- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Movie name
- Onbadhu Roobai Nottu
- Movie release year
- 2007
- Lyrics added on
- 31 Mar 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This uplifting philosophical song celebrates resilience, communal harmony, and the unwavering bounty of nature. It asserts that nature's blessings—sun, wind, and rain—are available equally to everyone regardless of human greed or prejudice. While human society may contain deceit, hostility, and betrayal, the lyricist reminds us that medicinal herbs grow alongside thorns, and good human beings still exist among the bad. The song strongly urges individuals not to abandon their roots or homeland out of despair, encouraging a life filled with honest hard work, laughter, and sharing with others.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kaaraan mul irukkum / Karuvelan maram irukkum”
The second consonant 'raa' in Kaaraan rhymes with 'ru' in Karuvelan across consecutive lines.
Simile (Upamai)
“Nari pola gunam irukkum”
Compares deceitful human behavior directly to the cunning nature of a fox using 'pola'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thaai pola oorum undu”
Compares the motherly warmth and protection offered by one's native village to a mother.
Muran (Contrast)
“Illaennu sollalaam saami / Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomi”
Contrasts human stinginess ("man saying no") with Mother Earth's boundless generosity ("earth never saying no").
Did you know?
Trivia
'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' (2007) was written and directed by legendary director Thangar Bachan based on his own acclaimed novel of the same title. The soundtrack was composed by Bharathwaj, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu capturing rural Tamil life and values.
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