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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanathil

From Oru Oorla · 2014

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
Rita
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oru Oorla2014

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vanathil vanna malargalColorful flowers in the forest
Malaril veesum thendralThe breeze blowing from the flower
Thendralil veesum vaasamThe fragrance drifting in the breeze
Adhu dheivathin kaanikkaiThat is an offering from God
O… dheivathin kaanikkaiOh... an offering from God
Andha dheivam thandhadhuGiven by that God
Anbu yaarkkum ulladhuLove is present in everyone
Adhil ethanai konamHow many dimensions in it
Ethanai paarvaiyo…How many perspectives...
Female
Vanathil vanna malargalColorful flowers in the forest
Malaril veesum thendralThe breeze blowing from the flower
Thendralil veesum vaasamThe fragrance drifting in the breeze
Adhu dheivathin kaanikkaiThat is an offering from God
O… dheivathin kaanikkaiOh... an offering from God
Female
Kodiyil vandha poo malarA flower born on a creeper
Chediyil pooppadhillaiyaeDoes not bloom on a plant
Indha poovil indha vaasamO God who assigned this specific fragrance to this flower
Endru vaitha dheivamaeO God who ordained it so
Oruvarkkulla ul manamThe inner heart of one person
OruvarkkiruppadhillaiyaeIs not possessed by another
Indha manadhil indha panbuO God who assigned this specific virtue to this mind
Endru vaitha dheivamaeO God who ordained it so
Female
Naam anu dhinam paarkkira ulagathilIn the world that we see every single day
Pala vidha vidhamaagiya manidhargalThere are many different kinds of people
Naam padikkira mugangalil padikkalaamWe can read from the faces we read
Nagaikkindra mugangalai marakkalaamWe may forget the smiling faces
Padikka padikka dhinam pudhiya anubavam thaanaeAs we observe and learn daily, it is a new experience in itself
Female
Vanathil vanna malargalColorful flowers in the forest
Malaril veesum thendralThe breeze blowing from the flower
Thendralil veesum vaasamThe fragrance drifting in the breeze
Adhu dheivathin kaanikkaiThat is an offering from God
O… dheivathin kaanikkaiOh... an offering from God
Andha dheivam thandhadhuGiven by that God
Anbu yaarkkum ulladhuLove is present in everyone
Adhil ethanai konamHow many dimensions in it
Ethanai paarvaiyo…How many perspectives...
Female
Vanathil vanna malargalColorful flowers in the forest
Malaril veesum thendralThe breeze blowing from the flower
Thendralil veesum vaasamThe fragrance drifting in the breeze
Adhu dheivathin kaanikkaiThat is an offering from God
O… dheivathin kaanikkaiOh... an offering from God

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oru Oorla' is a philosophical ode to the uniqueness of divine creation and human nature, penned by the eminent Tamil poet Mu. Metha. It draws parallels between nature and humanity, illustrating how flowers carry distinct fragrances gifted by God, just as each human mind possesses its own unique character, thoughts, and virtues. The lyrics reflect on the diversity of human emotions and personalities encountered daily, reminding us that every person's face and story present a new, continuously evolving learning experience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anadiplosis (Yamakam / Linking repetition)

Malaril veesum thendral

The last word of one line becomes the starting word of the next line (malargal -> malaril, thendral -> thendralil), creating a seamless natural flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Naam padikkira mugangalil padikkalaam

Comparing human faces and emotions to books that can be read ('padikkira mugangalil padikkalaam').

Reduplication (Adukkuthodar)

Pala vidha vidhamaagiya manidhargal

Repetition of words like 'vidha vidhamaagiya' and 'padikka padikka' to emphasize variety and continuous learning.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were written by the acclaimed Tamil poet and songwriter Mu. Metha for the 2014 movie 'Oru Oorla'. Mu. Metha is a Sahitya Akademi Award winner known for his deeply philosophical lyrics and modern free-verse Tamil poetry (Pudhukavithai).

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