Oruvanukku Oruthiyena
From Kavalan Avan Kovalan · 1987
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- K. S. Chithra, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Vijay Anand
- Details
- Kavalan Avan Kovalan1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Oruvanukkku oruththiyena | "One man for one woman," |
| Uravu kolla urimai ulla | having the right to be in a relationship, |
| Vannamayil kannagiyum naanae | I am Kannagi, the colorful peacock. |
| Female | |
| Silambin mani sithara manam sithara | As the gems of the anklet scatter and hearts break, |
| Thalaivan avan thirusabaiyil | in the noble court of her lord, |
| Nadanamidum maadhaviyum naanae | I am Madhavi, who dances there. |
| Female | |
| : Malareduththu kuzhal mudiththu | Wearing flowers in her hair, |
| Manavaraiyil karam pidiththa | holding hands at the wedding dais, |
| Kula magalum kuna magalum ivalae | she is the noble and virtuous wife. |
| Female | |
| Kanigai en per irunthum | Though labeled as a courtesan by name, |
| Kanavar ena oruvar vasam | surrendered to one man as her husband, |
| Saranadaintha sarasa magal ivalae | she is the romantic maiden. |
| Female | |
| Oruvanukkku oruththiyena | "One man for one woman," |
| Uravu kolla urimai ulla | having the right to be in a relationship, |
| Vannamayil kannagiyum naanae | I am Kannagi, the colorful peacock. |
| Female | |
| Naan potta maalai ennaalumae | The garland I placed on him forever, |
| Nee theenda koodaathu podi | you must not touch, go away girl! |
| Naalthorum maalai un kaavalan | Every day at night, your protector, |
| Vanthaanae en vaasal thedi | came seeking my doorstep! |
| Female | |
| Naanangal yaedhum illaathaval | She who has no shyness or modesty, |
| Pennalla peyallavo | is not a woman, but a ghost! |
| Pasi vantha velai theerkkaathaval | She who does not satisfy hunger when it strikes, |
| Kaniyalla kaayallavo | is not a ripe fruit, but an unripe one! |
| Female | |
| Aduththavalin kudiththanaththil | Is it right to usurp, |
| Idam pidiththal muraiyaa | a place in another woman's household? |
| Oru mugaththil iru vizhigal | Are there not two eyes in a single face? |
| Iruppathenna thavaraa | What is wrong with that? |
| Female | |
| Enakkenave piranthavandi | He was born exclusively for me, girl! |
| Female :Idaiyil ennai kalanthavandi | He joined with me in between! |
| Female :Iniyum intha virasamenna | Why this harshness anymore? |
| Iruvarukkul sarasamenna | Why this playful quarrel between the two? |
| Female | |
| Oruvanukkku oruththiyena | "One man for one woman," |
| Uravu kolla urimai ulla | having the right to be in a relationship, |
| Kannin mani rukkumani naanae | I am Rukmani, the apple of his eye. |
| Female | |
| Thalaivan radham nadaththa | Steering the lord's chariot, |
| Samar kalaththil vadam pidiththa | holding the reins on the battlefield, |
| Vanithai intha bhaamaa enum | this woman named Satyabhama, |
| Azhagu nalar thaanae | is truly a graceful beauty. |
| Female | |
| Kaiyodu yaenthum pullaanguzhal | Like the flute held close in his hand, |
| Adhu pola naan konda sontham | such is the bond I share with him. |
| Female :Kannaana kannan brinthaavanam | The divine Krishna is Brindavan itself, |
| Ennaalum bhaamavin bantham | and Satyabhama's bond is forever. |
| Female | |
| Neeraadum gangai naanallavo | Am I not the sacred river Ganga in which he bathes? |
| En pol neeyaagumo | Can you ever become like me? |
| Female :Aanantha vellam naanthaanadi | I am the flood of bliss, girl! |
| Yamunaikku eedaagumo | Can anything match the Yamuna river? |
| Female | |
| Enakkirukkum urimaiyinai | To snatch away the rights I hold, |
| Parippathenna muraiyo | is that proper? |
| Female :Oru nadhiyai iru karaiyum | For two banks to embrace a single river, |
| Thazhuvuvathu thavaro | is that wrong? |
| Female | |
| Kadal kalantha nadhi idhuthaan | This is the river that merged into the ocean. |
| Female :Udan inaintha vidhi idhuthaan | This is the destiny that joined us together. |
| Female :Iniyum antha mayakkamenna | Why this illusion anymore? |
| Iruvarukkul nerukkamenna | Why this conflict between the two? |
| Female | |
| Oruvanukkku oruththiyena | "One man for one woman," |
| Uravu kolla urimai ulla | having the right to be in a relationship, |
| Paruva magal pommi ivalthaanae | She is Pommi, the youthful maiden. |
| Female | |
| Thalaivan manamarinthu kunamarinthu | Understanding her lord's heart and nature, |
| Malarpadukkai viriththu vaiththa | spreading a bed of flowers, |
| Vadivazhagi vellaiyammaa naanae | I am Vellaiyamma, the beautiful one. |
| Female | |
| Thenpaandi veeran en mannavan | The hero of Thenpaandi is my king, |
| Naan mattum kondaadum devan | the god whom I alone celebrate! |
| Female :Naanenna solla en nenjilum | What can I say? In my heart too, |
| Neengaamal vaazhgindra jeevan | he lives as an inseparable soul. |
| Female | |
| Naan konjum maeni ennaalumaee | The body I embrace every day, |
| Nee konja koodaathadi | you must not caress, girl! |
| Female :Un mannan vanthaal ennaalumae | Whenever your king comes, |
| Vaasal moodaathadi | do not close the door, girl! |
| Female | |
| Purushan enna palar virumbum | Is a husband a public property, |
| Podhuvudamai porulaa | desired by many? |
| Female :Iru manaivi muruganukku | For Lord Murugan to have two wives, |
| Iruppathenna thavaraa | what is wrong with that? |
| Female | |
| Manitharellaam iravaalla | Humans are not God! |
| Female :Unairchchiyillaa maramumalla | Nor are they emotionless trees! |
| Female :Vilakkavurau ini edharkkau | Why legal ties anymore? |
| Vilagi vidu vazhakkedharkkau | Step aside, why make a court case? |
| Female | |
| Oruvanukkku oruththiyena | "One man for one woman," |
| Uravu kolla urimai ulla | having the right to be in a relationship, |
| Mudhal vedu en veeduthaanae | The first house is my house! |
| Female | |
| Iravil nilaverikka kuliredukka | To shine like moonlight at night, to ward off the cold, |
| Iru karaththil aravanaikka | to embrace with both arms, |
| Chinna veedu en veeduthaanae | the second house is my house! |
| Female | |
| Ulagariya oorariya arunthathiyum thaanariya | Known to the world, known to the town, known even to Arundhati, |
| Samsaaram ennaalum ivalae | she is the official wife forever. |
| Female | |
| Aduththavarum ariyaamal | Without others knowing, |
| Veeraarkkum theriyaamal | without anyone realizing, |
| Aanantham tharupavalum ivalae | she is the one who gives bliss. |
| Female | |
| Oruvanukkku oruththiyena | "One man for one woman," |
| Uravu kolla urimai ulla | having the right to be in a relationship, |
| Mudhal veedu en veeduthaanae | The first house is my house! |
| Female | |
| {Prabhu…. | Prabhu… |
| Female :Anbae…. | My love… |
| Female :Prabhu…. | Prabhu… |
| Female :Anbae….} (2) | My love… |
ஒருவனுக்கு ஒருத்தியென
உறவுக் கொள்ள உரிமை உள்ள
வண்ணமயில் கண்ணகியும் நானே
"One man for one woman,"
having the right to be in a relationship,
I am Kannagi, the colorful peacock.
சிலம்பின் மணி சிதற மனம் சிதற
தலைவன் அவன் திருச்சபையில்
நடனமிடும் மாதவியும் நானே
As the gems of the anklet scatter and hearts break,
in the noble court of her lord,
I am Madhavi, who dances there.
மலரெடுத்து குழல் முடித்து
மணவறையில் கரம் பிடித்த
குல மகளும் குண மகளும் இவளே
Wearing flowers in her hair,
holding hands at the wedding dais,
she is the noble and virtuous wife.
கனிகை என பேர் இருந்தும்
கணவர் என ஒருவர் வசம்
சரணடைந்த சரச மகள் இவளே
Though labeled as a courtesan by name,
surrendered to one man as her husband,
she is the romantic maiden.
ஒருவனுக்கு ஒருத்தியென
உறவுக் கொள்ள உரிமை உள்ள
வண்ணமயில் கண்ணகியும் நானே
"One man for one woman,"
having the right to be in a relationship,
I am Kannagi, the colorful peacock.
நான் போட்ட மாலை எந்நாளுமே
நீ தீண்டக் கூடாது போடி
நாள்தோறும் மாலை உன் காவலன்
வந்தானே என் வாசல் தேடி
The garland I placed on him forever,
you must not touch, go away girl!
Every day at night, your protector,
came seeking my doorstep!
நாணங்கள் ஏதும் இல்லாதவள்
பெண்ணல்ல பேயல்லவோ
பசி வந்த வேளை தீர்க்காதவள்
கனியல்ல காயல்லவோ
She who has no shyness or modesty,
is not a woman, but a ghost!
She who does not satisfy hunger when it strikes,
is not a ripe fruit, but an unripe one!
அடுத்தவளின் குடித்தனத்தில்
இடம் பிடித்தல் முறையா
ஒரு முகத்தில் இரு விழிகள்
இருப்பதென்ன தவறா
Is it right to usurp,
a place in another woman's household?
Are there not two eyes in a single face?
What is wrong with that?
எனக்கெனவே பிறந்தவன்டி
இடையில் என்னை கலந்தவன்டி
இனியும் இந்த விரசமென்ன
இருவருக்குள் சரசமென்ன
He was born exclusively for me, girl!
He joined with me in between!
Why this harshness anymore?
Why this playful quarrel between the two?
ஒருவனுக்கு ஒருத்தியென
உறவுக் கொள்ள உரிமை உள்ள
கண்ணின் மணி ருக்குமணி நானே
"One man for one woman,"
having the right to be in a relationship,
I am Rukmani, the apple of his eye.
தலைவன் ரதம் நடத்த
சமர் களத்தில் வடம் பிடித்த
வனிதை இந்த பாமா எனும்
அழகு மலர் தானே
Steering the lord's chariot,
holding the reins on the battlefield,
this woman named Satyabhama,
is truly a graceful beauty.
கையோடு ஏந்தும் புல்லாங்குழல்
அது போல நான் கொண்ட சொந்தம்
கண்ணான கண்ணன் பிருந்தாவனம்
எந்நாளும் பாமாவின் பந்தம்
Like the flute held close in his hand,
such is the bond I share with him.
The divine Krishna is Brindavan itself,
and Satyabhama's bond is forever.
நீராடும் கங்கை நானல்லவோ
என் போல் நீயாகுமோ
ஆனந்த வெள்ளம் நான்தானடி
யமுனைக்கு ஈடாகுமோ
Am I not the sacred river Ganga in which he bathes?
Can you ever become like me?
I am the flood of bliss, girl!
Can anything match the Yamuna river?
எனக்கிருக்கும் உரிமையினை
பறிப்பதென்ன முறையோ
ஒரு நதியை இரு கரையும்
தழுவுவது தவறோ
To snatch away the rights I hold,
is that proper?
For two banks to embrace a single river,
is that wrong?
கடல் கலந்த நதி இதுதான்
உடன் இணைந்த விதி இதுதான்
இனியும் அந்த மயக்கமென்ன
இருவருக்குள் நெருக்கமென்ன
This is the river that merged into the ocean.
This is the destiny that joined us together.
Why this illusion anymore?
Why this conflict between the two?
ஒருவனுக்கு ஒருத்தியென
உறவுக் கொள்ள உரிமை உள்ள
பருவ மகள் பொம்மி இவள்தானே
"One man for one woman,"
having the right to be in a relationship,
She is Pommi, the youthful maiden.
தலைவன் மனமறிந்து குணமறிந்து
மலர்ப்படுக்கை விரித்து வைத்த
வடிவழகி வெள்ளையம்மா நானே
Understanding her lord's heart and nature,
spreading a bed of flowers,
I am Vellaiyamma, the beautiful one.
தென்பாண்டி வீரன் என் மன்னவன்
நான் மட்டும் கொண்டாடும் தேவன்
நானென்ன சொல்ல என் நெஞ்சிலும்
நீங்காமல் வாழ்கின்ற ஜீவன்
The hero of Thenpaandi is my king,
the god whom I alone celebrate!
What can I say? In my heart too,
he lives as an inseparable soul.
நான் கொஞ்சும் மேனி எந்நாளுமே
நீ கொஞ்சக் கூடாதடி
உன் மன்னன் வந்தால் எந்நாளுமே
என் வாசல் மூடாதடி
The body I embrace every day,
you must not caress, girl!
Whenever your king comes,
do not close the door, girl!
புருஷன் என்ன பலர் விரும்பும்
பொதுவுடைமை பொருளா
இரு மனைவி முருகனுக்கு
இருப்பதென்ன தவறா
Is a husband a public property,
desired by many?
For Lord Murugan to have two wives,
what is wrong with that?
மனிதரெல்லாம் இறைவனல்ல
உணர்ச்சியில்லா மரமுமல்ல
விளக்கவுரை இனி எதற்கு
விலகி விடு வழக்கெதற்கு
Humans are not God!
Nor are they emotionless trees!
Why legal ties anymore?
Step aside, why make a court case?
ஒருவனுக்கு ஒருத்தியென
உறவுக் கொள்ள உரிமை உள்ள
முதல் வீடு என் வீடு தானே
"One man for one woman,"
having the right to be in a relationship,
The first house is my house!
இரவில் நிலவெரிக்க குளிரெடுக்க
இரு கரத்தில் அரவணைக்க
சின்ன வீடு என் வீடுதானே
To shine like moonlight at night, to ward off the cold,
to embrace with both arms,
the second house is my house!
உலகறிய ஊரறிய அருந்ததியும் தானறிய
சம்சாரம் எந்நாளும் இவளே
Known to the world, known to the town, known even to Arundhati,
she is the official wife forever.
அடுத்தவரும் அறியாமல்
வேறார்க்கும் தெரியாமல்
ஆனந்தம் தருபவளும் இவளே
Without others knowing,
without anyone realizing,
she is the one who gives bliss.
ஒருவனுக்கு ஒருத்தியென
உறவுக் கொள்ள உரிமை உள்ள
முதல் வீடு என் வீடு தானே
"One man for one woman,"
having the right to be in a relationship,
The first house is my house!
இரவில் நிலவெரிக்க குளிரெடுக்க
இரு கரத்தில் அரவணைக்க
சின்ன வீடு என் வீடுதானே
Prabhu…
My love…
Prabhu…
My love…
{பிரபு.....
அன்பே....
பிரபு.....
அன்பே....} (2)
Oruvanukkku oruththiyena
"One man for one woman,"
Uravu kolla urimai ulla
having the right to be in a relationship,
Vannamayil kannagiyum naanae
I am Kannagi, the colorful peacock.
Silambin mani sithara manam sithara
As the gems of the anklet scatter and hearts break,
Thalaivan avan thirusabaiyil
in the noble court of her lord,
Nadanamidum maadhaviyum naanae
I am Madhavi, who dances there.
: Malareduththu kuzhal mudiththu
Wearing flowers in her hair,
Manavaraiyil karam pidiththa
holding hands at the wedding dais,
Kula magalum kuna magalum ivalae
she is the noble and virtuous wife.
Kanigai en per irunthum
Though labeled as a courtesan by name,
Kanavar ena oruvar vasam
surrendered to one man as her husband,
Saranadaintha sarasa magal ivalae
she is the romantic maiden.
Oruvanukkku oruththiyena
"One man for one woman,"
Uravu kolla urimai ulla
having the right to be in a relationship,
Vannamayil kannagiyum naanae
I am Kannagi, the colorful peacock.
Naan potta maalai ennaalumae
The garland I placed on him forever,
Nee theenda koodaathu podi
you must not touch, go away girl!
Naalthorum maalai un kaavalan
Every day at night, your protector,
Vanthaanae en vaasal thedi
came seeking my doorstep!
Naanangal yaedhum illaathaval
She who has no shyness or modesty,
Pennalla peyallavo
is not a woman, but a ghost!
Pasi vantha velai theerkkaathaval
She who does not satisfy hunger when it strikes,
Kaniyalla kaayallavo
is not a ripe fruit, but an unripe one!
Aduththavalin kudiththanaththil
Is it right to usurp,
Idam pidiththal muraiyaa
a place in another woman's household?
Oru mugaththil iru vizhigal
Are there not two eyes in a single face?
Iruppathenna thavaraa
What is wrong with that?
Enakkenave piranthavandi
He was born exclusively for me, girl!
Female :Idaiyil ennai kalanthavandi
He joined with me in between!
Female :Iniyum intha virasamenna
Why this harshness anymore?
Iruvarukkul sarasamenna
Why this playful quarrel between the two?
Oruvanukkku oruththiyena
"One man for one woman,"
Uravu kolla urimai ulla
having the right to be in a relationship,
Kannin mani rukkumani naanae
I am Rukmani, the apple of his eye.
Thalaivan radham nadaththa
Steering the lord's chariot,
Samar kalaththil vadam pidiththa
holding the reins on the battlefield,
Vanithai intha bhaamaa enum
this woman named Satyabhama,
Azhagu nalar thaanae
is truly a graceful beauty.
Kaiyodu yaenthum pullaanguzhal
Like the flute held close in his hand,
Adhu pola naan konda sontham
such is the bond I share with him.
Female :Kannaana kannan brinthaavanam
The divine Krishna is Brindavan itself,
Ennaalum bhaamavin bantham
and Satyabhama's bond is forever.
Neeraadum gangai naanallavo
Am I not the sacred river Ganga in which he bathes?
En pol neeyaagumo
Can you ever become like me?
Female :Aanantha vellam naanthaanadi
I am the flood of bliss, girl!
Yamunaikku eedaagumo
Can anything match the Yamuna river?
Enakkirukkum urimaiyinai
To snatch away the rights I hold,
Parippathenna muraiyo
is that proper?
Female :Oru nadhiyai iru karaiyum
For two banks to embrace a single river,
Thazhuvuvathu thavaro
is that wrong?
Kadal kalantha nadhi idhuthaan
This is the river that merged into the ocean.
Female :Udan inaintha vidhi idhuthaan
This is the destiny that joined us together.
Female :Iniyum antha mayakkamenna
Why this illusion anymore?
Iruvarukkul nerukkamenna
Why this conflict between the two?
Oruvanukkku oruththiyena
"One man for one woman,"
Uravu kolla urimai ulla
having the right to be in a relationship,
Paruva magal pommi ivalthaanae
She is Pommi, the youthful maiden.
Thalaivan manamarinthu kunamarinthu
Understanding her lord's heart and nature,
Malarpadukkai viriththu vaiththa
spreading a bed of flowers,
Vadivazhagi vellaiyammaa naanae
I am Vellaiyamma, the beautiful one.
Thenpaandi veeran en mannavan
The hero of Thenpaandi is my king,
Naan mattum kondaadum devan
the god whom I alone celebrate!
Female :Naanenna solla en nenjilum
What can I say? In my heart too,
Neengaamal vaazhgindra jeevan
he lives as an inseparable soul.
Naan konjum maeni ennaalumaee
The body I embrace every day,
Nee konja koodaathadi
you must not caress, girl!
Female :Un mannan vanthaal ennaalumae
Whenever your king comes,
Vaasal moodaathadi
do not close the door, girl!
Purushan enna palar virumbum
Is a husband a public property,
Podhuvudamai porulaa
desired by many?
Female :Iru manaivi muruganukku
For Lord Murugan to have two wives,
Iruppathenna thavaraa
what is wrong with that?
Manitharellaam iravaalla
Humans are not God!
Female :Unairchchiyillaa maramumalla
Nor are they emotionless trees!
Female :Vilakkavurau ini edharkkau
Why legal ties anymore?
Vilagi vidu vazhakkedharkkau
Step aside, why make a court case?
Oruvanukkku oruththiyena
"One man for one woman,"
Uravu kolla urimai ulla
having the right to be in a relationship,
Mudhal vedu en veeduthaanae
The first house is my house!
Iravil nilaverikka kuliredukka
To shine like moonlight at night, to ward off the cold,
Iru karaththil aravanaikka
to embrace with both arms,
Chinna veedu en veeduthaanae
the second house is my house!
Ulagariya oorariya arunthathiyum thaanariya
Known to the world, known to the town, known even to Arundhati,
Samsaaram ennaalum ivalae
she is the official wife forever.
Aduththavarum ariyaamal
Without others knowing,
Veeraarkkum theriyaamal
without anyone realizing,
Aanantham tharupavalum ivalae
she is the one who gives bliss.
Oruvanukkku oruththiyena
"One man for one woman,"
Uravu kolla urimai ulla
having the right to be in a relationship,
Mudhal veedu en veeduthaanae
The first house is my house!
{Prabhu….
Prabhu…
Female :Anbae….
My love…
Female :Prabhu….
Prabhu…
Female :Anbae….} (2)
My love…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song presents a poetic and philosophical debate between a legally wedded wife ('Mudhal Veedu') and a second woman/lover ('Chinna Veedu'). Written by Vaali, the lyrics contrast the traditional cultural ideal of monogamy ('Oruvanukku Oruththi') with the practical and emotional complexities of human desire and polyamory. Both female characters present their arguments using iconic mythic and literary pairs: Kannagi and Madhavi from Silappatikaram, Rukmani and Satyabhama with Lord Krishna, Valli and Deivanai with Lord Murugan, as well as the folk legends of Kathavarayan (Pommi and Vellaiyamma). The first wife asserts her morally sanctified marital bond, societal legitimacy, and exclusive rights, while the second woman argues that true connection, passion, destiny, and emotional comfort transcend legal bounds. Vaali brilliantly captures Tamil cultural paradigms, balancing social morality with deep human vulnerability without taking a one-sided moral stance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Mudhal vedu en veeduthaanae / Chinna veedu en veeduthaanae”
Contrasts the 'First House' (legitimate wedded wife) with the 'Second House' (mistress/second partner), which forms the song's primary debate.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Oru mugaththil iru vizhigal iruppathenna thavaraa”
Compares having two wives to having two eyes on a single face, arguing that both are essential and natural to the head of the house.
Allusion (Mythological & Literary Allegory)
“Kannagiyum naanae... Maadhaviyum naanae / Rukkumani naanae... Bhaamaa enum”
Uses classical literature (Kannagi-Madhavi) and Hindu mythology (Rukmini-Satyabhama, Murugan-Valli-Deivanai) to parallel the conflict between the two women.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Pennalla peyallavo / Kaniyalla kaayallavo”
The lines end with rhythmic, rhyming musical suffixes ('peiyallavo' / 'kaayallavo') to intensify the argument.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song features a musical duel between two legendary playback singers, K. S. Chithra and Vani Jairam. Written by the veteran lyricist Vaali for the 1987 film 'Kavalan Avan Kovalan' starring Prabhu, the song's theme echoes the central plot of the movie involving a man torn between his married life and an outside relationship. Composer Vijayanand seamlessly integrates traditional classical motifs into modern film orchestration for this dramatic duet.
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