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Lyrics & meaning

Aadidum Odamaai

From Suvarilladha Chithirangal · 1979

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Suvarilladha Chithirangal
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
28 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae
Aarudhal thaediyae yaaridam pogumo
Sodhanai vaedhanai
Serndhuvarum vaazhkkai maarumo
Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae
Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae
Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae
Female :Aarudhal thaediyae yaaridam pogumo
Male :Sodhanai vaedhanai
Serndhuvarum vaazhkkai maarumo
Female :Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae
{Kaarkaala megam ondru
Kanmeedhu thaengi nindru
Ezhudhudhae…ae….
Kanneeril kavidhai indru} (2)
Silar kadhai sirukadhai
Palar kadhai thodarkadhai
Iraivanin vidukadhai
Vidaigalai yaarae kooruvaar
Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae
{Paaindhodum gangai ingae
Pasiththaengum vayirum ingae
Sugangalae…ae…
Arasaalum bhoomi engae} (2)
Maedai yen maalai yen
Koottamaen kodigal yen
Thozhanae kooradaa
Maatruvor ingae yaaradaa
Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae
Female :Aarudhal thaediyae yaaridam pogumo
Male :Sodhanai vaedhanai
Serndhuvarum vaazhkkai maarumo
Female :Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae
Love has become like a rocking boat
Where will it go searching for comfort?
Trials and sorrow...
Will this life filled with suffering ever change?
Love has become like a rocking boat
Love has become like a rocking boat
Love has become like a rocking boat
Female: Where will it go searching for comfort?
Male: Trials and sorrow...
Will this life filled with suffering ever change?
Female: Love has become like a rocking boat
A dark monsoon cloud
Lingers in the eyes
And writes...
A poem in tears today
Some people's story is a short story,
Many people's story is a never-ending tale,
It is God's riddle—
Who can give the answer?
Love has become like a rocking boat
The river Ganga rushes here,
Yet starving bellies ache here too;
Where is the land...
Where only happiness rules?
Why this stage? Why these garlands?
Why these crowds? Why these flags?
Tell me, my friend,
Who is here to change any of this?
Love has become like a rocking boat
Female: Where will it go searching for comfort?
Male: Trials and sorrow...
Will this life filled with suffering ever change?
Female: Love has become like a rocking boat
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aadidum Odamaai from Suvarilladha Chithirangal (1979) is a philosophical and melancholic song that reflects on life's instability and continuous trials. By comparing love and human existence to a fragile boat rocking unstably in deep waters, the song captures the helplessness of individuals searching for peace amid endless sorrow and hardships. The lyricist frames human destiny as a riddle crafted by the Divine to which no one holds the answers. Furthermore, the song addresses broader socioeconomic contrasts and existential disillusionment. It points out the irony of abundance in nature (the flowing Ganges) existing alongside human suffering (hunger) and questions the empty grandiosity of public life, stages, and political rhetoric. Ultimately, it delivers a poignant plea questioning who truly holds the power to relieve humanity's suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aadidum odamaai aanadhae kaadhalae

Comparing love to a swaying boat (Aadidum odamaai) visually captures emotional turmoil and instability.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Silar kadhai sirukadhai / Palar kadhai thodarkadhai / Iraivanin vidukadhai

Repetition of the word 'kadhai' at the end of consecutive lines creates a poetic, rhythmic cadence.

Rhetorical Question

Vidaigalai yaarae kooruvaar

Asking 'Who will give the answers?' highlights the existential despair and unanswerable nature of life's troubles.

Did you know?

Trivia

Suvarilladha Chithirangal (1979) marked the directorial debut of renowned filmmaker-actor K. Bhagyaraj. The film's musical score was composed by Gangai Amaran, featuring lyrics written by Muthulingam.

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