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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oruvar Manathai Oruvar

From Gowri Kalyanam · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Gowri Kalyanam1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oruvar manadhai oruvar ariyaFor one to understand another's heart,
Udhavum sevai idhuThis is the service that helps;
Vaazhvai inaikkum paalam idhuThis is the bridge that connects lives.
Male
Oruvar manadhai oruvar ariyaFor one to understand another's heart,
Udhavum sevai idhuThis is the service that helps;
Vaazhvai inaikkum paalam idhuThis is the bridge that connects lives.
Male
Thaayai pirintha pillai endraalumBe it a child separated from its mother,
Thaaram pirindha kanavan endraalumOr a husband separated from his wife,
Thaayai pirintha pillai endraalumBe it a child separated from its mother,
Thaaram pirindha kanavan endraalumOr a husband separated from his wife,
Udan piranthorin pirivendra podhumEven when siblings are separated,
Pirivu thuyaram pesidum kadithamThe letter speaks of the pain of separation.
Male
Oruvar manadhai oruvar ariyaFor one to understand another's heart,
Udhavum sevai idhuThis is the service that helps;
Vaazhvai inaikkum paalam idhuThis is the bridge that connects lives.
Male
Kaalam ennum deiva magalTime, the divine maiden,
Kalanga veippaval sirikka veippavalShe makes one weep, she makes one smile.
Male
Kaalam ennum deiva magalTime, the divine maiden,
Kalanga veippaval sirikka veippavalShe makes one weep, she makes one smile.
Enthentha uraiyil enna enna kadhaiyoWhat story lies inside which envelope?
Enthentha mugathil enna enna varumoWhat emotions will appear on which face?
Sugamum varalaam thunbamum varalaamHappiness may arrive, sorrow may arrive,
Iraivan arulaal nalamae varugaBy God's grace, let only wellness come!
Male
Oruvar manadhai oruvar ariyaFor one to understand another's heart,
Udhavum sevai idhuThis is the service that helps;
Vaazhvai inaikkum paalam idhuThis is the bridge that connects lives.
Male
Kanniyarae kaalam varugaOh young maidens, let the good time come,
Kadhalarin thoodhu varumThe message from your lover will arrive.
Pillai anuppum velli panam nooruA hundred silver coins sent by a son,
Annai mugathil aanandham paaruSee the boundless joy on the mother's face!
Maganai ninaithu mayangum manamaeOh heart longing in thought of your son,
Viraivil varuvaan murugan arulvaanHe will return soon, Lord Murugan will bestow grace.
Maganai ninaithu mayangum manamaeOh heart longing in thought of your son,
Viraivil varuvaan murugan arulvaanHe will return soon, Lord Murugan will bestow grace.
Male
Oruvar manadhai oruvar ariyaFor one to understand another's heart,
Udhavum sevai idhuThis is the service that helps;
Vaazhvai inaikkum paalam idhuThis is the bridge that connects lives.
Laala lallalaa laala lallalaaLaala lallalaa laala lallalaa
Laala lallalallalaaa laa laaLaala lallalallalaaa laa laa
Laala lallalallalaaa laaLaala lallalallalaaa laa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Gowri Kalyanam' (1966) serves as a poignant tribute to the postal service and the emotional power of written letters. Metaphorically described as a bridge that bridges distances and connects hearts, the letter acts as the vital lifeline between separated mothers, children, spouses, and siblings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Vaazhvai inaikkum paalam idhu

The postal service and letters are directly compared to a 'bridge' (paalam) that links human lives together.

Personification

Kaalam ennum deiva magal / Kalanga veippaval sirikka veippaval

Time ('Kaalam') is personified as a divine daughter ('deiva magal') who possesses the human ability to make people cry or laugh.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kalanga veippaval sirikka veippaval

The line uses matching end suffixes ('veippaval') to create rhythmic symmetry.

Monai (First-Letter Alliteration)

Kaalam ennum deiva magal / Kalanga veippaval sirikka veippaval

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kaalam' and 'Kalanga'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet Kannadasan for the 1966 film 'Gowri Kalyanam', this song highlights the profound cultural role the postal system played in pre-digital India as the sole medium for sharing joys, sorrows, love, and financial aid across long distances.

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