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Lyrics & meaning

Enathu Vazhkkai Pathayil

From Mogam Muppathu Varsham · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Mogam Muppathu Varsham1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyilAlong the path of my life,
Eriyum irandu dheepangalTwo lamps are burning;
Ennei illai ondrilaeOne lacks oil,
Enna illai ondrilaeAnd what does the other lack?
Male
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyilAlong the path of my life,
Eriyum irandu dheepangalTwo lamps are burning;
Ennei illai ondrilaeOne lacks oil,
Enna illai ondrilaeAnd what does the other lack?
Male
Inikka marantha karumbaiyumA sugarcane that forgot to be sweet,
Manakka virumbum arumbaiyumAnd a flower bud yearning to bloom with fragrance,
Enakku koduththa iraivaninI ponder upon the divine calculations,
Kanakkai ninaiththu paarkkiraenOf the God who bestowed them upon me.
Male
Irandum irandum kolangalBoth are two different patterns,
Irandum irandum kolangalBoth are two different patterns,
Kodai vasantham irandu paruvangalLike two contrasting seasons—summer and spring.
Male
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyilAlong the path of my life,
Eriyum irandu dheepangalTwo lamps are burning.
Male
Iravil malarntha thamaraiA lotus that bloomed at night,
Kadhirai kaana maranthathuForgot to behold the sun;
Pagalil malarantha alliyoWhile the water lily that bloomed during the day,
Nilavai kaana thudiththathuYearned to see the moon.
Male
Kudumba vaazhkkai vedhanaiDomestic life is full of agony,
Paruva mazhaigal thavarum sodhanaiA trial like the failure of seasonal rains.
Male
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyilAlong the path of my life,
Eriyum irandu dheepangalTwo lamps are burning.
Male
Manitha vaazhvin jaadhagamThe horoscope of human life,
Silarin vaazhvil saathagamIs favorable only in some people's lives.
Edhuvum endrum maaralaamAnything can change at any time,
Manathuthanae kaaranamAnd the mind alone is the cause.
Male
Innum enna koorattumWhat more shall I say?
Kavalai maranthu paravai paadattumLet the bird sing, forgetting all worries.
Male
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyilAlong the path of my life,
Eriyum irandu dheepangalTwo lamps are burning;
Ennei illai ondrilaeOne lacks oil,
Enna illai ondrilaeAnd what does the other lack?
Male
Enathu vaazhkkai paathaiyilAlong the path of my life,
Eriyum irandu dheepangalTwo lamps are burning.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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