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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Koyilkalum Churchugalum

From Raththa Dhanam · 1988

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Raththa Dhanam
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
4 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Koodi pesa vendum
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Kangal kaana vendum
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Koodi pesa vendum
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Kangal kaana vendum
Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu
Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru
Chorus :Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu
Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru
Male :Ingu emmathamum sammathamae
Jaadhi yaedhu jothiyae
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Koodi pesa vendum
Female :Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Kangal kaana vendum
………………
Oraayiram siru dheepangal undu
Oli veesinaal avai indrallavaa
Male :Siluvai enna netri thiruneeru enna
Avai yaavumae anbin adaiyaalamae
Aachchaaram enna anushdaanam enna
Naam serumpothu pedhangal yaedhu
Male :Karppoora dheepam yatri poojai seiyyum neram
Kaadhoram bible solvenae en tholare
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Koodi pesa vendum
Male and Female :
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Kangal kaana vendum
Idhayaththilae idam yaeraalam undu
Ellaarumae idhi kudiyaeralaam
Male :Madha pedhanagal vazhi marikkindra pothu
Manithargalaai naam ani seralaam
Maadhaavin koyil maniyodsaiyodu
Allah-vai thedu bhaavaanai paadu
Male :Ondraaa koodumpothu oonum engal naadum
Uruvaagum vaazhvin panbaadu anbodu
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Koodi pesa vendum
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Kangal kaana vendum
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Koodi pesa vendum
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Kangal kaana vendum
Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu
Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru
Chorus :Madha thaththuvam yaavum ondu
Anbu saaththiyamaanathu indru
Male :Ingu emmathamum sammathamae
Jaadhi yaedhu jothiyae
Koyilgalum churchgalum
Koodi pesa vendum
Male and Chorus :
Antha karththaridam eeshwaeranai
Kangal kaana vendum
......
Temples and churches
must come together and talk.
In the Lord, Ishwara
our eyes should see.
Temples and churches
must come together and talk.
In the Lord, Ishwara
our eyes should see.
The essence of every religion is one;
love has become possible today.
Chorus: The essence of every religion is one;
love has become possible today.
Male: Here, every religion is accepted;
what caste is there before the divine light?
Temples and churches
must come together and talk.
Female: In the Lord, Ishwara
our eyes should see.
......
There are a thousand little lamps;
isn't today the day for them to shine their light?
Male: What does the cross matter, or the sacred ash on the forehead?
They are all simply symbols of love.
What are rigid customs, and what are rituals?
When we unite, what divisions remain?
Male: While lighting camphor lamps for prayer,
I will recite the Bible in your ear, my friend.
Temples and churches
must come together and talk.
Male and Female:
In the Lord, Ishwara
our eyes should see.
There is plenty of room in the heart;
everyone can make a home within it.
Male: When religious divisions block the path,
we can join hands as human beings.
With the chime of the bell from Mother Mary's church,
seek Allah and sing devotional hymns.
Male: When we stand united, our people and our land
will build a culture of living with love.
Temples and churches
must come together and talk.
In the Lord, Ishwara
our eyes should see.
Temples and churches
must come together and talk.
In the Lord, Ishwara
our eyes should see.
The essence of every religion is one;
love has become possible today.
Chorus: The essence of every religion is one;
love has become possible today.
Male: Here, every religion is accepted;
what caste is there before the divine light?
Temples and churches
must come together and talk.
Male and Chorus:
In the Lord, Ishwara
our eyes should see.
Chorus
Male
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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