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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Magathaana Uravugalai

From Enga Muthalali · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Enga Muthalali
Movie release year
1993
Lyrics added on
10 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Magathaana uravugalai
Manadhaara nambiyadhu kutram illai
En manadhil paavam sumakkavillai
Magathaana uravugalai
Manadhaara nambiyadhu kutram illai
En manadhil paavam sumakkavillai
Idhu thaan uravu endraal
Idhu thaan ulagam endraal
Podaa edhuvum thaevai illai
Magathaana uravugalai
Manadhaara nambiyadhu kutram illai
En manadhil paavam sumakkavillai
En manadhil paavam sumakkavillai
Veedu varai uravendru sonnavanae
Paasam vaithaal mosam yendru solli vittaan
Yaarai nambi naan porandhaen endravanae
Unnai nambi vaazhgavendru solli vaithaan
Nalladhaiyae seigiren nal vazhi pogiren
En nenjam endrumae ondru thaan
Vazhi maari ponavan thannaiyae marandhavan
Avan vaazhkkai endrumae irandu thaan
Unmai enna poli enna puriyaadha manidharae
Nallavar kaalavillai indha ulagil nandri illai
Magathaana uravugalai
Manadhaara nambiyadhu kutram illai
En manadhil paavam sumakkavillai
Vaazhaiyadi vaazhai ena vaazhgavendru
Vaazha vaithaen vaal eduthu veezhthi vittaan
Sabalam ennum sanjalathil saaindhu vittaan
Sathiyatthin vaasalai saathi vittaan
Vaazhvellaam anithiyam unmai nirandharam
Arindhavano endrumae njaani thaan
Suyanalangal peridhena sugangalai madhippavan
Mannulagil endrumae paavi thaan
Unmai enna poli enna puriyaadha manidharae
Nallavar kaanavillai indha ulagil nandri illai
Magathaana uravugalai
Manadhaara nambiyadhu kutram illai
En manadhil paavam sumakkavillai
Idhu thaan uravu endraal
Idhu thaan ulagam endraal
Podaa edhuvum thaevai illai
Edhuvum thaevai illai edhuvum thaevai illai
Believing in noble relationships
Wholeheartedly was no crime;
I carried no sin in my heart.
Believing in noble relationships
Wholeheartedly was no crime;
I carried no sin in my heart.
If this is what relationships are,
If this is what the world is,
Go away, I don't need anything at all...
Believing in noble relationships
Wholeheartedly was no crime;
I carried no sin in my heart.
I carried no sin in my heart.
The one who said ties last only till the doorstep...
Declared that showing affection only brings betrayal.
The one who asked, "Relying on whom was I born?"
Advised us to live by trusting in ourselves.
I do only good, I walk the right path;
My heart has always been steady and true.
But the one who lost his way and forgot himself,
His life is forever two-faced.
O people who cannot tell the real from the fake,
No good people are in sight, there is no gratitude in this world.
Believing in noble relationships
Wholeheartedly was no crime;
I carried no sin in my heart.
Wishing that they flourish for generations to come,
I planted a banana tree, but he drew a sword and struck it down.
He gave in to the wavering of temptation,
And shut the door on truth.
Life is impermanent, but truth is eternal—
The one who knows this is truly wise.
But the one who prizes selfishness and chases pleasures
Will always be a sinner in this earthly world.
O people who cannot tell the real from the fake,
No good people are in sight, there is no gratitude in this world.
Believing in noble relationships
Wholeheartedly was no crime;
I carried no sin in my heart.
If this is what relationships are,
If this is what the world is,
Go away, I don't need anything at all...
I don't need anything, I don't need anything.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Magathaana Uravugalai from Enga Muthalali (1993) is a deeply philosophical track that delves into betrayal, integrity, and spiritual resilience. The protagonist reflects on how sincerely trusting people is not a crime or a sin on his part, even if those he helped ended up betraying him. Rather than holding onto bitterness, he resolves that keeping a pure heart is paramount, even when faced with an ungrateful world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal (Alliteration)

Magathaana uravugalai / Manadhaara nambiyadhu kutram illai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Ma' in 'Magathaana' and 'Manadhaara'.

Allusion / Intertextuality

Veedu varai uravendru sonnavanae / Yaarai nambi naan porandhaen endravanae

Vaali directly references iconic lines from classic Kannadasan lyrics ('Veedu varai uravu' and 'Yaarai nambi naan porandhaen') to contrast traditional philosophical beliefs with current harsh realities.

Metaphor

Vaazhaiyadi vaazhai ena vaazhgavendru

'Vaazhaiyadi vaazhai' compares family growth and prosperous continuity to the self-propagating banana tree.

Keep listening

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