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Lyrics & meaning

Kudumbam Oru Kovil

From Kudumbam Oru Kovil · 1987

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
M. Ranga Rao
Details
Kudumbam Oru Kovil1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kudumbam oru kovilA family is a temple,
Anbe adhil dheivamLove is the deity within it;
Karunai oli veesum kangal mani dheepamEyes radiating compassionate light are the holy lamps.
Oru naalum maaraatha sonthangalaeOh, relationships that never change on any day!
Uyirodu uyir saerntha panthangalaeOh, bonds where life is merged with life!
Yaezhaezhu jenmangal nilaiyaaga vaazhumThey will live eternally across seven times seven births.
Male
Kudumbam oru kovilA family is a temple,
Anbe adhil dheivamLove is the deity within it;
Karunai oli veesum kangal mani dheepamEyes radiating compassionate light are the holy lamps.
Male
Manjal mugaththil deva devathaigalDivine goddesses dwell on her turmeric-adorned face,
Mangalam nindru jolikkumAuspiciousness stands and shines brightly.
Thangai unakku engal innuyirumLittle sister, for you, even our precious life
Seedhanam endru kidaikkumWill be granted as your dowry gift.
Male
Manjal mugaththil deva devathaigalDivine goddesses dwell on her turmeric-adorned face,
Mangalam nindru jolikkumAuspiciousness stands and shines brightly.
Thangai unakku engal innuyirumLittle sister, for you, even our precious life
Seedhanam endru kidaikkumWill be granted as your dowry gift.
Male
Em vaanilae nee pournamiYou are the full moon in our sky,
Needhaanammaa em kanmaniYou indeed are the apple of our eye, dear.
Salangai kulunga asainthu nadakkumWalking gently with jingling anklets,
Vanththil kalaigalin arangamHer grace is an arena of fine arts.
Male
Kudumbam oru kovilA family is a temple,
Anbe adhil dheivamLove is the deity within it;
Karunai oli veesum kangal mani dheepamEyes radiating compassionate light are the holy lamps.
Male
Ketka thirantha sonthamendruBorn as a kinswoman with full freedom to ask,
Oru thangayaai vanthu piranthaalShe arrived as a younger sister.
Vaari kodukka annan unduThere is an elder brother to give abundantly,
Enum vaanjaiyil thannai maranthaalIn that pure affection, she forgot herself.
Male
Ketka thirantha sonthamendruBorn as a kinswoman with full freedom to ask,
Oru thangayaai vanthu piranthaalShe arrived as a younger sister.
Vaari kodukka annan unduThere is an elder brother to give abundantly,
Enum vaanjaiyil thannai maranthaalIn that pure affection, she forgot herself.
Female
Naan ketpathu un paasamaeAll that I seek is your deep affection,
Naan saervathu un paadhamaeThe sanctuary I seek is at your feet.
Anaiththu valarththa irandu karangalThe two hands that embraced and nurtured me
Enakkul azhagiya valarppumHave instilled a beautiful character within me.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kudumbam Oru Kovil' celebrates the sacred nature of family bonds and selfless love. It compares a loving household to a holy temple where love serves as the resident deity, and compassionate eyes act as divine lamps. The lyrics primarily express the profound affection between siblings, highlighting an elder brother's willingness to give anything for his sister's happiness and the sister's immense gratitude and devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kudumbam oru kovil

Compares the family directly to a temple, establishing the theme of sanctity within home life.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anbe adhil dheivam

Equates love to the deity worshipped inside the temple of the family.

Metaphor

Em vaanilae nee pournami

Compares the sister to the full moon shining in the family's sky.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Oru naalum maaraatha sonthangalae / Uyirodu uyir saerntha panthangalae

Matching end sounds ('sonthangalae' / 'panthangalae') creating a rhythmic flow across lines.

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Trivia

Composed by veteran Kannada music director M. Ranga Rao, this song showcases a classic melody enriched by the rich Tamil lyrics of Pulamaipithan. The song beautifully captures traditional South Indian values regarding family unity and the cherished bond between an elder brother and sister.

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