Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Oru Koyil Iru Deepangal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Entha Paathai

From Oru Koyil Iru Deepangal · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Movie name
Oru Koyil Iru Deepangal
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
25 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Entha paathai engae payanam
Iraivanthaan mudivu seivaan
Indru naalai enna vaazhkkai
Yaar arivaar
Entha paathai engae payanam
Iraivanthaan mudivu seivaan
Irandu mara solai vaiththaan
Entha maram vaazha kandaan
Oottruvaan ootrinaalthaan
Kaaikkaatha maramum kaaikkum
Thallaadum manathai kondu
Thaniyaaga nindraan indru
Ingaeyum iraivan nindraan
Un kaiyil illaiyae
Entha paathai engae payanam
Iraivanthaan mudivu seivaan
Manathiloru aasai kondaan
Maalai soodi vaazha nindraan
Thedinaan kaaiyai kandaan
Thedaatha kaniyai kandaan
Kanneeril odum vaazhvu
Adhu sollum paadhai nooru
Ingaeyum iraivan nindraan
Un kaiyil illaiyae
Entha paathai engae payanam
Iraivanthaan mudivu seivaan
Kungumaththai kaiyil kondu
Kovil kaana odi sendraan
Kovilai kandaan illai
Avan thedum dhepam illai
Thanneeril neruppai kandaan
Thaalaatha sogam kondaan
Ingaeyum iraivan nindraan
Un kaiyil illaiyae
Entha paathai engae payanam
Iraivanthaan mudivu seivaan
Indru naalai enna vaazhkkai
Yaar arivaar
Entha paathai engae payanam
Iraivanthaan mudivu seivaan
Which path, and where is the journey headed?
Only God will decide.
What life brings today and tomorrow,
Who really knows...?
Which path, and where is the journey headed?
Only God will decide.
He planted a grove of two trees,
Which tree did he see survive?
Only if He pours His grace,
Will even a barren tree bear fruit.
With a troubled, wavering mind,
He stands all alone today.
Even here, God is present,
It is not in your hands.
Which path, and where is the journey headed?
Only God will decide.
He held a wish in his heart,
He wished to marry and live happily.
He searched and found an unripe fruit,
Yet he found a sweet fruit he never sought.
A life that flows through tears
Points to a hundred different paths.
Even here, God is present,
It is not in your hands.
Which path, and where is the journey headed?
Only God will decide.
Carrying kumkum (sacred red powder) in his hand,
He rushed to see the temple.
He could not find the temple,
Nor the lamp he was searching for.
He saw fire burning in the water,
And fell into unbearable sorrow.
Even here, God is present,
It is not in your hands.
Which path, and where is the journey headed?
Only God will decide.
What life brings today and tomorrow,
Who really knows...?
Which path, and where is the journey headed?
Only God will decide.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Entha Paathai Engae Payanam' from the 1979 film 'Oru Koyil Iru Deepangal' is a deeply philosophical song meditating on destiny, human powerlessness, and the supreme divine order. Sung with profound emotion by K. J. Yesudas, the song reflects a protagonist facing tragic twists in life, questioning where his journey is leading. Kannadasan's lyrics emphasize that human desires and plans are often overwritten by fate, leaving humans to navigate unpredictable paths. Through vivid imagery—such as two trees in a grove, searching for a temple light, or discovering fire within water—the song conveys heartbreak and existential resignation. The recurring refrain reinforces that no matter how much one struggles, ultimate control lies not in human hands, but with God.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

“Entha paathai engae payanam / Yaar arivaar”

Questions used to emphasize the unknown nature of destiny and the helplessness of human beings.

Metaphor

“Thanneeril neruppai kandaan”

Metaphorically describes encountering burning sorrow or tragedy in a place where one expected peace or comfort.

Muran (Contrast / Antithesis)

“Thedinaan kaaiyai kandaan / Thedaatha kaniyai kandaan”

Contrasts searching for an unripe fruit (kaai) versus unexpectedly receiving a ripe fruit (kani), symbolizing unexpected twists of fate.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Thedinaan kaaiyai kandaan / Thedaatha kaniyai kandaan”

Repetition of the ending sound 'kandaan' across consecutive lines to create melodic rhythm.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Kungumaththai kaiyil kondu / Kovil kaana odi sendraan”

Repetition of the initial 'K' sound across words and lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by V. Dakshinamurthy, one of the most respected classical composers in South Indian cinema, renowned primarily in Malayalam cinema but also highly esteemed for his Tamil compositions. Kannadasan's lyrics in this track are considered classic examples of his signature philosophical style ('Thathuva Paadal'). Rendered soulfully by K. J. Yesudas, the song remains one of the most recognizable tracks from 'Oru Koyil Iru Deepangal' (1979).

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Odam Ondru1978
Thiripura SundariFateImpermanence
Unnai Ondru Ketpen1964
Puthiya ParavaiImpermanenceMelancholic
Naan Ondru Ninaithen1972
Appa TataFateLoss
Aandavanin Thottathile Azhagu1973
ArangetramFateHope
Nenjukku Nimmathi1969
Naangu KilladigalSpiritualityContemplative
Ambalathu Nadaraja Un1970
Kann MalarFateGrief

From the same album

More songs from Oru Koyil Iru Deepangal

View album
Naam Vazhum Naalellam1979
Oru Koyil Iru DeepangalRomantic
Muthu Muthu Punnagaiye1979
Oru Koyil Iru DeepangalPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.