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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanai Mantharukku

From Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Muruga…..muruga…..muruga….Muruga... Muruga... Muruga...
Male
Iththanai maantharukku oru kovil pothaathuA single temple is not enough for so many human beings,
Saththiya thirunaayagaa muruga saththiya thirunaayagaO Muruga, divine leader of truth, divine leader of truth!
Eththanai manamundo aththanai gunamundruAs many minds as there are, so many different human characters exist.
Yaenendru sol velavaa murugaaTell me why it is so, O Velava, Muruga!
Yaenendru sol velavaaTell me why it is so, O Velava!
Male
Iththanai maantharukku oru kovil pothaathuA single temple is not enough for so many human beings,
Saththiya thirunaayagaa muruga saththiya thirunaayagaO Muruga, divine leader of truth, divine leader of truth!
Male
Padaiththaalum uyirkalukku gurubeedamaeThough created, the seat of a spiritual master exists for living beings,
Perumpanaththaasaiyae silarin palibeedamaeYet the desire for immense wealth becomes an altar of sacrifice for some.
Paduththaalum ezhunthaalum kann munnamaeWhether lying down or rising up, right before their eyes,
Silarkku padhavi padhavi ennum oru ennamaeSome people constantly obsess only over position and power.
Male
Iththanai maantharukku oru kovil pothaathuA single temple is not enough for so many human beings,
Saththiya thirunaayagaa muruga saththiya thirunaayagaO Muruga, divine leader of truth, divine leader of truth!
Male
Paavigal palarundu un nilaththilaeThere are many sinners upon your land,
Appaavigal silarundu un padaippilaeWhile there are only a few innocent souls in your creation.
Kovil evarkku vaiththaai kolamurugaaFor whom did you build temples, O beautiful Muruga?
Verum koshaththil enna payan kooru murugaaTell me, Muruga, what is the use of mere empty shouting and slogans?
Male
Iththanai maantharukku oru kovil pothaathuA single temple is not enough for so many human beings,
Saththiya thirunaayagaa muruga saththiya thirunaayagaO Muruga, divine leader of truth, divine leader of truth!
Male
Thaan endra agangaaram azhiththiduvaaiDestroy the ego that boasts 'I am everything',
Selvam thamakkendru ninaipporai ozhiththiduvaaiEradicate those who think all wealth belongs solely to themselves.
Needhi niyaayangal nilaikattumaeLet justice and fairness be firmly established,
Nalle nermaiyai ivvulagam madhikkattumaeMay this world learn to respect pure honesty!
Nermaiyai ivvulagam madhikkattumaeMay this world learn to respect honesty!
Male
Iththanai maantharukku oru kovil pothaathuA single temple is not enough for so many human beings,
Saththiya thirunaayagaa muruga saththiya thirunaayagaO Muruga, divine leader of truth, divine leader of truth!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Iththanai Maantharukku Oru Kovil Pothaathu is a reflective devotional and social commentary song from the 1976 Tamil film Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna. Composed and passionately sung by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, the song addresses Lord Murugan to question the moral state of humanity. It highlights how human minds vary widely, yet greed for money, obsession with political power, and egoism turn society away from spiritual truth, making rituals and empty chants meaningless. In the song, Kannadasan urges the deity to eradicate arrogance, greed, and injustice, praying for a world where righteousness, honesty, and fair judgment prevail over selfish ambitions. The track stands as a powerful blend of devotional lyricism and social critique.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monorhyme / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Padaiththaalum uyirkalukku gurubeedamae

The end of the lines use matching vowel sounds (-ae) such as gurubeedamae, palibeedamae, and ennamae, creating a harmonious lyrical rhythm.

Alliteration (Moonaai / Etukai)

Paavigal palarundu un nilaththilae

Repetition of the 'Pa' consonant sound across 'Paavigal', 'palarundu', and 'Appaavigal' sharpens the conceptual contrast between sinners and innocent people.

Rhetorical Question

Kovil evarkku vaiththaai kolamurugaa

The songwriter poses a direct question to the deity to challenge the utility of religious structures in a morally corrupt world.

Repetition (Anaphora)

Silarkku padhavi padhavi ennum oru ennamae

The repetition of 'padhavi' emphasizes the obsessive human greed for power and high status.

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Trivia

Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna (1976) was directed by Cho Ramaswamy. M. S. Viswanathan composed the music and personally sang this track with intense emotional expression. Kannadasan's lyrics reflect his characteristic knack for weaving deep philosophical questioning into popular film music.

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