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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal

From Kaanchi Thalaivan · 1963

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaanchi Thalaivan1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru kodiyil iru malargalTwo flowers on a single creeper
Pirandhadhammaa pirandhadhammaaWere born, my dear, were born
Annan thangai uravu muraiThe loving bond between brother and sister
Malarndhadhammaa malarndhadhammaaHas blossomed, my dear, has blossomed
Male
Oru kodiyil iru malargalTwo flowers on a single creeper
Pirandhadhammaa pirandhadhammaaWere born, my dear, were born
Female
Karumaniyin thuyaram kanduSeeing the grief of the pupil of my eye
Imaigal thoongumaaWill my eyelids ever sleep?
Annan kanneeril midhandhida enSeeing my elder brother float in tears
Idhayam thaangumaaCan my heart withstand it?
Female
Karumaniyin thuyaram kanduSeeing the grief of the pupil of my eye
Imaigal thoongumaaWill my eyelids ever sleep?
Annan kanneeril midhandhida enSeeing my elder brother float in tears
Idhayam thaangumaaCan my heart withstand it?
Male
Varum puyalai edhirthu nindruStanding strong against the coming storm
SirikkindraenammaaI am smiling, my dear
Varum puyalai edhirthu nindruStanding strong against the coming storm
SirikkindraenammaaI am smiling, my dear
Thangai vaazhvukkaaga en sugathaiFor the sake of my sister's life, my own comforts
KodukkindraenammaaI am giving away, my dear
Female
Oru kodiyil iru malargalTwo flowers on a single creeper
Pirandhadhammaa pirandhadhammaaWere born, my dear, were born
Annan thangai uravu muraiThe loving bond between brother and sister
Malarndhadhammaa malarndhadhammaaHas blossomed, my dear, has blossomed
Female
Oru kodiyil iru malargalTwo flowers on a single creeper
Pirandhadhammaa pirandhadhammaaWere born, my dear, were born
Female
Piravi ennum paadhaiyilaeAlong the pathway called life
Unnudan vandhenI walked alongside you
Andha payanathilae kadamai seiyumOn that journey, to perform my duty
Thunivai adaindhenI gained the necessary courage
Female
Piravi ennum paadhaiyilaeAlong the pathway called life
Unnudan vandhenI walked alongside you
Andha payanathilae kadamai seiyumOn that journey, to perform my duty
Thunivai adaindhenI gained the necessary courage
Male
Siragadikkum aasaigalaiThe desires that flutter their wings
Siraiyil poottuvenI will lock up in a prison
Siragadikkum aasaigalai siraiyil poottuvenI will lock up the desires that flutter their wings in a prison
Nee sirithirukkum kaatchiyilaeIn the joyful sight of you smiling
Manadhai thaettruvenI will console my heart
Female
Oru kodiyilOn a single creeper
Male
Iru malargalTwo flowers
Female
Pirandhadhammaa pirandhadhammaaWere born, my dear, were born
Male
Annan thangaiBrother and sister
Female
Uravu muraiRelationship and bond
Male
Malarndhadhammaa malarndhadhammaaHas blossomed, my dear, has blossomed

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song depicts the profound and selfless affection between a brother and a sister. Using the poignant metaphor of two flowers blooming on the same creeper vine, the lyrics emphasize how intimately intertwined their lives and emotions are. Each sibling feels the pain of the other acutely and is prepared to make personal sacrifices to ensure the other's happiness. The narrative illustrates the brother's unwavering resolve to shield his sister from life's storms, willingly locking away his own aspirations and personal comforts for her well-being. In response, the sister acknowledges his protection and finds solace and strength in his happiness. The song stands as an iconic ode to pure familial devotion, duty, and mutual sacrifice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Oru kodiyil iru malargal

Compares the brother and sister to two flowers blooming on a single vine, symbolizing their common origin and shared emotional life.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Piravi ennum paadhaiyilae

Frames life as a continuous pathway or journey ('Piravi ennum paadhai').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Siragadikkum aasaigalai / Siraiyil poottuven

Repetition of the initial sound 'Si' ('Siragadikkum' and 'Siraiyil') creates melodic alliteration.

Repetition / Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)

Pirandhadhammaa pirandhadhammaa / Malarndhadhammaa malarndhadhammaa

Repetition of words creates emotional emphasis and rhythmic resonance typical of traditional Tamil song structures.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kaanchi Thalaivan' (1963) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), S. S. Rajendran, and C. R. Vijayakumari. The music for the film was composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics written by Aalangudi Somu. This song remains one of the seminal brother-sister sentiment anthems in Tamil cinema history.

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