Kaalam Seidha Komalithanatthil
From Padithal Mattum Podhuma · 1962
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. B. Sreenivas, A. L. Raghavan, G. K. Venkatesh
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Padithal Mattum Podhuma1962
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
| Male | |
| Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil | In the clownish play performed by Time, |
| Ulagam poranthathu | The world was born. |
| Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil | Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world, |
| Ullam piranthathu | The human heart was born. |
| Chorus | |
| Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil | In the clownish play performed by Time, |
| Ulagam poranthathu | The world was born. |
| Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil | Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world, |
| Ullam piranthathu | The human heart was born. |
| Male | |
| Ullam seidha komaali thanathil | In the clownish play performed by the heart, |
| Kaadhal poranthathu | Love was born. |
| Ullam seidha komaali thanathil | In the clownish play performed by the heart, |
| Kaadhal poranthathu | Love was born. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal seidha komaali thanathil | In the clownish play performed by Love, |
| Jodi sernthathu | A couple came together. |
| Chorus :Aiyaa jodi sernthathu | Chorus: Ah, a couple came together! |
| Chorus | |
| Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil | In the clownish play performed by Time, |
| Ulagam poranthathu | The world was born. |
| Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil | Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world, |
| Ullam piranthathu | The human heart was born. |
| Male | |
| Azhugira kootam vaazhgira idathil | In a place where a crying crowd resides, |
| Siripavan komaali | The one who laughs is considered a clown. |
| Male :Arivattra kootam arugil irundhaal | Male: If surrounded by an ignorant crowd, |
| Aringanum komaali | Even a scholar becomes a clown. |
| Male | |
| Padithathai ellam payan paduthaadhavan | The one who does not put his education to use |
| Mudhal thara komaali | Is a first-class clown. |
| Male :Romba padithavan pola nadipavan | Male: The one who pretends to be highly educated |
| Ulagil ennalum komaali | Is forever a clown in this world. |
| Chorus | |
| Ohooo…oooohoooo….. | Ohooo...oooohoooo... |
| Chorus | |
| Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil | In the clownish play performed by Time, |
| Ulagam poranthathu | The world was born. |
| Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil | Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world, |
| Ullam piranthathu | The human heart was born. |
| Chorus | |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
| Male | |
| Yudalee yudalee yudale ee dee.. | Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee.. |
| Yudalee yudalee yudale ee dee.. | Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee.. |
| Yudalee yudalee yudale ee dee.. | Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee.. |
| Male | |
| Kaasukkum panathukkum | For cash and money, |
| Aasai illamal vaazhbavan komaali | He who lives without greed is dubbed a clown. |
| Male :Varungaalathai kaiyil pidithu | Male: Without taking hold of his future, |
| Kollamal alaibavan komaali | He who wanders aimlessly is a clown. |
| Male | |
| {Aasai illamal thirumanam seidhu | He who marries without true desire |
| Thudipavan komaali} (2) | And suffers in agony is a clown (x2). |
| Male :{Dhinam adukadukaaga pillaigal | Male: He who endlessly produces child after child |
| Perubavan ennalum komaali} (2) | Is forever a clown (x2). |
| Chorus | |
| Ohooo…oooohoooo….. | Ohooo...oooohoooo... |
| Chorus | |
| Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil | In the clownish play performed by Time, |
| Ulagam poranthathu | The world was born. |
| Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil | Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world, |
| Ullam piranthathu | The human heart was born. |
| Chorus | |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
| Komaali komaali komaali | Clown, clown, clown |
கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி
Clown, clown, clown
Clown, clown, clown
Clown, clown, clown
காலம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உலகம் பொறந்தது
ஐயா உலகம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உள்ளம் பிறந்தது
In the clownish play performed by Time,
The world was born.
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
The human heart was born.
காலம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உலகம் பொறந்தது
ஐயா உலகம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உள்ளம் பிறந்தது
In the clownish play performed by Time,
The world was born.
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
The human heart was born.
உள்ளம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில் காதல்
பொறந்தது உள்ளம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில் காதல்
பொறந்தது
In the clownish play performed by the heart,
Love was born.
In the clownish play performed by the heart,
Love was born.
காதல் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
ஜோடி சேர்ந்தது
குழு :
ஐயா ஜோடி
சேர்ந்தது
In the clownish play performed by Love,
A couple came together.
Chorus: Ah, a couple came together!
காலம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உலகம் பொறந்தது
ஐயா உலகம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உள்ளம் பிறந்தது
In the clownish play performed by Time,
The world was born.
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
The human heart was born.
அழுகிற கூட்டம்
வாழ்கிற இடத்தில்
சிரிப்பவன் கோமாளி
அறிவற்ற கூட்டம்
அருகில் இருந்தால்
அறிஞனும் கோமாளி
In a place where a crying crowd resides,
The one who laughs is considered a clown.
Male: If surrounded by an ignorant crowd,
Even a scholar becomes a clown.
படித்ததை எல்லாம்
பயன் படுத்தாதவன் முதல்
தர கோமாளி
ரொம்ப படித்தவன்
போல நடிப்பவன் உலகில்
எந்நாளும் கோமாளி
The one who does not put his education to use
Is a first-class clown.
Male: The one who pretends to be highly educated
Is forever a clown in this world.
ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஓஹோ
Ohooo...oooohoooo...
காலம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உலகம் பொறந்தது
ஐயா உலகம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உள்ளம் பிறந்தது
In the clownish play performed by Time,
The world was born.
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
The human heart was born.
கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி
Clown, clown, clown
Clown, clown, clown
Clown, clown, clown
யுடலீ யுடலீ யுடலே
ஈ டீ யுடலீ யுடலீ யுடலே ஈ
டீ யுடலீ யுடலீ யுடலே ஈ டீ
Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee..
Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee..
Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee..
காசுக்கும் பணத்துக்கும்
ஆசை இல்லாமல் வாழ்பவன்
கோமாளி
வருங்காலத்தை
கையில் பிடித்து கொள்ளாமல்
அலைபவன் கோமாளி
For cash and money,
He who lives without greed is dubbed a clown.
Male: Without taking hold of his future,
He who wanders aimlessly is a clown.
{ ஆசை இல்லாமல்
திருமணம் செய்து துடிப்பவன்
கோமாளி } (2)
{ தினம் அடுக்கடுக்காக
பிள்ளைகள் பெறுபவன்
எந்நாளும் கோமாளி } (2)
He who marries without true desire
And suffers in agony is a clown (x2).
Male: He who endlessly produces child after child
Is forever a clown (x2).
ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஓஹோ
Ohooo...oooohoooo...
காலம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உலகம் பொறந்தது
ஐயா உலகம் செய்த
கோமாளி தனத்தில்
உள்ளம் பிறந்தது
In the clownish play performed by Time,
The world was born.
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
The human heart was born.
கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி கோமாளி கோமாளி
கோமாளி
Clown, clown, clown
Clown, clown, clown
Clown, clown, clown
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil
In the clownish play performed by Time,
Ulagam poranthathu
The world was born.
Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
Ullam piranthathu
The human heart was born.
Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil
In the clownish play performed by Time,
Ulagam poranthathu
The world was born.
Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
Ullam piranthathu
The human heart was born.
Ullam seidha komaali thanathil
In the clownish play performed by the heart,
Kaadhal poranthathu
Love was born.
Ullam seidha komaali thanathil
In the clownish play performed by the heart,
Kaadhal poranthathu
Love was born.
Kaadhal seidha komaali thanathil
In the clownish play performed by Love,
Jodi sernthathu
A couple came together.
Chorus :Aiyaa jodi sernthathu
Chorus: Ah, a couple came together!
Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil
In the clownish play performed by Time,
Ulagam poranthathu
The world was born.
Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
Ullam piranthathu
The human heart was born.
Azhugira kootam vaazhgira idathil
In a place where a crying crowd resides,
Siripavan komaali
The one who laughs is considered a clown.
Male :Arivattra kootam arugil irundhaal
Male: If surrounded by an ignorant crowd,
Aringanum komaali
Even a scholar becomes a clown.
Padithathai ellam payan paduthaadhavan
The one who does not put his education to use
Mudhal thara komaali
Is a first-class clown.
Male :Romba padithavan pola nadipavan
Male: The one who pretends to be highly educated
Ulagil ennalum komaali
Is forever a clown in this world.
Ohooo…oooohoooo…..
Ohooo...oooohoooo...
Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil
In the clownish play performed by Time,
Ulagam poranthathu
The world was born.
Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
Ullam piranthathu
The human heart was born.
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Yudalee yudalee yudale ee dee..
Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee..
Yudalee yudalee yudale ee dee..
Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee..
Yudalee yudalee yudale ee dee..
Yodel-ee yodel-ee yodel-ee dee..
Kaasukkum panathukkum
For cash and money,
Aasai illamal vaazhbavan komaali
He who lives without greed is dubbed a clown.
Male :Varungaalathai kaiyil pidithu
Male: Without taking hold of his future,
Kollamal alaibavan komaali
He who wanders aimlessly is a clown.
{Aasai illamal thirumanam seidhu
He who marries without true desire
Thudipavan komaali} (2)
And suffers in agony is a clown (x2).
Male :{Dhinam adukadukaaga pillaigal
Male: He who endlessly produces child after child
Perubavan ennalum komaali} (2)
Is forever a clown (x2).
Ohooo…oooohoooo…..
Ohooo...oooohoooo...
Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil
In the clownish play performed by Time,
Ulagam poranthathu
The world was born.
Aiyaa ulagam seidha komaali thanathil
Ah, in the clownish play performed by the world,
Ullam piranthathu
The human heart was born.
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Komaali komaali komaali
Clown, clown, clown
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song presents a philosophical satire on human existence and societal hypocrisies using the metaphor of a clown ('Komaali'). Kannadasan traces the cosmic evolution of foolishness, illustrating how Time created the world, the world gave rise to the heart, the heart gave birth to love, and love brought couples together—all through foolish or playful caprices. It reflects on how society mislabels true wisdom, contentment, and detachment as folly while accepting pretense and ignorance as social norms.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Komaali komaali komaali”
The word 'Komaali' is rhythmically repeated at the beginning and end of stanzas to emphasize the core satirical motif.
Chain Metaphor (Anadiplosis)
“Kaalm seidha komaali thanathil... Ulagam poranthathu... Ulagam seidha komaali thanathil... Ullam piranthathu”
Each line builds on the last word/concept of the previous line (Time -> World -> Heart -> Love -> Couple), creating a cause-and-effect chain of existential irony.
Irony / Paradox
“Kaasukkum panathukkum aasai illamal vaazhbavan komaali”
The lyrics contrast societal perception with genuine reality, showing how a wise man among fools or a person detached from money is unfairly branded a clown.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Padithal Mattum Podhuma' (1962), starring Sivaji Ganesan and M. R. Radha, features music composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. This song stands out as a unique philosophical cabaret-style track sung by A. L. Raghavan and T. M. Soundararajan, featuring Western-style yodeling.
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