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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Orey Raagam Orey Thaalam

From Manapanthal · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Manapanthal1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Orae raagam… orae thaalam…One melody... one rhythm...
Female
Orae raagam orae thaalamOne melody, one rhythm
Orae paadal paadudhammaaSinging the exact same song
Orae raagam orae thaalamOne melody, one rhythm
Orae paadal paadudhammaaSinging the exact same song
Female
Kangal silai polaHer eyes, like a statue,
Asaiyaamal paarkkumGaze without moving,
Penmai thavaraamal oru vaarthai koorumAnd womanhood unfailingly speaks a single word.
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Female
Kangal silai polaHer eyes, like a statue,
Asaiyaamal paarkkumGaze without moving,
Penmai thavaraamal oru vaarthai koorumAnd womanhood unfailingly speaks a single word.
Indru malar solvadhumWhat the flower says today,
Vaazhai maram solvadhumWhat the auspicious banana tree says,
Endhan manam solvadhumAnd what my heart says,
Orae peyarallavoIs it not the exact same single name?
Indru malar solvadhumWhat the flower says today,
Vaazhai maram solvadhumWhat the auspicious banana tree says,
Endhan manam solvadhumAnd what my heart says,
Orae peyarallavoIs it not the exact same single name?
Female
Orae raagam orae thaalamOne melody, one rhythm
Orae paadal paadudhammaaSinging the exact same song
Female
Andru gunathoduThat day, bound by virtue,
Manam kondu nindraenI stood with my heart committed,
Indru kulathodu manam pesa kandaenToday, I see my heart aligning with lineage and culture.
Aa…aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa…aa… aa… aa… aa…
Female
Andru gunathoduThat day, bound by virtue,
Manam kondu nindraenI stood with my heart committed,
Indru kulathodu manam pesa kandaenToday, I see my heart aligning with lineage and culture.
Paarvai vayalaanadhaeThe gaze has become the fertile field,
Aasai mazhaiyaanadhaeDesire has become the rain,
Kaadhal payiraanadhaeLove has become the thriving crop,
Endrum nilaiyaanadhaeWhich shall remain eternal!
Paarvai vayalaanadhaeThe gaze has become the fertile field,
Aasai mazhaiyaanadhaeDesire has become the rain,
Kaadhal payiraanadhaeLove has become the thriving crop,
Endrum nilaiyaanadhaeWhich shall remain eternal!
Female
Orae raagam orae thaalamOne melody, one rhythm
Orae paadal paadudhammaaSinging the exact same song
Orae raagam orae thaalamOne melody, one rhythm
Orae paadal paadudhammaaSinging the exact same song

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Orae Raagam Orae Thaalam' from the 1961 film Manapanthal is a classic Tamil melody celebrating the unison of two hearts, minds, and traditions. The lyrics express how various elements of nature, culture, and personal devotion seamlessly align around a single beloved identity, set to one harmonious rhythm and song. Kannadasan weaves rich agricultural and cultural imagery to describe love's evolution. A loving gaze is likened to a field, longing to nourishing rain, and love itself to an everlasting crop. The song highlights how individual character and familial lineage come together in perfect unity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kangal silai pola

Compares the still, unblinking eyes of the woman to a sculpted statue ('silai pola') to highlight deep contemplation and beauty.

Extended Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Paarvai vayalaanadhae / Aasai mazhaiyaanadhae / Kaadhal payiraanadhae

Directly equates the gaze to a field, desires to rain, and love to a crop, creating a vivid agricultural metaphor for romantic growth.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Paarvai vayalaanadhae... Aasai mazhaiyaanadhae...

The deliberate use of matching suffix sounds ('-aanadhae') across consecutive lines provides a melodic rhythmic cadence.

Anaphora / Repetition

Orae raagam orae thaalam / Orae paadal paadudhammaa

Repetition of the word 'Orae' (One/Single) emphasizes absolute unity, alignment, and singular focus.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for 'Manapanthal' (1961) was composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with memorable lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The film was adapted from the Sabrina/play Sabrina Fair concept and was a major commercial success, noted particularly for its evergreen musical soundtrack.

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