Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ullam Oru Kovil

From Thaali Bhagyam · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thaali Bhagyam1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ullam oru kovilMy heart is a temple
Un uruvam adhil dheivamYour form is the deity inside
Male
Kangal adhan vaasalMy eyes are its entrance
Pennin naanam angu kaavalA woman's modesty stands guard there
Female
Ullam oru kovilMy heart is a temple
Un uruvam adhil dheivamYour form is the deity inside
Male
Kangal adhan vaasalMy eyes are its entrance
Pennin naanam angu kaavalA woman's modesty stands guard there
Female
Ullam oru kovilMy heart is a temple
Female
Naan kulikkum nalla manjalukkuFor the fine turmeric with which I bathe
Thiru naayaganaai nee vandhaayaeYou arrived as the divine lord
Naan kulikkum nalla manjalukkuFor the fine turmeric with which I bathe
Thiru naayaganaai nee vandhaayaeYou arrived as the divine lord
Male
Poovidhazhoram thaen eduthuGathering honey from the edge of flower petals
Ilam punnagaiyil nee thandhaayaeYou gave it to me in your tender smile
Poovidhazhoram thaen eduthuGathering honey from the edge of flower petals
Ilam punnagaiyil nee thandhaayaeYou gave it to me in your tender smile
Female
Aanandha kadalin alai enbaenI shall call you a wave in the ocean of bliss
Male
Unnai aani ponnudal silai enbaenI shall call you a statue of pure gold
Female
Ullam oru kovilMy heart is a temple
Un uruvam adhil dheivamYour form is the deity inside
Male
Kangal adhan vaasalMy eyes are its entrance
Pennin naanam angu kaavalA woman's modesty stands guard there
Female
Ullam oru kovilMy heart is a temple
Female
Pazhagum thamizh vandha vazhiyaavenI shall become the path through which sweet Tamil flows
Vanna pani idhazhaal thaen mozhiyuraippenWith colorful dew-like lips, I will speak honeyed words
Pazhagum thamizh vandha vazhiyaavenI shall become the path through which sweet Tamil flows
Vanna pani idhazhaal thaen mozhiyuraippenWith colorful dew-like lips, I will speak honeyed words
Male
Munnazhagodu pinnazhagai enYour complete grace and beauty from front to back
Manachimizhil naan adaithu vaippenI will lock away inside the small casket of my mind
Munnazhagodu pinnazhagai enYour complete grace and beauty from front to back
Manachimizhil naan adaithu vaippenI will lock away inside the small casket of my mind
Female
Tholgalil kodi pol padarndhiruppenI will entwine around your shoulders like a creeper vine
Male
Unnai sumandhu kondaeCarrying your presence within me
Naan nadandhiruppenI will walk through life
Female
Ullam oru kovilMy heart is a temple
Un uruvam adhil dheivamYour form is the deity inside
Male
Kangal adhan vaasalMy eyes are its entrance
Pennin naanam angu kaavalA woman's modesty stands guard there
Female
Ullam oru kovilMy heart is a temple

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this expressive romantic song from 'Thaali Bhagyam', the heroine tenderly compares her heart to a sacred temple in which her beloved sits as the ruling deity. Her eyes serve as the grand doorway to this sanctuary, protected carefully by her feminine modesty. She speaks of her devotion and joy, describing her lover as a wave upon an ocean of bliss and a pure golden statue. Through rich poetic imagery, she promises to sweeten her speech like honey and Tamil literature, wrap around him like a protective creeper vine, and carry his memory eternally in her heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Ullam oru kovil / Un uruvam adhil dheivam

Directly equates the heart to a temple ('Ullam oru kovil'), the lover's image to a deity ('uruvam adhil dheivam'), and eyes to the entrance ('kangal adhan vaasal').

Simile (Uvamai)

Tholgalil kodi pol padarndhiruppen

Uses 'pol' (like/as) to compare her embrace around his shoulders to a creeper vine clinging to a tree.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Munnazhagodu pinnazhagai en

Rhyming of the second letter 'nn' in 'Munnazhagodu' and 'pinnazhagai' to create rhythmic symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1966 film 'Thaali Bhagyam' starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), B. Saroja Devi, and K. R. Vijaya. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics authored by Vaali. This song highlights Vaali's classic style of blending classical Tamil devotional metaphor with romantic sentiment.

Keep listening

More from Thaali Bhagyam