Koyilkalum Churchugalum
From Raththa Dhanam · 1988
- Lyricist
- Mu. Metha
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Raththa Dhanam1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| ……………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Koyilgalum churchgalum | Temples and churches |
| Koodi pesa vendum | Should gather and converse |
| Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai | Near that Lord, the Supreme God |
| Kangal kaana vendum | Our eyes should behold |
| Chorus | |
| Koyilgalum churchgalum | Temples and churches |
| Koodi pesa vendum | Should gather and converse |
| Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai | Near that Lord, the Supreme God |
| Kangal kaana vendum | Our eyes should behold |
| Female | |
| Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu | All religious philosophies are one |
| Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru | Love has become possible today |
| Chorus :Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu | Chorus: All religious philosophies are one |
| Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru | Love has become possible today |
| Male :Ingu emmathamum sammathamae | Male: Here, any religion is acceptable |
| Jaadhi yaedhu jothiyae | What caste exists, O Divine Light? |
| Chorus | |
| Koyilgalum churchgalum | Temples and churches |
| Koodi pesa vendum | Should gather and converse |
| Female :Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai | Female: Near that Lord, the Supreme God |
| Kangal kaana vendum | Our eyes should behold |
| Chorus | |
| ……………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Oraayiram siru dheepangal undu | There are a thousand small lamps |
| Oli veesinaal avai indrallavaa | Isn't it today that they radiate light? |
| Male :Siluvai enna netri thiruneeru enna | Male: What is the Holy Cross, what is the sacred ash on the forehead? |
| Avai yaavumae anbin adaiyaalamae | All of them are merely symbols of love |
| Female | |
| Aachchaaram enna anushdaanam enna | What are rituals and what are religious practices? |
| Naam serumpothu pedhangal yaedhu | When we unite, where are the differences? |
| Male :Karppoora dheepam yatri poojai seiyyum neram | Male: While lighting the camphor lamp and worshipping |
| Kaadhoram bible solvenae en tholare | I shall recite the Bible in your ear, my friend |
| Chorus | |
| Koyilgalum churchgalum | Temples and churches |
| Koodi pesa vendum | Should gather and converse |
| Male and Female : | Male and Female: |
| Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai | Near that Lord, the Supreme God |
| Kangal kaana vendum | Our eyes should behold |
| Female | |
| Idhayaththilae idam yaeraalam undu | There is plenty of space in the heart |
| Ellaarumae idhi kudiyaeralaam | Everyone can come and reside here |
| Male :Madha pedhanagal vazhi marikkindra pothu | Male: When religious differences block our path |
| Manithargalaai naam ani seralaam | We can join hands together as human beings |
| Female | |
| Maadhaavin koyil maniyodsaiyodu | Along with the chime of the church bell of Mother Mary |
| Allah-vai thedu bhaavaanai paadu | Seek Allah and sing devoutly |
| Male :Ondraaa koodumpothu oonum engal naadum | Male: When coming together, our body and our land |
| Uruvaagum vaazhvin panbaadu anbodu | Will shape a culture of life filled with love |
| Female | |
| Koyilgalum churchgalum | Temples and churches |
| Koodi pesa vendum | Should gather and converse |
| Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai | Near that Lord, the Supreme God |
| Kangal kaana vendum | Our eyes should behold |
| Chorus | |
| Koyilgalum churchgalum | Temples and churches |
| Koodi pesa vendum | Should gather and converse |
| Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai | Near that Lord, the Supreme God |
| Kangal kaana vendum | Our eyes should behold |
| Female | |
| Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu | All religious philosophies are one |
| Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru | Love has become possible today |
| Chorus :Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu | Chorus: All religious philosophies are one |
| Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru | Love has become possible today |
| Male :Ingu emmathamum sammathamae | Male: Here, any religion is acceptable |
| Jaadhi yaedhu jothiyae | What caste exists, O Divine Light? |
| Chorus | |
| Koyilgalum churchgalum | Temples and churches |
| Koodi pesa vendum | Should gather and converse |
| Male and Chorus : | Male and Chorus: |
| Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai | Near that Lord, the Supreme God |
| Kangal kaana vendum | Our eyes should behold |
.............................
...
கோயில்களும் சர்ச்சுகளும்
கூடி பேச வேண்டும்
அந்த கர்த்தரிடம் ஈஸ்வரனை
கண்கள் காண வேண்டும்
Temples and churches
Should gather and converse
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Our eyes should behold
கோயில்களும் சர்ச்சுகளும்
கூடி பேச வேண்டும்
அந்த கர்த்தரிடம் ஈஸ்வரனை
கண்கள் காண வேண்டும்
Temples and churches
Should gather and converse
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Our eyes should behold
மத தத்துவம் யாவும் ஒன்று
அன்பு சாத்தியமானது இன்று
குழு :
மத தத்துவம் யாவும் ஒன்று
அன்பு சாத்தியமானது இன்று
இங்கு எம்மதமும் சம்மதமே
ஜாதி ஏது ஜோதியே
All religious philosophies are one
Love has become possible today
Chorus: All religious philosophies are one
Love has become possible today
Male: Here, any religion is acceptable
What caste exists, O Divine Light?
கோயில்களும் சர்ச்சுகளும்
கூடி பேச வேண்டும்
அந்த கர்த்தரிடம் ஈஸ்வரனை
கண்கள் காண வேண்டும்
Temples and churches
Should gather and converse
Female: Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Our eyes should behold
.............................
...
ஓராயிரம் சிறு தீபங்கள் உண்டு
ஒளி வீசினால் அவை ஒன்றல்லவா
சிலுவை என்ன நெற்றி திருநீரு என்ன
அவை யாவுமே அன்பின் அடையாளமே
There are a thousand small lamps
Isn't it today that they radiate light?
Male: What is the Holy Cross, what is the sacred ash on the forehead?
All of them are merely symbols of love
ஆச்சாரம் என்ன அனுஷ்டானம் என்ன
நாம் சேரும்போது பேதங்கள் ஏது
கற்பூர தீபம் ஏற்றி பூஜை செய்யும் நேரம்
காதோரம் பைபிள் சொல்வேனே என் தோழரே
What are rituals and what are religious practices?
When we unite, where are the differences?
Male: While lighting the camphor lamp and worshipping
I shall recite the Bible in your ear, my friend
கோயில்களும் சர்ச்சுகளும்
கூடி பேச வேண்டும்
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
அந்த கர்த்தரிடம் ஈஸ்வரனை
கண்கள் காண வேண்டும்
Temples and churches
Should gather and converse
Male and Female:
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Our eyes should behold
இதயத்திலே இடம் ஏராளம் உண்டு
எல்லோருமே இதில் குடியேறலாம்
மத பேதங்கள் வழி மறிக்கின்ற போது
மனிதர்களாய் நாம் அணி சேரலாம்
There is plenty of space in the heart
Everyone can come and reside here
Male: When religious differences block our path
We can join hands together as human beings
மாதாவின் கோயில் மணியோசையோடு
அல்லாவை தேடு பகவானை பாடு
ஒன்றாக கூடும்போது ஓங்கும் எங்கள் நாடு
உருவாகும் வாழ்வின் பண்பாடு அன்போடு
Along with the chime of the church bell of Mother Mary
Seek Allah and sing devoutly
Male: When coming together, our body and our land
Will shape a culture of life filled with love
கோயில்களும் சர்ச்சுகளும்
கூடி பேச வேண்டும்
அந்த கர்த்தரிடம் ஈஸ்வரனை
கண்கள் காண வேண்டும்
Temples and churches
Should gather and converse
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Our eyes should behold
கோயில்களும் சர்ச்சுகளும்
கூடி பேச வேண்டும்
அந்த கர்த்தரிடம் ஈஸ்வரனை
கண்கள் காண வேண்டும்
Temples and churches
Should gather and converse
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Our eyes should behold
மத தத்துவம் யாவும் ஒன்று
அன்பு சாத்தியமானது இன்று
குழு :
மத தத்துவம் யாவும் ஒன்று
அன்பு சாத்தியமானது இன்று
இங்கு எம்மதமும் சம்மதமே
ஜாதி ஏது ஜோதியே
All religious philosophies are one
Love has become possible today
Chorus: All religious philosophies are one
Love has become possible today
Male: Here, any religion is acceptable
What caste exists, O Divine Light?
கோயில்களும் சர்ச்சுகளும்
கூடி பேச வேண்டும்
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
அந்த கர்த்தரிடம் ஈஸ்வரனை
கண்கள் காண வேண்டும்
Temples and churches
Should gather and converse
Male and Chorus:
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Our eyes should behold
………………
...
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Temples and churches
Koodi pesa vendum
Should gather and converse
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Kangal kaana vendum
Our eyes should behold
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Temples and churches
Koodi pesa vendum
Should gather and converse
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Kangal kaana vendum
Our eyes should behold
Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu
All religious philosophies are one
Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru
Love has become possible today
Chorus :Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu
Chorus: All religious philosophies are one
Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru
Love has become possible today
Male :Ingu emmathamum sammathamae
Male: Here, any religion is acceptable
Jaadhi yaedhu jothiyae
What caste exists, O Divine Light?
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Temples and churches
Koodi pesa vendum
Should gather and converse
Female :Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Female: Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Kangal kaana vendum
Our eyes should behold
………………
...
Oraayiram siru dheepangal undu
There are a thousand small lamps
Oli veesinaal avai indrallavaa
Isn't it today that they radiate light?
Male :Siluvai enna netri thiruneeru enna
Male: What is the Holy Cross, what is the sacred ash on the forehead?
Avai yaavumae anbin adaiyaalamae
All of them are merely symbols of love
Aachchaaram enna anushdaanam enna
What are rituals and what are religious practices?
Naam serumpothu pedhangal yaedhu
When we unite, where are the differences?
Male :Karppoora dheepam yatri poojai seiyyum neram
Male: While lighting the camphor lamp and worshipping
Kaadhoram bible solvenae en tholare
I shall recite the Bible in your ear, my friend
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Temples and churches
Koodi pesa vendum
Should gather and converse
Male and Female :
Male and Female:
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Kangal kaana vendum
Our eyes should behold
Idhayaththilae idam yaeraalam undu
There is plenty of space in the heart
Ellaarumae idhi kudiyaeralaam
Everyone can come and reside here
Male :Madha pedhanagal vazhi marikkindra pothu
Male: When religious differences block our path
Manithargalaai naam ani seralaam
We can join hands together as human beings
Maadhaavin koyil maniyodsaiyodu
Along with the chime of the church bell of Mother Mary
Allah-vai thedu bhaavaanai paadu
Seek Allah and sing devoutly
Male :Ondraaa koodumpothu oonum engal naadum
Male: When coming together, our body and our land
Uruvaagum vaazhvin panbaadu anbodu
Will shape a culture of life filled with love
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Temples and churches
Koodi pesa vendum
Should gather and converse
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Kangal kaana vendum
Our eyes should behold
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Temples and churches
Koodi pesa vendum
Should gather and converse
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Kangal kaana vendum
Our eyes should behold
Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu
All religious philosophies are one
Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru
Love has become possible today
Chorus :Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu
Chorus: All religious philosophies are one
Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru
Love has become possible today
Male :Ingu emmathamum sammathamae
Male: Here, any religion is acceptable
Jaadhi yaedhu jothiyae
What caste exists, O Divine Light?
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Temples and churches
Koodi pesa vendum
Should gather and converse
Male and Chorus :
Male and Chorus:
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Near that Lord, the Supreme God
Kangal kaana vendum
Our eyes should behold
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Raththa Dhanam' is a soulful anthem advocating religious harmony, secularism, and universal brotherhood. Penned by the famous Tamil poet Mu. Metha, the lyrics poetically express the idea that places of worship—such as temples, churches, and mosques—should come together in peaceful dialogue rather than division. It emphasizes that rituals, symbols like the holy cross or sacred ash, and distinct religious practices are ultimately unified manifestations of love and spirituality.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu / Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru”
In lines 2 and 3 ('Koyilgalum' and 'Koodi'), or lines 10 and 11 ('Madha' and 'Anbu' / 'Ondu' and 'Indru'), Tamil rhyming structure is maintained across poetic lines.
Personification
“Koyilgalum churchgalum / Koodi pesa vendum”
Inanimate structures like temples and churches are given human traits, depicted as meeting and conversing with each other.
Metaphor
“Idhayaththilae idam yaeraalam undu / Ellaarumae idhi kudiyaeralaam”
Human hearts and human lives are compared to welcoming dwellings where all people can reside together without caste or creed barriers.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is written by Mu. Metha, a renowned Sahitya Akademi award-winning Tamil poet and lyricist known for incorporating strong humanitarian and social reform themes into film lyrics.
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