Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Dheiva Thaai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Moondreluthil En

From Dheiva Thaai · 1964

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Dheiva Thaai
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
22 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Moondrezhuthil
En moochirukum adhu
Mudindha pinnalum
Pechirukum
Ullam endroru
Oor irukum andha
Oorukul enakoru per irukum
{ Kadamai
Adhu kadamai } (2)
Andha moondrezhuthil
En moochirukum adhu
Mudindha pinnalum
Pechirukum
Ullam endroru
Oor irukum andha
Oorukul enakoru per irukum
{ Padhavi
Varumbothu panivu
Vara vendum thunivum
Varavendum thozha
Paadhai
Thavaraamal
Panbu kuraiyaamal
Pazhagi varavendum thozha } (2)
Anbae un annai
Arivae un thandhai
Ulagae un kovil
Ondrae un deivan
Moondrezhuthil
En moochirukum adhu
Mudindha pinnalum
Pechirukum
Ullam endroru
Oor irukum andha
Oorukul enakoru per irukum
{ Kadamai
Adhu kadamai } (2)
{ Vaazhai malar
Polae boomi mugam
Paarkum kozhai gunam
Maatru thozha
Naalai uyir
Pogum indru ponaalum
Kolgai niraivetru thozha } (2)
Anbae un annai
Arivae un thandhai
Ulagae un kovil
Ondrae un deivan
Moondrezhuthil
En moochirukum adhu
Mudindha pinnalum
Pechirukum
Ullam endroru
Oor irukum andha
Oorukul enakoru per irukum
{ Kadamai
Adhu kadamai } (2)
In three letters
lies my very breath;
even after it ends,
words of it will remain.
In a town called
the human heart,
I will have a name within that town.
{ Duty—
that is duty. } (2)
In those three letters
lies my very breath;
even after it ends,
words of it will remain.
In a town called
the human heart,
I will have a name within that town.
{ When high position
comes, humility
must come, and courage too
must come, my friend!
Without straying
from the path,
without losing your good character,
you must live your life, my friend! } (2)
Love is your mother,
wisdom is your father,
the world is your temple,
and one alone is your God.
In three letters
lies my very breath;
even after it ends,
words of it will remain.
In a town called
the human heart,
I will have a name within that town.
{ Duty—
that is duty. } (2)
{ Like a plantain blossom
hanging toward the ground,
that cowardly habit of bowing your head—
change it, my friend!
Life will depart tomorrow—
even if it leaves today,
fulfill your principles, my friend! } (2)
Love is your mother,
wisdom is your father,
the world is your temple,
and one alone is your God.
In three letters
lies my very breath;
even after it ends,
words of it will remain.
In a town called
the human heart,
I will have a name within that town.
{ Duty—
that is duty. } (2)
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic song from the 1964 Tamil movie 'Dheiva Thaai' serves as an inspiring anthem on duty, humility, and principled living. The phrase 'Moondrezhuthu' (three letters) primarily refers to 'Kadamai' (Duty in Tamil), emphasizing that a person's righteous duty defines their existence, ensuring their legacy lives on in people's hearts long after death. The lyrics offer moral guidance on handling success and power, urging the listener to remain humble yet courageous. It redefines spirituality and morality by declaring Love as mother, Wisdom as father, the World as a temple, and Unity/God as one. Rejecting cowardice—metaphorically described as bowing down like a plantain flower—the song inspires individuals to stand tall and fulfill their life's principles regardless of the fear of death.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Anbae un annai / Arivae un thandhai / Ulagae un kovil”

Human virtues and relationships are equated directly to family and places of worship: Love is mother, Wisdom is father, World is temple.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Ullam endroru oor irukum andha oorukul enakoru per irukum”

The human heart is metaphorically conceptualized as an inhabited town where one's good reputation lives on.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Vaazhai malar polae boomi mugam paarkum kozhai gunam”

Cowardice that hangs its head low is explicitly compared to a plantain/banana flower ('Vaazhai malar') that points downward toward the earth.

Symbolism & Wordplay

“Moondrezhuthil en moochirukum”

The phrase 'Moondrezhuthu' (Three Letters) carries multiple symbolic layers in Tamil—referring explicitly to 'Kadamai' (க-ட-மை / Duty) and subtly to political figures like 'Anna' (அ-ண்-ணா) or 'M.G.R.' (எம்-ஜி-ஆர்).

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed without credits in some archives, this classic song from 'Dheiva Thaai' (1964) was written by the legendary Kaviarasu Kannadasan, composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, and sung by T. M. Soundararajan for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The song's emphasis on 'three letters' became a major political and cultural hallmark associated with MGR's screen persona.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Manithan Enbavan1962
Sumai ThangiSpiritualityDignity
Kallum Oru Kaniyagalam1984
RusiResilienceWork And Duty
Thai Enum Selvangal Thalattum1971
Moondru DheivangalResiliencePlatonic
Poo Poova Paranthu1972
Dhikku Theriyadha KaattilFriendshipPlatonic
Koottu Kuyila Kaattil Vittu1999
Manam Virumbuthe UnnaiFriendshipIdentity
Intha Veedu1993
Ezhai JaathiResilienceReflective

From the same album

More songs from Dheiva Thaai

View album
Kadhalikkadhey1964
Dheiva ThaaiPlayful
Paruvam Pona1964
Dheiva ThaaiRomantic
Unmaikku Veliyittu1964
Dheiva ThaaiMournful
Vannakili Sonna1964
Dheiva ThaaiPlayful
Oru Pennai Parthu1964
Dheiva ThaaiRomantic
Intha Punnagai1964
Dheiva ThaaiPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.