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Lyrics & meaning

Thaali Ondru Thaevai Enna

From Thirukkalyanam · 1978

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thirukkalyanam
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
3 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thaali ondru thaevai enna
Maanaseega vaazhvil
Thaali ondru thaevai enna
Maanaseega vaazhvil
Dharmam ennum sannadhiyil
Kaadhal ondru podhumadi
Thaali ondru thaevai enna
Maanaseega vaazhvil
{Saevai seiya ninaitha manam
Vaeredhaiyum ninaippadhillai
Dheivam thandha vazhi nandandhaal
Ennaalum thanimai illai} (2)
Paarvathikku gangai vandhaal
Dheviyudan valli vandhaal
Naanum oru gangai alla
Naayaganum sivanum alla
Thaali ondru thaevai enna
Maanaseega vaazhvil
{Sindhanaiyil vaazhndhirundhaal
Dheiva sugam kodi varum
Saeraadha vaazhvinilum
Kanneeril kavidhai varum} (2)
Ullirukkum kovililae
Or iraivan kudiyirukka
Ooraarkku kaatchi enna
Unmaikku saatchi enna
Thaali ondru thaevai enna
Maanaseega vaazhvil
{Karparasi nee irukka
Kannagiyai pol irukka
Innum oru kaadhaliyaa
Naan enna maadhaviyaa} (2)
Un nizhalai paarkkaiyilae
Kallellaam urugumadi
En kadhaiyai vittu vidu..
Ennodu mudiyumadi…
Thaali ondru thaevai enna
Maanaseega vaazhvil
Why is a wedding thread needed
in a life lived within the soul?
Why is a wedding thread needed
in a life lived within the soul?
In the shrine of righteousness,
love alone is enough, my dear.
Why is a wedding thread needed
in a life lived within the soul?
A heart that decides to serve
never thinks of anything else.
When we walk the path shown by God,
we are never truly alone.
Ganga came to share with Parvati,
and Valli came alongside the goddess,
Yet I am no holy Ganga,
and my beloved is not Lord Shiva...
Why is a wedding thread needed
in a life lived within the soul?
If we can live within our thoughts,
endless divine joy will follow.
Even in a life where we cannot unite,
poetry is born from tears.
In the temple deep within the heart,
when one God alone resides,
why put on a show for the world?
What witness does the truth ever need?
Why is a wedding thread needed
in a life lived within the soul?
When you are here as a queen of virtue,
standing steadfast like Kannagi,
is there room for another lover?
Am I meant to be a Madhavi?
Just looking at your shadow,
even cold stones would melt, my dear.
Leave my story behind,
it will end with me.
Why is a wedding thread needed
in a life lived within the soul?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song explores deep emotional self-sacrifice, spiritual love, and morality beyond formal marital ties. The speaker reflects on how true love lives in the heart and mind rather than requiring a physical symbol like the 'thaali' (sacred marriage thread) or public validation. She places pure devotion and righteousness above societal norms, stating that true emotion needs no external witness or display to the world. Drawing on classic Tamil epics and mythology, she contrasts her situation with the co-wives of gods (Parvathi-Ganga) and the central figures of Silappatikaram (Kannagi-Madhavi). Refusing to act as a third person ('Madhavi') in a couple's pure life, she chooses to quietly sacrifice her own feelings, letting her solitary love story end with her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Puraana / Ilaikkiya Kurippu)

“Kannagiyai pol irukka / Naan enna maadhaviyaa”

References mythological and literary figures (Parvathi, Ganga, Kannagi, Madhavi) to contrast divine/epic situations with human moral dilemmas.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

“Ullirukkum kovililae Or iraivan kudiyirukka”

Compares the human heart and conscience to an internal temple ('Ullirukkum kovil') housing a single god/beloved.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Karparasi nee irukka / Kannagiyai pol irukka”

The second consonant sound 'r' creates poetic rhythm across consecutive lines ('Karparasi' / 'Kannagiyai').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

“Un nizhalai paarkkaiyilae Kallellaam urugumadi”

Uses exaggeration to emphasize deep sorrow and nobility, stating that even stones would melt looking at the shadow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics heavily invoke characters from the Tamil epic 'Silappatikaram'—specifically Kannagi (the archetype of chastity and devotion) and Madhavi (the second love)—to frame a narrative of selfless moral sacrifice.

Keep listening

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