Oviyathai Varaindhu
From Kizhakkum Merkkum Santhikkindrana · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Kizhakkum Merkkum Santhikkindrana1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Illallaahoo mahhahshapiri | La ilaha illallah, oh Almighty Lord |
| Anbarukku intha nilai alitheerae | You gave this sorrowful state to loving souls |
| Allaah…..aa…aa…aa….aa….allaah | Allah... aa... aa... aa... Allah |
| Male | |
| Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen | I painted a beautiful painting |
| Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae | There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it |
| Orazhagu vilakkirunthum | Even though there is a beautiful lamp |
| Ennai oottra kaiyillaiyae | There are no hands to pour oil into it |
| Male | |
| Poongodiyai valarththu vittaen | I nurtured a flowering creeper |
| Neeroottra vazhiyillaiyae | There is no way to pour water for it |
| Ponnuzhagil aasai vaiththaen | I placed my hopes on a golden world |
| Penn vaazhvil oliyillaiyae | There is no light in a woman's life |
| Male | |
| Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen | I painted a beautiful painting |
| Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae | There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it |
| Orazhagu vilakkirunthum | Even though there is a beautiful lamp |
| Ennai oottra kaiyillaiyae | There are no hands to pour oil into it |
| Male | |
| Kuttramillai endraalum thandanaiyo | Is this punishment even when there is no fault? |
| Intha thandanaiyo | Is it this punishment? |
| Kolkaiyilae nindraalum vedhanaiyo | Is there pain even when standing by one's principles? |
| Intha vedhanaiyo | Is it this pain? |
| Male | |
| Kuttramillai endraalum thandanaiyo | Is this punishment even when there is no fault? |
| Intha thandanaiyo | Is it this punishment? |
| Kolkaiyilae nindraalum vedhanaiyo | Is there pain even when standing by one's principles? |
| Intha vedhanaiyo | Is it this pain? |
| Male | |
| Suttrangalae kanneerin saathanaiyo | Oh relatives, is tears our only achievement? |
| Intha saathanaiyo | Is it this achievement? |
| Thooyavargal yaavarukkum sodhanaiyo | Is life a trial for all those who are pure? |
| Intha sodhanaiyo…. | Is it this trial? |
| Male | |
| Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen | I painted a beautiful painting |
| Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae | There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it |
| Orazhagu vilakkirunthum | Even though there is a beautiful lamp |
| Ennai oottra kaiyillaiyae | There are no hands to pour oil into it |
| Male | |
| Manamaalai soottivitta kaikalaiyaa | Were those the hands that adorned the wedding garland? |
| Antha kaikalaiyaa | Were those hands? |
| Malligaippoo vaangi varim kaikalaiyaa | Were those the hands that brought jasmine flowers? |
| Antha kaikalaiyaa | Were those hands? |
| Male | |
| Manamaalai soottivitta kaikalaiyaa | Were those the hands that adorned the wedding garland? |
| Antha kaikalaiyaa | Were those hands? |
| Malligaippoo vaangi varim kaikalaiyaa | Were those the hands that brought jasmine flowers? |
| Antha kaikalaiyaa | Were those hands? |
| Male | |
| Avasaraththil udhavi seiyyum kaikalaiyaa | Were those the hands that offered help in emergency? |
| Antha kaikalaiyaa | Were those hands? |
| Allaah neer pariththathu antha kaikalaiyaa | Oh Allah, were those the hands you severed? |
| Antha kaikalaiyaa | Were those hands? |
| Male | |
| Santhanaththaal manakka vaiththa thanga silai | A golden idol made fragrant with sandalwood |
| Antha thangasilai | That golden idol |
| Thalaivanukkae vaazhnthu vantha thangachiyai | The younger sister who lived devotedly for her brother |
| Enthan thangachiyai | My younger sister |
| Male | |
| Santhanaththaal manakka vaiththa thanga silai | A golden idol made fragrant with sandalwood |
| Antha thangasilai | That golden idol |
| Thalaivanukkae vaazhnthu vantha thangachiyai | The younger sister who lived devotedly for her brother |
| Enthan thangachiyai | My younger sister |
| Male | |
| Intha nilai seithathenna naayaganae | Why did you bring about this tragic state, Oh Lord? |
| Allaah naayaganae | Allah, my Lord |
| Innumenna vilaiyaatto naanariyaen | What further divine play is this? I do not know |
| Allaah naanariyaen…. | Allah, I do not know... |
| Male | |
| Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen | I painted a beautiful painting |
| Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae | There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it |
| Orazhagu vilakkirunthum | Even though there is a beautiful lamp |
| Ennai oottra kaiyillaiyae | There are no hands to pour oil into it |
இல்லல்லாஹு மஹ்ஹக்ஸாபிரி
அன்பருக்கு இந்த நிலை அளித்தீரே
அல்லாஹ்.....ஆ....ஆ...ஆ....ஆ...அல்லாஹ்..
La ilaha illallah, oh Almighty Lord
You gave this sorrowful state to loving souls
Allah... aa... aa... aa... Allah
ஓவியத்தை வரைந்து வைத்தேன்
ரசித்து பார்க்க கண்ணில்லையே
ஓரழகு விளக்கிருந்தும்
எண்ணை ஊற்ற கையில்லையே
I painted a beautiful painting
There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it
Even though there is a beautiful lamp
There are no hands to pour oil into it
பூங்கொடியை வளர்த்து விட்டேன்
நீரூற்ற வழியில்லையே
பொன்னுலகில் ஆசை வைத்தேன்
பெண் வாழ்வில் ஒளியில்லையே....
I nurtured a flowering creeper
There is no way to pour water for it
I placed my hopes on a golden world
There is no light in a woman's life
ஓவியத்தை வரைந்து வைத்தேன்
ரசித்து பார்க்க கண்ணில்லையே
ஓரழகு விளக்கிருந்தும்
எண்ணை ஊற்ற கையில்லையே
I painted a beautiful painting
There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it
Even though there is a beautiful lamp
There are no hands to pour oil into it
குற்றமில்லை என்றாலும் தண்டனையோ
இந்த தண்டைனையோ..
கொள்கையிலே நின்றாலும் வேதனையோ
இந்த வேதனையோ
Is this punishment even when there is no fault?
Is it this punishment?
Is there pain even when standing by one's principles?
Is it this pain?
குற்றமில்லை என்றாலும் தண்டனையோ
இந்த தண்டைனையோ..
கொள்கையிலே நின்றாலும் வேதனையோ
இந்த வேதனையோ
Is this punishment even when there is no fault?
Is it this punishment?
Is there pain even when standing by one's principles?
Is it this pain?
சுற்றங்களே கண்ணீரின் சாதனையோ
இந்த சாதனையோ
தூயவர்கள் யாவருக்கும் சோதனையோ
இந்த சோதனையோ.....
Oh relatives, is tears our only achievement?
Is it this achievement?
Is life a trial for all those who are pure?
Is it this trial?
ஓவியத்தை வரைந்து வைத்தேன்
ரசித்து பார்க்க கண்ணில்லையே
ஓரழகு விளக்கிருந்தும்
எண்ணை ஊற்ற கையில்லையே
I painted a beautiful painting
There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it
Even though there is a beautiful lamp
There are no hands to pour oil into it
மணமாலை சூட்டிவிட்ட கைகளய்யா
அந்த கைகளய்யா
மல்லிகைப்பூ வாங்கி வரும் கைகளய்யா
அந்த கைகளய்யா
Were those the hands that adorned the wedding garland?
Were those hands?
Were those the hands that brought jasmine flowers?
Were those hands?
மணமாலை சூட்டிவிட்ட கைகளய்யா
அந்த கைகளய்யா
மல்லிகைப்பூ வாங்கி வரும் கைகளய்யா
அந்த கைகளய்யா
Were those the hands that adorned the wedding garland?
Were those hands?
Were those the hands that brought jasmine flowers?
Were those hands?
அவசரத்தில் உதவி செய்யும் கைகளய்யா
அந்த கைகளய்யா
அல்லா நீர் பறித்தது அந்த கைகளய்யா
அந்த கைகளய்யா...
Were those the hands that offered help in emergency?
Were those hands?
Oh Allah, were those the hands you severed?
Were those hands?
சந்தனத்தால் மணக்க வைத்த தங்கச்சிலை
அந்த தங்கச்சிலை
தலைவனுக்கே வாழ்ந்து வந்த தங்கச்சியை
எந்தன் தங்கச்சியை
A golden idol made fragrant with sandalwood
That golden idol
The younger sister who lived devotedly for her brother
My younger sister
சந்தனத்தால் மணக்க வைத்த தங்கச்சிலை
அந்த தங்கச்சிலை
தலைவனுக்கே வாழ்ந்து வந்த தங்கச்சியை
எந்தன் தங்கச்சியை
A golden idol made fragrant with sandalwood
That golden idol
The younger sister who lived devotedly for her brother
My younger sister
இந்த நிலை செய்ததென்ன நாயகனே
அல்லா நாயகனே
இன்னுமென்ன விளையாட்டோ நானறியேன்
அல்லா நானறியேன்......
Why did you bring about this tragic state, Oh Lord?
Allah, my Lord
What further divine play is this? I do not know
Allah, I do not know...
ஓவியத்தை வரைந்து வைத்தேன்
ரசித்து பார்க்க கண்ணில்லையே
ஓரழகு விளக்கிருந்தும்
எண்ணை ஊற்ற கையில்லையே
I painted a beautiful painting
There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it
Even though there is a beautiful lamp
There are no hands to pour oil into it
Illallaahoo mahhahshapiri
La ilaha illallah, oh Almighty Lord
Anbarukku intha nilai alitheerae
You gave this sorrowful state to loving souls
Allaah…..aa…aa…aa….aa….allaah
Allah... aa... aa... aa... Allah
Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen
I painted a beautiful painting
Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae
There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it
Orazhagu vilakkirunthum
Even though there is a beautiful lamp
Ennai oottra kaiyillaiyae
There are no hands to pour oil into it
Poongodiyai valarththu vittaen
I nurtured a flowering creeper
Neeroottra vazhiyillaiyae
There is no way to pour water for it
Ponnuzhagil aasai vaiththaen
I placed my hopes on a golden world
Penn vaazhvil oliyillaiyae
There is no light in a woman's life
Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen
I painted a beautiful painting
Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae
There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it
Orazhagu vilakkirunthum
Even though there is a beautiful lamp
Ennai oottra kaiyillaiyae
There are no hands to pour oil into it
Kuttramillai endraalum thandanaiyo
Is this punishment even when there is no fault?
Intha thandanaiyo
Is it this punishment?
Kolkaiyilae nindraalum vedhanaiyo
Is there pain even when standing by one's principles?
Intha vedhanaiyo
Is it this pain?
Kuttramillai endraalum thandanaiyo
Is this punishment even when there is no fault?
Intha thandanaiyo
Is it this punishment?
Kolkaiyilae nindraalum vedhanaiyo
Is there pain even when standing by one's principles?
Intha vedhanaiyo
Is it this pain?
Suttrangalae kanneerin saathanaiyo
Oh relatives, is tears our only achievement?
Intha saathanaiyo
Is it this achievement?
Thooyavargal yaavarukkum sodhanaiyo
Is life a trial for all those who are pure?
Intha sodhanaiyo….
Is it this trial?
Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen
I painted a beautiful painting
Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae
There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it
Orazhagu vilakkirunthum
Even though there is a beautiful lamp
Ennai oottra kaiyillaiyae
There are no hands to pour oil into it
Manamaalai soottivitta kaikalaiyaa
Were those the hands that adorned the wedding garland?
Antha kaikalaiyaa
Were those hands?
Malligaippoo vaangi varim kaikalaiyaa
Were those the hands that brought jasmine flowers?
Antha kaikalaiyaa
Were those hands?
Manamaalai soottivitta kaikalaiyaa
Were those the hands that adorned the wedding garland?
Antha kaikalaiyaa
Were those hands?
Malligaippoo vaangi varim kaikalaiyaa
Were those the hands that brought jasmine flowers?
Antha kaikalaiyaa
Were those hands?
Avasaraththil udhavi seiyyum kaikalaiyaa
Were those the hands that offered help in emergency?
Antha kaikalaiyaa
Were those hands?
Allaah neer pariththathu antha kaikalaiyaa
Oh Allah, were those the hands you severed?
Antha kaikalaiyaa
Were those hands?
Santhanaththaal manakka vaiththa thanga silai
A golden idol made fragrant with sandalwood
Antha thangasilai
That golden idol
Thalaivanukkae vaazhnthu vantha thangachiyai
The younger sister who lived devotedly for her brother
Enthan thangachiyai
My younger sister
Santhanaththaal manakka vaiththa thanga silai
A golden idol made fragrant with sandalwood
Antha thangasilai
That golden idol
Thalaivanukkae vaazhnthu vantha thangachiyai
The younger sister who lived devotedly for her brother
Enthan thangachiyai
My younger sister
Intha nilai seithathenna naayaganae
Why did you bring about this tragic state, Oh Lord?
Allaah naayaganae
Allah, my Lord
Innumenna vilaiyaatto naanariyaen
What further divine play is this? I do not know
Allaah naanariyaen….
Allah, I do not know...
Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen
I painted a beautiful painting
Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae
There are no eyes to admire and enjoy it
Orazhagu vilakkirunthum
Even though there is a beautiful lamp
Ennai oottra kaiyillaiyae
There are no hands to pour oil into it
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song from 'Kizhakkum Merkkum Santhikkindrana' expresses deep existential grief, questioning divine justice in the face of tragedy. The protagonist laments how despite living a pure, principled life and nurturing deep love for family, fate has brought devastating sorrow. Through metaphors of an unviewed painting and an unlit lamp, the lyrics convey the pain of lost love, broken lives, and the loss of helpful, loving hands. Kannadasan uses Islamic devotional elements and profound philosophical questions addressed directly to God (Allah). The singer questions why pure souls are tested so severely and mourns the tragedy that befell his beloved sister and family, wrestling with the inexplicable divine play of fate.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)
“Oviyaththai varainthu vaithaen / Rasiththu paarkka kannillaiyae”
Life and relationships are metaphorically depicted as a painting without eyes to behold it and an oil lamp without hands to fill it.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Kuttramillai endraalum thandanaiyo / Kolkaiyilae nindraalum vedhanaiyo”
Rhyming of the second letter 't' across consecutive lines (Kuttramillai / Kolkaiyilae).
Anaphora (Repetition for rhetorical emphasis)
“Manamaalai soottivitta kaikalaiyaa / Antha kaikalaiyaa”
The repetitive questioning motif 'Antha kaikalaiyaa' emphasizes grief and disbelief over the loss of helpful hands.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by legendary music director M. S. Viswanathan with soul-stirring vocals by K. J. Yesudas, this song stands out in Tamil cinema for blending Islamic devotional phrasing with deep melodic grief, characteristic of lyricist Kannadasan's emotive late-70s songwriting.
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