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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oorengum Kalyana

From Vetri · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. N. Surendar, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vetri1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangalWedding processions everywhere in the town,
En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangalWhile monsoon rains (tears) gather at the corner of my eyes right now.
Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangalWedding processions everywhere in the town,
En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangalWhile monsoon rains (tears) gather at the corner of my eyes right now.
Male
En thangaiyai en pon mangaiyaiMy younger sister, my golden woman,
Oor koodiyae vaazhththungalMay the whole town gather to bless her!
Male
Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangalWedding processions everywhere in the town,
En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangalWhile monsoon rains (tears) gather at the corner of my eyes right now.
Male
Kottu maela saththam athu inthiralogam ettumMay the sound of the wedding drums reach Indra's realm in heaven,
En thangai meethu vaanam poomaarigal thoovattumMay the sky shower flower rains upon my sister.
Kottu maela saththam athu inthiralogam ettumMay the sound of the wedding drums reach Indra's realm in heaven,
En thangai meethu vaanam poomaarigal thoovattumMay the sky shower flower rains upon my sister.
Male
Pon manjal maangalyamA golden, turmeric-hued sacred thread,
Polivaagum mangaikkuFor the maiden who shines brightly.
Unakkaaga vaazhnthenaeI lived only for your sake,
Idhu podhum kannukkuSeeing this is enough for my eyes.
Male
Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangalWedding processions everywhere in the town,
En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangalWhile monsoon rains (tears) gather at the corner of my eyes right now.
Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangalWedding processions everywhere in the town,
En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangalWhile monsoon rains (tears) gather at the corner of my eyes right now.
Female
En annannai en pon mannannaiMy elder brother, my golden king,
Yaar thaettruvaar kelungalAsk who will comfort him now?
Male
Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangalWedding processions everywhere in the town,
En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangalWhile monsoon rains (tears) gather at the corner of my eyes right now.
Female
Pattu saelai katti unnai vittu sellum naeramWearing a silk saree, at the time I leave you,
Un kannin oram eeram yaar ini aathaaramThere is moisture at the corner of your eyes; who will be your support now?
Pattu saelai katti unnai vittu sellum naeramWearing a silk saree, at the time I leave you,
Un kannin oram eeram yaar ini aathaaramThere is moisture at the corner of your eyes; who will be your support now?
Female
Unnullam pennullamYour heart is a gentle woman's heart,
Pirivendraal thaangaathuIt cannot bear the pain of separation.
Oru kannil vazhiyendraalIf tears flow from one eye,
Maru kannum thoongaathuThe other eye cannot sleep.
Male
Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangalWedding processions everywhere in the town,
En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangalWhile monsoon rains (tears) gather at the corner of my eyes right now.
Male
En thangaiyai en pon mangaiyaiMy younger sister, my golden woman,
Oor koodiyae vaazhththungalMay the whole town gather to bless her!
Male
Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangalWedding processions everywhere in the town,
En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangalWhile monsoon rains (tears) gather at the corner of my eyes right now.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an emotional duet centered around the bittersweet moment of a sister's wedding day. The lyrics portray the deep affection and inseparable bond between an elder brother and his younger sister. On one hand, the brother expresses profound joy that his sister is getting married and settling down into a new life, fulfilling his life's primary purpose. On the other hand, both are overcome with sorrow over their upcoming separation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangal

Tears welling up in the eyes are metaphorically described as 'kaarkaalangal' (the rainy/monsoon season).

Hyperbole

Kottu maela saththam athu inthiralogam ettum

Exaggeration that the loudness of the celebratory wedding drums will reach 'Indralogam' (the heavenly realm of Lord Indra).

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oorengum kalyaana oorkolangal / En kannooram inneram kaarkaalangal

The lines end with rhyming words ('oorkolangal' and 'kaarkaalangal').

Analogy

Oru kannil vazhiyendraal / Maru kannum thoongaathu

The brother and sister are compared to two eyes of a single person—if one eye sheds tears of distress, the other cannot rest.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from the 1984 Tamil film 'Vetri' (starring Vijayakanth and Radhika, directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar) was composed by the musical duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The emotional duet was sung by legendary playback singers K. J. Yesudas and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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