Kadavul Oru Naal
From Shanthi Nilayam · 1969
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Shanthi Nilayam1969
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kadavul oru naal | One day God |
| Ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam | Came alone to see the world, it is said |
| Kannil kanda manidharai ellaam | To every human He saw |
| Nalamaa endraaraam | He asked, "Are you doing well?" |
| Chorus | |
| Kadavul oru naal | One day God |
| Ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam | Came alone to see the world, it is said |
| Kannil kanda manidharai ellaam | To every human He saw |
| Nalamaa endraaraam | He asked, "Are you doing well?" |
| Female | |
| Oru manidhan | One human |
| Vaazhvai inimai endraan | Said life was sweet |
| Oru manidhan adhuvae | Another human |
| Kodumai endraan | Said life was cruel |
| Padaithavano udanae sirithu vittaan | The Creator immediately laughed |
| Female | |
| La la lalla lallaa | La la lalla lallaa |
| Chorus | |
| La la lalla lallaa | La la lalla lallaa |
| Female | |
| Oh ho oh ho oh | Oh ho oh ho oh |
| Chorus | |
| La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa |
| La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa |
| La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa |
| La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa |
| Female | |
| GaChorus: Ga | Ga (Chorus: Ga) |
| Female :MaChorus :Ma | Female : Ma (Chorus: Ma) |
| Female :PaChorus :Pa | Female : Pa (Chorus: Pa) |
| Female :DhaChorus :Dha | Female : Dha (Chorus: Dha) |
| Female :NeeChorus :Nee | Female : Nee (Chorus: Nee) |
| Female | |
| Sa pa dha nee dha pa dha pa ma ga | Sa pa dha nee dha pa dha pa ma ga |
| Ma pa ma ga ma ga ri | Ma pa ma ga ma ga ri |
| Sa ri ga ri sa ri nee sa | Sa ri ga ri sa ri nee sa |
| Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa | Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa |
| Male | |
| Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa | Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa |
| Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa | Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa |
| Female | |
| Kadavul oru naal | One day God |
| Ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam | Came alone to see the world, it is said |
| Kannil kanda manidharai ellaam | To every human He saw |
| Nalamaa endraaraam | He asked, "Are you doing well?" |
| Female | |
| Kallam ilaa pillai ullam | An innocent child's heart |
| Naan thandhadhu | Was what I gave |
| Kaasum panamum aasaiyum ingae | Money, wealth, and desire here |
| Yaar thandhadhu | Who gave them? |
| Female | |
| Kallam ilaa pillai ullam | An innocent child's heart |
| Naan thandhadhu | Was what I gave |
| Kaasum panamum aasaiyum ingae | Money, wealth, and desire here |
| Yaar thandhadhu | Who gave them? |
| Female | |
| Ellai illaa neerum nilamum | Boundless water and land |
| Naan thandhadhu | Was what I gave |
| Endhan sondham ennum ennam | The thought of 'This is my ownership' |
| Yen vandhadhu | Why did it arrive? |
| Female | |
| Oru manidhan | One human |
| Vaazhvai inimai endraan | Said life was sweet |
| Oru manidhan adhuvae | Another human |
| Kodumai endraan | Said life was cruel |
| Padaithavano udanae sirithu vittaan | The Creator immediately laughed |
| Chorus | |
| La la lalla lallaa | La la lalla lallaa |
| Chorus | |
| La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa |
| La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa |
| Female | |
| SaChorus :Sa | Sa (Chorus: Sa) |
| Female :RiChorus :Ri | Female : Ri (Chorus: Ri) |
| Female :GaChorus :Ga | Female : Ga (Chorus: Ga) |
| Female :MaChorus :Ma | Female : Ma (Chorus: Ma) |
| Female | |
| Ma pa dha ni sa pa dha pa ma | Ma pa dha ni sa pa dha pa ma |
| Ga ma pa ma ga ma ga ri | Ga ma pa ma ga ma ga ri |
| Sa ri ga ri sa ri ni sa | Sa ri ga ri sa ri ni sa |
| Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa | Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa |
| Male | |
| Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa | Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa |
| Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa | Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa |
| Female | |
| Palli koodam sellum vazhiyil | On the way to school |
| Kadavul nindraanaam | God stood, it is said |
| Pachchai pillai mazhalai mozhiyil | In the babbling speech of a young child |
| Thannai kandaanaam | He saw Himself, it is said |
| Female | |
| Palli koodam sellum vazhiyil | On the way to school |
| Kadavul nindraanaam | God stood, it is said |
| Pachchai pillai mazhalai mozhiyil | In the babbling speech of a young child |
| Thannai kandaanaam | He saw Himself, it is said |
| Female | |
| Ullam engum vellam pongum | Everywhere in the heart, overflowing like a flood |
| Anbai kandaanaam | He saw pure love |
| Unmai kanden podhum endru | Saying 'I have found the truth, that is enough' |
| Vaanam sendraanaam | He departed back to heaven |
| Female | |
| Kadavul oru naal | One day God |
| Ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam | Came alone to see the world, it is said |
| Kannil kanda manidharai ellaam | To every human He saw |
| Nalamaa endraaraam | He asked, "Are you doing well?" |
| Chorus | |
| La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa |
| La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa |
| La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa |
| La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa | La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa |
கடவுள் ஒரு நாள்
உலகை காண தனியே வந்தாராம்
கண்ணில் கண்ட மனிதரை எல்லாம்
நலமா என்றாராம்
One day God
Came alone to see the world, it is said
To every human He saw
He asked, "Are you doing well?"
கடவுள் ஒரு நாள்
உலகை காண தனியே வந்தாராம்
கண்ணில் கண்ட மனிதரை எல்லாம்
நலமா என்றாராம்
One day God
Came alone to see the world, it is said
To every human He saw
He asked, "Are you doing well?"
ஒரு மனிதன்
வாழ்வில் இனிமை என்றான்
ஒரு மனிதன் அதுவே
கொடுமை என்றான்
படைத்தவனோ உடனே சிரித்து விட்டான்
One human
Said life was sweet
Another human
Said life was cruel
The Creator immediately laughed
ஹ ஹ ஹ ஹ
La la lalla lallaa
ல ல லல்ல லல்லா
La la lalla lallaa
ல ல லல்ல லல்லா
Oh ho oh ho oh
ஓ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ ஓ
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
Ga (Chorus: Ga)
Female : Ma (Chorus: Ma)
Female : Pa (Chorus: Pa)
Female : Dha (Chorus: Dha)
Female : Nee (Chorus: Nee)
க குழு :
க
ம குழு :
ம
ப குழு :
ப
த குழு :
த
நி குழு :
நி
Sa pa dha nee dha pa dha pa ma ga
Ma pa ma ga ma ga ri
Sa ri ga ri sa ri nee sa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
ச ப த நி த ப த ப ம க
ம ப ம க ம க ரி
ச ரி க ரி ச ரி நி ச
த நி ப த ம ப க ம ப
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa
த நி ப த ம ப க ம ப
த நி ப த ம ப க ம ப
One day God
Came alone to see the world, it is said
To every human He saw
He asked, "Are you doing well?"
கடவுள் ஒரு நாள்
உலகை காண தனியே வந்தாராம்
கண்ணில் கண்ட மனிதரை எல்லாம்
நலமா என்றாராம்
An innocent child's heart
Was what I gave
Money, wealth, and desire here
Who gave them?
கள்ளம் இல்லா பிள்ளை உள்ளம்
நான் தந்தது
காசும் பணமும் ஆசையும் இங்கே
யார் தந்தது
An innocent child's heart
Was what I gave
Money, wealth, and desire here
Who gave them?
கள்ளம் இல்லா பிள்ளை உள்ளம்
நான் தந்தது
காசும் பணமும் ஆசையும் இங்கே
யார் தந்தது
Boundless water and land
Was what I gave
The thought of 'This is my ownership'
Why did it arrive?
எல்லை இல்லா நீரும் நிலமும்
நான் தந்தது
எந்தன் சொந்தம் என்னும் எண்ணம்
ஏன் வந்தது
One human
Said life was sweet
Another human
Said life was cruel
The Creator immediately laughed
ஒரு மனிதன் வாழ்வில்
இனிமை என்றான்
ஒரு மனிதன் அதுவே
கொடுமை என்றான்
படைத்தவனோ உடனே சிரித்து விட்டான்
La la lalla lallaa
லல லல்ல லல்லா
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
Sa (Chorus: Sa)
Female : Ri (Chorus: Ri)
Female : Ga (Chorus: Ga)
Female : Ma (Chorus: Ma)
ச குழு :
ச
ரி குழு :
ரி
க குழு :
க
ம குழு :
ம
Ma pa dha ni sa pa dha pa ma
Ga ma pa ma ga ma ga ri
Sa ri ga ri sa ri ni sa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
ம ப த நி ச ப த ப ம
க ம ப ம க ம க ரி
ச ரி க ரி ச ரி நி ச
த நி ப த ம ப க ம ப
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa
த நி ப த ம ப க ம ப
த நி ப த ம ப க ம ப
On the way to school
God stood, it is said
In the babbling speech of a young child
He saw Himself, it is said
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
கடவுள் ஒரு நாள்
உலகை காண தனியே வந்தாராம்
கண்ணில் கண்ட மனிதரை எல்லாம்
நலமா என்றாராம்
On the way to school
God stood, it is said
In the babbling speech of a young child
He saw Himself, it is said
பள்ளி கூடம் செல்லும் வழியில்
கடவுள் நின்றாராம்
பச்சை பிள்ளை மழலை மொழியில்
தன்னை கண்டாராம்
Everywhere in the heart, overflowing like a flood
He saw pure love
Saying 'I have found the truth, that is enough'
He departed back to heaven
பள்ளி கூடம் செல்லும் வழியில்
கடவுள் நின்றாராம்
பச்சை பிள்ளை மழலை மொழியில்
தன்னை கண்டாராம்
One day God
Came alone to see the world, it is said
To every human He saw
He asked, "Are you doing well?"
உள்ளம் எங்கும் வெள்ளம் பொங்கும்
அன்பை கண்டானாம்
உண்மை கண்டேன் போதும் என்று
வானம் சென்றானாம்
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
கடவுள் ஒரு நாள்
உலகை காண தனியே வந்தாராம்
கண்ணில் கண்ட மனிதரை எல்லாம்
நலமா என்றாராம்
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா ல ல லல்லல் ல லல லா
Kadavul oru naal
One day God
Ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam
Came alone to see the world, it is said
Kannil kanda manidharai ellaam
To every human He saw
Nalamaa endraaraam
He asked, "Are you doing well?"
Kadavul oru naal
One day God
Ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam
Came alone to see the world, it is said
Kannil kanda manidharai ellaam
To every human He saw
Nalamaa endraaraam
He asked, "Are you doing well?"
Oru manidhan
One human
Vaazhvai inimai endraan
Said life was sweet
Oru manidhan adhuvae
Another human
Kodumai endraan
Said life was cruel
Padaithavano udanae sirithu vittaan
The Creator immediately laughed
La la lalla lallaa
La la lalla lallaa
La la lalla lallaa
La la lalla lallaa
Oh ho oh ho oh
Oh ho oh ho oh
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
GaChorus: Ga
Ga (Chorus: Ga)
Female :MaChorus :Ma
Female : Ma (Chorus: Ma)
Female :PaChorus :Pa
Female : Pa (Chorus: Pa)
Female :DhaChorus :Dha
Female : Dha (Chorus: Dha)
Female :NeeChorus :Nee
Female : Nee (Chorus: Nee)
Sa pa dha nee dha pa dha pa ma ga
Sa pa dha nee dha pa dha pa ma ga
Ma pa ma ga ma ga ri
Ma pa ma ga ma ga ri
Sa ri ga ri sa ri nee sa
Sa ri ga ri sa ri nee sa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa
Kadavul oru naal
One day God
Ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam
Came alone to see the world, it is said
Kannil kanda manidharai ellaam
To every human He saw
Nalamaa endraaraam
He asked, "Are you doing well?"
Kallam ilaa pillai ullam
An innocent child's heart
Naan thandhadhu
Was what I gave
Kaasum panamum aasaiyum ingae
Money, wealth, and desire here
Yaar thandhadhu
Who gave them?
Kallam ilaa pillai ullam
An innocent child's heart
Naan thandhadhu
Was what I gave
Kaasum panamum aasaiyum ingae
Money, wealth, and desire here
Yaar thandhadhu
Who gave them?
Ellai illaa neerum nilamum
Boundless water and land
Naan thandhadhu
Was what I gave
Endhan sondham ennum ennam
The thought of 'This is my ownership'
Yen vandhadhu
Why did it arrive?
Oru manidhan
One human
Vaazhvai inimai endraan
Said life was sweet
Oru manidhan adhuvae
Another human
Kodumai endraan
Said life was cruel
Padaithavano udanae sirithu vittaan
The Creator immediately laughed
La la lalla lallaa
La la lalla lallaa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa la la lallal la lala laa
SaChorus :Sa
Sa (Chorus: Sa)
Female :RiChorus :Ri
Female : Ri (Chorus: Ri)
Female :GaChorus :Ga
Female : Ga (Chorus: Ga)
Female :MaChorus :Ma
Female : Ma (Chorus: Ma)
Ma pa dha ni sa pa dha pa ma
Ma pa dha ni sa pa dha pa ma
Ga ma pa ma ga ma ga ri
Ga ma pa ma ga ma ga ri
Sa ri ga ri sa ri ni sa
Sa ri ga ri sa ri ni sa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma pa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa
Dha ni pa dha ma pa ga ma aa
Palli koodam sellum vazhiyil
On the way to school
Kadavul nindraanaam
God stood, it is said
Pachchai pillai mazhalai mozhiyil
In the babbling speech of a young child
Thannai kandaanaam
He saw Himself, it is said
Palli koodam sellum vazhiyil
On the way to school
Kadavul nindraanaam
God stood, it is said
Pachchai pillai mazhalai mozhiyil
In the babbling speech of a young child
Thannai kandaanaam
He saw Himself, it is said
Ullam engum vellam pongum
Everywhere in the heart, overflowing like a flood
Anbai kandaanaam
He saw pure love
Unmai kanden podhum endru
Saying 'I have found the truth, that is enough'
Vaanam sendraanaam
He departed back to heaven
Kadavul oru naal
One day God
Ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam
Came alone to see the world, it is said
Kannil kanda manidharai ellaam
To every human He saw
Nalamaa endraaraam
He asked, "Are you doing well?"
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
La la lallal la lala laa La la lallal la lala laa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kadavul Oru Naal' from the 1969 Tamil film Shanthi Nilayam is a philosophical, fable-like song composed by M. S. Viswanathan, written by Kannadasan, and sung by P. Susheela. It tells the story of God coming down to Earth disguised as a traveler to see how human beings are living. When God asks people about their lives, one man praises life as sweet while another laments it as cruel. Hearing these contrasting views, the Creator laughs at human perception, pointing out that He created an innocent heart and infinite nature, whereas humans created greed, money, and possessiveness. While walking along the road, God encounters innocent school children. Listening to their sweet babbling and witnessing the pure love overflowing from their hearts, God sees His own divine reflection in them. Reassured that truth and purity still exist in childlike innocence, God returns satisfied to heaven.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anthesis (Contrast)
“Vaazhvai inimai endraan / Kodumai endraan”
Contrasts the opposing perceptions of human existence ('inimai' / sweetness vs 'kodumai' / cruelty).
Edukai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Kallam ilaa pillai ullam / Ellai illaa neerum nilamum”
The second consonant sound 'lla' (ள்ள/ல்ல) rhymes across lines to create rhythmic harmony.
Iyaibu (End rhyme)
“Naan thandhadhu / Yen vandhadhu”
The line endings 'Naan thandhadhu' and 'Yen vandhadhu' rhyme with identical suffix structures.
Personification / Narrative Parable
“Kadavul oru naal ulagai kaana thaniyae vandhaaraam”
God is personified as a physical visitor walking on Earth, interacting with humans and school children.
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Trivia
The song was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by P. Susheela for the 1969 film 'Shanthi Nilayam', starring Gemini Ganesan and Kanchana. The movie is an adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel 'Jane Eyre'. The track uniquely integrates Western choral arrangements and solfège (swara) exercises alongside Kannadasan's philosophical lyricism.
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