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Lyrics & meaning

Naayagan Avan

From Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
9 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naayagan avan orupuram
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhagu
Naayagan avan orupuram
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhagu
Naayagi aval marupuram
Aval vaanil irandu nilavu
Naayagan avan orupuram
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhagu
Poojaikkoru pushpam vandhadhu
Punidham endru perai kondadhu
Dheiva magal soodi kondadhu
Maalaiyena tholil kondadhu
Poovil ulla thenai kandu
Oru solai vandu
Adhai thirudi sendradhu
Thalaivan oru koyilil
Avan dheviyo theru vaasalil
Naayagan avan orupuram
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhagu
Naayagi aval marupuram
Aval vaanil irandu nilavu
Maanidathil mogam vandhadhu
Seethaikkathil sogam vandhadhu
Yaarai idhil kutram solvadhu
Vidhiyin vazhi vaazhkkai selvadhu
Pottu vaitha kodu thaandi
Than veedu thaandi
Annam theda sendradhu
Manakkum varai pookkadai
Manam maarinaal adhu saakkadai
Naayagan avan orupuram
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhagu
Naayagi aval marupuram
Aval vaanil irandu nilavu
Naayagan avan orupuram
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhagu
The hero stands on one side,
in his eyes, his wife is the only beauty.
The hero stands on one side,
in his eyes, his wife is the only beauty.
The heroine stands on the other side,
in her sky, there are two moons.
The hero stands on one side,
in his eyes, his wife is the only beauty.
A flower arrived for sacred worship,
and earned the name of being pure.
The deity accepted and wore it,
draping it as a garland on the shoulders.
Seeing the nectar inside the flower,
a beetle from the garden
came and stole it away.
The lord remains inside a temple,
while his goddess stands outside on the street.
The hero stands on one side,
in his eyes, his wife is the only beauty.
The heroine stands on the other side,
in her sky, there are two moons.
Desire for the golden deer arose,
and it brought sorrow to Sita.
Whom can one blame for this?
Life simply follows the path of destiny.
Crossing the line that was drawn,
stepping out beyond her home,
she went out to offer food.
As long as it is fragrant, it is a flower shop;
if the fragrance is lost, it is just a gutter.
The hero stands on one side,
in his eyes, his wife is the only beauty.
The heroine stands on the other side,
in her sky, there are two moons.
The hero stands on one side,
in his eyes, his wife is the only beauty.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant track explores themes of marital trust, tragedy, and social stigma. The song contrasts a loving husband who holds his wife in holy esteem with the tragic reality of his wife, who finds herself caught between two men ('two moons in her sky'). Lyricist Vaali uses rich allegories—comparing her plight to Sita crossing the protective Lakshman Rekha out of necessity and falling victim to tragedy. It addresses how societal judgment shifts swiftly from reverence to disgust, emphasizing that her fall was governed by destiny and circumstance rather than personal malice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Aval vaanil irandu nilavu”

'Aval vaanil irandu nilavu' (Two moons in her sky) metaphorically represents the presence of two men influencing her life simultaneously.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

“Thalaivan oru koyilil / Avan dheviyo theru vaasalil”

Contrasts the husband's elevated, pure position ('temple') with the wife's vulnerable and degraded situation ('street doorstep').

Allusion (Purana Kurippeedhu)

“Pottu vaitha kodu thaandi / Than veedu thaandi”

Alludes to the Ramayana epic where Sita crosses the Lakshman Rekha ('pottu vaitha kodu') in search of alms/food, leading to her tragedy.

Ethirhai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Manakkum varai pookkadai / Manam maarinaal adhu saakkadai”

The second letter 'na' matches in 'Manakkum' and 'Manam', creating melodic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1979 Tamil film 'Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai', directed by M. A. Kaja. The music was composed by Gangai Amaran, with memorable vocals delivered by K. J. Yesudas. Vaali's lyrics brilliantly capture the movie's central dramatic conflict of societal morality versus tragic circumstances.

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