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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Piranthu Vanthathum

From Orey Vazhi · 1959

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. C. Krishnan
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Movie name
Orey Vazhi
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
8 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
Varundhum thaayin vayitrinil pathu
Maadham irundhu boomiyil vilundhu
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
Vaazhum kaalam siriyathendraalum
Manidhan ninaippadhu kodi vazhi
Vaazhum kaalam siriyathendraalum
Manidhan ninaippadhu kodi vazhi
Avan manam pol nadappathu paadhi vazhi
Dhinam soozhum kavalaiyum yekkamum avanai
Suttri iruppadhu meedhi vazhi
Adhil thunindhavan kandathum needhi vazhi
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
Oruvarai oruvar unarndhu kondaal
Avar ullangal kaanbathu orae vazhi
Oruvarai oruvar unarndhu kondaal
Avar ullangal kaanbathu orae vazhi
Adhu urumalum porumalum illa vazhi
Dhinam unmaiyai poiyai arindhu kolladhavarukku
Vovvoru vazhiyum thunba vazhi
Avar urangi saavadhae nalla vazhi
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
Kondavaludanae kudumbam nadathuvon
Kolgaiyum vaazhvum oraevazhi
Kondavaludanae kudumbam nadathuvon
Kolgaiyum vaazhvum oraevazhi
Kanda pengalai kanakku pannuvon
Kanda pengalai kanakku pannuvon
Karuthil iruppadhu veru vazhi
Indha kanakkinil laabam mudhugu vali
Haa..piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
Avaniyai padaithathum
Payirgalai padaithathum
Aandavan vagutha orae vazhi
Avaniyai padaithathum
Payirgalai padaithathum
Aandavan vagutha orae vazhi
Andha aandavanai thedi purapadum bakthargal
Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi
Aandavanai thedi purapadum bakthargal
Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi
Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
The way we are born into this world is one and the same,
And the way we depart in death is one and the same.
The way we are born into this world is one and the same,
And the way we depart in death is one and the same.
Spending ten months in a suffering mother's womb,
And then falling onto this earth...
The way we are born into this world is one and the same,
And the way we depart in death is one and the same.
Though the lifespan we live is short,
Man dreams of ten million different paths.
Though the lifespan we live is short,
Man dreams of ten million different paths.
What goes according to his wish is only half the way,
And the daily worries and longings that surround him
Make up the rest of the way.
In all this, the courageous one finds the path of righteousness...
The way we are born into this world is one and the same,
And the way we depart in death is one and the same.
If people truly understand one another,
Their hearts discover a single, united path.
If people truly understand one another,
Their hearts discover a single, united path.
It is a path free of grumbling and resentment.
For those who cannot tell truth from falsehood each day,
Every single path turns into a path of sorrow.
For them, sleeping straight into death is the best way...
The way we are born into this world is one and the same,
And the way we depart in death is one and the same.
For the man who builds a family with his wedded wife,
His principles and his life follow one united path.
For the man who builds a family with his wedded wife,
His principles and his life follow one united path.
But the man who lusts after every woman he sees,
The man who lusts after every woman he sees,
Has an entirely different path in mind.
And the only profit in his calculation is a broken back!
Ha... The way we are born into this world is one and the same,
And the way we depart in death is one and the same.
Creating this vast earth,
And creating the crops that grow upon it,
Was the one simple path laid down by God.
Creating this vast earth,
And creating the crops that grow upon it,
Was the one simple path laid down by God.
Yet the devotees who set out searching for that God
Walk on a completely different path every day!
Yet the devotees who set out searching for that God
Walk on a completely different path every day!
Walk on a completely different path every day...
The way we are born into this world is one and the same,
And the way we depart in death is one and the same.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Orey Vazhi' (One Way / The Only Path) is a philosophical comic-philosophical song written by Kannadasan for the 1959 film of the same name. The song emphasizes the fundamental equalizer of human existence: birth and death are universal entry and exit points shared by all human beings. Despite this unified beginning and end, human beings overcomplicate their short lifetimes by pursuing endless desires, deceit, and conflicts. The lyrics contrast the noble path of marital fidelity, mutual understanding, and righteousness with the foolishness of lust, dishonesty, and religious division. Kannadasan playfully notes that while God created a simple, harmonious order in nature, humans divide themselves into confusing paths, concluding that living a truthful and courageous life is the only meaningful journey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ezhugai (Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi / Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi”

Repetition of rhyming end-words 'orae vazhi' at the end of fundamental couplets to create a rhythmic refrain and reinforce the central theme of singular destiny.

Antithesis (Contrast)

“Vaazhum kaalam siriyathendraalum / Manidhan ninaippadhu kodi vazhi”

Juxtaposition of the brief lifespan ('Vaazhum kaalam siriyadhun') against human ambition and overthinking ('Manidhan ninaippadhu kodi vazhi').

Humor / Satire

“Indha kanakkinil laabam mudhugu vali”

Use of colloquial Tamil phrasing ('kanakku pannuvon', 'laabam mudhugu vali') to satirize unfaithful men, contrasting spiritual philosophy with mundane comedic reality.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song and the movie share the same title, 'Orey Vazhi' (1959). Featuring vocals by veteran playback singer S. C. Krishnan, known for his distinct theatrical comedic rendition, the track masterfully blends serious Advaitic philosophy with lighthearted social commentary characteristic of lyricist Kannadasan's early signature style.

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