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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ovvoru Pillaiyum

From Vattaram · 2006

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Mukesh
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Vattaram2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ovvoru pillaiyum oru pindamaaiEvery child as an embryo
Mannil vanthathaeCame onto this earth
Mirugamum deivamumBoth the beast and the divine
Sama baagamaai athil ullathaeReside in equal measure within it
Male
Ovvoru pillaiyum oru pindamaaiEvery child as an embryo
Mannil vanthathaeCame onto this earth
Mirugamum deivamumBoth the beast and the divine
Sama baagamaai athil ullathaeReside in equal measure within it
Male
Miruga nilaiyo ..oooIs it the state of a beast?
Deiva nilaiyo…. oooIs it the state of the divine?
Miruga nilaiyoIs it the beastly state?
Deiva nilaiyoIs it the divine state?
Iruthi vadivam entha nilaiyoWhich state will be the final form?
Soozhnilai solliya vithipadiAs per the fate dictated by circumstances
Vaazhkaiyum vadivedukkumLife takes its shape
Male
Ovvoru pillaiyum oru pindamaaiEvery child as an embryo
Mannil vanthathaeCame onto this earth
Mirugamum deivamumBoth the beast and the divine
Sama baagamaai athil ullathae…ae….Reside in equal measure within it
Male
Vaazhkaiyin aathi engaeWhere is the beginning of life?
Yaar kandu pidiththathuWho discovered it?
Vaazhkaiyin antham engaeWhere is the end of life?
Yaar ellai vaguththathuWho defined its boundaries?
Male
Buththiyaal vaazhgavendraeLive by intellect and wisdom
Gnayaanangal azhaikkuthuPhilosophies call out
Kaththiyaal vaazhgavendraeLive by the sword
Kaalangal vithikkuthuTimes dictate
Male
Poo parikkum vaazhkai kettaaiYou asked for a life of plucking flowers
Paampadikkum vaazhkai kondaaiYou got a life of striking snakes
Muththu moottai vaanga sendraaiYou went to buy a sack of pearls
Uppu moottai vaangi vanthaaiYou came back with a sack of salt
Male
Vithi endra aattrilIn the river called destiny
Nee oru thurumbuYou are just a piece of straw
Vedhangal sollumThe scriptures say
Amainthathai nee virumbuDesire what you have been granted
Male
Ovvoru pillaiyum oru pindamaaiEvery child as an embryo
Mannil vanthathaeCame onto this earth
Mirugamum deivamumBoth the beast and the divine
Sama baagamaai athil ullathaeReside in equal measure within it
Chorus :Thom thom thathana…Chorus: Thom thom thathana...
Chorus
Ma pa paMa pa pa
Ma pa da pa pa paMa pa da pa pa pa
Ma pa ni da sa paMa pa ni da sa pa
Pa pa ma da pa ma gaPa pa ma da pa ma ga
Ma pa paMa pa pa
Ma pa dha pa pa paMa pa dha pa pa pa
Ma pa ni da sa paMa pa ni da sa pa
Pa pa ma da pa ma gaPa pa ma da pa ma ga
Chorus
Sa ri ga sa saSa ri ga sa sa
Ma ma ga ri saMa ma ga ri sa
Sa ri ga sa saSa ri ga sa sa
Sa ni da pa maSa ni da pa ma
Male
Kanavilae odi odiRunning and running in dreams
Poo manjam amaikkiraaiYou arrange a bed of flowers
Muthugilae aani kuththiDriving nails into your own back
Mul melae padukkiraaiYou lie down on thorns
Aaaaaah…Aaaaaah...
Male
Saaviyai thedi thediSearching and searching for the key
Nee mannil alaigiraaiYou wander on this earth
Saaviyai kandeduthuFinding the key
Nee mannil tholaigiraaiYou lose it in the dust
Male
Pinju vayathilIn tender age
Patta kaayamThe wound suffered
Nenju naduvilIn the middle of the chest
Innum eriyumStill burns
Kaayam ellaam aarumpothumEven when all wounds heal
ThazumbumattumOnly the scar
SaatchchiaagumRemains as a witness
Male
Kaayaththai thudaithuWipe off the wound
Kalakaththai niruthuStop the inner turmoil
Kalangalai maattriChange the times
Puthu yuththam nee nadathuWage a new war
Male
Ovvoru pillaiyum oru pindamaaiEvery child as an embryo
Mannil vanthathaeCame onto this earth
Mirugamum deivamumBoth the beast and the divine
Sama baagamaai athil ullathaeReside in equal measure within it
Male
Miruga nilaiyo ..oooIs it the state of a beast?
Deiva nilaiyo…. oooIs it the state of the divine?
Miruga nilaiyoIs it the beastly state?
Deiva nilaiyoIs it the divine state?
Iruthi vadivam entha nilaiyoWhich state will be the final form?
Soozhnilai solliya vithipadiAs per the fate dictated by circumstances
Vaazhkaiyum vadivedukkumLife takes its shape

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ovvoru Pillaiyum' from the movie Vattaram explores deep philosophical themes surrounding human nature, destiny, and life's harsh struggles. The lyrics posit that every human being is born with equal potential for both beastly wickedness and divine goodness. Which aspect ultimately dominates is dictated by one's circumstances, environment, and life experiences rather than inherent evil.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Contrast (Ethir-inai)

Mirugamum deivamum / Sama baagamaai athil ullathae

Contrasts the inner duality of human nature (beast vs. divine) and expectations vs. harsh reality.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Vithi endra aattril / Nee oru thurumbu

Compares human helplessness against destiny to a small piece of straw floating on a rushing river.

Metaphor & Imagery

Muththu moottai vaanga sendraai / Uppu moottai vaangi vanthaai

Juxtaposes high dreams and hopes (pearls, flower bed) with bitter reality (salt, bed of thorns).

Rhyme / Monai

Poo parikkum vaazhkai kettaai / Paampadikkum vaazhkai kondaai

Initial letter rhyming across lines, enhancing the rhythmic philosophical delivery.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vattaram' (2006) featured music composed by Bharadwaj and lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song 'Ovvoru Pillaiyum' serves as a crucial philosophical theme in the movie, encapsulating the protagonist's descent into crime due to uncontrollable circumstances despite a harmless beginning.

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