Oru Koyilin Iru Deepangal
From Pen Jenmam · 1977
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pen Jenmam1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Oru kovilin iru deepangal | Two lamps in a single temple, |
| Iru veru dhisai paarpadhenna | why are they facing two different directions? |
| Oru paadal thaan naam paadinom | We sang only a single song, |
| Iru veru isai kettpadhenna | why are two different tunes being heard? |
| Female | |
| Poovudan manjal nee koduthaai | You gave me flowers along with turmeric, |
| Punniyan unnaal naan oru thaai | O virtuous man, because of you, I am now a mother. |
| Nilaithu vaazhum kaaviyam | An everlasting epic poem, |
| Neeyum naanum thaan | is what you and I truly are. |
| Irukkum poruththam idaiyen varutham | Though we are well-matched, why is there sorrow between us? |
| Female | |
| Oru kovilin iru deepangal | Two lamps in a single temple, |
| Iru veru dhisai paarpadhenna | why are they facing two different directions? |
| Oru paadal thaan naam paadinom | We sang only a single song, |
| Iru veru isai kettpadhenna | why are two different tunes being heard? |
| Female | |
| Kaadhali raadhai oru karaiyil | Lover Radha stands on one riverbank, |
| Kannanum nindraan maru karaiyil | and Lord Krishna stands on the opposite bank. |
| Karaigal irandai vaguthathu | What divided the two shores from each other |
| Kaalam neram thaan | was none other than time and destiny. |
| Sumaigal kuraindhaal sugangal varalaam | If the heavy burdens lighten, happiness may return. |
| Female | |
| Oru kovilin iru deepangal | Two lamps in a single temple, |
| Iru veru dhisai paarpadhenna | why are they facing two different directions? |
| Oru paadal thaan naam paadinom | We sang only a single song, |
| Iru veru isai kettpadhenna | why are two different tunes being heard? |
ஒரு கோயிலின் இரு தீபங்கள்
இரு வேறு திசை பார்ப்பதென்ன
ஒரு பாடல்தான் நாம் பாடினோம்
இரு வேறு இசை கேட்பதென்ன
Two lamps in a single temple,
why are they facing two different directions?
We sang only a single song,
why are two different tunes being heard?
ஒரு கோயிலின் இரு தீபங்கள்
இரு வேறு திசை பார்ப்பதென்ன
ஒரு பாடல்தான் நாம் பாடினோம்
இரு வேறு இசை கேட்பதென்ன
You gave me flowers along with turmeric,
O virtuous man, because of you, I am now a mother.
An everlasting epic poem,
is what you and I truly are.
Though we are well-matched, why is there sorrow between us?
பூவுடன் மஞ்சள்
நீ கொடுத்தாய்
புண்ணியன் உன்னால்
நான் ஒரு தாய்
Two lamps in a single temple,
why are they facing two different directions?
We sang only a single song,
why are two different tunes being heard?
பூவுடன் மஞ்சள்
நீ கொடுத்தாய்
புண்ணியன் உன்னால்
நான் ஒரு தாய்
Lover Radha stands on one riverbank,
and Lord Krishna stands on the opposite bank.
What divided the two shores from each other
was none other than time and destiny.
If the heavy burdens lighten, happiness may return.
நிலைத்து வாழும் காவியம்
நீயும் நானும்தான்
இருக்கும் பொருத்தம்
இடையேன் வருத்தம்
Two lamps in a single temple,
why are they facing two different directions?
We sang only a single song,
why are two different tunes being heard?
ஒரு கோயிலின் இரு தீபங்கள்
இரு வேறு திசை பார்ப்பதென்ன
ஒரு பாடல்தான் நாம் பாடினோம்
இரு வேறு இசை கேட்பதென்ன
{காதலி ராதை ஒரு கரையில்
கண்ணனும் நின்றான்
மறு கரையில்} (2)
கரைகள் இரண்டை வகுத்தது
காலம் நேரம்தான்
சுமைகள் குறைந்தால்
சுகங்கள் வரலாம்
ஒரு கோயிலின் இரு தீபங்கள்
இரு வேறு திசை பார்ப்பதென்ன
ஒரு பாடல்தான் நாம் பாடினோம்
இரு வேறு இசை கேட்பதென்ன
Oru kovilin iru deepangal
Two lamps in a single temple,
Iru veru dhisai paarpadhenna
why are they facing two different directions?
Oru paadal thaan naam paadinom
We sang only a single song,
Iru veru isai kettpadhenna
why are two different tunes being heard?
Poovudan manjal nee koduthaai
You gave me flowers along with turmeric,
Punniyan unnaal naan oru thaai
O virtuous man, because of you, I am now a mother.
Nilaithu vaazhum kaaviyam
An everlasting epic poem,
Neeyum naanum thaan
is what you and I truly are.
Irukkum poruththam idaiyen varutham
Though we are well-matched, why is there sorrow between us?
Oru kovilin iru deepangal
Two lamps in a single temple,
Iru veru dhisai paarpadhenna
why are they facing two different directions?
Oru paadal thaan naam paadinom
We sang only a single song,
Iru veru isai kettpadhenna
why are two different tunes being heard?
Kaadhali raadhai oru karaiyil
Lover Radha stands on one riverbank,
Kannanum nindraan maru karaiyil
and Lord Krishna stands on the opposite bank.
Karaigal irandai vaguthathu
What divided the two shores from each other
Kaalam neram thaan
was none other than time and destiny.
Sumaigal kuraindhaal sugangal varalaam
If the heavy burdens lighten, happiness may return.
Oru kovilin iru deepangal
Two lamps in a single temple,
Iru veru dhisai paarpadhenna
why are they facing two different directions?
Oru paadal thaan naam paadinom
We sang only a single song,
Iru veru isai kettpadhenna
why are two different tunes being heard?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song expresses the deep pain of emotional distance between a husband and wife who were once united in love. Through powerful metaphors, the speaker compares their situation to two lamps lit in the same temple that point in opposite directions, or a single song that somehow produces two conflicting melodies. Despite being blessed with marriage and parenthood, cruel circumstances have driven an emotional wedge between them.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Oru kovilin iru deepangal / Iru veru dhisai paarpadhenna”
The couple's strained relationship is metaphorically described as two lamps lit inside one temple that face opposite directions.
Mythological Allusion
“Kaadhali raadhai oru karaiyil / Kannanum nindraan maru karaiyil”
Refers to the tragic separation of Radha and Krishna on opposite banks of a river to symbolize physical and emotional distance.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Poovudan manjal nee koduthaai / Punniyan unnaal naan oru thaai”
The second letter 'oo'/'u' sound matches in 'Poovudan' and 'Punniyan'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1977 Tamil movie 'Pen Jenmam', penned by legendary lyricist Vaali. The music for the film was composed by G. K. Venkatesh, a veteran composer who was also a mentor to Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.
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