Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iraivan Varuvaan

From Shanthi Nilayam · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Shanthi Nilayam1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Iraivan iraivan iraivanGod, God, God
Varuvaan varuvaan varuvaanHe will come, He will come, He will come
Female
Aahaa ahaha ahaAahaa ahaha aha
Aahaha aa aa aa aaa haa…aaa….Aahaha aa aa aa aaa haa…aaa….
Female
Iraivan varuvaanGod will come
Avan endrum nal vazhi tharuvaanHe will always show us the good path
Chorus
Iraivan varuvaanGod will come
Avan endrum nal vazhi tharuvaanHe will always show us the good path
Female
Arivom avanaiLet us understand Him
Avan anbae naam perum karunaiHis love is the great mercy we receive
Chorus
Arivom avanaiLet us understand Him
Avan anbae naam perum karunaiHis love is the great mercy we receive
Iraivan varuvaanGod will come
Avan endrum nal vazhi tharuvaanHe will always show us the good path
Female
Vanna vanna poovinilIn colorful flowers,
Kaayai vaithavanHe who placed the fruit,
Sippi ondrin naduvaeIn the middle of a seashell,
Muththai vaithavanHe who placed the pearl,
Vanna vanna poovilIn colorful flowers,
Kaayai vaithavanHe who placed the fruit,
Sippi ondrin naduvaeIn the middle of a seashell,
Muththai vaithavanHe who placed the pearl,
Female
Chinna chinna nenjinilIn little, innocent hearts,
Paasam vaithaanHe placed affection,
Nenjil varum paasathaiThe affection that arises in the heart,
Pesa vaithaanHe made it express itself,
Chinna chinna nenjinilIn little, innocent hearts,
Paasam vaithaanHe placed affection,
Nenjil varum paasathaiThe affection that arises in the heart,
Pesa vaithaanHe made it express itself,
Female
Anbae enbadhu koilLove itself is the temple,
Aasai enbadhu naaduAspiration is the nation,
Paasam enbadhu veeduAffection is the home,
Chorus
Paasam enbadhu veeduAffection is the home,
Female
Iraivan varuvaanGod will come
Avan endrum nal vazhi tharuvaanHe will always show us the good path
Female
Ullam ennum koyilaiThe temple called the heart,
Katti vaithavanHe who built it,
Kangal ennum vaasalaiThe doorway called the eyes,
Thandhu vaithavanHe who granted it,
Female
Ullam ennum koyilaiThe temple called the heart,
Katti vaithavanHe who built it,
Kangal ennum vaasalaiThe doorway called the eyes,
Thandhu vaithavanHe who granted it,
Female
Kannil varum paadhaiyaiThe path visible to the eyes,
Kaana sonnaanHe asked us to behold,
Nalla nalla paadhaiyil poga sonnaanHe told us to walk on good paths,
Kannil varum paadhaiyaiThe path visible to the eyes,
Kaana sonnaanHe asked us to behold,
Nalla nalla paadhaiyil poga sonnaanHe told us to walk on good paths,
Female
Kangal avanai kaanaFor the eyes to behold Him,
Ullam avanai ninaikkaFor the heart to contemplate Him,
Kaigal avanai vanangaFor the hands to worship Him,
Chorus :Kaigal avanai vanangaChorus: For the hands to worship Him,
Female
Iraivan varuvaanGod will come
Avan endrum nal vazhi tharuvaanHe will always show us the good path
Arivom avanaiLet us understand Him
Chorus :Avan anbae naam perum karunaiChorus: His love is the great mercy we receive
Iraivan varuvaanGod will come
Avan endrum nal vazhi tharuvaanHe will always show us the good path

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Iraivan Varuvaan from the 1969 Tamil film Shanthi Nilayam is a soul-stirring devotional and philosophical song written by Kannadasan. The lyrics express absolute faith in divine grace, assuring that God will guide humanity toward righteous living. Kannadasan marvels at divine creation, noting how God places fruits in colorful blossoms, pearls in oysters, and love within human hearts, establishing love as the ultimate temple and foundation of life. Furthermore, the song metaphorically compares the human heart to a sacred shrine built by God, with the eyes serving as its gateway. It urges people to use their senses productively—walking along noble paths, keeping divinity in their thoughts, and offering heartfelt worship. Through lyrical imagery, the song conveys that divine mercy is best understood and experienced through unconditional love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Iraivan iraivan iraivan

Words like 'Iraivan', 'Varuvaan', 'Vanna vanna', and 'Chinna chinna' are repeated consecutively to enhance rhythmic cadence and emotional intensity.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Ullam ennum koyilai Katti vaithavan

The line equates the human heart to a temple ('Ullam ennum koyilai') and eyes to its entrance doorway ('Kangal ennum vaasalai').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ullam ennum koyilai / Kangal ennum vaasalai

Rhyming of second consonant letters in adjacent lines, such as 'Ullam' and 'Kangal', creating acoustic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Shanthi Nilayam (1969) was an adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's classic novel Jane Eyre. The song features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan and vocals by P. Susheela.

Keep listening

More from Shanthi Nilayam