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Lyrics & meaning

Orumaiyudan Ninathu

From Konjum Salangai · 1962

Lyricist
Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal
Singer
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Konjum Salangai1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Orumaiyudan ninathuWith single-minded devotion, your...
Thirumalaradi ninaikkindra...holy lotus feet are contemplated by...
Uththamartham uravu vendum...righteous souls, whose company I seek.
Ullondru vaiththu puramondru pesuvaarThose who hold one thought in their heart and speak another outside,
Uravu kalavaamai vendumI must never mingle or associate with.
Female
Perumai perum ninathu pugalYour glorious praises, which bring immense honor,
Pesavendum….mm….mm….mm….I must speak... mm... mm... mm...
Poimai pesaathirukka vendumI must refrain from speaking falsehoods.
Peruneri pidiththozhuga vendumI must strictly follow the grand path of virtue.
Madhamana pei pidiyaathirukka vendumThe demon of arrogance and ego must not possess me.
Aaa…..aaa….aa…..aa….aa….aa….Aaa.....aaa....aa.....aa....aa....aa....
Female
Madhi vendum ninkarunaiI need wisdom; the divine treasure of your grace...
Nidhi vendum...I need.
Noiyatra vaazhvu naan vaazh vendumI must live a life free of diseases.
Thanmugath thuiyamani yunmuga saivamaniO pure jewel with a serene face, O inner essence of Saivism,
Sanmugath dheiva maniyae….O divine six-faced jewel, Lord Shanmuga!
Ae….ae….ae….ae…..aaa….aa…..aa….aa….aa….Ae....ae....ae....ae.....aaa....aa.....aa....aa....aa....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This immortal hymn is a prayer composed by the saint-poet Vallalar (Ramalinga Swamigal) from his 'Deiva Manimaalai', depicted in the film 'Konjum Salangai' (1962). The speaker prays to Lord Shanmuga (Murugan) for the spiritual discipline required to live a noble, virtuous life. The central request is for good company—seeking fellowship with pure-hearted saints who meditate on the Lord's lotus feet with undivided focus, while strictly avoiding hypocrites who mask their true intentions with deceptive words.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Uththamartham uravu vendum / Uravu kalavaamai vendum

The word 'vendum' (is needed / must be) is systematically repeated at the end of several lines, creating a rhythmic, prayerful cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Madhamana pei pidiyaathirukka vendum

Arrogance and religious fanaticism are metaphorically described as a 'pei' (demon) that possesses a person.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ullondru vaiththu puramondru pesuvaar / Uravu kalavaamai vendum

Repetition of the initial vowel 'U' across lines four and five creates melodic flow.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Orumaiyudan ninathu / Thirumalaradi ninaikkindra

The second consonant sound 'ru' rhymes in 'Orumaiyudan' and 'Thirumalaradi'.

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Trivia

Although the lyrics are from Arutprakasa Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal's 19th-century spiritual work 'Arutpa' ('Deiva Manimaalai'), this rendition was adapted for the 1962 musical classic 'Konjum Salangai'. The film's music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, and this soul-stirring devotional track was sung by Sulamangalam Rajalakshmi. 'Konjum Salangai' is historically significant for being the first Tamil film released with 100 prints globally and is renowned for its iconic inclusion of classical Nadaswaram music played by Karukurichi Arunachalam.

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