- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janani
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Movie name
- Onbadhu Roobai Nottu
- Movie release year
- 2007
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Mar 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from the film 'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' is a soulful reflection on the egalitarian nature of Mother Earth, the value of hard work, and the rooted beauty of village life. It contrasts human greed and selfishness with nature's unconditional generosity. While humans may discriminate and say 'no', nature provides sun, wind, rain, and soil equally to everyone regardless of social status. The lyrics advise resilience in the face of harsh realities and deceptive people. Just as a thorny forest also harbors healing medicinal herbs, even in a world filled with betrayal, goodness still thrives. It urges people not to abandon their native land out of desperation, but to live joyfully, laugh heartily, work hard, share their food with others (Paguthoondu), and cherish human connections beyond boundaries.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Engalukkum veyiladikkum / Engalukkum kaaththadikkum”
The second letter 'nga' matches in consecutive lines, establishing a rhythmic beat typical of Tamil folk poetic structure.
Monai (First Letter Alliteration)
“Kaaraan mul irukkum / Karuvelan maram irukkum”
The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' at the beginning of adjacent lines creates a pleasant verbal flow.
Simile (Upamai Ani)
“Nambi kazhutharukkum / Nari pola gunam irukkum”
The deceitful nature of treacherous human beings is explicitly compared to a sly fox ('Nari pola').
Personification / Rhetorical Question
“Illaennu sollalaam saami / Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomi”
Mother Earth (Bhoomi) is personified as a benevolent mother who never denies sustenance to anyone, unlike human masters (Saami).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' (2007) is a acclaimed Tamil drama film directed by Thangar Bachan, based on his own novel of the same name. The movie stars Sathyaraj and Archana in leading roles. The lyrics penned by Vairamuthu evoke traditional Tamil rural philosophy, emphasizing the ancient Sangam moral precept of sharing food with others ('Paguthoondu vaazhdhal'). The film's musical score was composed by Bharathwaj.
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