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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi

From En Kelvikku Enna Bathil · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
B. S. Sasirekha, T. K. Kala
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
5 Jul 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Orae vaanam orae bhoomi orae saamithaan
Naam orae kulam orae inam orae jaathithaan
Orae vaanam orae bhoomi orae saamithaan
Naam orae kulam orae inam orae jaathithaan
Orae raththamthaan orae uyirumthaan
Orae vaanam orae bhoomi orae saamithaan
Therkku vadakku verupaadu
Dhisaiyil irukkalaam
Therkku vadakku verupaadu
Dhisaiyil irukkalaam
Oru dhesa makkal verupattaal
Amaithi nilaikkumaa
Andru inaveri madha veriyai
Maranthu sendreerae
Adhae maranthathaalae sudhanthiraththai
Vaangi kondeerae
Indru ungalukkul jaadhi petha
Sandai varuvatho
Rama raajiyaththil raththa gangai
Pongi paaivatho
Pongi paaivatho…oo….
Pongi paarvatho….oo…..
Medaiyilae jaathigalai
Ozhippaen enbaargal
Thangal peyarin pinnae
Jaathi perai pottukolvathaen
Aadhiyilae vanthuvitta
Pazhakkamthaanaiyyaa
Arinthu kondu thirunthi
Vaazhnthaal petham yaedhaiyyaa
Palliyilae kuzhanthaigalai
Padikka saerkkaiyilae
Angu jaathi perum ennavendru ketkiraargalae
Idhai aatchiyilae ullavargal
Unarnthu kondaalae
Agilamellaam jaathi pedham ozhiyum thannaalae
Oru thaayin vayittrinilae
Udhiththa pillaigal
Neegal ottrumaiyaai vaazhvatharkku
Valarntha mullaigal
Ondrupattaal undu vaazhvu
Kettu kollungal
Idhai unarnthu kondu maraavarkku
Eduththu sollungal….
Kaattu moongil koottam pola
Saernthu vaazhuvom
Chorus :Saernthu vaazhuvom
Female :Kaakkai kuruvi jaathi pola
Pagirnthu unnuvom
Chorus :Pagirnthu unnuvom
Ulagamellaam samaththuvaththai
Oonga seiguvom
Chorus :Oonga seiguvom
Female :Orumaippaadu enum kodiyai
Ulagil yaettruvom
Chorus :Ulagil yaettruvom
There is only one sky, one earth, and one God.
We are all one family, one race, and one humankind.
There is only one sky, one earth, and one God.
We are all one family, one race, and one humankind.
We have the same blood and the same life.
There is only one sky, one earth, and one God.
The difference between south and north
may exist only in directions.
The difference between south and north
may exist only in directions.
If the people of one nation divide,
can peace ever last?
Back then, you forgot racial and religious hatred,
and marched forward together.
Because you forgot all that division,
you won our freedom.
Today, why do caste differences
bring fights among you?
In Rama Rajyam (ideal land of peace),
must a river of blood surge and flow?
Surge and flow? Ooh...
Surge and flow? Ooh...
On public stages, they proclaim
that they will abolish caste.
Then why do they still attach
a caste name behind their own?
It is an old habit
that began long ago, sir.
If we realize our mistake and reform our ways,
what division would remain, sir?
When admitting children to school
to receive an education,
they still ask for their caste name!
If only those in power
would understand this,
caste discrimination across the world would vanish on its own.
You are all children born
from the womb of one mother;
you are jasmine flowers grown
to live together in harmony.
United we thrive—
please listen to this;
understand this truth,
and explain it to others...
Like a grove of wild bamboo,
let us live together.
Chorus: Let us live together!
Female: Like the crows and little birds,
let us share our food.
Chorus: Let us share our food!
Throughout the entire world,
let us make equality rise high.
Chorus: Let us make equality rise high!
Female: The flag of unity,
let us raise it across the world!
Chorus: Let us raise it across the world!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
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Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Orae Vaanam Orae Bhoomi' is a stirring social reformer anthem from the 1971 film 'En Kelvikku Enna Bathil', featuring lyrics by Kannadasan and music by M. S. Viswanathan. The song advocates passionately for universal brotherhood, social equality, and the complete abolition of caste and religious discrimination. It points out the hypocrisy of politicians who preach caste eradication on public stages while retaining caste surnames, and questions institutional practices like requesting caste identity during school admissions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Sol Porul Pinvarunilayani)

“Orae vaanam orae bhoomi orae saamithaan”

The repetitive use of the word 'Orae' (One/Only) at the beginning of phrases emphasizes the fundamental oneness of humanity and nature.

Simile (Upamai Ani)

“Kaattu moongil koottam pola”

Human society living in unity is compared to a cluster of wild bamboo trees that stand strong together.

Simile (Upamai Ani)

“Kaakkai kuruvi jaathi pola”

The act of sharing food and resources among people is compared to crows and sparrows, referencing Mahakavi Bharathiyar's philosophical view of nature.

Metaphor (Uruvagani)

“Rama raajiyaththil raththa gangai”

The communal bloodshed caused by caste conflicts in an ideal nation is metaphorically described as 'a Ganges river of blood'.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Refrain)

“Saernthu vaazhuvom / Pagirnthu unnuvom / Oonga seiguvom”

The ending 'om' suffix creates a rhythmic, collective call-to-action refrain that unites the lead singer and the chorus.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song's lyricist Kannadasan draws direct inspiration from Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's iconic phrase 'Kaakkai kuruvi engal jaathi' (Crows and sparrows are our caste/kin) to preach egalitarianism. Sung powerfully by B. S. Sasirekha and T. K. Kala under M. S. Viswanathan's composition, the song remains one of Tamil cinema's most direct critiques of political and administrative hypocrisy surrounding caste discrimination.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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