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Shanthi Nilayam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Selvangale

From Shanthi Nilayam · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Shanthi Nilayam
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
4 Jul 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Selvangalae
Dheivangal vaazhum nenjangalae
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthu
Ulagai vellungalen
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthu
Ulagai vellungalen
Rampaampaam dhararampaam
Chamchamchaam dhararampaam
Vaa vaa vaa vennilavae
Rampaampaam dhararampaam
Chamchamchaam dhararampaam
Vaa vaa vaa vennilavae
Ullangal pesattum
Pillaigal thoongattum
Vaa vaa vaa vennilavae
Manjathil maan kutti
Konjattum kan kotti
Aaraaro aariraaro
Selvangalae
Dheivangal vaazhum nenjangalae
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthu
Ulagai vellungalen
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthu
Ulagai vellungalen
Kaalamenbadhu
Un varavukkaaga kaathirukkum
Kaniyai pondradhu
Nal kaniyai pondradhu
Kaalamenbadhu
Un varavukkaaga kaathirukkum
Kaniyai pondradhu
Nal kaniyai pondradhu
Naalai enbadhu
Un nanmaikkaaga poothu nirkkum
Malarai pondradhu
Malarai pondradhu
Kan maiyin vannathil
Unmaigal minnattum
Oh oh oh ullangalae
Dheivangal koodattum thaalaattu paadattum
Aaraaro aariraarao
Selvangalae
Dheivangal vaazhum nenjangalae
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthu
Ulagai vellungalen
Siriya vayadhil arivai valarthu
Ulagai vellungalen
Selvangalae
Kottum mazhaiyum
Idi vanthaalum
Acham enbathu koodaadhu
Bayandhavanukku nizhalum pagaiyae
Thunindhavanukku kadalum sirithae
Kollum bootham peigal enavae
Ennum ennam koodathu…koodaathu…
Koodaathu..koodaathu…
My precious treasures,
Hearts where the gods reside,
Grow your wisdom while you are young,
And win over the world!
Grow your wisdom while you are young,
And win over the world!
Rambaam-baam dhararambaam
Sam-sam-sam dhararamsam
Come, come, come, O white moon!
Rambaam-baam dhararambaam
Sam-sam-sam dhararamsam
Come, come, come, O white moon!
Let our hearts speak,
Let the children sleep,
Come, come, come, O white moon!
On the bed, like little fawns,
Let them blink their eyes and cuddle to sleep,
Aararo aariraaro...
My precious treasures,
Hearts where the gods reside,
Grow your wisdom while you are young,
And win over the world!
Grow your wisdom while you are young,
And win over the world!
Time is something
That waits for your arrival,
Just like a sweet fruit,
Like a good, ripe fruit.
Time is something
That waits for your arrival,
Just like a sweet fruit,
Like a good, ripe fruit.
Tomorrow is something
That blooms for your goodness,
Just like a flower,
Like a flower.
Within the dark shade of kohl (eyeliner),
Let truths shine bright,
Oh, little hearts,
Let the gods gather and sing a lullaby,
Aararo aariraaro...
My precious treasures,
Hearts where the gods reside,
Grow your wisdom while you are young,
And win over the world!
Grow your wisdom while you are young,
And win over the world!
My precious treasures!
Even in pouring rain
And crashing thunder,
Fear should never touch you.
To the fearful, even a shadow is an enemy,
To the brave, even the ocean is small.
Thinking that ghosts and monsters will take you,
Such thoughts must never be... never...
Never... never...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Selvangalae Dheivangal Vaazhum' is an inspiring lullaby and instructional song from the classic Tamil film Shanthi Nilayam (1969). Lyricist Kannadasan crafts a song that blends gentle care for sleeping children with profound moral guidance. The narrator addresses children as divine treasures, urging them to cultivate knowledge and courage from a tender age so they may overcome life's obstacles and conquer the world. The song gently dismisses superstitions and irrational fears, emphasizing that time and tomorrow are blooming opportunities waiting for brave, enlightened minds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

“Kaalamenbadhu... Kaniyai pondradhu / Malarai pondradhu”

Compares 'Time' (Kaalam) to a ripening fruit waiting for arrival, and 'Tomorrow' (Naalai) to a blooming flower.

Ethirsol (Antithesis / Contrast)

“Bayandhavanukku nizhalum pagaiyae / Thunindhavanukku kadalum sirithae”

Contrasts the perspective of a coward who fears even shadows with a brave person who views the vast ocean as small.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition / Anaphora)

“Vaa vaa vaa vennilavae / Koodaathu..koodaathu”

Repetition of words like 'vaa vaa vaa' and 'koodaathu' to add lyrical rhythm and reinforce an imperative emotional tone.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Shanthi Nilayam' (1969) was adapted from Charlotte Brontë's famous English novel 'Jane Eyre'. The music for this evergreen track was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with famous playback singer P. Susheela rendering the vocals. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography.

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