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Lyrics & meaning

Karuvile Uruvaana

From En Thangai (1952 Film) · 1952

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
A. M. Rajah
Music director
C. N. Pandurangan
Details
En Thangai (1952 Film)1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Varumai puyalaalaeBy the storm of poverty,
Thuyarakkadal maevumSwirling in the ocean of sorrow,
Vaazhkkaippadagu kavizhumThe boat of life may capsize.
Aanaal marumaiyilum immaiyilumBut both in the afterlife and in this present life,
Mangaadha jodhiyaaiAs an unfading light,
Manidhaa unpughazh ulaavumO man, your fame will spread far and wide.
Male
Karuvilae uruvaana kaayamThis body formed within the womb,
Idhil kalandhulla uyirnaadiThe vital pulse intermingled within it,
Kanappodhil oiyum indhaWill cease in a mere moment; yet in this
Piraviyil nee seiyum thiyaagamBirth, the sacrifice that you make
Udal maraiyinum azhiyaadhuWill not perish even when the body fades,
VaanjodhiyaagumIt becomes a divine heavenly light.
Male
Karuvilae uruvaana kaayamThis body formed within the womb,
Idhil kalandhulla uyirnaadiThe vital pulse intermingled within it,
Kanappodhil oiyum indhaWill cease in a mere moment; yet in this
Piraviyil nee seiyum thiyaagamBirth, the sacrifice that you make
Udal maraiyinum azhiyaadhuWill not perish even when the body fades,
VaanjodhiyaagumIt becomes a divine heavenly light.
Male
Piraviyin payan ingu manidhaaO man, the ultimate purpose of life here,
Udan pirandhorkku nee seiyumIs the selfless service you render
Sevaithaan punidhaaTo your own siblings, making it sacred.
Theruvilae alaindhaalum theemaiyaeEven if you wander in the streets, even if evil
VilaindhaalumBefalls you,
Theruvilae alaindhaalum theemaiyaeEven if you wander in the streets, even if evil
VilaindhaalumBefalls you,
Perumaiyai izhandhaalumEven if you lose your pride and honor,
Kadamaiyai maravaadhaeDo not forget your bounden duty.
Male
Karuvilae uruvaana kaayamThis body formed within the womb,
Idhil kalandhulla uyirnaadiThe vital pulse intermingled within it,
Kanappodhil oiyumWill cease in a mere moment.
Karuvilae uruvaana kaayamThis body formed within the womb,
Male
Kadalinum aazhndhadhu naesamAffection is deeper than the vast ocean,
Kashtam vandhaalumEven when hardships arise,
Maaraadhadaa rathapaasamThe bond of blood love never alters.
Kadalinum aazhndhadhu naesamAffection is deeper than the vast ocean,
Kashtam vandhaalumEven when hardships arise,
Maaraadhadaa rathapaasamThe bond of blood love never alters.
Male
Kodumaiyin kugaiyadaa ulagamThis world is a cave of cruelty,
Manang kumuraadhae manidhaaDo not grieve or simmer in heart, O man!
Kodumaiyin kugaiyadaa ulagamThis world is a cave of cruelty,
Manang kumuraadhae manidhaaDo not grieve or simmer in heart, O man!
Unpughazh endrum nilavumYour fame will endure forever,
Unpughazh endrum nilavumYour fame will endure forever,
Manang kumuraadhae manidhaa ..aaa…Do not grieve in heart, O man... ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This deeply emotional philosophical song from En Thangai (1952) explores the themes of mortality, brotherly devotion, duty, and eternal honor. It reminds humanity that the mortal body and life pulse are fleeting and can vanish at any moment. However, the sacrifices made for one's family and siblings endure long after physical death, shining like an immortal heavenly light. The song encourages one to stay steadfast in moral duty and sibling affection despite poverty, misfortune, dishonor, or the cruelty of the world. Blood ties and true love are described as deeper than the ocean, assuring that selfless actions bring undying fame that transcends both present life and the afterlife.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Varumai puyalaalae / Thuyarakkadal maevum / Vaazhkkaippadagu kavizhum

Life is compared to a boat (Vaazhkkaippadagu), sorrow to an ocean (Thuyarakkadal), and poverty to a storm (Varumai puyal).

Hyperbole / Comparison (Uwamai)

Kadalinum aazhndhadhu naesam

Sibling love and affection are described as being deeper than the vast ocean.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kodumaiyin kugaiyadaa ulagam

The world is metaphorically described as a cave of cruelty.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Karuvilae uruvaana kaayam / Theruvilae alaindhaalum

The second consonant 'ru' rhymes across lines, enhancing the rhythmic cadence.

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Trivia

'En Thangai' (1952) starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) was a massive success that established MGR's screen image as a compassionate, self-sacrificing hero devoted to family values. The play on which the movie was based was written by C. N. Annadurai, and A. Maruthakasi's lyricism added deep moral and philosophical weight to the soundtrack.

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