Ithu Kuzhanthai Paadum
From Oru Thalai Ragam · 1980
- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singer
- Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Details
- Oru Thalai Ragam1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam | This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night. |
| Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam | This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river. |
| Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam | This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night. |
| Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam | This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river. |
| Idhu nadhiyillaatha odam | This is a boat stranded without a river. |
| Male | |
| Nadai marantha kaalgal thannil thadayaththai paarkkiraen | I look for footprints left by feet that have forgotten how to walk. |
| Vadam izhantha therathu ondrai naalthorum izhukkiraen | Every day, I pull a temple chariot that has lost its pulling rope. |
| Siragizhantha paravai ondrai vaanaththil paarkkiraen | I gaze at a wingless bird trying to fly in the sky. |
| Siragizhantha paravai ondrai vaanaththil paarkkiraen | I gaze at a wingless bird trying to fly in the sky. |
| Uravuraatha pennai ennai naalellaam vaazhgiraen | Thinking of a woman who has no relationship with me, I spend my entire day. |
| Male | |
| Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam | This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night. |
| Male | |
| Verum naaril karam kondu poo maalai thodukkiraen | With bare hands, I try to weave a flower garland using plain fiber. |
| Verum kaattril uli kondu silai ondrai vadikkiraen | Using a chisel on thin air, I try to sculpt a statue. |
| Vidinthu vitta pozhuthil kooda vinnmeenai paarkkiraen | Even after the day has fully dawned, I search for stars in the sky. |
| Vidinthu vitta pozhuthil kooda vinnmeenai paarkkiraen | Even after the day has fully dawned, I search for stars in the sky. |
| Viruppamillaa pennai ennai ulagai naan verukkiraen | Loving a woman who has no desire for me, I despise this entire world. |
| Male | |
| Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam | This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night. |
| Male | |
| Ulamarintha pinthaano avalai naan ninaiththathu | Did I yearn for her only after understanding her true inner heart? |
| Uravuruvaal enathaanae manathai naan koduththathu | Thinking she would form a bond with me, I gave away my heart. |
| Uyirizhantha karuvai kondu kavithai naan vadippathu | Using a lifeless fetus as my motif, I compose poetry. |
| Uyirizhantha karuvai kondu kavithai naan vadippathu | Using a lifeless fetus as my motif, I compose poetry. |
| Oru thalaiyaai kadhalilae eththanai naal vaazhvathu | How many days can one live in unrequited, one-sided love? |
| Male | |
| Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam | This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night. |
| Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam | This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river. |
| Idhu nadhiyillaatha odam | This is a boat stranded without a river. |
இது குழந்தை பாடும் தாலாட்டு இது இரவு நேர பூபாளம்
இது மேற்கில் தோன்றும் உதயம் இது நதியில்லாத ஓடம்
இது குழந்தை பாடும் தாலாட்டு இது இரவு நேர பூபாளம்
இது மேற்கில் தோன்றும் உதயம் இது நதியில்லாத ஓடம்
இது நதியில்லாத ஓடம்
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river.
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river.
This is a boat stranded without a river.
நடை மறந்த கால்கள் தன்னில் தடயத்தை பார்க்கிறேன்
வடம் இழந்த தேரது ஒன்றை நாள்தோரும் இழுக்கிறேன்
சிறகிழந்த பறவை ஒன்றை வானத்தில் பார்க்கிறேன்
சிறகிழந்த பறவை ஒன்றை வானத்தில் பார்க்கிறேன்
உறவுராத பெண்ணை எண்ணி நாளெல்லாம் வாழ்கிறேன்
I look for footprints left by feet that have forgotten how to walk.
Every day, I pull a temple chariot that has lost its pulling rope.
I gaze at a wingless bird trying to fly in the sky.
I gaze at a wingless bird trying to fly in the sky.
Thinking of a woman who has no relationship with me, I spend my entire day.
இது குழந்தை பாடும் தாலாட்டு இது இரவு நேர பூபாளம்
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
வெறும் நாரில் கரம் கொண்டு பூ மாலை தொடுக்கிறேன்
வெறும் காற்றில் உளி கொண்டு சிலை ஒன்றை வடிக்கிறேன்
விடிந்து விட்ட பொழுதில் கூட விண்மீனை பார்க்கிறேன்
விடிந்து விட்ட பொழுதில் கூட விண்மீனை பார்க்கிறேன்
விருப்பமில்லா பெண்ணை எண்ணி உலகை நான் வெறுக்கிறேன்
With bare hands, I try to weave a flower garland using plain fiber.
Using a chisel on thin air, I try to sculpt a statue.
Even after the day has fully dawned, I search for stars in the sky.
Even after the day has fully dawned, I search for stars in the sky.
Loving a woman who has no desire for me, I despise this entire world.
இது குழந்தை பாடும் தாலாட்டு இது இரவு நேர பூபாளம்
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
உளமறிந்த பின்தானோ அவளை நான் நினைத்தது
உறவுருவாள் எனதானே மனதை நான் கொடுத்தது
உயிரிழந்த கருவை கொண்டு கவிதை நான் வடிப்பது
உயிரிழந்த கருவை கொண்டு கவிதை நான் வடிப்பது
ஒரு தலையாய் காதலிலே எத்தனை நாள் வாழ்வது
Did I yearn for her only after understanding her true inner heart?
Thinking she would form a bond with me, I gave away my heart.
Using a lifeless fetus as my motif, I compose poetry.
Using a lifeless fetus as my motif, I compose poetry.
How many days can one live in unrequited, one-sided love?
இது குழந்தை பாடும் தாலாட்டு இது இரவு நேர பூபாளம்
இது மேற்கில் தோன்றும் உதயம் இது நதியில்லாத ஓடம்
இது நதியில்லாத ஓடம்
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river.
This is a boat stranded without a river.
Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam
This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river.
Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam
This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river.
Idhu nadhiyillaatha odam
This is a boat stranded without a river.
Nadai marantha kaalgal thannil thadayaththai paarkkiraen
I look for footprints left by feet that have forgotten how to walk.
Vadam izhantha therathu ondrai naalthorum izhukkiraen
Every day, I pull a temple chariot that has lost its pulling rope.
Siragizhantha paravai ondrai vaanaththil paarkkiraen
I gaze at a wingless bird trying to fly in the sky.
Siragizhantha paravai ondrai vaanaththil paarkkiraen
I gaze at a wingless bird trying to fly in the sky.
Uravuraatha pennai ennai naalellaam vaazhgiraen
Thinking of a woman who has no relationship with me, I spend my entire day.
Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
Verum naaril karam kondu poo maalai thodukkiraen
With bare hands, I try to weave a flower garland using plain fiber.
Verum kaattril uli kondu silai ondrai vadikkiraen
Using a chisel on thin air, I try to sculpt a statue.
Vidinthu vitta pozhuthil kooda vinnmeenai paarkkiraen
Even after the day has fully dawned, I search for stars in the sky.
Vidinthu vitta pozhuthil kooda vinnmeenai paarkkiraen
Even after the day has fully dawned, I search for stars in the sky.
Viruppamillaa pennai ennai ulagai naan verukkiraen
Loving a woman who has no desire for me, I despise this entire world.
Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
Ulamarintha pinthaano avalai naan ninaiththathu
Did I yearn for her only after understanding her true inner heart?
Uravuruvaal enathaanae manathai naan koduththathu
Thinking she would form a bond with me, I gave away my heart.
Uyirizhantha karuvai kondu kavithai naan vadippathu
Using a lifeless fetus as my motif, I compose poetry.
Uyirizhantha karuvai kondu kavithai naan vadippathu
Using a lifeless fetus as my motif, I compose poetry.
Oru thalaiyaai kadhalilae eththanai naal vaazhvathu
How many days can one live in unrequited, one-sided love?
Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam
This is a lullaby sung by a child; this is a morning musical ragam played at night.
Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam
This is the sun rising in the west; this is a boat stranded without a river.
Idhu nadhiyillaatha odam
This is a boat stranded without a river.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Oru Thalai Ragam' explores the deep pain, futility, and existential absurdity of unrequited love. The protagonist uses a series of vivid paradoxes and oxymorons—such as a child singing a lullaby, a dawn raga played at night, the sun rising in the west, or sculpting in thin air—to express how irrational, unnatural, and hopeless his affection is, yet how helplessly he remains devoted to it. He laments the tragedy of pouring his soul into a bond that offers no reciprocity, ultimately questioning how long one can endure the agony of a one-sided romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Paradox / Oxymoron (Muran)
“Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam”
Juxtaposition of impossible and contradictory concepts like playing a morning raga (Bhoopaalam) at night or the sun rising in the west to illustrate the unnaturalness of unrequited love.
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Siragizhantha paravai ondrai vaanaththil paarkkiraen”
Comparing himself to a wingless bird or a riverless boat, signifying helplessness, aimlessness, and lack of support.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Nadai marantha kaalgal thannil... / Vadam izhantha therathu ondrai...”
The second consonant sound 'da' repeats across consecutive lines (Nadai, Vadam), creating rhythmic structure in traditional Tamil prosody.
Rhetorical Question
“Oru thalaiyaai kadhalilae eththanai naal vaazhvathu”
The speaker asks a haunting question highlighting the unbearable despair of unrequited love without expecting a real answer.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oru Thalai Ragam' (1980) was a landmark cult hit in Tamil cinema, written, composed, and co-directed by T. Rajendar in his debut. The film ran for over 365 days in theaters despite having a star cast of newcomers. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's emotional rendition of this track turned it into an enduring anthem for tragic and one-sided lovers across South India.
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