thael enna
And what is a biting scorpion?
Gnyaana pennae
Oh wise woman
Vaazhvin porul enna
What is the meaning of life?
Nee vandha kadhai enna
What is the story of your origin?
Deivam thantha veedu
The house given by God
Veedhi irukku
Is the street outside
Deivam thantha veedu
The house given by God
Veedhi irukku
Is the street outside
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Deivam Thantha Veedu' is a deeply philosophical philosophical song from K. Balachander's 1974 classic film 'Aval Oru Thodarkathai', composed by M. S. Viswanathan and written by Kannadasan. Sung brilliantly by K. J. Yesudas, the song is performed by a cynical, intoxicated character who wanders the streets, reflecting on the existential absurdities of human birth, social bonds, material attachments, and fate. Through sharp philosophical rhetoric, he addresses his sister ('Thangachi') and women in general ('Gnyaana Pennae'), questioning why humans cling to societal constructs when life's beginning is arbitrary and its ultimate end is dust.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Mon rhyme / Second letter rhyming)
“Aadhi veedu andham kaadu / Ithil naan enna”
Matching of the second consonant across lines, such as 'Deivam' / 'Intha' or 'Aadhi' / 'Ithil' in traditional Tamil prosody.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Verum kovil Idhilenna abhishekam.. Un manam engum therukkoothu”
Comparing the human body/life to an empty temple ('Verum kovil') and human emotions to a street theater ('Therukkoothu').
Rhetorical Question
“Naan kettu Thaai thandhai padaitharaa / Illai en pillai enai Kettu pirandhaanaa”
Using questions that do not seek an answer to highlight the illusion of human control over existence.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Aadhi veedu andham kaadu”
Juxtaposition of opposites like 'Aadhi' (Beginning) and 'Andham' (End), or 'Unmai' (Truth) and 'Poimai' (Falsehood).
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic song marked one of K. J. Yesudas's most famous Tamil solos under M. S. Viswanathan's direction. In 'Aval Oru Thodarkathai', the song is picturized on actor Vijayakumar, who plays an alcoholic character expressing detached philosophical wisdom. Lyricist Kannadasan famously drew inspiration from classical Siddhar poetry and Advaita philosophy to compose these lyrics.
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