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Thambathiyam Oru Sangeetham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thambathyam Oru Sangeetham

From Thambathiyam Oru Sangeetham · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Thambathiyam Oru Sangeetham
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
31 Jan 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thambathiyam oru sangeetham
Thambathiyam oru sangeetham
Sruthi layam nayam kondaadum deva keerthaanam
Adhuthaan raaga thaala baavam koorum kadhal mandhiram
Thambathiyam oru sangeetham……..sangeetham….
Jaathakangal vagutha vazhi
Jaathigalin uravai kondu
Moothavargal samathika
Manathavargal palarundu
Kaadhalenum veethiyile
Kan varitha uravai kondu
Maalayitu medaiyinilae
Mananthavargal silarumundu
Thambathiyam oru sangeetham……..sangeetham….
Omam kundam nei vaarthu
Agniyai valam vanthu
Oorariya kai pidithu
Uravu kooda pirivathundu
Sattangalai saatchi vaithu
Pathirathil pathivu seithu
Saagum varai piriyaadha
Thambadhigal ullagil undu
Thambathiyam oru sangeetham……..sangeetham….
Naayagangum naayagiyum
Nenju rendu inaiyaamal
Naalukoru kutram solli
Aalukoru dhisai paarthal
Endha vagai thirumanamum
Idaiyinil udaivathundu
Thaalam keta paadalai pol
Kolam ketu povathundu
Thambathiyam oru sangeetham
Sangeetham…….sangeetham….
Marriage is music.
Marriage is music.
A divine song celebrating harmony, rhythm, and grace,
it is the mantra of love, weaving melody, beat, and emotion.
Marriage is music... music...
Guided by the path of horoscopes,
bound by the ties of caste,
with the consent of their elders,
there are many who marry.
On the pathways of love,
drawn together by the choice of their eyes,
exchanging garlands on the stage,
there are some who marry.
Marriage is music... music...
Pouring ghee into the sacred fire pit,
circling the holy flames,
holding hands before the whole town—
even such a bond can break apart.
Taking the law as their witness,
registering their bond on paper,
never parting until they die—
such couples also live in this world.
Marriage is music... music...
If the husband and wife
fail to unite their two hearts,
finding a new fault every day,
and looking in opposite directions,
any kind of marriage
can shatter along the way.
Like a song that has lost its beat,
its harmony is ruined and falls apart.
Marriage is music...
Music... music...
Male
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Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song presents a profound philosophical reflection on marriage, drawing a extended analogy between marital life and classical music. Vaali outlines how marriages are formed through various means—some arranged by elders through horoscopes, some born out of romantic love, some solemnized through traditional Vedic fire rituals, and others established through legal court registrations. However, the song asserts that regardless of how a marriage begins or what rituals witness it, external forms alone cannot guarantee success. Ultimately, the core message is that marital harmony depends entirely on emotional unity and mutual understanding between partners. If a couple fails to connect from the heart, constantly finds fault, and pulls in opposite directions, even the most ritualistic or legally sound marriage will crumble midway—just as a musical composition falls apart when it loses its rhythm (thaalam).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Thambathiyam oru sangeetham

Directly compares married life ('Thambathiyam') to music ('Sangeetham') and divine hymns ('Deva keerthaanam'), establishing the central theme that harmony and rhythm are necessary for a successful marriage.

Simile (Upamai)

Thaalam keta paadalai pol

Compares a failing marriage to a song that has lost its rhythmic beat ('Thaalam keta paadalai pol'), highlighting how lack of emotional sync ruins the relationship's structure.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thaalam keta paadalai pol / Kolam ketu povathundu

The second letters 'la' match in 'Thaalam' and 'Kolam', creating rhythmic internal rhyme in the couplet.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Naayagangum naayagiyum / Nenju rendu inaiyaamal

The initial letter sound 'Na' repeats in 'Naayagangum', 'Nenju', and 'Naalukoru', enhancing the poetic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features music composed and sung by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) with lyrics by Vaali for the 1982 film 'Thambathiyam Oru Sangeetham'. MSV was famous for delivering highly expressive, philosophical solo renditions that carried deep emotional resonance, and this song remains a celebrated classic on the dynamics of marital relationships.

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