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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Puram Vedan

From Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Vijaya Bhaskar
Details
Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru puram vedan marupuram naagamOn one side is a hunter, on the other side a snake
Irandukkum naduvaeTrapped right between the two
Azhagiya kalaimaan azhagiya kalaimaanIs a beautiful stag, a beautiful stag
Female
Oru puram vedan marupuram naagamOn one side is a hunter, on the other side a snake
Irandukkum naduvaeTrapped right between the two
Azhagiya kalaimaan azhagiya kalaimaanIs a beautiful stag, a beautiful stag
Female
Ragasiya idhayam palavagai thuyaramA secret heart filled with endless sorrow
Avanarul kidaithaal thuyarangal vilagumIf His divine grace is granted, all sorrows will fade away
Female
Oru puram vedan marupuram naagamOn one side is a hunter, on the other side a snake
Female
Unmaiyai sonnaal sannithi thirakkumIf the truth is spoken, the divine sanctum will open
Ovvoru maanukkum nimmathi kidaikkumAnd every innocent soul will find peace
Female
Yaararivaaro oomaiyin kanavuWho can ever know the dream of a mute person?
Yaararivaaro oomaiyin kanavuWho can ever know the dream of a mute person?
Maanukkum undu oru vagai manathuEven a deer has feelings in its heart
Female
Oru puram vedan marupuram naagamOn one side is a hunter, on the other side a snake
Irandukkum naduvaeTrapped right between the two
Azhagiya kalaimaan azhagiya kalaimaanIs a beautiful stag, a beautiful stag
Female
Paada ninaiththathu bhairavi raagamIt intended to sing the ragam Bhairavi
Paadi mudiththathu yaavaiyum sogamBut all that it ended up singing was pure sorrow
Female
Maanum ninaiththathu mangalam paadaThe deer too desired to sing auspicious songs
Maanum ninaiththathu mangalam paadaThe deer too desired to sing auspicious songs
Mayangi vizhunthathu sangamaagaYet it fainted and fell at the holy confluence
Female
Oru puram vedan marupuram naagamOn one side is a hunter, on the other side a snake
Irandukkum naduvaeTrapped right between the two
Azhagiya kalaimaan azhagiya kalaimaanIs a beautiful stag, a beautiful stag
Female
Pennaai piranthaal bedhamai ullamBeing born a woman, she has an innocent heart
Bedhamaiyaalae vilainthathu kallamAnd out of that innocence, deceit and trouble arose
Female
Kannaa unathu karunaiyai kaattuOh Lord Krishna, show your divine mercy!
Kannaa unathu karunaiyai kaattuOh Lord Krishna, show your divine mercy!
Kaarigai vaazhvil nimmathiyoottuBring peace into this woman's life
Female
Oru puram vedan marupuram naagamOn one side is a hunter, on the other side a snake
Irandukkum naduvaeTrapped right between the two
Azhagiya kalaimaan azhagiya kalaimaanIs a beautiful stag, a beautiful stag
Female
Ragasiya idhayam palavagai thuyaramA secret heart filled with endless sorrow
Avanarul kidaithaal thuyarangal vilagumIf His divine grace is granted, all sorrows will fade away
Female
Oru puram vedan marupuram naagamOn one side is a hunter, on the other side a snake

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply moving allegorical piece written by Kannadasan for the movie 'Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu' (1975). It uses the vivid metaphor of a delicate deer caught helplessly between a hunter's arrow on one side and a venomous snake on the other. This image reflects the female protagonist's dilemma, as she is trapped by societal judgment and blackmail due to an innocent mistake made in her past. The emotional arc progresses from agony and unexpressed pain ('the dream of a mute person') to a desperate prayer for divine intervention. Though she wished for joy and auspiciousness in life ('Bhairavi raagam' and 'Mangalam'), life handed her sorrow. In the end, the song appeals directly to Lord Krishna for grace, asserting that her flaws stemmed from naive innocence ('bedhamai') rather than evil intent, praying for redemption and peace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)

Oru puram vedan marupuram naagam / Irandukkum naduvae / Azhagiya kalaimaan

The innocent woman trapped by circumstances and blackmailers is metaphorically depicted as a beautiful deer caught between a hunter and a venomous snake.

Symbolism (Kuriyeedu)

Paada ninaiththathu bhairavi raagam / Paadi mudiththathu yaavaiyum sogam

'Bhairavi raagam' and 'mangalam' symbolize happiness and an auspicious life, whereas 'sogam' symbolizes the harsh reality of grief that befell her.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Paada ninaiththathu bhairavi raagam / Paadi mudiththathu yaavaiyum sogam

The initial sound 'Paa' repeats in both lines ('Paada' and 'Paadi'), adding rhythmic emphasis.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Unmaiyai sonnaal sannithi thirakkum / Ovvoru maanukkum nimmathi kidaikkum

Both lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('thirakkum' and 'kidaikkum').

Did you know?

Trivia

1. 'Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu' was a pathbreaking progressive drama directed by S. P. Muthuraman that addressed the social taboo around a woman's pre-marital past. 2. Music director Vijaya Bhaskar, primarily celebrated in Kannada cinema, crafted this iconic Tamil soundtrack. 'Oru Puram Vedan' remains one of his most recognized Tamil compositions. 3. Singer Vani Jairam delivered a career-defining performance in this song, capturing intricate classical nuances and deep pathos, which earned her widespread critical acclaim.

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