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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Devan Kovil Deepam

From Siri Siri Mama · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Siri Siri Mama
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
8 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Devan koyil deepam
Anbu pillai deiva kolam
Malarai polae parungal
Ungal maganai polae ennungal
Devan koyil deepam
Anbu pillai deiva kolam
Malarai polae parungal
Ungal maganai polae ennungal
Muthu mani pon vannam mogaratham
Ithanai per kaipattaal ennaagum
Panpaadum poochendai pandhadalaama
Paal vanna bommaigal kai maaralaama
Yaar vendumaanalum sammadham
Ippaillaiyai paarungal
Naadaga paavaikku naanamum undu
Vandha pin thaarungal
Azhagu ilamai nadanam rasanai
Kalaiyena ninaithu paarungal
Devan koyil deepam
Anbu pillai deiva kolam
Malarai polae parungal
Ungal maganai polae ennungal
Sathiyamae en vaazhvin sathanaigal
Uthamarkkae ennalum sodhanaigal
Seethaikku vaaradha thunbamgal undaa
Innaattil innalil seethaigal ondraa
Karpulla pengalin kadhaigalai thaanae
Naanum ketkindren
Kadavul idathil pogindrabothu
Kanakkai solgindren
Kaadhal anbu karunai irakkam
Kadamaigal endrae vaazhgindren
Devan koyil deepam
Anbu pillai deiva kolam
Malarai polae parungal
Ungal maganai polae ennungal
A lamp in the temple of God,
A darling child in a divine form.
Look at him like a tender flower,
And think of him as your own son...
A lamp in the temple of God,
A darling child in a divine form.
Look at him like a tender flower,
And think of him as your own son...
A golden pearl, a chariot of charm,
What will happen if so many hands touch it?
Can a sweet bouquet of flowers be thrown around like a ball?
Can pure white dolls be passed from hand to hand?
Anyone who wishes to come is welcome,
Just look at this young one with care.
Even an artist on stage has her modesty,
Offer your appreciation once you come.
Beauty, youth, dance, and aesthetic grace—
Look upon them and treat them as art.
A lamp in the temple of God,
A darling child in a divine form.
Look at him like a tender flower,
And think of him as your own son...
Standing by truth is my life's greatest achievement,
Yet trials always come to the virtuous.
Is there any sorrow that Sita did not endure?
In this land today, is there only one Sita?
The stories of virtuous women—
Those are the tales I keep hearing.
When the time comes to go before God,
I will give an honest account of my life.
With love, affection, kindness, and compassion,
I live believing these are my sacred duties...
A lamp in the temple of God,
A darling child in a divine form.
Look at him like a tender flower,
And think of him as your own son...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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