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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ore Murai Un Dharisanam

From En Jeevan Paduthu · 1988

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
En Jeevan Paduthu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aahhhh…aaahhh…aaahh..Aahhhh…aaahhh…aaahh..
Female
{Orae murai un dharisanamJust once, a sight of you,
Ulaa varum nam oorvalam} (2)And our procession will go on a parade.
Female
En kovil manigalThe bells of my temple
Unnai azhaikkumWill call out to you.
Nenjodu enIn my heart and
Kannodu nee… vaaIn my eyes... come, join me.
Female
Orae murai un dharisanamJust once, a sight of you,
Ulaa varum nam oorvalamOur procession will go on a parade.
Female
Aaa..aaa…aaa…aaAaa..aaa…aaa…aa
Aaa..aaa…aaa…aaAaa..aaa…aaa…aa
Female
Ilamai ennum paruvamThe stage of life called youth
Siridhu kaalamaeLasts only a short while.
Uravil kaanum sugamoThe pleasure found in relationships
Viraivil maarumaeWill quickly change.
Female
Thendral vandhu thendralaiEven when a gentle breeze joins another breeze,
Serndha pinbum thendralaeIt remains a gentle breeze.
{Kangal rendum kaanumThe vision seen by both eyes
Kaatchi ondruthaan} (2)Is just one single sight.
Female
Aathma raagam paaduvomLet us sing the melody of the soul,
Alavillaadha aanandham… manadhilaeThere is boundless bliss... in the heart.
Female
Orae murai un dharisanamJust once, a sight of you,
Ulaa varum nam oorvalamOur procession will go on a parade.
Female
En kovil manigalThe bells of my temple
Unnai azhaikkumWill call out to you.
Nenjodu enIn my heart and
Kannodu nee… vaaIn my eyes... come, join me.
Female
Orae murai un dharisanamJust once, a sight of you,
Ulaa varum nam oorvalamOur procession will go on a parade.
Chorus
Mmmm…mmm…mmmMmmm…mmm…mmm
Mmmm..mmm…mmmmMmmm..mmm…mmmm
Female
Deivam endrum deivamGod remains God forever,
Kovil maaralaamThough the temple may change.
Deebam endrum deebamA lamp remains a lamp forever,
Idangal maaralaamThough the place may change.
Female
Geedham pogum paadhaiyilOn the path where music travels,
Thadaigal yedhum illaiyaeThere are no obstacles at all.
{Uruvam illai endraalIf something has no form,
Unmai illaiyaa} (2)Does it mean it isn't real?
Female
Vaanam bhoomi aagalaamThe sky could become the earth,
Manadhu dhaanae kaaranam… ulagilaeFor the mind is the cause of everything... in this world.
Female
{Orae murai un dharisanamJust once, a sight of you,
Ulaa varum nam oorvalam} (2)And our procession will go on a parade.
Female
En kovil manigalThe bells of my temple
Unnai azhaikkumWill call out to you.
Nenjodu enIn my heart and
Kannodu nee…. vaaIn my eyes... come, join me.
Female
Orae murai un dharisanamJust once, a sight of you,
Ulaa varum nam oorvalamOur procession will go on a parade.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

‘Orae Murai Un Dharisanam’ is a deeply reflective and spiritual Tamil song that merges romantic devotion with profound philosophy. The protagonist longs for a single divine sight ('dharisanam') of their beloved, describing their own heart and body as a sacred temple whose ringing bells invite the loved one to enter. The song portrays love not merely as physical attraction, but as a meeting of souls that transcends space and time. Throughout the verses, the lyricist contrasts impermanent worldly things—such as youth and temporary pleasures—with eternal truths. Just as a breeze merging with another breeze remains air, or two eyes behold a single unified vision, true love remains constant. Spiritual analogies like changing temples or moving lamps emphasize that true formlessness does not negate truth. Ultimately, the song celebrates soul-bound connection, peace, and the power of the mind in perceiving true reality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

En kovil manigal Unnai azhaikkum

Compares the speaker's heart or soul to a temple whose bells call out to the beloved, framing love as a sacred act of worship.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Deivam endrum deivam / Deebam endrum deebam

Uses matching initial consonants ('De' in 'Deivam' and 'Deebam') to create rhythmic harmony.

Muran (Contrast / Oxymoron)

Deivam endrum deivam / Kovil maaralaam

Contrasts the eternal, unchanging nature of divinity ('Deivam') with the temporary, alterable physical temple ('Kovil').

Philosophical Rhetoric (Rhetorical Question)

Uruvam illai endraal / Unmai illaiyaa

Asks whether something lacking physical form loses its reality, questioning the superficial emphasis on form over essence.

Did you know?

Trivia

‘Orae Murai Un Dharisanam’ is from the 1988 Tamil movie 'En Jeevan Paduthu', directed by R. Sundarrajan and starring Karthik and Saranya Ponvannan. The musical score was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this song. Sung brilliantly by S. Janaki and K.J. Yesudas in separate/duet versions, the track is renowned for its classical Carnatic undertones and deeply Vedantic lyricism.

Keep listening

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