- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- En Jeevan Paduthu
- Movie release year
- 1988
- Lyrics added on
- 19 Jul 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
‘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.
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