Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Murai

From Kaviya Thalaivan (1992 Film) · 1992

Lyricist
Aabavanan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Aravind Siddhartha
Details
Kaviya Thalaivan (1992 Film)1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru murai orae muraiJust once, only once
Unnai arindhaalae podhumIt is enough to understand who you are
Ini varum thalaimuraiThe future generations
Undhan paer solli vaazhumWill live by singing your praises
Indha naal nalla naalToday is a blessed day
Kaala kaalangal nee vaazha vendumMay you live long for ages to come
Gangai ival endru oor solla vendumThe town should praise you as pure as the Ganges
Male
Oru murai orae murai…Just once, only once...
Chorus
…………………….
Male
Kattazhagil illaiyadi sirappuTrue greatness is not in physical beauty, my girl
Kunguma pottazhagil thaan adhu irukkuIt resides in the auspicious beauty of the kungumam dot
Pon nagaiyil illaiyadi madhippuTrue worth does not lie in golden jewelry, my girl
Un punnagaiyil thaan adhu irukkuIt lies within your radiant smile
Male
Matravarkku nee tharum madhippuThe respect you accord to others
Unnai petravarkku saerthidum sirappuBrings honor to the parents who birthed you
Petra udan mudindhadhu kanakkuTheir duty does not end at giving birth
Paeru vaitha kadan theeravillai ivarkkuThey still carry the responsibility of upholding the family name
Than nilai thavariyae aadidum penmaiyaeOh womanhood, swaying after straying from moral dignity
Than nilai thavariyae aadidum penmaiyaeOh womanhood, swaying after straying from moral dignity
Un nilai thavarinaal thaazhndhidum thaaimaiyaeIf you lose your virtue, motherhood itself suffers a downfall
Male
Oru murai orae muraiJust once, only once
Unnai arindhaalae podhumIt is enough to understand who you are
Ini varum thalaimuraiThe future generations
Undhan paer solli vaazhumWill live by singing your praises
Indha naal nalla naalToday is a blessed day
Kaala kaalangal nee vaazha vendumMay you live long for ages to come
Gangai ival endru oor solla vendumThe town should praise you as pure as the Ganges
Chorus
………………………..
Male
Maadi maela maadi katti vaazhumLiving in multi-storied mansions
Pana vargathukku pasi engu puriyumHow could the wealthy class ever comprehend hunger?
Koodu pola veedu katti vaazhumLiving in humble homes built like bird nests
Ezhai koottathukku thaan adhu puriyumOnly the poor folk can truly understand it
Male
Pirandha naalilae aattamCelebrations on a birthday
Verum panathukku thaan indha koottamThis crowd gathers only for the money
Unnai varappadhu uzhaippavar koottamThe ones surrounding you are the hard-working people
Avar uzhaippinil thaan indha aattamThis prosperity exists only through their labor
Prappilum urappilum ondru thaan theriyumaaDo you know that in birth and death, we are all equal?
Prappilum urappilum naam ondru thaan theriyumaaDo you know that in birth and death, we are all equal?
Valarppilum vaaippilum nee vandhadhu puriyumaaDo you realize your position is due to your upbringing and opportunities?
Male
Oru murai orae muraiJust once, only once
Unnai arindhaalae podhumIt is enough to understand who you are
Ini varum thalaimuraiThe future generations
Undhan paer solli vaazhumWill live by singing your praises
Indha naal nalla naalToday is a blessed day
Kaala kaalangal nee vaazha vendumMay you live long for ages to come
Gangai ival endru oor solla vendumThe town should praise you as pure as the Ganges
Chorus
………………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oru Murai Orae Murai' from the 1992 film 'Kaviya Thalaivan' is a reflective and moralistic composition centered on virtue, class awareness, and human dignity. Written by lyricist Aabavanan, the song offers profound advice to a young woman, encouraging her to value moral character, respect for others, and simplicity over superficial beauty, golden ornaments, or arrogance. It highlights how a woman's character brings honor to her family and reinforces the sanctity of motherhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Gangai ival endru oor solla vendum

Compares the woman's moral purity and virtue directly to the holy River Ganges.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kattazhagil illaiyadi sirappu / Kunguma pottazhagil thaan adhu irukku

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' / 'Ku' sound across consecutive lines.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Pon nagaiyil illaiyadi madhippu / Un punnagaiyil thaan adhu irukku

The second consonant sound 'n' ('Pon' / 'Un') creates a harmonious Tamil rhythmic match.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Maadi maela maadi katti vaazhum Pana vargathukku... / Ezhai koottathukku thaan adhu puriyum

Contrasts the affluent lifestyle of the wealthy living in mansions with the harsh reality of hunger experienced by the working poor.

Simile

Koodu pola veedu katti vaazhum

Uses 'pola' (like) to compare the small, modest houses of poor people to bird nests.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kaviya Thalaivan' (1992) was produced and written by Aabavanan, a prominent Tamil filmmaker, screenwriter, and lyricist known for creating socially conscious content in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His songs often blended traditional moral values with realistic critiques of class disparity.

Keep listening

More from Kaviya Thalaivan (1992 Film)