- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- A. L. Raghavan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Nenjil Or Aalayam
- Movie release year
- 1962
- Lyrics added on
- 29 May 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poignant track from the classic movie 'Nenjil Or Aalayam' expresses noble, self-sacrificing love. The protagonist, a doctor, encounters his former sweetheart after a long separation, only to discover that her husband is now a terminally ill patient under his care. Rather than harboring bitterness or grief over lost love, he selflessly wishes her a blessed and blissful married life. He acknowledges his past longing for her, yet accepts his solemn responsibility as a doctor to save her husband's life. The song highlights cultural symbols of marital auspiciousness such as 'Manjal' (turmeric) and 'Kungumam' (vermilion), framing his love not as possessiveness, but as a pure wish for her lifelong happiness and light in her household.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme / Repetition)
“Un idhayam amaidhiyil vaazhga / Manjal valathudan vaazhga / Un mangala kungumam vaazhga”
The term 'vaazhga' (may you live long) is repeatedly used at the end of consecutive lines to create rhythmic reinforcement and emphasize sincere blessings.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaakum kadamaiyum / Thanthaai thooyavalae”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Ka' in 'Kaakum' and 'Kadamaiyum', and 'Tha/Thoo' in 'Thanthaai' and 'Thooyavalae'.
Metaphor
“Yetriya Deepam nilai Pera vendum / Irunda veetil oli Thara vendum”
The lit lamp ('Yetriya Deepam') and light in a dark house ('Irunda veetil oli') serve as metaphors for the wife's role in sustaining marital joy and bringing life to the husband's household.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Engirunthaalum Vaazhga' is one of the most famous tracks written by Kannadasan and sung by A. L. Raghavan for the 1962 blockbuster 'Nenjil Or Aalayam', composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The entire movie was famously shot in a single hospital set in just 28 days.
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