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Avalukendru Oru Manam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Deviyin Kovil Paravai

From Avalukendru Oru Manam · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Avalukendru Oru Manam
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
6 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Deviyin kovil paravai idhu
Thirunaal yetrum deepam idhu
Deviyin kovil paravai idhu
Thirunaal yetrum deepam idhu
Kaaval nayaki karunai idhu
Kanneer ezhuthum kavithai idhu
Kaaval nayaki karunai idhu
Kanneer ezhuthum kavithai idhu
Deviyin kovil paravai idhu
Thirunaal yetrum deepam idhu
Mangai neethi mandram idhu
Mandram idhu..
Kenjuvathu..nenjam idhu..
Mangai neethi mandram idhu
Manjal kunguma sangam idhu
Nilavaai nindru sirikkirathu
Nizhalthaan angae therigirathu
Kaanal neeril kulikkirathu
Kanneer ezhuthum kavithai idhu
Deviyin kovil paravai idhu
Thirunaal yetrum deepam idhu
Sonnaal puriyum vedhamidhu
Vedhamidhu..
Naadhamidhu..geethamidhu
Sonnaal puriyum vedhamidhu
Sollaadhirundhaal paavamidhu
Anbaal vilagum paadhaiyidhu
Adhu thaan unnai theduvadhu
Kallil vadikkum vaazhkaiyidhu
Kanneer ezhuthum kavithaiyidhu
Deviyin kovil paravai idhu
Thirunaal yetrum deepam idhu
Kaaval nayaki karunai idhu
Kanneer ezhuthum kavithai idhu
Deviyin kovil paravai idhu
Thirunaal yetrum deepam idhu
This is a bird from the Goddess's temple
This is a lamp lit for a sacred festival day
This is a bird from the Goddess's temple
This is a lamp lit for a sacred festival day
This is the grace of the guardian Goddess
This is a poem written with tears
This is the grace of the guardian Goddess
This is a poem written with tears
This is a bird from the Goddess's temple
This is a lamp lit for a sacred festival day
This is a woman's court of justice
This court...
This pleading heart...
This is a woman's court of justice
This is a sacred bond of turmeric and kumkum
It stands and smiles like the moon
Yet only a shadow is seen there
It bathes in the waters of a mirage
This is a poem written with tears
This is a bird from the Goddess's temple
This is a lamp lit for a sacred festival day
This is a sacred truth understood when spoken
This sacred truth...
This is melody... this is song
This is a sacred truth understood when spoken
It is a sin to leave it unsaid
This is a path that steps aside out of love
And that is the very thing searching for you
This is a life carved in stone
This is a poem written with tears
This is a bird from the Goddess's temple
This is a lamp lit for a sacred festival day
This is the grace of the guardian Goddess
This is a poem written with tears
This is a bird from the Goddess's temple
This is a lamp lit for a sacred festival day
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Deviyin Kovil Paravai Idhu from Avalukendru Oru Manam (1971) portrays deep emotional anguish wrapped in divine metaphors. The song compares a woman's tragic destiny and pure soul to a bird in a goddess's temple and a sacred lamp. It conveys how sorrow and tears shape her poetry-like existence, as she navigates love, societal expectations, and heartbreak. Through evocative imagery like bathing in a mirage or carving a life in stone, Kannadasan captures the tragedy of unfulfilled longing and righteousness. The song reflects a plea for understanding and justice, underscoring that love's path persists even amid suffering and silent sacrifices.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Deviyin kovil paravai idhu

Compares the protagonist's pure and vulnerable soul to a bird living within a sacred temple.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kanneer ezhuthum kavithai idhu

Compares grief and sorrow to a poignant poem penned with tears.

Imagery & Irony

Kaanal neeril kulikkirathu

Bathing in a mirage visually symbolizes seeking comfort in non-existent or illusory hope.

Alliteration (Monai)

Nilavaai nindru sirikkirathu / Nizhalthaan angae therigirathu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Ni') creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for Avalukendru Oru Manam (1971) was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics written by Kaviyarasu Kannadasan. The film featured Gemini Ganesan, Muthuraman, and Bharathi, and its soundtrack remains iconic in Tamil cinema.

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