- Lyricist
- Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai
- Singer
- M. L. Vasanthakumari
- Music directors
- Chittor V. Nagaiah, A. Rama Rao
- Movie name
- Thai Ullam
- Movie release year
- 1952
- Lyrics added on
- 2 Aug 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This introspective philosophical song, written by the eminent Tamil poet Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, explores the core truth of spirituality. The seeker journeys through a grand temple complex, climbing high gopurams (towers), gazing upon the temple tank, and traversing the chariot streets in search of the Supreme Being. Despite exploring every physical nook of the sacred grounds, God remains elusive.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Repetition (Madaakku / Anaphora)
“Kovil muluvathum kanden”
The line 'Kovil muluvathum kanden' is repeated multiple times to emphasize the exhaustive search through physical places of worship.
Edhukai (Second Letter Consonance)
“Ullathil ullaanadi / Adhu nee unara vendumadi”
The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines ('Ullathil' and 'Adhu' carrying internal vocal harmony with 'Ullathil').
Spiritual Metaphor (Tattuvam / Metaphor)
“Ullathil ullaanadi”
Points to the core Advaita philosophy that the true temple is within the human heart/mind ('Ullam').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the venerated Tamil poet Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, this poem is a classic devotional-philosophical piece highlighting internalized devotion over external ritualism. It was adapted for the film 'Thai Ullam' (1952), directed by K. Ramnoth and featuring music composed jointly by Chittor V. Nagaiah and A. Rama Rao.
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