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Mogam Muppathu Varsham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Enathu Vazhkkai Pathayil

From Mogam Muppathu Varsham · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Movie name
Mogam Muppathu Varsham
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
20 Dec 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyil
Eriyum irandu dheepangal
Ennei illai ondrilae
Enna illai ondrilae
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyil
Eriyum irandu dheepangal
Ennei illai ondrilae
Enna illai ondrilae
Inikka marantha karumbaiyum
Manakka virumbum arumbaiyum
Enakku koduththa iraivanin
Kanakkai ninaiththu paarkkiraen
Irandum irandum kolangal
Irandum irandum kolangal
Kodai vasantham irandu paruvangal
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyil
Eriyum irandu dheepangal
Iravil malarntha thamarai
Kadhirai kaana maranthathu
Pagalil malarantha alliyo
Nilavai kaana thudiththathu
Kudumba vaazhkkai vedhanai
Paruva mazhaigal thavarum sodhanai
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyil
Eriyum irandu dheepangal
Manitha vaazhvin jaadhagam
Silarin vaazhvil saathagam
Edhuvum endrum maaralaam
Manathuthanae kaaranam
Innum enna koorattum
Kavalai maranthu paravai paadattum
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyil
Eriyum irandu dheepangal
Ennei illai ondrilae
Enna illai ondrilae
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyil
Eriyum irandu dheepangal
On the path of my life,
Two lamps are burning.
One has no oil,
And what does the other not have?...
On the path of my life,
Two lamps are burning.
One has no oil,
And what does the other not have?...
A sugarcane that forgot to be sweet,
And a bud longing to spread fragrance—
Thinking of the design of God
Who gave them both to me,
Both are two different forms,
Both are two different forms,
Like two seasons, summer and spring.
On the path of my life,
Two lamps are burning.
The lotus that bloomed at night
Forgot to greet the sun;
While the water lily that bloomed by day
Yearned to see the moon.
The pain of family life
Is a trial like seasonal rains that fail.
On the path of my life,
Two lamps are burning.
The horoscope of human life
Is favorable in only some lives.
Anything can change at any time;
The mind alone is the reason.
What more can I say?
Forgetting its worries, let the bird sing.
On the path of my life,
Two lamps are burning.
One has no oil,
And what does the other not have?...
On the path of my life,
Two lamps are burning.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from 'Mogam Muppathu Varsham' is a deep philosophical contemplation on the ironies and trials of life, marriage, and human relationships. Metaphorically comparing the protagonist's life journey to a path lit by two troubled lamps, lyricist Kannadasan presents contrast and disharmony—a sugarcane lacking sweetness, a lotus blooming at night out of sync with the sun, and a water lily blooming by day yearning for the moon. These imagery-rich couplets describe two individuals or aspects of family life that suffer due to circumstance and fundamental incompatibility. Despite the underlying pain of domestic struggles—compared to drought caused by failed monsoons—the song eventually transitions into philosophical acceptance. It highlights that human fate is unpredictable and driven primarily by one's state of mind. Rather than dwelling on suffering and divine destiny, the protagonist resolves to transcend despair, advising the soul to sing freely like a bird that has forgotten its sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Eriyum irandu dheepangal”

Life's two key relationships/partners are metaphorically described as two oil lamps burning on the path of life.

Juxtaposition / Paradox

“Iravil malarntha thamarai / Pagalil malarantha alliyo”

Inverting nature's rhythm (a night-blooming lotus and day-blooming water lily) serves as a poetic paradox to represent mismatch, bad timing, and disharmony in relationships.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Kudumba vaazhkkai vedhanai / Paruva mazhaigal thavarum sodhanai”

The words 'vedhanai' (agony) and 'sodhanai' (trial) rhyme at the end of consecutive lines to create rhythmic symmetry and accentuate emotional suffering.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyil / Eriyum irandu dheepangal”

The repetition of the initial vowel sound ('E') in 'Enathu' and 'Eriyum' creates a harmonious opening cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mogam Muppathu Varsham' (1976) features music composed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar, a prominent music director primarily celebrated in Kannada cinema who composed a few memorable Tamil soundtracks. The song's evocative, philosophical lyrics were penned by 'Kaviarasu' Kannadasan and brought to life by the legendary K. J. Yesudas. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Sumithra, and Vijayakumar.

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