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Lyrics & meaning

Odum Megangale

From Aayirathil Oruvan · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Aayirathil Oruvan1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Odum megangalaeO running clouds,
Oru sol keleero } (2)Will you listen to a single word of mine?
{ Aadum manadhinilaeTo my restless, swaying mind,
Aaruthal thaareero } (2)Will you grant some solace?
Male
Odum megangalaeO running clouds,
Oru sol keleeroWill you listen to a single word of mine?
Male
{ Naadaalum vannamayilShe is a colorful peacock ruling the land,
Kaaviyathil naan thalaivanI am a hero only in epic stories,
Naatil ulla adimaigalilAmong the slaves in this country,
Aayirathil naan oruvan } (2)I am just one among a thousand.
Male
Maaligaiyae aval veeduHer house is a grand palace,
Marakilaiyil en kooduMy nest is on a tree branch,
Vaaduvadhae en paaduWithered sorrow is my lot in life,
Idhil naan andha maanIn this state, where can I search
Nenjai naaduvadhengae kooruFor that deer-like heart? Tell me.
Male
Odum megangalaeO running clouds,
Oru sol keleeroWill you listen to a single word of mine?
{ Aadum manadhinilaeTo my restless, swaying mind,
Aaruthal thaareero } (2)Will you grant some solace?
Male
{ Oorellam thoonkaiyilaeWhen the whole town is asleep,
Vizhithirukum en iravuMy night stays wide awake,
Ulagamellam sirikaiyilaeWhen the entire world smiles,
Azhudhirukum andha nilavu } (2)That moon over there sits weeping.
Male
Paadhaiyilae vegudhooramA long distance lies on the path,
Payanam pogindra neramAt a time when the journey goes on,
Kaadhalaiyaar manam thedumWhom does this loving heart search for?
Idhil naan andha maanIn this state, where can I search
Nenjai naaduvadhengae kooruFor that deer-like heart? Tell me.
Male
Odum megangalaeO running clouds,
Oru sol keleeroWill you listen to a single word of mine?
Aadum manadhinilaeTo my restless, swaying mind,
Aaruthal thaareeroWill you grant some solace?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Odum Megangalae' from the 1965 classic film Aayirathil Oruvan portrays the deep angst and romantic yearning of a protagonist separated from his beloved by societal class and circumstance. Addressing the passing clouds as messengers of his inner pain, he reflects on his humble status as a slave among thousands while describing his beloved as a princess living in luxury. Through poetic contrasts between her palace and his crude shelter, he expresses the agony of loving someone beyond his reach.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Odum megangalae / Oru sol keleero

Repetition of the initial 'O' vowel sound across consecutive lines.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Maaligaiyae aval veedu / Marakilaiyil en koodu

Contrasts her grand palace with his meager shelter on a tree branch to emphasize class disparity.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

aval veedu / en koodu / en paadu

Rhyming endings 'veedu', 'koodu', and 'paadu' creating a melodic rhythmic cadence.

Personification

Azhudhirukum andha nilavu

Attributes human emotion to the inanimate moon, describing it as weeping in empathy with the protagonist.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music director and singer were listed as unknown in the prompt, this iconic song from Aayirathil Oruvan (1965) was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and sung by T. M. Soundararajan. This movie marked the last official collaboration of the Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo before their temporary separation, as well as the first cinematic pairing of M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa.

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