Piranthu Vanthathum
From Orey Vazhi · 1959
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. C. Krishnan
- Music director
- R. Govarthanam
- Details
- Orey Vazhi1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi | Being born into this world happens through a single way, |
| Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi | And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way. |
| Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi | Being born into this world happens through a single way, |
| Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi | And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way. |
| Varundhum thaayin vayitrinil pathu | After residing inside the suffering mother's womb for ten months, |
| Maadham irundhu boomiyil vilundhu | And falling onto this earth, |
| Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi | Being born into this world happens through a single way, |
| Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi | And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhum kaalam siriyathendraalum | Even though the period we live is very short, |
| Manidhan ninaippadhu kodi vazhi | A human mind thinks of millions of different paths. |
| Vaazhum kaalam siriyathendraalum | Even though the period we live is very short, |
| Manidhan ninaippadhu kodi vazhi | A human mind thinks of millions of different paths. |
| Avan manam pol nadappathu paadhi vazhi | What happens according to his wish is only half the path, |
| Dhinam soozhum kavalaiyum yekkamum avanai | The daily worries and longings that encompass him, |
| Suttri iruppadhu meedhi vazhi | Surround him to form the remaining half of the path. |
| Adhil thunindhavan kandathum needhi vazhi | Among them, the one who is courageous discovers the path of justice. |
| Male | |
| Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi | Being born into this world happens through a single way, |
| Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi | And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way. |
| Male | |
| Oruvarai oruvar unarndhu kondaal | If people truly understand each other, |
| Avar ullangal kaanbathu orae vazhi | The path their hearts see becomes one and the same. |
| Oruvarai oruvar unarndhu kondaal | If people truly understand each other, |
| Avar ullangal kaanbathu orae vazhi | The path their hearts see becomes one and the same. |
| Adhu urumalum porumalum illa vazhi | It is a path free of grumbling and resentment. |
| Dhinam unmaiyai poiyai arindhu kolladhavarukku | For those who fail to distinguish truth from falsehood daily, |
| Vovvoru vazhiyum thunba vazhi | Every single path turns out to be a path of sorrow. |
| Avar urangi saavadhae nalla vazhi | For them, dying peacefully in sleep would be a better way. |
| Male | |
| Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi | Being born into this world happens through a single way, |
| Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi | And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way. |
| Male | |
| Kondavaludanae kudumbam nadathuvon | For one who lives a family life with his wedded wife, |
| Kolgaiyum vaazhvum oraevazhi | His principles and life follow a single clear path. |
| Kondavaludanae kudumbam nadathuvon | For one who lives a family life with his wedded wife, |
| Kolgaiyum vaazhvum oraevazhi | His principles and life follow a single clear path. |
| Kanda pengalai kanakku pannuvon | For the one who flirts and scheme with every woman he sees, |
| Kanda pengalai kanakku pannuvon | For the one who flirts and scheme with every woman he sees, |
| Karuthil iruppadhu veru vazhi | The path in his mind strays into wrong directions. |
| Indha kanakkinil laabam mudhugu vali | The ultimate profit from this scheme is just a bad backache! |
| Male | |
| Haa..piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi | Aha... Being born into this world happens through a single way, |
| Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi | And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way. |
| Male | |
| Avaniyai padaithathum | Creating the vast world, |
| Payirgalai padaithathum | And creating the crops that sustain it, |
| Aandavan vagutha orae vazhi | Is the singular path defined by God. |
| Avaniyai padaithathum | Creating the vast world, |
| Payirgalai padaithathum | And creating the crops that sustain it, |
| Aandavan vagutha orae vazhi | Is the singular path defined by God. |
| Andha aandavanai thedi purapadum bakthargal | However, devotees who set out searching for that God, |
| Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi | End up going in disparate paths every day. |
| Aandavanai thedi purapadum bakthargal | Devotees who set out searching for God, |
| Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi | End up going in disparate paths every day. |
| Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi | End up going in disparate paths every day. |
| Male | |
| Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi | Being born into this world happens through a single way, |
| Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi | And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way. |
பிறந்து வந்ததும் ஒரே வழி
நாம் பிரிந்து போவதும் ஒரே வழி
பிறந்து வந்ததும் ஒரே வழி
நாம் பிரிந்து போவதும் ஒரே வழி
வருந்தும் தாயின் வயிற்றினில் பத்து
மாதம் இருந்து பூமியில் விழுந்து......
பிறந்து வந்ததும் ஒரே வழி
நாம் பிரிந்து போவதும் ஒரே வழி
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
After residing inside the suffering mother's womb for ten months,
And falling onto this earth,
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
வாழும் காலம் சிறியதென்றாலும்
மனிதன் நினைப்பது கோடி வழி
வாழும் காலம் சிறியதென்றாலும்
மனிதன் நினைப்பது கோடி வழி
அவன் மனம் போல் நடப்பது பாதி வழி
தினம் சூழும் கவலையும் ஏக்கமும் அவனைச்
சுற்றி இருப்பது மீதி வழி
அதில் துணிந்தவன் கண்டது நீதி வழி......
Even though the period we live is very short,
A human mind thinks of millions of different paths.
Even though the period we live is very short,
A human mind thinks of millions of different paths.
What happens according to his wish is only half the path,
The daily worries and longings that encompass him,
Surround him to form the remaining half of the path.
Among them, the one who is courageous discovers the path of justice.
பிறந்து வந்ததும் ஒரே வழி
நாம் பிரிந்து போவதும் ஒரே வழி
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
ஒருவரை ஒருவர் உணர்ந்து கொண்டால்
அவர் உள்ளங்கள் காண்பது ஒரே வழி
ஒருவரை ஒருவர் உணர்ந்து கொண்டால்
அவர் உள்ளங்கள் காண்பது ஒரே வழி
அது உறுமலும் பொறுமலும் இல்லா வழி
தினம் உண்மையைப் பொய்யை அறிந்து கொள்ளாதவர்க்கு
ஒவ்வொரு வழியும் துன்ப வழி
அவர் உறங்கிச் சாவதே நல்ல வழி.......
If people truly understand each other,
The path their hearts see becomes one and the same.
If people truly understand each other,
The path their hearts see becomes one and the same.
It is a path free of grumbling and resentment.
For those who fail to distinguish truth from falsehood daily,
Every single path turns out to be a path of sorrow.
For them, dying peacefully in sleep would be a better way.
பிறந்து வந்ததும் ஒரே வழி
நாம் பிரிந்து போவதும் ஒரே வழி
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
கொண்டவளுடனே குடும்பம் நடத்துவோன்
கொள்கையும் வாழ்வும் ஒரே வழி
கொண்டவளுடனே குடும்பம் நடத்துவோன்
கொள்கையும் வாழ்வும் ஒரே வழி
கண்ட பெண்களைக் கணக்குப் பண்ணுவோன்
கண்ட பெண்களைக் கணக்குப் பண்ணுவோன்
கருத்திலிருப்பது வேறு வழி
இந்தக் கணக்கினில் லாபம் முதுகு வலி......
For one who lives a family life with his wedded wife,
His principles and life follow a single clear path.
For one who lives a family life with his wedded wife,
His principles and life follow a single clear path.
For the one who flirts and scheme with every woman he sees,
For the one who flirts and scheme with every woman he sees,
The path in his mind strays into wrong directions.
The ultimate profit from this scheme is just a bad backache!
ஹா ...பிறந்து வந்ததும் ஒரே வழி
நாம் பிரிந்து போவதும் ஒரே வழி
Aha... Being born into this world happens through a single way,
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
அவனியைப் படைத்ததும்
பயிர்களைப் படைத்ததும்
ஆண்டவன் வகுத்த ஒரே வழி
அவனியைப் படைத்ததும்
பயிர்களைப் படைத்ததும்
ஆண்டவன் வகுத்த ஒரே வழி
அந்தஆண்டவனைத் தேடித் புறப்படும் பக்தர்கள்
அன்றாடம் போவது வேறு வழி
அந்தஆண்டவனைத் தேடித் புறப்படும் பக்தர்கள்
அன்றாடம் போவது வேறு வழி
அன்றாடம் போவது வேறு வழி......
Creating the vast world,
And creating the crops that sustain it,
Is the singular path defined by God.
Creating the vast world,
And creating the crops that sustain it,
Is the singular path defined by God.
However, devotees who set out searching for that God,
End up going in disparate paths every day.
Devotees who set out searching for God,
End up going in disparate paths every day.
End up going in disparate paths every day.
பிறந்து வந்ததும் ஒரே வழி
நாம் பிரிந்து போவதும் ஒரே வழி
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Varundhum thaayin vayitrinil pathu
After residing inside the suffering mother's womb for ten months,
Maadham irundhu boomiyil vilundhu
And falling onto this earth,
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Vaazhum kaalam siriyathendraalum
Even though the period we live is very short,
Manidhan ninaippadhu kodi vazhi
A human mind thinks of millions of different paths.
Vaazhum kaalam siriyathendraalum
Even though the period we live is very short,
Manidhan ninaippadhu kodi vazhi
A human mind thinks of millions of different paths.
Avan manam pol nadappathu paadhi vazhi
What happens according to his wish is only half the path,
Dhinam soozhum kavalaiyum yekkamum avanai
The daily worries and longings that encompass him,
Suttri iruppadhu meedhi vazhi
Surround him to form the remaining half of the path.
Adhil thunindhavan kandathum needhi vazhi
Among them, the one who is courageous discovers the path of justice.
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Oruvarai oruvar unarndhu kondaal
If people truly understand each other,
Avar ullangal kaanbathu orae vazhi
The path their hearts see becomes one and the same.
Oruvarai oruvar unarndhu kondaal
If people truly understand each other,
Avar ullangal kaanbathu orae vazhi
The path their hearts see becomes one and the same.
Adhu urumalum porumalum illa vazhi
It is a path free of grumbling and resentment.
Dhinam unmaiyai poiyai arindhu kolladhavarukku
For those who fail to distinguish truth from falsehood daily,
Vovvoru vazhiyum thunba vazhi
Every single path turns out to be a path of sorrow.
Avar urangi saavadhae nalla vazhi
For them, dying peacefully in sleep would be a better way.
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Kondavaludanae kudumbam nadathuvon
For one who lives a family life with his wedded wife,
Kolgaiyum vaazhvum oraevazhi
His principles and life follow a single clear path.
Kondavaludanae kudumbam nadathuvon
For one who lives a family life with his wedded wife,
Kolgaiyum vaazhvum oraevazhi
His principles and life follow a single clear path.
Kanda pengalai kanakku pannuvon
For the one who flirts and scheme with every woman he sees,
Kanda pengalai kanakku pannuvon
For the one who flirts and scheme with every woman he sees,
Karuthil iruppadhu veru vazhi
The path in his mind strays into wrong directions.
Indha kanakkinil laabam mudhugu vali
The ultimate profit from this scheme is just a bad backache!
Haa..piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Aha... Being born into this world happens through a single way,
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Avaniyai padaithathum
Creating the vast world,
Payirgalai padaithathum
And creating the crops that sustain it,
Aandavan vagutha orae vazhi
Is the singular path defined by God.
Avaniyai padaithathum
Creating the vast world,
Payirgalai padaithathum
And creating the crops that sustain it,
Aandavan vagutha orae vazhi
Is the singular path defined by God.
Andha aandavanai thedi purapadum bakthargal
However, devotees who set out searching for that God,
Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi
End up going in disparate paths every day.
Aandavanai thedi purapadum bakthargal
Devotees who set out searching for God,
Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi
End up going in disparate paths every day.
Andraadum povadhu veru vazhi
End up going in disparate paths every day.
Piranthu vanthathum orae vazhi
Being born into this world happens through a single way,
Naam pirindhu povadhum orae vazhi
And leaving this world when we die also happens through a single way.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'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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