Kaali Perungaya Dappa
From Mandhira Punnagai · 1986
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Mandhira Punnagai1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
| Male | |
| Kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
| Verum kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is just an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
| Male | |
| Dhegam adhu sandhaegam | This body is full of doubt, |
| Indha kaayam adhu vengaayam | This physical frame is as trivial as an onion. |
| Ada vaazhkkai enbadhum | Ah, life as we know it, |
| Dhegam enbadhum | And this physical body, |
| Paasam enbadhum onnum illae | And affection itself—all turn out to be nothing. |
| Male | |
| Kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
| Male | |
| Odambula ratham ippo | Blood flows through the body right now, |
| Odikkittae thaan irukku | It keeps flowing continually. |
| Adhu ennaala odavilla | It is not flowing because of my will. |
| Idhayamo eppodhumae | And the heart keeps beating continuously, |
| Thudichukittae thaan irukku | It beats all the time. |
| Adhu ennaala thudikkavilla | It is not beating because of my effort. |
| Male | |
| Anbaala thudikkudhu ethana nenju | How many hearts beat because of love? |
| Aasaiyaala thavikkudhu ethana nenju | How many hearts yearn out of desire? |
| Ada adichaalum thudichaalum | Ah, no matter how much you struggle or ache, |
| Vaazhkkai enbadhu onnum illa | Life ultimately means nothing. |
| Male | |
| Kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
| Male | |
| Enakkoru boomi irukku | There is land beneath me, |
| Nadakka kedakka padukka | To walk, lie down, and sleep, |
| Adhu ellaarkkum ulladhammaa | That is available to everyone, my dear. |
| Naan oru thani maram pol | Like a solitary tree standing alone, |
| Thavichu thallaadi vizhuven | I will suffer, stumble, and fall, |
| Adhu eppodhum nadakkumammaa | That is a routine occurrence. |
| Male | |
| Pattu pogum marathil oru | Upon a dying, withered tree, |
| Poongodiya thaan | A flowering vine is allowed, |
| Padara vittu azhagu paarkkum | To creep and be admired for its beauty, |
| Paavi iraivaa | By a cruel God! |
| Ada padarugindra poongodiyum | Ah, even the creeping flowering vine, |
| Pattu pogum unmai idhu | Will eventually wither away—that is the truth. |
| Male | |
| Kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
| Male | |
| Padikkira padippu ellaam | All the academic knowledge we study, |
| Vaazhkkaikku engae udhavum | Where does it truly help in real life? |
| Appo kalviyaala enna nanma | What real good came from formal education then? |
| Kedachadhu panam mattum thaan | All that was gained was mere money. |
| Unmai kalvi idhuvaa | Is this true education? |
| Indha anubavam thaan unma | No, this lived experience is the real truth. |
| Male | |
| Doctor pattam vaangi vechen | I earned a doctor's degree, |
| Enna aanadhu | What came of it? |
| Doctor kum doctor thaedum | This body is such that even a doctor, |
| Udambu thaan idhu | Needs another doctor to cure it. |
| Ada kootta vittu pora usura | Ah, when life departs from its cage, |
| Pudichu vekka mudiyalaiyae | No one can hold onto it and keep it back. |
| Male | |
| Kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
| Dhegam adhu sandhaegam | This body is full of doubt, |
| Indha kaayam adhu vengaayam | This physical frame is as trivial as an onion. |
| Ada vaazhkkai enbadhum | Ah, life as we know it, |
| Dhegam enbadhum | And this physical body, |
| Paasam enbadhum onnum illae | And affection itself—all turn out to be nothing. |
| Male | |
| Kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
| Kaali perungaaya dappaa | It is an empty container of asafoetida, |
| Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku | Yet it still retains a strong aroma. |
காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
வெறும் காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
It is just an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
தேகம் அது சந்தேகம்
இந்த காயம் அது வெங்காயம்
அட வாழ்க்கை என்பதும்
தேகம் என்பதும்
பாசம் என்பதும் ஒன்னும் இல்ல
This body is full of doubt,
This physical frame is as trivial as an onion.
Ah, life as we know it,
And this physical body,
And affection itself—all turn out to be nothing.
காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
ஒடம்புல ரத்தம் இப்போ
ஓடிகிட்டேய்தான் இருக்கு
அது என்னால ஓடவில்ல
இதயமோ எப்போதுமே
துடிச்சுகிட்டேய்தான் இருக்கு
அது என்னால துடிக்கவில்ல
Blood flows through the body right now,
It keeps flowing continually.
It is not flowing because of my will.
And the heart keeps beating continuously,
It beats all the time.
It is not beating because of my effort.
அன்பால துடிக்கிது எத்தனை நெஞ்சு
ஆசையால தவிக்குது எத்தனை நெஞ்சு
அட அடிச்சாலும் துடிச்சாலும்
வாழ்க்கை என்பது ஒன்னும் இல்ல
How many hearts beat because of love?
How many hearts yearn out of desire?
Ah, no matter how much you struggle or ache,
Life ultimately means nothing.
காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
எனக்கொரு பூமி இருக்கு
நடக்க கெடக்க படுக்க
அது எல்லாருக்கும் உள்ளதம்மா
நான் ஒரு தனி மரம் போல்
தவிச்சி தள்ளாடி விழுவேன்
அது எப்போதும் நடக்கும்மம்மா
There is land beneath me,
To walk, lie down, and sleep,
That is available to everyone, my dear.
Like a solitary tree standing alone,
I will suffer, stumble, and fall,
That is a routine occurrence.
பட்டு போகும் மரத்தில் ஒரு
பூன்கொடியதான்
படர விட்ட அழகு பார்க்கும்
பாவி இறைவா
அட படர்கின்ற பூங்கொடியும்
பட்டு போகும் உண்மை இது
Upon a dying, withered tree,
A flowering vine is allowed,
To creep and be admired for its beauty,
By a cruel God!
Ah, even the creeping flowering vine,
Will eventually wither away—that is the truth.
காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
படிக்கிற படிப்பு எல்லாம்
வாழ்க்கைக்கு எங்கே உதவும்
அப்போ கல்வியால என்ன நன்மை
கெடைச்சது பணம் மட்டும்தான்
உண்மை கல்வி இதுவா
இந்த அனுபவம்தான் உண்மை
All the academic knowledge we study,
Where does it truly help in real life?
What real good came from formal education then?
All that was gained was mere money.
Is this true education?
No, this lived experience is the real truth.
டாக்டர் பட்டம் வாங்கி வச்சேன்
என்ன ஆனது
டாக்டர்க்கும் டாக்டர் தேடலும்
உடம்புதான் இது
அட கூட்ட விட்டு போற உசுர
புடிச்சி வைக்க முடியலையே
I earned a doctor's degree,
What came of it?
This body is such that even a doctor,
Needs another doctor to cure it.
Ah, when life departs from its cage,
No one can hold onto it and keep it back.
காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
This body is full of doubt,
This physical frame is as trivial as an onion.
Ah, life as we know it,
And this physical body,
And affection itself—all turn out to be nothing.
தேகம் அது சந்தேகம்
இந்த காயம் அது வெங்காயம்
அட வாழ்க்கை என்பதும்
தேகம் என்பதும்
பாசம் என்பதும் ஒன்னும் இல்லே
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
காலி பெருங்காய டப்பா
அதுல வாசனை பலமாதான் இருக்கு
Kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Verum kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is just an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Dhegam adhu sandhaegam
This body is full of doubt,
Indha kaayam adhu vengaayam
This physical frame is as trivial as an onion.
Ada vaazhkkai enbadhum
Ah, life as we know it,
Dhegam enbadhum
And this physical body,
Paasam enbadhum onnum illae
And affection itself—all turn out to be nothing.
Kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Odambula ratham ippo
Blood flows through the body right now,
Odikkittae thaan irukku
It keeps flowing continually.
Adhu ennaala odavilla
It is not flowing because of my will.
Idhayamo eppodhumae
And the heart keeps beating continuously,
Thudichukittae thaan irukku
It beats all the time.
Adhu ennaala thudikkavilla
It is not beating because of my effort.
Anbaala thudikkudhu ethana nenju
How many hearts beat because of love?
Aasaiyaala thavikkudhu ethana nenju
How many hearts yearn out of desire?
Ada adichaalum thudichaalum
Ah, no matter how much you struggle or ache,
Vaazhkkai enbadhu onnum illa
Life ultimately means nothing.
Kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Enakkoru boomi irukku
There is land beneath me,
Nadakka kedakka padukka
To walk, lie down, and sleep,
Adhu ellaarkkum ulladhammaa
That is available to everyone, my dear.
Naan oru thani maram pol
Like a solitary tree standing alone,
Thavichu thallaadi vizhuven
I will suffer, stumble, and fall,
Adhu eppodhum nadakkumammaa
That is a routine occurrence.
Pattu pogum marathil oru
Upon a dying, withered tree,
Poongodiya thaan
A flowering vine is allowed,
Padara vittu azhagu paarkkum
To creep and be admired for its beauty,
Paavi iraivaa
By a cruel God!
Ada padarugindra poongodiyum
Ah, even the creeping flowering vine,
Pattu pogum unmai idhu
Will eventually wither away—that is the truth.
Kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Padikkira padippu ellaam
All the academic knowledge we study,
Vaazhkkaikku engae udhavum
Where does it truly help in real life?
Appo kalviyaala enna nanma
What real good came from formal education then?
Kedachadhu panam mattum thaan
All that was gained was mere money.
Unmai kalvi idhuvaa
Is this true education?
Indha anubavam thaan unma
No, this lived experience is the real truth.
Doctor pattam vaangi vechen
I earned a doctor's degree,
Enna aanadhu
What came of it?
Doctor kum doctor thaedum
This body is such that even a doctor,
Udambu thaan idhu
Needs another doctor to cure it.
Ada kootta vittu pora usura
Ah, when life departs from its cage,
Pudichu vekka mudiyalaiyae
No one can hold onto it and keep it back.
Kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Dhegam adhu sandhaegam
This body is full of doubt,
Indha kaayam adhu vengaayam
This physical frame is as trivial as an onion.
Ada vaazhkkai enbadhum
Ah, life as we know it,
Dhegam enbadhum
And this physical body,
Paasam enbadhum onnum illae
And affection itself—all turn out to be nothing.
Kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Kaali perungaaya dappaa
It is an empty container of asafoetida,
Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku
Yet it still retains a strong aroma.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song uses philosophical imagery rooted in Siddhar philosophy to ponder the ephemeral nature of life, human relationships, and physical existence. The recurring metaphor of the 'empty asafoetida box' (Kaali perungaaya dappaa) symbolizes how human life retains the lingering residual scent of worldly ties and ego even after its core substance or vitality is gone. The lyrics stress that human effort does not control involuntary biological processes like heartbeats or blood circulation, underscoring human helplessness before nature and fate.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uvamaanam)
“Kaali perungaaya dappaa / Adhula vaasana balamaa thaan irukku”
Comparing human life/body to an empty asafoetida box that retains smell despite being empty.
Rhyme / Assonance (Edhukai & Mouna)
“Dhegam adhu sandhaegam / Indha kaayam adhu vengaayam”
Use of internal rhyming and rhythmic pairing of Tamil words like Dhegam (body) and Sandhaegam (doubt), and Kaayam (body) and Vengaayam (onion).
Simile (Uvamai)
“Naan oru thani maram pol / Thavichu thallaadi vizhuven”
Comparing oneself to a lonely tree standing vulnerable in the open ('thani maram pol').
Did you know?
Trivia
The metaphor 'Kaali perungaaya dappaa' (an empty asafoetida container) is a classical Tamil proverb frequently used in Siddhar poetry and philosophical discourses to describe someone or something that retains prestige, memory, or arrogance long after the actual power or value has faded.
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