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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
Details
Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naayagan avan orupuramOn one side stands the hero,
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhaguIn his eyes, his wife is the epitome of beauty.
Naayagan avan orupuramOn one side stands the hero,
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhaguIn his eyes, his wife is the epitome of beauty.
Female
Naayagi aval marupuramOn the other side stands the heroine,
Aval vaanil irandu nilavuIn her sky, there are two moons.
Male
Naayagan avan orupuramOn one side stands the hero,
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhaguIn his eyes, his wife is the epitome of beauty.
Male
Poojaikkoru pushpam vandhadhuA flower arrived intended for worship,
Punidham endru perai kondadhuIt earned a reputation for being sacred.
Female
Dheiva magal soodi kondadhuA divine maiden wore it reverently,
Maalaiyena tholil kondadhuAdorning it like a garland around her shoulders.
Male
Poovil ulla thenai kanduSpotting the sweet honey within the flower,
Oru solai vanduA bee from the garden came,
Adhai thirudi sendradhuAnd stole the nectar away.
Female
Thalaivan oru koyililThe husband resides pure in a temple,
Avan dheviyo theru vaasalilWhile his goddess stands out on the street doorstep.
Male
Naayagan avan orupuramOn one side stands the hero,
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhaguIn his eyes, his wife is the epitome of beauty.
Female
Naayagi aval marupuramOn the other side stands the heroine,
Aval vaanil irandu nilavuIn her sky, there are two moons.
Female
Maanidathil mogam vandhadhuLust and infatuation arose in mankind,
Seethaikkathil sogam vandhadhuAnd because of it, sorrow befell Sita.
Male
Yaarai idhil kutram solvadhuWho is to be blamed in this situation?
Vidhiyin vazhi vaazhkkai selvadhuLife simply moves along the path dictated by destiny.
Female
Pottu vaitha kodu thaandiCrossing the drawn protective line,
Than veedu thaandiStepping past the threshold of her home,
Annam theda sendradhuShe ventured out in search of sustenance.
Male
Manakkum varai pookkadaiAs long as it smells sweet, it is a flower shop;
Manam maarinaal adhu saakkadaiIf the fragrance changes, it becomes a sewer.
Male
Naayagan avan orupuramOn one side stands the hero,
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhaguIn his eyes, his wife is the epitome of beauty.
Female
Naayagi aval marupuramOn the other side stands the heroine,
Aval vaanil irandu nilavuIn her sky, there are two moons.
Male
Naayagan avan orupuramOn one side stands the hero,
Avan vizhiyil manaivi azhaguIn his eyes, his wife is the epitome of beauty.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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