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Ondru Engal Jadhiye album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kaathoda Pogum Karai

From Ondru Engal Jadhiye · 1987

Lyricist
Thirupathooran
Singer
Mano
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Ondru Engal Jadhiye
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
25 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odam
Yaarodu thaan sogam koorum
Yaar kettuthaan enna aagum
En thanga vaazhkai vaadum poovaachu
En swaamithaan enga pochu
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odam
Therodu vandha thirunaal ninnu pochu
Oor paarthu sirikkum nelama ingu aachu
Pennoda aasa mannodu pochu
Ennodu aasa veenaagi pochu
Poovae unna naan thaan manam maarida viduvena
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odam
Yaarodu thaan sogam koorum
Yaar kettuthaan enna aagum
En thanga vaazhkai vaadum poovaachu
En swaamithaan enga pochu
Pallatha thedi thanneer ingu oodum
Paasatha thedi kanneer vandhu koodum
Kaalatha maathi karai serppen maanae
Kann pola unna kappenae naanae
Thaeril unna yethi manakkolam paarthu sirippen
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odam
Yaarodu thaan sogam koorum
Yaar kettuthaan enna aagum
En thanga vaazhkai vaadum poovaachu
En swaamithaan engae pochu
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odam…mm ..mm..mm..mm..
A boat drifts with the wind, searching for a shore.
With whom can it share its sorrow?
Even if someone listens, what will change?
A precious golden life has withered like a flower.
Where has my God gone?
A boat drifts with the wind, searching for a shore.
The chariot festival has come to a sudden halt.
Now the whole town looks on and laughs at this plight.
A young woman's dreams have turned to dust.
All the hopes I cherished have gone to waste.
Oh little flower, will I ever let you lose heart?
A boat drifts with the wind, searching for a shore.
With whom can it share its sorrow?
Even if someone listens, what will change?
A precious golden life has withered like a flower.
Where has my God gone?
Water flows downward seeking the low ground.
Seeking tender affection, tears gather and flow.
I will change the times and guide you safely to shore, my dear.
I will protect you as dearly as my own eyes.
I will place you on a chariot, watch you as a bride, and smile with joy.
A boat drifts with the wind, searching for a shore.
With whom can it share its sorrow?
Even if someone listens, what will change?
A precious golden life has withered like a flower.
Where has my God gone?
A boat drifts with the wind, searching for a shore... mm... mm... mm... mm...
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Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This sorrowful song expresses helplessness, social mockery, and resilient affection. The protagonist compares a life thrown off course to a lost boat drifting aimlessly along the wind, searching desperately for a shore. They lament how a promised bright future turned to grief, exposing them to public ridicule while their dreams turned to ash. Despite the heavy burden of heartbreak, the protagonist resolves to defy bad times, protect their beloved like their own eyes, and lead them to happiness and honor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odam

Compares a helpless, grief-stricken life to a boat drifting aimlessly in the wind looking for a shore.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

En thanga vaazhkai vaadum poovaachu

Compares a precious, high-value life ('thanga vaazhkai') to a withered flower ('vaadum poo').

Second-Letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Pennoda aasa mannodu pochu / Ennodu aasa veenaagi pochu

The second consonant sound 'nn' repeats across lines ('Pennoda', 'mannodu', 'Ennodu') creating harmonic rhythmic resonance.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kann pola unna kappenae naanae

Directly compares the protective care of the beloved to the natural instinct of guarding one's own eyes ('Kann pola').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Ondru Engal Jadhiye' (1987) features music composed by Gangai Amaran with lyrics written by Thirupathooran. Singer Mano delivered a tender emotional vocal performance in this track, which stands out as a hidden gem from late-1980s Tamil cinema melody compositions.

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