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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theeyinaal Sutta

From Orey Vazhi · 1959

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Orey Vazhi1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Theeyinaal sutta pun ullarumA wound caused by fire will heal inside,
Aaradhae naavinaal sutta vaduBut the scar left by a harsh tongue will never heal.
Ennandri kondavarkkum uivundaam uivillaiThere is redemption for those who destroy any virtue, but no salvation
Seinandri kondra magarkkuFor those who betray a good deed of gratitude.
Deivam thozha al kolunanShe who worships not God, but worships her husband upon waking,
Thozhuthezhuvaal peiyena peiyum mazhaiIf she bids the rain to fall, the rain will surely pour.
Male
Ethanai vazhigal ethanai gunangalHow many paths, how many human qualities,
Ethanai vindhai manidharadaHow many wondrous people exist, O friend!
Ithanai vazhiyil orae vazhi kaanbomAmong all these paths, let us find the one true path;
Evano avanae arinjanadaWhoever finds it is truly the wise one.
Male
Ethanai vazhigal ethanai gunangalHow many paths, how many human qualities,
Ethanai vindhai manidharadaHow many wondrous people exist, O friend!
Male
Kobathinaal oru vaarthai sonnaalIf a single word is spoken out of anger,
Adhilkudumbam kalaindhadhadaA whole family gets shattered because of it.
Indru thaabathilae uyir vaadugiraalToday she wilts in deep emotional anguish;
Idhu thalaividhi illaiyadaThis is not mere destiny, O friend.
Male
Kangalai polae kaathu valarthavanThe brother who protected and raised them like his own eyes,
Karai pol pirinthu vittaanHas become separated like two riverbanks.
Andha annanai thedi alaibavan inbamThe one who wanders looking for that brother
Anaithum maranthu vittaanHas forgotten all joy in life.
Male
Ethanai vazhigal ethanai gunangalHow many paths, how many human qualities,
Ethanai vindhai manidharadaHow many wondrous people exist, O friend!
Male
Illara vaazhvil nallara pengalaiWhy were virtuous women living in domestic harmony
Deivam endru yen sonnarReferred to as living deities?
Avar sindhanai ondraai seigaiyum ondraaiBecause their thought is one and their action is one;
Thigazhvadhanaal sonnaarThey said so because of their seamless integrity.
Male
Ethanai vazhigal ethanai gunangalHow many paths, how many human qualities,
Ethanai vindhai manidharadaHow many wondrous people exist, O friend!
Ithanai vazhiyil orae vazhi kaanbomAmong all these paths, let us find the one true path;
Evano avanae arinjanadaWhoever finds it is truly the wise one.
Male
Vaanathirkku orae nilavuThere is only one moon for the sky,
Maanidarkkellam orae inamThere is only one human race for all mankind,
Vanakathirkku uriyadhu orae deivamThere is only one God worthy of reverence,
Vaazhkaikku inbam orae vazhiAnd there is only one true path to happiness in life.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Orey Vazhi' serves as a profound philosophical treatise on moral integrity, family unity, and human purpose. It opens with classic Thirukkural verses that warn against the lasting damage of harsh words, the unpardonable sin of ingratitude, and the noble power of devotion within a household. Moving into the main narrative, it laments how anger and miscommunication can tear apart loving families and break bonds between brothers who were once as close as eyes to a body. Ultimately, Kannadasan advocates for moral clarity and spiritual unity. Despite the endless diversity of human traits and worldly pursuits, the song asserts that true wisdom lies in realizing oneness: one human family, one divine reality, and one righteous path to genuine happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Intertextuality / Quotation (Thirukkural)

Theeyinaal sutta pun ullarum / Aaradhae naavinaal sutta vadu

The opening lines (1-6) directly incorporate classical Tamil couplets from Thiruvalluvar's Tirukkural (Kural 129, Kural 110, and Kural 55) to establish moral authority.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Ethanai vazhigal ethanai gunangal / Ethanai vindhai manidharada

The word 'Ethanai' (How many) is repeated at the start of consecutive phrases to highlight the overwhelming variety of human behaviors and paths.

Simile (Upamai)

Kangalai polae kaathu valarthavan / Karai pol pirinthu vittaan

'Kangalai polae' compares brotherly care to the vigilance with which one protects one's own eyes, while 'karai pol' compares separation to divided riverbanks.

Parallelism / Monotony for Rhetorical Effect

Vaanathirkku orae nilavu / Maanidarkkellam orae inam

The repetition of 'orae' (one single) across multiple lines builds a strong rhythmic cadence while delivering the central thesis of universal oneness.

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Trivia

The opening portion of 'Orey Vazhi' is famous in Tamil cinema history for verbatim integrating three Thirukkural couplets set to classical melody before transitioning into Kannadasan's film lyrics, showcasing a unique bridge between 2,000-year-old Sangam-era ethics and mid-20th-century film music.

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