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Lyrics & meaning

Oli Vazhangi Maraikindra

From Avalukendru Oru Manam · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Avalukendru Oru Manam1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oli vazhangi maraikkindra karpooramCamphor that offers light and disappears,
Both :Udal urugi oli veesum meluguvarthiA candle that radiates light as its body melts,
Oli vazhangi maraikkindra karpooramCamphor that offers light and disappears,
Udal urugi oli veesum meluguvarthiA candle that radiates light as its body melts,
Female
Paavathil punniyathai valartha deebamA lamp that nurtured virtue even out of sin,
Both :Palar vaazha thannai tahndha thiyaaga deebamA sacrificial lamp that gave itself so many could live,
Male
Mudivaana nanmaiyena mudiveduthaalShe decided that ultimate good was the right path,
Both :Thodar adivaanam thanai nokki adi eduthaalShe stepped forward toward the endless horizon,
Female :Pennaaga piranthadhilae perumai kandaalShe felt immense pride in being born a woman,
Both :Penn vaazhvuthiyaagamaana urimai kondaalShe claimed the destiny that a woman's life is sacrifice,
Nimmadhiyaanaal…thiyaaga sannidhiyaanaalShe found tranquility... she became a sanctum of sacrifice,
Nimmadhiyaanaal…thiyaaga sannidhiyaanaalShe found tranquility... she became a sanctum of sacrifice.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song celebrates the selfless spirit and ultimate sacrifice of a woman who gives up her own happiness for the well-being of others. Kannadasan masterfully compares her life to camphor that vanishes after giving light and a candle that melts away while illuminating the dark. Despite facing hardships and moral trials, she turns suffering into virtue, deriving pride from her capability to sacrifice and ultimately finding divine peace in her selfless journey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Oli vazhangi maraikkindra karpooram / Udal urugi oli veesum meluguvarthi

Comparing a self-sacrificing woman to 'karpooram' (burning camphor) and 'meluguvarthi' (melting candle) to highlight how she consumes herself for the benefit of others.

Paradox (Virodha Ani)

Paavathil punniyathai valartha deebam

Juxtaposing 'paavam' (sin) and 'punniyam' (virtue) to show how goodness can be nurtured even amidst sinful or dark circumstances.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pennaaga piranthadhilae perumai kandaal / Penn vaazhvuthiyaagamaana urimai kondaal

Rhyming second letters in consecutive lines ('Pennaaga' and 'Penn vaazhvu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan for C. V. Sridhar's 1971 film 'Avalukendru Oru Manam', the song features profound lyrical craftsmanship by Kannadasan, portraying themes of female virtue and renunciation that were iconic in 1970s Tamil cinema.

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