Urugidum Velaiyilum Nalla
From Dhaagam · 1974
- Lyricist
- Poovai Senguttavan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. B. Sreenivas
- Details
- Dhaagam1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Urugidum velaiyilum | Even while it melts, |
| Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri | A good candle gives light. |
| Oli tharum velaiyilum | Even while giving light, |
| Thiyaaga unarvinai thoondividum | It ignites a feeling of sacrifice. |
| Female | |
| Urugidum velaiyilum | Even while it melts, |
| Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri | A good candle gives light. |
| Female | |
| Oruvar koruvar udhavi seiyaamal | Without helping one another, |
| Ulagam iyangaadhu | The world cannot function. |
| Ovvoru manidhanam thamakkena vaazhndhaal | If every human lives only for themselves, |
| Vaazhvil payan yedhu | What is the purpose of life? |
| Female | |
| Urugidum velaiyilum | Even while it melts, |
| Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri | A good candle gives light. |
| Female | |
| Irulil ulavum idhayam yaavum | All hearts wandering in darkness |
| Veliyae vara vendum | Must come out into the light. |
| Aayiram idhayam ondraai serndhu | A thousand hearts uniting together |
| Oliyai thara vendum | Must give light. |
| Female | |
| Urugidum velaiyilum | Even while it melts, |
| Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri | A good candle gives light. |
| Oli tharum velaiyilum | Even while giving light, |
| Thiyaaga unarvinai thoondividum | It ignites a feeling of sacrifice. |
உருகிடும் வேளையிலும் நல்ல
ஒளித் தரும் மெழுகு திரி
ஒளித் தரும் வேளையிலும்
தியாக உணர்வினை தூண்டிவிடும்
Even while it melts,
A good candle gives light.
Even while giving light,
It ignites a feeling of sacrifice.
உருகிடும் வேளையிலும் நல்ல
ஒளித் தரும் மெழுகு திரி
Even while it melts,
A good candle gives light.
ஒருவருக்கொருவர் உதவி செய்யாமல்
உலகம் இயங்காது
ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனும் தனக்கென வாழ்ந்தால்
வாழ்வில் பயனேது.....
Without helping one another,
The world cannot function.
If every human lives only for themselves,
What is the purpose of life?
உருகிடும் வேளையிலும் நல்ல
ஒளித் தரும் மெழுகு திரி
Even while it melts,
A good candle gives light.
இருளில் உலவும் இதயம் யாவும்
வெளியே வர வேண்டும்
ஆயிரம் இதயம் ஒன்றாய் சேர்ந்து
ஒளியை தர வேண்டும்...
All hearts wandering in darkness
Must come out into the light.
A thousand hearts uniting together
Must give light.
உருகிடும் வேளையிலும் நல்ல
ஒளித் தரும் மெழுகு திரி
ஒளித் தரும் வேளையிலும்
தியாக உணர்வினை தூண்டிவிடும்
Even while it melts,
A good candle gives light.
Even while giving light,
It ignites a feeling of sacrifice.
Urugidum velaiyilum
Even while it melts,
Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri
A good candle gives light.
Oli tharum velaiyilum
Even while giving light,
Thiyaaga unarvinai thoondividum
It ignites a feeling of sacrifice.
Urugidum velaiyilum
Even while it melts,
Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri
A good candle gives light.
Oruvar koruvar udhavi seiyaamal
Without helping one another,
Ulagam iyangaadhu
The world cannot function.
Ovvoru manidhanam thamakkena vaazhndhaal
If every human lives only for themselves,
Vaazhvil payan yedhu
What is the purpose of life?
Urugidum velaiyilum
Even while it melts,
Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri
A good candle gives light.
Irulil ulavum idhayam yaavum
All hearts wandering in darkness
Veliyae vara vendum
Must come out into the light.
Aayiram idhayam ondraai serndhu
A thousand hearts uniting together
Oliyai thara vendum
Must give light.
Urugidum velaiyilum
Even while it melts,
Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri
A good candle gives light.
Oli tharum velaiyilum
Even while giving light,
Thiyaaga unarvinai thoondividum
It ignites a feeling of sacrifice.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This philosophical song uses the vivid metaphor of a melting candle to illustrate the virtues of selflessness and sacrifice. Just as a candle burns itself away to disperse darkness and give light to others, human beings must cultivate compassion and assist one another, as society cannot function if everyone lives solely for self-interest. The song serves as a powerful call to humanity, encouraging hearts dwelling in darkness and isolation to unite and illuminate the world through collective harmony and mutual care.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri”
The burning wax candle ('mezhugu thiri') is used as a central metaphor for selfless human sacrifice and devotion to society.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Irulil ulavum idhayam yaavum”
Repetition of the vowel sound 'I' at the beginning of adjacent words in the line ('Irulil', 'idhayam').
Anaphora / Refrain
“Urugidum velaiyilum Nalla oli tharum mezhugu thiri”
Repetition of the opening refrain throughout the song to continually emphasize the core theme of sacrifice.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Dhaagam' (1974) featured a distinct musical score by M. B. Sreenivas, a legendary composer known for incorporating choral arrangements and social harmony themes into South Indian film music. Lyricist Poovai Senguttavan composed these deeply philosophical lyrics reflecting anti-egoism and civic consciousness.
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