- Lyricist
- Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Nenjathai Allitha
- Movie release year
- 1984
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Jul 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic devotional and philosophical song emphasizes that God cannot be found merely through external rituals or physical structures. The seeker explores every corner of a majestic temple, climbing its towering gopuram and admiring beautiful sculptures and artwork, yet fails to experience the Divine presence there. The revelation comes in the final verses: God dwells within one's own heart. True spiritual perception begins internally—only when one realizes divinity within oneself can one truly experience the sacredness of an external temple.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Eyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Koyil muzhuthum kandaen”
Repetition of the line-ending word 'kandaen' across multiple verses creates rhythmic emphasis on the act of searching and observing.
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Sirpa silai kandaen”
Alliteration of the initial consonant sound 'S' in 'Sirpa' and 'silai'.
Philosophical Paradox / Repetition
“Ullaththil ullaathadi”
Use of 'Ullaththil' (in the heart) to contrast external physical searching with internal spiritual realization.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics are adapted from a famous poem by the revered Tamil poet Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai. The poem reflects core tenets of Tamil Bhakti philosophy and Advaita, reminding devotees that self-realization is a prerequisite to divine realization.
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