Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Devan Kovil Deepam

From Siri Siri Mama · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Siri Siri Mama1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Devan koyil deepamThe lamp in the temple of God
Anbu pillai deiva kolamThe beloved child is a divine design
Malarai polae parungalLook upon him like a delicate flower
Ungal maganai polae ennungalConsider him as your own son
Female
Devan koyil deepamThe lamp in the temple of God
Anbu pillai deiva kolamThe beloved child is a divine design
Malarai polae parungalLook upon him like a delicate flower
Ungal maganai polae ennungalConsider him as your own son
Female
Muthu mani pon vannam mogarathamA desire-filled chariot of pearl, gem, and golden hues
Ithanai per kaipattaal ennaagumWhat will happen if touched by so many hands?
Panpaadum poochendai pandhadalaamaCan a bouquet of cultivated flowers be tossed around like a ball?
Paal vanna bommaigal kai maaralaamaShould milky-white dolls pass from hand to hand?
Female
Yaar vendumaanalum sammadhamWhoever it may be, approval is given
Ippaillaiyai paarungalLook at this child now
Naadaga paavaikku naanamum unduEven a theatrical puppet possesses bashfulness
Vandha pin thaarungalGive after coming here
Azhagu ilamai nadanam rasanaiBeauty, youth, dance, and appreciation
Kalaiyena ninaithu paarungalLook upon it all considering it as art
Female
Devan koyil deepamThe lamp in the temple of God
Anbu pillai deiva kolamThe beloved child is a divine design
Malarai polae parungalLook upon him like a delicate flower
Ungal maganai polae ennungalConsider him as your own son
Female
Sathiyamae en vaazhvin sathanaigalTruth alone is the achievement of my life
Uthamarkkae ennalum sodhanaigalTrials always await only the righteous ones
Seethaikku vaaradha thunbamgal undaaAre there any sorrows that Sita did not endure?
Innaattil innalil seethaigal ondraaIs there only one Sita in this land today?
Female
Karpulla pengalin kadhaigalai thaanaeThe stories of chaste women
Naanum ketkindrenI too keep hearing them
Kadavul idathil pogindrabothuWhen I go into the presence of God
Kanakkai solgindrenI shall present the final account
Kaadhal anbu karunai irakkamLove, affection, compassion, and mercy
Kadamaigal endrae vaazhgindrenI live considering these as my sacred duties
Female
Devan koyil deepamThe lamp in the temple of God
Anbu pillai deiva kolamThe beloved child is a divine design
Malarai polae parungalLook upon him like a delicate flower
Ungal maganai polae ennungalConsider him as your own son

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Devan Koyil Deepam from the film Siri Siri Mama (1979) is a poignant emotional melody composed by Shankar-Ganesh and penned by Vaali. The lyrics serve as an earnest plea for empathy, dignity, and respect towards vulnerable lives. By comparing a child or performer to a sacred temple lamp and a tender flower, the song appeals to the audience to view art and innocence through a pure, parental lens rather than through objectification.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Devan koyil deepam / Anbu pillai deiva kolam

Compares an innocent child directly to a holy lamp in a temple and a divine form.

Simile (Upamai)

Malarai polae parungal / Ungal maganai polae ennungal

Uses 'polae' (like) to compare how one should treat the child to a flower and one's own son.

Rhetorical Question

Panpaadum poochendai pandhadalaama / Paal vanna bommaigal kai maaralaama

Asks rhetorical questions to highlight the mistreatment of delicate human lives and women.

Alliteration / Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Sathiyamae en vaazhvin sathanaigal / Uthamarkkae ennalum sodhanaigal

Rhyming of the second letter 'th' in consecutive lines (Sathiyamae / Uthamarkkae).

Mythological Allusion

Seethaikku vaaradha thunbamgal undaa

References Goddess Sita from the Ramayana to symbolize the timeless suffering of virtuous women.

Did you know?

Trivia

Siri Siri Mama (1979) features a soulful vocal rendition by S. Janaki. The song showcases lyricist Vaali's mastery in blending emotional storytelling with moral philosophy, set to a melodious score by the composer duo Shankar-Ganesh.

Keep listening

More from Siri Siri Mama