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Bhaaga Pirivinai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Yen Pirandai Magane

From Bhaaga Pirivinai · 1959

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Bhaaga Pirivinai
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
4 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Yen piranthaai
Maganae yen piranthaayo } (3)
{ Illai oru
Pillai endru
Yenguvor palar iruka
Ingu vanthu yen
Piranthaai selva maganae } (2)
Yen piranthaai
Maganae yen piranthaayo
{ Naan pirantha
Kaaranathai naanae
Ariyum munnae neeyum
Vanthu yen piranthaai
Selva maganae } (2)
Yen piranthaai
Maganae yen piranthaayo
Kai kaalgal
Vilangaatha kanavan
Kudisaiyilum kaadhal
Manam vilanga
Vanthaal annaiyadaa
Kaadhalilum
Perumai illai kangalukum
Inbam illai kadamaiyil
Eendreduthaal unnaiyada
Yen piranthaai
Maganae yen piranthaayo
Man valartha
Porumai ellam
Manadhil valarthavalai
Kan malarntha penmayilai
Naan adainthen
{ Nee valarnthu
Maramagi nizhal tharum
Kaalam varai thaai manadhai
Kaathirupen thanga maganae } (2)
{ Aaraaro aaro aariraaro } (2)
Why were you born,
My son, oh why were you born?
When so many people,
grieving that they have no child,
are yearning for one,
why did you come here
to be born, my precious son?
Why were you born,
My son, oh why were you born?
Even before I myself could know
the reason and purpose
why I was born,
why did you also come
to be born, my precious son?
Why were you born,
My son, oh why were you born?
To a husband whose hands and legs
are crippled and helpless,
even into his humble hut,
with a heart radiant with love,
came your mother, my child.
There was no pride in that love,
nor any joy for her eyes,
yet out of duty,
she gave birth to you, my child.
Why were you born,
My son, oh why were you born?
All the deep patience
nurtured by Mother Earth,
she held within her heart;
such a blooming, graceful woman
I was blessed to have.
Until the day you grow up
into a tree that gives shade,
I will guard your mother's heart,
my golden son.
Aararo aaro aareeraaro...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
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Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant lullaby from the classic movie 'Bhaaga Pirivinai' (1959) expresses the deep emotional turmoil and selfless love of a physically challenged father singing to his newborn baby. He sorrowfully questions why his son was born into a life of hardship and poverty, especially when the father himself has yet to find the purpose of his own existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

“Yen piranthaai Maganae yen piranthaayo”

The recurring opening phrase asks 'Why were you born?', using a rhetorical question to express existential anguish, grief, and tender fatherly love.

Extended Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Nee valarnthu Maramagi nizhal tharum”

The father compares the child's future growth to a nurturing tree that will eventually spread its branches and provide comfort and shade to the family.

Ethukai (Second-letter Assonance)

“Man valartha Porumai ellam / Kan malarntha penmayilai”

The second letters of 'Man' (earth/mind) and 'Kan' (eye) rhyme ('n'), creating rhythmic harmony across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the iconic 1959 film 'Bhaaga Pirivinai', this emotional song was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, with heart-wrenching lyrics penned by Kannadasan and voiced by T. M. Soundararajan for actor Sivaji Ganesan.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Sondha Somaya Thooki Thooki1988
En Thangachi PadichavaGriefSacrifice
Pethava Kanneeru2000
Unnai Kodu Ennai TharuvenGriefMournful
Maanicka Thottil1965
Panam PadaithavanMotherhoodMournful
Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven2000
Unnai Kodu Ennai TharuvenMotherhoodDevotion
Unmaikku Veliyittu1964
Dheiva ThaaiMotherhoodGrief
Naadala Vandhaaru1974
ThaaiPovertyDevotion

From the same album

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Thangathile Orukurai1959
Bhaaga PirivinaiTender

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