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Oli Vilakku album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Iraivaa Un Maaligaiyil

From Oli Vilakku · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Oli Vilakku
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
6 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Iraivaa un maaligaiyil…
Yeththanaiyo mani vilakku…
Thalaivaa un kaaladiyil…
En nambikkaiyin oli vilakku…
Nambikkaiyin oli vilakku…
Aandavanae un paadhangalai
Naan kanneeril neeraattinen
Indha orruyirai nee vaazha vaikka
Indru unnidam kaiyendhinen
Murugaiyaa…
Aandavanae un paadhangalai
Naan kanneeril neeraattinen
Indha orruyirai nee vaazha vaikka
Indru unnidam kaiyendhinen
Pannirandu kangalilae
Ondrirandu malarndhaalum
Pannirandu kangalilae
Ondrirandu malarndhaalum
Ennirandu kangalilum
Inba oli undaagum
Ullamadhil ullavarai
Alli tharum nallavarai
Ullamadhil ullavarai
Alli tharum nallavarai
Vinnulagam vaavendraal
Mannulagam ennaagum
Aandavanae un paadhangalai
Naan kanneeril neeraattinen
Indha orruyirai nee vaazha vaikka
Indru unnidam kaiyendhinen
Murugaiyaa…
Megangal kan kalangum
Minnal vandhu thudi thudikkum
Vaanagamae urugaadho
Vallal mugam paaraamal
Unnudanae varugindren
En uyirai tharugindren
Mannan uyir pogaamal
Iraivaa nee aanaiyidu
Iraivaa nee aanaiyidu… aanaiyidu…
Iraivaa… iraivaa… iraivaa…
Lord, in your palace...
...there are so many jeweled lamps.
My Lord, at your feet...
...is the shining lamp of my faith.
The shining lamp of my faith.
Oh Lord, I have bathed your feet
in my tears.
For you to grant life to this one soul,
I have held out my hands to you today.
Oh Lord Muruga...
Oh Lord, I have bathed your feet
in my tears.
For you to grant life to this one soul,
I have held out my hands to you today.
Out of your twelve eyes,
even if just one or two open with grace,
out of your twelve eyes,
even if just one or two open with grace,
in both my eyes,
the light of joy will shine.
A man who gives all that he has in his heart,
a noble soul who gives with open hands—
a man who gives all that he has in his heart,
a noble soul who gives with open hands—
if heaven calls him away,
what will become of this earth?
Oh Lord, I have bathed your feet
in my tears.
For you to grant life to this one soul,
I have held out my hands to you today.
Oh Lord Muruga...
The clouds will weep with tears,
the lightning will tremble in grief,
won't the heavens themselves melt in sorrow,
if they cannot see the face of this generous giver?
I will come with you instead,
I offer my own life—
so that my king's life may be spared,
oh Lord, give that command!
Oh Lord, give that command... give your command!
Oh Lord... oh Lord... oh Lord...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song from Oli Vilakku (1968) is a heart-wrenching devotional plea addressed to Lord Murugan. The protagonist tearfully prays for the life of a benevolent and selfless leader who is gravely ill. She bathes the deity's feet in her tears, arguing that if the righteous leader dies and goes to heaven, the earthly realm will lose its patron and savior.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“En nambikkaiyin oli vilakku…”

Faith is metaphorically compared to a lamp emitting light ('Nambikkaiyin oli vilakku').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Ullamadhil ullavarai / Alli tharum nallavarai”

Rhyming of the second letter 'lla' in 'Ullamadhil' and 'Alli'.

Personification (Tharkurippetrazchi)

“Megangal kan kalangum / Minnal vandhu thudi thudikkum”

Natural phenomena like clouds crying and lightning writhing in anguish are personified to show nature mourning the benefactor.

Contrast / Antithesis

“Pannirandu kangalilae ... Ennirandu kangalilum”

Contrasting Lord Murugan's twelve divine eyes with the devotee's two human eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oli Vilakku (1968) was M. G. Ramachandran's milestone 100th film. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, penned by Vaali, and sung soulfully by P. Susheela, this song is renowned for its intense emotional appeal and devotional depth.

Keep listening

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