Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kealai Magane

From Uthaman · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Uthaman1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kelaai maganae keloru vaarthaiListen, my son, listen to a word of advice
Naalaiya ulagin naayagan neeyaeYou are the leader of tomorrow's world
Kelaai maganae keloru vaarthaiListen, my son, listen to a word of advice
Naalaiya ulagin naayagan neeyaeYou are the leader of tomorrow's world
Male
Paavathai kandaal vilagi viduMove away when you see sin
Paadhaiyai paarthu nadandhu viduWatch your path and walk carefully
Paavathai kandaal vilagi viduMove away when you see sin
Paadhaiyai paarthu nadandhu viduWatch your path and walk carefully
Aabathai sandhikka thunindhu viduBe brave enough to face danger
Azhuvadhai mattum marandhu viduJust forget about crying
Male
Aarathi vilakkumThe light of the sacred lamp
Naadhathin oliyumThe melody of holy sound
Aalaya maniyum neeyae neeyaeAnd the temple bell, you are all of them
Male
Kelaai maganae keloru vaarthaiListen, my son, listen to a word of advice
Naalaiya ulagin naayagan neeyaeYou are the leader of tomorrow's world
Male
Kollum kolgaiyil kurangaagaHold firm to principles like a monkey's grip
Kodumaiyai kandaal puliyaagaBe like a tiger when you witness cruelty
Kollum kolgaiyil kurangaagaHold firm to principles like a monkey's grip
Kodumaiyai kandaal puliyaagaBe like a tiger when you witness cruelty
Kuri vaithu paarppadhil kokkaagaBe like a crane when focusing on a target
Gunathil yaanaiyin vadivaagaBe like a majestic elephant in character
Male
Aadidum maanumThe dancing deer
Aanandha mayilumThe joyful peacock
Pesidum kiiyum neeyae neeyaeAnd the talking parrot, you are all of them
Male
Kelaai maganae keloru vaarthaiListen, my son, listen to a word of advice
Naalaiya ulagin naayagan neeyaeYou are the leader of tomorrow's world
Male
Thandhai koduthadhu thaayidamaeWhat father gave was to mother
Thaayaar koduthadhu ennidamaeWhat mother gave was to me
Thandhai koduthadhu thaayidamaeWhat father gave was to mother
Thaayaar koduthadhu ennidamaeWhat mother gave was to me
Annai iruppadhu thani idamaeMother resides in a place of her own
Aayinum aval manam unnidamaeYet her heart belongs entirely to you
Male
Kodai nizhalumThe cool shade in summer
Vaadai kanalumThe cozy fire in chilly winter
Gopura vilakkum neeyae neeyaeAnd the lamp atop the temple tower, you are all of them
Female
Kelaai maganae keloru vaarthaiListen, my son, listen to a word of advice
Naalaiya ulagin naayagan neeyaeYou are the leader of tomorrow's world
Kelaai maganae keloru vaarthaiListen, my son, listen to a word of advice
Naalaiya ulagin naayagan neeyaeYou are the leader of tomorrow's world

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kelaai Maganae Keloru Vaarthai is a heartwarming and instructive song from the movie Uthaman (1976), penned by the poet Kannadasan. In this song, a parent addresses their young child, offering timeless wisdom and ethical guidance. The parent emphasizes that the child is destined to lead tomorrow's world, encouraging him to stay away from sin, walk carefully in life, face dangers courageously, and never lose heart in tears. To make moral principles easy to grasp, Kannadasan beautifully employs animal imagery—advising the child to cling to virtues like a monkey, oppose cruelty like a tiger, focus on goals like a patient crane, and embody nobility like an elephant. The song ends with an emotional reflection on family, motherly affection, and legacy, assuring the child that he represents all the comfort, joy, and divine light in his family's life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Paavathai kandaal vilagi vidu / Paadhaiyai paarthu nadandhu vidu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Paa' in adjacent lines, creating a rhythmic cadence.

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphorical Comparisons)

Kollum kolgaiyil kurangaaga / Kodumaiyai kandaal puliyaaga

Comparing human qualities and actions to animals (kurangaaga - like a monkey, puliyaaga - like a tiger, kokkaaga - like a crane, yaanai - like an elephant) to convey moral lessons.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kodai nizhalum / Vaadai kanalum

Rhyming of the second character 'da' in consecutive lines ('Kodai' and 'Vaadai').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Aarathi vilakkum / Naadhathin oliyum / Aalaya maniyum neeyae neeyae

Directly identifying the child with sacred symbols of purity and joy such as 'Aarathi vilakku' (sacred lamp), 'Naadhathin oli' (divine sound), and 'Gopura vilakku' (tower light).

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from the movie Uthaman (1976) features music composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kavinar Kannadasan. Songs containing parental advice to a child were a hallmark of 1970s Tamil cinema, often delivering philosophical and moral truths in accessible, poetic language meant for both children and adult audiences.

Keep listening

More from Uthaman