Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaathoda Pogum Karai

From Ondru Engal Jadhiye · 1987

Lyricist
Thirupathooran
Singer
Mano
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Ondru Engal Jadhiye1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odamA boat drifting with the wind searches for a shore.
Yaarodu thaan sogam koorumWith whom can it share its profound sorrow?
Yaar kettuthaan enna aagumEven if someone listens, what will change?
En thanga vaazhkai vaadum poovaachuMy golden life has become a withered flower.
En swaamithaan enga pochuWhere has my lord gone?
Male
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odamA boat drifting with the wind searches for a shore.
Male
Therodu vandha thirunaal ninnu pochuThe grand festival day that arrived with a chariot has halted.
Oor paarthu sirikkum nelama ingu aachuA situation has arisen where the town looks and laughs.
Pennoda aasa mannodu pochuA woman's desires have turned into dust.
Ennodu aasa veenaagi pochuMy own desires have all gone to waste.
Poovae unna naan thaan manam maarida viduvenaOh dear flower, will I ever let your mind change?
Male
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odamA boat drifting with the wind searches for a shore.
Yaarodu thaan sogam koorumWith whom can it share its profound sorrow?
Yaar kettuthaan enna aagumEven if someone listens, what will change?
En thanga vaazhkai vaadum poovaachuMy golden life has become a withered flower.
En swaamithaan enga pochuWhere has my lord gone?
Male
Pallatha thedi thanneer ingu oodumWater flows here in search of a low ground.
Paasatha thedi kanneer vandhu koodumTears gather here in search of true affection.
Kaalatha maathi karai serppen maanaeI will change time and guide you safely to the shore, my dear.
Kann pola unna kappenae naanaeI will guard you like my very own eyes.
Thaeril unna yethi manakkolam paarthu sirippenI will seat you on a chariot, watch your wedding attire, and smile.
Male
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odamA boat drifting with the wind searches for a shore.
Yaarodu thaan sogam koorumWith whom can it share its profound sorrow?
Yaar kettuthaan enna aagumEven if someone listens, what will change?
En thanga vaazhkai vaadum poovaachuMy golden life has become a withered flower.
En swaamithaan engae pochuWhere has my lord gone?
Kaathoda pogum karai thedum odam…mm ..mm..mm..mm..A boat drifting with the wind searches for a shore... mm.. mm.. mm.. mm..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

More from Ondru Engal Jadhiye