Jananam Oru Vazhi Maranam
From Thirumangalyam · 1974
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Thirumangalyam1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi | Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways. |
| Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi | Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection. |
| Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi | Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways. |
| Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi | Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection. |
| Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi | Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection. |
| Male | |
| Ivalukkoru thaai irundhaal andha naalilae | She had a mother back in those days. |
| Pin ivalum oru thaai aanaal vandha naalilae | Later, she too became a mother in the days that followed. |
| Andha thaaikku kolliyida aan magan illai | That mother had no son to perform her last rites. |
| Indru indha thaaiku kolli vaikka ival magan illai | Today, this mother has no son to light her funeral pyre. |
| Male | |
| Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi | Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways. |
| Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi | Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection. |
| Male | |
| Oru maganai pirinthavarkku marumagan vanthaan | For the one separated from a son, a son-in-law arrived. |
| Andha marumaganae thirumaganaai mandhiram sonnaan | That son-in-law recited holy chants like a noble son. |
| Irudhi varai varubavarae uravinar endraar | He said those who stay till the end are the true relatives. |
| Andha iraivanukku aduthavanaai marumagan nindraan | Standing next to God himself, that son-in-law took his place. |
| Male | |
| Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi | Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways. |
| Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi | Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection. |
| Male | |
| Kattilukku sondhakaaran kattil pottaan | The maker of the bed provided the cot. |
| Thottilukku sonthakkaaran mattam pottaan | The craftsman of the cradle set its measurements. |
| Kattai idhan sondhakaaran kaditham pottaan | The master of the funeral bier sent a letter. |
| Kattai idhan sondhakaaran kaditham pottaan | The master of the funeral bier sent a letter. |
| Kadasikaala sondhakaaran satti eduthaan | The companion of the final moment took up the clay pot. |
| Male | |
| Pathu maadham sumandha annai tholil eduthaal | The mother carried him for ten months in her womb. |
| Avan pathu nimisham neram mattum payanam koduthaan | He gave her a final journey lasting just ten minutes. |
| Pathu maadham sumandha annai tholil eduthaal | The mother carried him for ten months in her womb. |
| Avan pathu nimisham neram mattum payanam koduthaan | He gave her a final journey lasting just ten minutes. |
| Ethanaiyo aasaiyudan maganai valarthaal | She raised her son with so many hopes and dreams. |
| Indru engirunthoo sondham vanthu tholgal koduthaar | Today, relatives from nowhere arrived to offer a shoulder to carry her. |
| Male | |
| Alliyittaal uravukendru alliyum ittaar | She gave freely for kinship, and they offered flowers for her body. |
| Arisiyittaal uravukkendru arisiyum ittaar | She fed rice for bonds, and they offered ritual rice for her soul. |
| Kolliyittaal adupukkendru kolliyum ittaar | She lit fires for the home stove, and they lit her funeral pyre. |
| Kodiyilae ondru endru veedu nadanthaar | Believing all are from the same vine, they walked back home. |
| Male | |
| Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi | Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways. |
| Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi | Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection. |
| Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi | Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection. |
ஜனனம் ஒரு வழி மரணம் பல வழி
சாலையிலே கேட்பதோ பாசம் என்னும் தாய் மொழி
ஜனனம் ஒரு வழி மரணம் பல வழி
சாலையிலே கேட்பதோ பாசம் என்னும் தாய் மொழி
சாலையிலே கேட்பதோ பாசம் என்னும் தாய் மொழி
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
இவளுக்கொரு தாய் இருந்தாள் அந்நாளிலே
பின் இவளும் ஒரு தாய் ஆனாள் வந்த நாளிலே
அந்த தாய்க்கு கொள்ளியிட ஆண் மகன் இல்லை
இன்று இந்த தாய்க்கு கொள்ளி வைக்க இவள் மகன் இல்லை
She had a mother back in those days.
Later, she too became a mother in the days that followed.
That mother had no son to perform her last rites.
Today, this mother has no son to light her funeral pyre.
ஜனனம் ஒரு வழி மரணம் பல வழி
சாலையிலே கேட்பதோ பாசம் என்னும் தாய் மொழி
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
ஒரு மகனைப் பிரிந்தவர்க்கு மருமகன் வந்தான்
அந்த மருமகனே திருமகனாய் மந்திரம் சொன்னான்
இறுதிவரை வருபவரே உறவினர் என்றார்
அந்த இறைவனுக்கு அடுத்தவனாய் மருமகன் நின்றான்
For the one separated from a son, a son-in-law arrived.
That son-in-law recited holy chants like a noble son.
He said those who stay till the end are the true relatives.
Standing next to God himself, that son-in-law took his place.
ஜனனம் ஒரு வழி மரணம் பல வழி
சாலையிலே கேட்பதோ பாசம் என்னும் தாய் மொழி
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
கட்டிலுக்கு சொந்தக்காரன் கட்டில் போட்டான்
தொட்டிலுக்கு சொந்தக்காரன் மட்டம் போட்டான்
கட்டை இதன் சொந்தக்காரன் கடிதம் போட்டான்
கட்டை இதன் சொந்தக்காரன் கடிதம் போட்டான்
கடைசிகால சொந்தக்காரன் சட்டி எடுத்தான்
The maker of the bed provided the cot.
The craftsman of the cradle set its measurements.
The master of the funeral bier sent a letter.
The master of the funeral bier sent a letter.
The companion of the final moment took up the clay pot.
பத்துமாதம் சுமந்து அன்னை தோளில் எடுத்தாள்
அவன் பத்து நிமிஷம் நேரம் மட்டும் பயணம் கொடுத்தான்
பத்துமாதம் சுமந்து அன்னை தோளில் எடுத்தாள்
அவன் பத்து நிமிஷம் நேரம் மட்டும் பயணம் கொடுத்தான்
எத்தனையோ ஆசையுடன் மகனை வளர்த்தாள் இன்று
எங்கிருந்தோ சொந்தம் வந்து தோள்கள் கொடுத்தார்
The mother carried him for ten months in her womb.
He gave her a final journey lasting just ten minutes.
The mother carried him for ten months in her womb.
He gave her a final journey lasting just ten minutes.
She raised her son with so many hopes and dreams.
Today, relatives from nowhere arrived to offer a shoulder to carry her.
அள்ளியிட்டாள் உறவுக்கென்று அள்ளியும் இட்டார்
அரிசியிட்டாள் உறவுக்கென்று அரிசியும் இட்டாள்
கொள்ளியிட்டாள் அடுப்புக்கென்று கொள்ளியும் இட்டாள்
கோடியிலே ஒன்று என்று வீடு நடந்தாள்
She gave freely for kinship, and they offered flowers for her body.
She fed rice for bonds, and they offered ritual rice for her soul.
She lit fires for the home stove, and they lit her funeral pyre.
Believing all are from the same vine, they walked back home.
ஜனனம் ஒரு வழி மரணம் பல வழி
சாலையிலே கேட்பதோ பாசம் என்னும் தாய் மொழி
சாலையிலே கேட்பதோ பாசம் என்னும் தாய் மொழி
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Ivalukkoru thaai irundhaal andha naalilae
She had a mother back in those days.
Pin ivalum oru thaai aanaal vandha naalilae
Later, she too became a mother in the days that followed.
Andha thaaikku kolliyida aan magan illai
That mother had no son to perform her last rites.
Indru indha thaaiku kolli vaikka ival magan illai
Today, this mother has no son to light her funeral pyre.
Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Oru maganai pirinthavarkku marumagan vanthaan
For the one separated from a son, a son-in-law arrived.
Andha marumaganae thirumaganaai mandhiram sonnaan
That son-in-law recited holy chants like a noble son.
Irudhi varai varubavarae uravinar endraar
He said those who stay till the end are the true relatives.
Andha iraivanukku aduthavanaai marumagan nindraan
Standing next to God himself, that son-in-law took his place.
Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Kattilukku sondhakaaran kattil pottaan
The maker of the bed provided the cot.
Thottilukku sonthakkaaran mattam pottaan
The craftsman of the cradle set its measurements.
Kattai idhan sondhakaaran kaditham pottaan
The master of the funeral bier sent a letter.
Kattai idhan sondhakaaran kaditham pottaan
The master of the funeral bier sent a letter.
Kadasikaala sondhakaaran satti eduthaan
The companion of the final moment took up the clay pot.
Pathu maadham sumandha annai tholil eduthaal
The mother carried him for ten months in her womb.
Avan pathu nimisham neram mattum payanam koduthaan
He gave her a final journey lasting just ten minutes.
Pathu maadham sumandha annai tholil eduthaal
The mother carried him for ten months in her womb.
Avan pathu nimisham neram mattum payanam koduthaan
He gave her a final journey lasting just ten minutes.
Ethanaiyo aasaiyudan maganai valarthaal
She raised her son with so many hopes and dreams.
Indru engirunthoo sondham vanthu tholgal koduthaar
Today, relatives from nowhere arrived to offer a shoulder to carry her.
Alliyittaal uravukendru alliyum ittaar
She gave freely for kinship, and they offered flowers for her body.
Arisiyittaal uravukkendru arisiyum ittaar
She fed rice for bonds, and they offered ritual rice for her soul.
Kolliyittaal adupukkendru kolliyum ittaar
She lit fires for the home stove, and they lit her funeral pyre.
Kodiyilae ondru endru veedu nadanthaar
Believing all are from the same vine, they walked back home.
Jananam oru vazhi maranam pala vazhi
Birth takes one pathway, while death comes in many ways.
Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi
Heard along the street is the mother tongue named affection.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This philosophical track penned by lyricist Kannadasan meditates on the impermanence of life, the inevitability of death, and the true essence of human relationships. It contrasts the singular nature of birth with the unpredictable nature of death, detailing the bittersweet reality of a mother who sacrifices everything to raise a child, only to have her final rites fulfilled by a son-in-law or distant well-wishers when direct kin are unavailable or absent. With stark imagery, the song explores the transience of material possessions and earthly attachments. It highlights the poignant irony of a mother carrying a child for ten months, contrasted against the child or relatives offering merely ten minutes for her final journey. Kannadasan's profound verses emphasize that true relatives are not defined merely by bloodline, but by who stands by oneself until the very end.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Contrast
“Pathu maadham sumandha annai tholil eduthaal / Avan pathu nimisham neram mattum payanam koduthaan”
Contrasts 'ten months' of maternal care with 'ten minutes' of the funeral procession to highlight human ingratitude.
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Kattilukku sondhakaaran kattil pottaan / Thottilukku sonthakkaaran mattam pottaan”
The second letter 'tti' rhymes across sequential lines to create rhythmic harmony.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Alliyittaal uravukendru... / Arisiyittaal uravukkendru... / Kolliyittaal adupukkendru...”
The repetition of parallel sentence structures starting with 'Alliyittaal', 'Arisiyittaal', and 'Kolliyittaal' creates a cumulative rhetorical effect.
Metaphor
“Saalaiyilae ketppadho paasam ennum thaai mozhi”
Describes love and affection as a universal 'mother tongue' spoken along the path of life.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the iconic poet Kannadasan for the 1974 Tamil film 'Thirumangalyam', this song stands out for its philosophical commentary on life, death, and familial duty, reflecting Kannadasan's characteristic worldview on mortality.
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