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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhayathai Andha Iraivan

From Thaali Bhagyam · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thaali Bhagyam1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Idhayathai andha iraivanGod created the heart
Padaithu veithaanGod created it
Idhayathai andha iraivanGod created the heart
Padaithu veithaanGod created it
Adhan kadhavai indha manidhanBut man closed its doors
Adaithu veithaanMan closed them
Idhayathai andha iraivanGod created the heart
Padaithu veithaanGod created it
Adhan kadhavai indha manidhanBut man closed its doors
Adaithu veithaanMan closed them
Idhayathai andha iraivanGod created the heart
Padaithu veithaanGod created it
Male
Aandavan anbennum kudai virithaanGod opened an umbrella called love
Kudai virithaanOpened an umbrella
Aandavan anbennum kudai virithaanGod opened an umbrella called love
Kudai virithaanOpened an umbrella
Adhil yaarukkum ondraai nizhal koduthaanUnder which He gave equal shade to everyone
Nizhal koduthaanGave shade
Male
Arivukku indha iraivanGod set up a shop for wisdom
Kadai virithaanSet up a shop
Adhil aasaikku indha manidhanIn it, man calculated for his own desires
Kanakku veithaanKept accounts
Male
Idhayathai andha iraivanGod created the heart
Padaithu veithaanGod created it
Male
Paarvaikku azhagaai mugam irukkumThe face appears beautiful to the eyes
MugamirukkumAppears beautiful
Paarvaikku azhagaai mugam irukkumThe face appears beautiful to the eyes
MugamirukkumAppears beautiful
Vaai vaarthaikku edhiraai manamirukkumThe mind acts contrary to spoken words
ManamirukkumActs contrary
Male
Oorukku indha manidhanTo the whole world, this man
Needhi solvaanPreaches righteousness
Nenjil ulladhai ivanWhile concealing what is in his heart
Maraithae meedhi solvaanHe preaches the rest
Male
Idhayathai andha iraivanGod created the heart
Padaithu veithaanGod created it
Adhan kadhavai indha manidhanBut man closed its doors
Adaithu veithaanMan closed them
Idhayathai andha iraivanGod created the heart
Padaithu veithaanGod created it

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1966 film 'Thaali Bhagyam' is a profound moral commentary on human hypocrisy versus divine purity. Vaali uses powerful imagery to illustrate how God created the human heart to offer selfless love and opened a shop of wisdom for mankind. However, man shuts the door on love, letting selfish desire and calculating motives take over.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Aandavan anbennum kudai virithaan

Love is compared to an umbrella ('anbennum kudai') that provides universal shelter, and wisdom is compared to a market stall ('arivukku kadai').

Antithesis (Muran)

Adhan kadhavai indha manidhan adaithu veithaan

Contrasts God's open creation ('padaithu veithaan') with human restriction and selfishness ('adaithu veithaan').

Irony

Oorukku indha manidhan needhi solvaan nenjil ulladhai ivan maraithae meedhi solvaan

Highlights the contradiction between outward righteousness preached to the public and the hidden deceit within the heart.

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Trivia

'Idhayathai Andha Iraivan' is one of the classic philosophical songs written by Lyricist Vaali for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Set to music by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, such songs played a major role in shaping MGR's public image as an ethical and high-minded idealist in Tamil political and cultural history.

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