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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalam Oda

From Dhonima · 2024

Lyricist
S. Gnanakaravel
Singer
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Music director
EJ Johnson
Movie name
Dhonima
Movie release year
2024
Lyrics added on
15 Aug 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaalam oda kaal rendum thevai illai
Kanavu kaana kan rendu thevai illai
Sogusa vaazha paisave thevai illai
Purunja thuyar illai
Veethigalai veedana sanam
Saakadaiyai murai vaasal pannum thinam
Vaazhkai murai alukana pothum
Manasu alukku ilaiye
Aadamparam thotrathil illa
Vaazhugira aalunga manasula
Paari vallal ellarum inge kaatum paasathula
Vellenthiya vaalum kootam
Veruppugalai pakka mudiyathe
Kasappu irunthum vaazhkai thena inithidume
Aduthavana kavukkum aasa
Kadugalavu kooda kedaiyathu
Vilunthavarai thola thanthu thooki vidume
Kuyil koovum oligal tholainthe
Rail koova ulagam vidiyum
Vaanathin theneer virunthaai
Veetukul mazhai neer vadiyum
Vaazhvin ootathile
Ilaipaarum kaalgal ingillaiye
Thallu vandi kada kal thosa
Medhu vada kaara chatney pothume
Anju natchathira saapatu viduthiyil
Galla kaanjidume
Oru naai kuttiyum sari paathi uyir ena
Veetukula vaazhume
Intha vaazhka murai paathale pidichudum
Vaazhntha thani sugame
Kaalam oda kaal rendum thevai illai
Kanavu kaana kan rendu thevai illai
Sogusa vaazha paisave thevai illai
Purunja thuyar illai
Kaalam oda kaal rendum thevai illai
Kanavu kaana kan rendu thevai illai
Sogusa vaazha paisave thevai illai
Purunja thuyar illai
You don't need two legs for time to run,
You don't need two eyes to dream,
You don't need money to live comfortably,
If you understand this, there is no sorrow.
People who have made the streets their home,
Sweeping their doorsteps by the gutters every day,
Even if their way of living looks messy,
Their hearts are not dirty at all.
Luxury is not in outward appearance,
It lives in the hearts of the people.
Everyone here is like generous King Paari (ancient benevolent Tamil king) in the love they show.
Living as simple and innocent folk,
You cannot find any hatred here.
Despite all the bitterness, life still tastes sweet as honey.
The desire to pull someone else down
Does not exist, not even the size of a mustard seed.
They offer their shoulders and lift up anyone who falls.
With the songs of cuckoos lost,
The world wakes up to the train's whistle.
Like a tea feast sent from the sky,
Rainwater trickles inside the house.
In the race of everyday life,
There are no feet that can stop to rest here.
Soft dosa from a roadside pushcart,
With a medu vada and spicy chutney, is more than enough,
While the cash counters in five-star restaurants
Would simply run dry!
Treating even a puppy as an equal soul,
It lives right inside the house.
Just watching this way of life will make you love it,
And living it brings a joy of its own.
You don't need two legs for time to run,
You don't need two eyes to dream,
You don't need money to live comfortably,
If you understand this, there is no sorrow.
You don't need two legs for time to run,
You don't need two eyes to dream,
You don't need money to live comfortably,
If you understand this, there is no sorrow.
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This uplifting song from Dhonima (2024) portrays the vibrant, contented life of underprivileged urban dwellers living in humble conditions. Despite facing financial struggles, cramped spaces, and daily hardships, these working-class people share immense warmth, generosity, and resilience. They find luxury not in wealth or material possessions, but in simple pleasures, mutual support, and pure-hearted living. The lyricist highlights how contentment and empathy transform everyday struggles into a meaningful and joyful life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ezhugai (Rhyme / Assonance)

“Kaalam oda kaal rendum thevai illai / Kanavu kaana kan rendu thevai illai”

Repetition of second letter matching sound across lines, such as Kaalam / Kanavu / Sogusa in initial lines or Veethigalai / Saakadaiyai.

Metaphor

“Vaanathin theneer virunthaai / Veetukul mazhai neer vadiyum”

Comparing life's simple rainfall leaking into poor homes to a sky-served tea treat ('Vaanathin theneer virunthaai').

Simile / Hyperbole

“Paari vallal ellarum inge kaatum paasathula”

Comparing the generosity of ordinary poor people to the legendary king Paari Vallal.

Antithesis (Muran)

“Kasappu irunthum vaazhkai thena inithidume”

Juxtaposition of bitterness ('Kasappu') with sweetness ('thena inithidume') to show happiness amidst hardship.

Did you know?

Trivia

Dhonima is a 2024 Tamil emotional drama film directed by Jagadeesan Subu, featuring Kaali Venkat and Roshini in lead roles. Sung by actor-composer G.V. Prakash Kumar with music composed by EJ Johnson, this song captures the heart and soul of Chennai's working-class neighborhoods.

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