Oviyam Theettiyavan
From Ullathai Killathe · 1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aa….aa….aah….aa….aah….. | Vocal melodic hums |
| Aa….aa….aah….aa….aah….. | Vocal melodic hums |
| Male | |
| Oviyam theettiyavan | As the one who painted a picture, |
| Oru kaaviyam theettukiraen | I am now writing an epic poem. |
| En mana veenaiyilae | On the veena of my mind, |
| Indru un peyar meettukiraen | Today I pluck the strings playing your name. |
| Uyir thangaikkaaga anbu gangaikkaaga | For my beloved sister, for the Ganges-like flowing affection, |
| Oru dheiva raagam isaippaen | I shall play a divine musical melody. |
| Male | |
| Idaiveli illaathu idaiyinil nillaathu | Without any gap, without stopping midway, |
| Piravi muzhuthum thodarum uravu idhuvallavo | Is this not a bond that continues across lifetimes? |
| Male | |
| Oviyam theettiyavan | As the one who painted a picture, |
| Oru kaaviyam theettukiraen | I am now writing an epic poem. |
| En mana veenaiyilae | On the veena of my mind, |
| Indru un peyar meettukiraen | Today I pluck the strings playing your name. |
| Male | |
| Nadhiyodu pogum valaiyaatha aarum | Like a straight river that flows along with the current, |
| Vidhigalodum naalum nadanthaen | I walked daily along with my fate. |
| Edhirkaalam enna vazhigaattum endru | Wondering what guidance the future holds, |
| Pudhirodu ingu kidanthaen | I lay here entangled in a riddle. |
| Male | |
| Nadaipaathai oram kanivodu dheivam | On the roadside, when God kindly, |
| Nizhai thantha neram silirththaen | Gave me shade, I thrilled with joy. |
| Nijamaana anbu uruvaana pinbu | Once true love took form, |
| Pudhithaaga meendum thulirththaen | I sprouted anew once again. |
| Male | |
| Kannil en kannil | In my eyes, in my eyes, |
| Anbu thangaiyin vannangalae | Are the colors of my dear sister. |
| Nenjil en nenil | In my heart, in my heart, |
| Antha thangaththin ennangalae | Are the thoughts of that golden soul. |
| Male | |
| Kannmaniyae….ae….karumaniyae….ae…. | Oh precious apple of my eye, oh pupil of my eye, |
| Ponmaniyae…..ae….poomaniyae….ae…. | Oh golden jewel, oh flower-like gem, |
| Nalam pera ennaalum unakkena panpaadum | To wish for your well-being, a melody plays for you every day, |
| Enathu manathum enathu uyirum unathallavo | Are not my mind and my very life yours? |
| Male | |
| Oviyam theettiyavan | As the one who painted a picture, |
| Oru kaaviyam theettukiraen | I am now writing an epic poem. |
| En mana veenaiyilae | On the veena of my mind, |
| Indru un peyar meettukiraen | Today I pluck the strings playing your name. |
| Male | |
| Padam ondru pottu parisondru vaanga | To draw a picture and win a prize, |
| Idam thantha paavai oruththi | A maiden gave me the space and opportunity. |
| Adharkkaaga naalum isai paada vendum | I must sing music every day for that reason, |
| Aval perai nenjil niruththu | Keep her name enshrined in your heart. |
| Male | |
| Namai pondru yaezhai irul neengi vaazha | So that poor people like us can live freed from darkness, |
| Siru dheepam ondrai poruththi | Lighting a small lamp, |
| Oli thantha pennai thudhi seiya vendum | We must praise the woman who gave us light, |
| Manakkoyil thannil iruththi | Enshrining her within the temple of our heart. |
| Male | |
| Inbam nal inbam ingu vanthathu vaasalilae | Joy, sweet joy has arrived at our doorstep today. |
| Nyaanam kalai nyaanam indru vendrathu velaiyilae | Wisdom and artistic brilliance have triumphed in this work today. |
| Male | |
| Thannilavae…ae….pennilavae…ae…. | Oh cool moon, oh womanly moon, |
| Thangai enum….mm….pon nilavae….ae… | Oh golden moon called a sister, |
| Veluththathu nam vaanam ezhunthathu bhoopaalam | Our sky has brightened, the morning raga Bhoopaalam has arisen, |
| Idhayam muzhuthum pudhiya velichcham paraviyathae | A new light has spread across the entire heart. |
| Male | |
| Oviyam theettiyavan | As the one who painted a picture, |
| Oru kaaviyam theettukiraen | I am now writing an epic poem. |
| En mana veenaiyilae | On the veena of my mind, |
| Indru un peyar meettukiraen | Today I pluck the strings playing your name. |
| Uyir thangaikkaaga anbu gangaikkaaga | For my beloved sister, for the Ganges-like flowing affection, |
| Oru dheiva raagam isaippaen | I shall play a divine musical melody. |
| Male | |
| Idaiveli illaathu idaiyinil nillaathu | Without any gap, without stopping midway, |
| Piravi muzhuthum thodarum uravu idhuvallavo | Is this not a bond that continues across lifetimes? |
ஆ....ஆ....ஆஹ்....ஆ...ஆஹ்
ஆ....ஆ....ஆஹ்....ஆ...ஆஹ்
Vocal melodic hums
Vocal melodic hums
ஓவியம் தீட்டியவன்
ஒரு காவியம் தீட்டுகிறேன்
என் மன வீணையிலே
இன்று உன் பெயர் மீட்டுகிறேன்
உயிர் தங்கைக்காக அன்பு கங்கைக்காக
ஒரு தெய்வ ராகம் இசைப்பேன்
As the one who painted a picture,
I am now writing an epic poem.
On the veena of my mind,
Today I pluck the strings playing your name.
For my beloved sister, for the Ganges-like flowing affection,
I shall play a divine musical melody.
இடைவெளி இல்லாது இடையினில் நில்லாது
பிறவி முழுதும் தொடரும் உறவு இதுவல்லவோ...
Without any gap, without stopping midway,
Is this not a bond that continues across lifetimes?
ஓவியம் தீட்டியவன்
ஒரு காவியம் தீட்டுகிறேன்
என் மன வீணையிலே
இன்று உன் பெயர் மீட்டுகிறேன்
As the one who painted a picture,
I am now writing an epic poem.
On the veena of my mind,
Today I pluck the strings playing your name.
நதியோடு போகும் வளையாத ஆறும்
விதியோடும் நாளும் நடந்தேன்
எதிர்காலம் என்ன வழிக்காட்டும் என்று
புதிரோடு இங்கு கிடந்தேன்
Like a straight river that flows along with the current,
I walked daily along with my fate.
Wondering what guidance the future holds,
I lay here entangled in a riddle.
நடைபாதை ஓரம் கனிவோடு தெய்வம்
நிழல் தந்த நேரம் சிலிர்த்தேன்
நிஜமான அன்பு உருவான பின்பு
புதிதாக மீண்டும் துளிர்த்தேன்
On the roadside, when God kindly,
Gave me shade, I thrilled with joy.
Once true love took form,
I sprouted anew once again.
கண்ணில் என் கண்ணில்
அன்பு தங்கையின் வண்ணங்களே
நெஞ்சில் என் நெஞ்சில்
அந்த தங்கத்தின் எண்ணங்களே
In my eyes, in my eyes,
Are the colors of my dear sister.
In my heart, in my heart,
Are the thoughts of that golden soul.
கண்மணியே.....ஏ.....கருமணியே.....ஏ....
பொன்மணியே....ஏ....பூமணியே...ஏ....
நலம் பெற எந்நாளும் உனக்கென பண்பாடும்
எனது மனதும் எனது உயிரும் உனதல்லவோ
Oh precious apple of my eye, oh pupil of my eye,
Oh golden jewel, oh flower-like gem,
To wish for your well-being, a melody plays for you every day,
Are not my mind and my very life yours?
ஓவியம் தீட்டியவன்
ஒரு காவியம் தீட்டுகிறேன்
என் மன வீணையிலே
இன்று உன் பெயர் மீட்டுகிறேன்
As the one who painted a picture,
I am now writing an epic poem.
On the veena of my mind,
Today I pluck the strings playing your name.
படம் ஒன்று போட்டு பரிசொன்று வாங்க
இடம் தந்த பாவை ஒருத்தி
அதற்காக நாளும் இசை பாட வேண்டும்
அவள் பேரை நெஞ்சில் நிறுத்தி
To draw a picture and win a prize,
A maiden gave me the space and opportunity.
I must sing music every day for that reason,
Keep her name enshrined in your heart.
நமை போன்று ஏழை இருள் நீங்கி வாழ
சிறு தீபம் ஒன்றை பொருத்தி
ஒளி தந்த பெண்ணை துதி செய்ய வேண்டும்
மனக் கோயில் தன்னில் இருத்தி
So that poor people like us can live freed from darkness,
Lighting a small lamp,
We must praise the woman who gave us light,
Enshrining her within the temple of our heart.
இன்பம் நல் இன்பம் இங்கு வந்தது வாசலிலே
ஞானம் கலை ஞானம் இன்று வென்றது வேளையிலே
Joy, sweet joy has arrived at our doorstep today.
Wisdom and artistic brilliance have triumphed in this work today.
தண்ணிலவே.....ஏ.....பெண்ணிலவே.....ஏ.....
தங்கை எனும்.....ம்ம்.....பொன் நிலவே.....ஏ....
வெளுத்தது நம் வானம் எழுந்தது பூபாளம்
இதயம் முழுதும் புதிய வெளிச்சம் பரவியதே...
Oh cool moon, oh womanly moon,
Oh golden moon called a sister,
Our sky has brightened, the morning raga Bhoopaalam has arisen,
A new light has spread across the entire heart.
ஓவியம் தீட்டியவன்
ஒரு காவியம் தீட்டுகிறேன்
என் மன வீணையிலே
இன்று உன் பெயர் மீட்டுகிறேன்
உயிர் தங்கைக்காக அன்பு கங்கைக்காக
ஒரு தெய்வ ராகம் இசைப்பேன்
As the one who painted a picture,
I am now writing an epic poem.
On the veena of my mind,
Today I pluck the strings playing your name.
For my beloved sister, for the Ganges-like flowing affection,
I shall play a divine musical melody.
இடைவெளி இல்லாது இடையினில் நில்லாது
பிறவி முழுதும் தொடரும் உறவு இதுவல்லவோ...
Without any gap, without stopping midway,
Is this not a bond that continues across lifetimes?
Aa….aa….aah….aa….aah…..
Vocal melodic hums
Aa….aa….aah….aa….aah…..
Vocal melodic hums
Oviyam theettiyavan
As the one who painted a picture,
Oru kaaviyam theettukiraen
I am now writing an epic poem.
En mana veenaiyilae
On the veena of my mind,
Indru un peyar meettukiraen
Today I pluck the strings playing your name.
Uyir thangaikkaaga anbu gangaikkaaga
For my beloved sister, for the Ganges-like flowing affection,
Oru dheiva raagam isaippaen
I shall play a divine musical melody.
Idaiveli illaathu idaiyinil nillaathu
Without any gap, without stopping midway,
Piravi muzhuthum thodarum uravu idhuvallavo
Is this not a bond that continues across lifetimes?
Oviyam theettiyavan
As the one who painted a picture,
Oru kaaviyam theettukiraen
I am now writing an epic poem.
En mana veenaiyilae
On the veena of my mind,
Indru un peyar meettukiraen
Today I pluck the strings playing your name.
Nadhiyodu pogum valaiyaatha aarum
Like a straight river that flows along with the current,
Vidhigalodum naalum nadanthaen
I walked daily along with my fate.
Edhirkaalam enna vazhigaattum endru
Wondering what guidance the future holds,
Pudhirodu ingu kidanthaen
I lay here entangled in a riddle.
Nadaipaathai oram kanivodu dheivam
On the roadside, when God kindly,
Nizhai thantha neram silirththaen
Gave me shade, I thrilled with joy.
Nijamaana anbu uruvaana pinbu
Once true love took form,
Pudhithaaga meendum thulirththaen
I sprouted anew once again.
Kannil en kannil
In my eyes, in my eyes,
Anbu thangaiyin vannangalae
Are the colors of my dear sister.
Nenjil en nenil
In my heart, in my heart,
Antha thangaththin ennangalae
Are the thoughts of that golden soul.
Kannmaniyae….ae….karumaniyae….ae….
Oh precious apple of my eye, oh pupil of my eye,
Ponmaniyae…..ae….poomaniyae….ae….
Oh golden jewel, oh flower-like gem,
Nalam pera ennaalum unakkena panpaadum
To wish for your well-being, a melody plays for you every day,
Enathu manathum enathu uyirum unathallavo
Are not my mind and my very life yours?
Oviyam theettiyavan
As the one who painted a picture,
Oru kaaviyam theettukiraen
I am now writing an epic poem.
En mana veenaiyilae
On the veena of my mind,
Indru un peyar meettukiraen
Today I pluck the strings playing your name.
Padam ondru pottu parisondru vaanga
To draw a picture and win a prize,
Idam thantha paavai oruththi
A maiden gave me the space and opportunity.
Adharkkaaga naalum isai paada vendum
I must sing music every day for that reason,
Aval perai nenjil niruththu
Keep her name enshrined in your heart.
Namai pondru yaezhai irul neengi vaazha
So that poor people like us can live freed from darkness,
Siru dheepam ondrai poruththi
Lighting a small lamp,
Oli thantha pennai thudhi seiya vendum
We must praise the woman who gave us light,
Manakkoyil thannil iruththi
Enshrining her within the temple of our heart.
Inbam nal inbam ingu vanthathu vaasalilae
Joy, sweet joy has arrived at our doorstep today.
Nyaanam kalai nyaanam indru vendrathu velaiyilae
Wisdom and artistic brilliance have triumphed in this work today.
Thannilavae…ae….pennilavae…ae….
Oh cool moon, oh womanly moon,
Thangai enum….mm….pon nilavae….ae…
Oh golden moon called a sister,
Veluththathu nam vaanam ezhunthathu bhoopaalam
Our sky has brightened, the morning raga Bhoopaalam has arisen,
Idhayam muzhuthum pudhiya velichcham paraviyathae
A new light has spread across the entire heart.
Oviyam theettiyavan
As the one who painted a picture,
Oru kaaviyam theettukiraen
I am now writing an epic poem.
En mana veenaiyilae
On the veena of my mind,
Indru un peyar meettukiraen
Today I pluck the strings playing your name.
Uyir thangaikkaaga anbu gangaikkaaga
For my beloved sister, for the Ganges-like flowing affection,
Oru dheiva raagam isaippaen
I shall play a divine musical melody.
Idaiveli illaathu idaiyinil nillaathu
Without any gap, without stopping midway,
Piravi muzhuthum thodarum uravu idhuvallavo
Is this not a bond that continues across lifetimes?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Oviyam theettiyavan is a soulful brotherly anthem from the movie Ullathai Killathe (1999), written by veteran lyricist Vaali. The song portrays a brother expressing profound gratitude and deep affection toward his sister, who brought light, purpose, and creative inspiration into his once-dark and uncertain life. Metaphorically equating his life to a canvas and a musical composition, he vows that their sacred bond will transcend lifetimes. Through poetic imagery, the lyricist highlights themes of redemption, familial loyalty, and artistic fulfillment. The protagonist attributes his success and newfound joy to his sister's pure love, comparing her affection to the holy river Ganges and declaring that his heart and life belong entirely to her.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“En mana veenaiyilae”
Compares the inner mind to a musical instrument (Veena), expressing how thoughts of the sister play like melodies.
Metaphor & Hyperbole
“Uyir thangaikkaaga anbu gangaikkaaga”
Compares sisterly love to the sacred, immortal River Ganges to denote infinite purity and flow.
Metaphor
“Thangai enum….mm….pon nilavae….ae…”
Compares the sister to a cooling moon, symbolizing comforting light in times of dark hardship.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ullathai Killathe' (1999) features soundtrack music composed by Deva, with lyrics crafted by Vaali. The film revolves around deep emotional and sibling relationships, with this track serving as a major emotional pillar in the story.
Keep listening
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