Kadavulum Neeyum Oru
From Sindhu Nathi Poo · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. Janaki, K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Soundaryan
- Details
- Sindhu Nathi Poo1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hey thaananaanaa thaananaanaa thananaanaa | Hey thaananaanaa thaananaanaa thananaanaa |
| Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa | Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa |
| Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa | Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa |
| Male | |
| Kadavulum neeyum oru thaaipillai | God and you are children of the same mother. |
| Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae | Both of you are solitary trees. |
| Avanukkum unakuum annai illai | Neither he nor you have a mother. |
| Athanaal oorinam thaanae | Therefore, you both belong to the same species. |
| Nadhi endraal nurai undu | Where there is a river, there is foam. |
| Vaazhvendral kurai undu | Where there is life, there are flaws. |
| Female | |
| Aipasi vandhaal adaimazhai kaalam | When the month of Aipasi arrives, it brings heavy downpours. |
| Silar aayul muzhuthum aipasi maatham | For some, their entire lifespan is like the stormy month of Aipasi. |
| Male | |
| Kadavulum neeyum oru thaaipillai | God and you are children of the same mother. |
| Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae | Both of you are solitary trees. |
| Avanukkum unakuum annaiillai | Neither he nor you have a mother. |
| Athanaal verinam thaanae | Therefore, you are of a different kind. |
| Male | |
| Androru naal chinna pillayilae | On that day when you were a little child, |
| Un thaai erindhaal sondha kolliyilae | Your mother burned on her own funeral pyre. |
| Vendhuvittaai chinna pinjinilae | You were scorched in your tender childhood. |
| Patta vadu innum nenjinilae | The scar that was formed is still in your heart. |
| Male | |
| Thaaimai illaamal yaarum ingillai | No one exists here without motherhood. |
| Garbam illaamal kadavul ingillai | God does not exist here without a womb. |
| Thaaipaalai pola theertham vaerillai | There is no holy water like mother's milk. |
| Aval vaai sollai pola vedham vaerillai | There is no holy scripture like the words from her mouth. |
| Male | |
| Kadavulum neeyum oru thaaipillai | God and you are children of the same mother. |
| Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae | Both of you are solitary trees. |
| Avanukkum unakuum annai illai | Neither he nor you have a mother. |
| Athanaal verinam thaanae | Therefore, you are of a different kind. |
| Nadhiendraal nurai undu | Where there is a river, there is foam. |
| Vaazhvendraal kurai undu | Where there is life, there are flaws. |
| Male | |
| Thee irundhal angae pugaiirukkum | Where there is fire, there will be smoke. |
| Uravirunthal konjam pagaiyirukkum | Where there are relationships, there will be a little enmity. |
| Kadalinrunthaal engo karairukkum | Where there is an ocean, there will be a shore somewhere. |
| Kathaiirunthaal edho mudivirukkum | Where there is a story, there will be an ending. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhvum varaamal saavum naerammal | Neither living fully nor approaching death, |
| Rendum illamaal mannil vaazhgindraai | Without either, you exist on this earth. |
| Penmai kandalae thaaimai kaangindraai | Whenever you see womanhood, you perceive motherhood. |
| Palar poojai kondaadum poovaai vaazhgindraai | You live as a sacred flower revered and worshipped by many. |
| Female | |
| Anbulla maganae azhuthathu podhum | Beloved son, enough of crying now. |
| Punnagai sindhu idhu ini pookalin maatham | Smile now, from here on it is the season of flowers. |
| Male | |
| Kadavulum neeyum oru thaaipillai | God and you are children of the same mother. |
| Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae | Both of you are solitary trees. |
| Avanukkum unakuum annai illai | Neither he nor you have a mother. |
| Athanal verinam thaanae | Therefore, you are of a different kind. |
| Nadhiendraal nurai undu | Where there is a river, there is foam. |
| Vaazhvendraal kurai undu | Where there is life, there are flaws. |
ஹே..தனனானா தனனானா
ஹே..தனனானா தனனானா தனனானா
ஹே..தனனானா தனனானா
ஹே..தனனானா தனனானா தனனானா
Hey thaananaanaa thaananaanaa thananaanaa
Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa
Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa
க
டவுளும் நீயும் ஒரு தாய்ப்பிள்ளை
இருவரும் தனிமரம் தானே
அவனுக்கும் உனக்கும் அன்னை இல்லை
அதனால் ஓரினம் தானே
நதியென்றால் நுரை உண்டு
வாழ்வென்றால் குறை உண்டு
God and you are children of the same mother.
Both of you are solitary trees.
Neither he nor you have a mother.
Therefore, you both belong to the same species.
Where there is a river, there is foam.
Where there is life, there are flaws.
ஐப்பசி வந்தால் அடைமழை காலம்
சிலர் ஆயுள் முழுதும் ஐப்பசி மாதம்
When the month of Aipasi arrives, it brings heavy downpours.
For some, their entire lifespan is like the stormy month of Aipasi.
கடவுளும் நீயும் ஒரு தாய்ப்பிள்ளை
இருவரும் தனிமரம் தானே
அவனுக்கும் உனக்கும் அன்னை இல்லை
அதனால் ஓரினம் தானே
God and you are children of the same mother.
Both of you are solitary trees.
Neither he nor you have a mother.
Therefore, you are of a different kind.
அன்றொரு நாள் சின்னப்பிள்ளையிலே
உன் தாய் எரிந்தாள் சொந்தக் கொள்ளியிலே
வெந்துவிட்டாய் சின்னப் பிஞ்சினிலே
பட்ட வடு இன்னும் நெஞ்சினிலே
On that day when you were a little child,
Your mother burned on her own funeral pyre.
You were scorched in your tender childhood.
The scar that was formed is still in your heart.
தாய்மை இல்லாமல் யாரும் இங்கில்லை
கர்ப்பம் இல்லாமல் கடவுள் இங்கில்லை
தாய்ப்பாலை போல தீர்த்தம் வேறில்லை
அவள் வாய் சொல்லை போல வேதம் வேறில்லை
No one exists here without motherhood.
God does not exist here without a womb.
There is no holy water like mother's milk.
There is no holy scripture like the words from her mouth.
கடவுளும் நீயும் ஒரு தாய்ப்பிள்ளை
இருவரும் தனிமரம் தானே
அவனுக்கும் உனக்கும் அன்னை இல்லை
அதனால் ஓரினம் தானே
நதியென்றால் நுரை உண்டு
வாழ்வென்றால் குறை உண்டு
God and you are children of the same mother.
Both of you are solitary trees.
Neither he nor you have a mother.
Therefore, you are of a different kind.
Where there is a river, there is foam.
Where there is life, there are flaws.
ஓஓஓஒ....ஓஓஓஒ....
Where there is fire, there will be smoke.
Where there are relationships, there will be a little enmity.
Where there is an ocean, there will be a shore somewhere.
Where there is a story, there will be an ending.
தீயிருந்தால் அங்கே புகையிருக்கும்
உறவிருந்தால் கொஞ்சம் பகையிருக்கும்
கடலிருந்தால் எங்கோ கரையிருக்கும்
கதையிருந்தால் ஏதோ முடிவிருக்கும்
Neither living fully nor approaching death,
Without either, you exist on this earth.
Whenever you see womanhood, you perceive motherhood.
You live as a sacred flower revered and worshipped by many.
வாழ்வும் வாராமல் சாவும் நேராமல்
ரெண்டும் இல்லாமல் மண்ணில் வாழ்கின்றாய்
பெண்மை கண்டாலே தாய்மை காண்கின்றாய்
பலர் பூஜை கொண்டாடும் பூவாய் வாழ்கின்றாய்
Beloved son, enough of crying now.
Smile now, from here on it is the season of flowers.
அன்புள்ள மகனே அழுதது போதும்
புன்னகை சிந்து இனி பூக்களின் மாதம்
God and you are children of the same mother.
Both of you are solitary trees.
Neither he nor you have a mother.
Therefore, you are of a different kind.
Where there is a river, there is foam.
Where there is life, there are flaws.
கடவுளும் நீயும் ஒரு தாய்ப்பிள்ளை
இருவரும் தனிமரம் தானே
அவனுக்கும் உனக்கும் அன்னை இல்லை
அதனால் ஓரினம் தானே
நதியென்றால் நுரை உண்டு
வாழ்வென்றால் குறை உண்டு....
Hey thaananaanaa thaananaanaa thananaanaa
Hey thaananaanaa thaananaanaa thananaanaa
Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa
Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa
Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa
Hey thananaanaa thananaanaa thananaanaa
Kadavulum neeyum oru thaaipillai
God and you are children of the same mother.
Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae
Both of you are solitary trees.
Avanukkum unakuum annai illai
Neither he nor you have a mother.
Athanaal oorinam thaanae
Therefore, you both belong to the same species.
Nadhi endraal nurai undu
Where there is a river, there is foam.
Vaazhvendral kurai undu
Where there is life, there are flaws.
Aipasi vandhaal adaimazhai kaalam
When the month of Aipasi arrives, it brings heavy downpours.
Silar aayul muzhuthum aipasi maatham
For some, their entire lifespan is like the stormy month of Aipasi.
Kadavulum neeyum oru thaaipillai
God and you are children of the same mother.
Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae
Both of you are solitary trees.
Avanukkum unakuum annaiillai
Neither he nor you have a mother.
Athanaal verinam thaanae
Therefore, you are of a different kind.
Androru naal chinna pillayilae
On that day when you were a little child,
Un thaai erindhaal sondha kolliyilae
Your mother burned on her own funeral pyre.
Vendhuvittaai chinna pinjinilae
You were scorched in your tender childhood.
Patta vadu innum nenjinilae
The scar that was formed is still in your heart.
Thaaimai illaamal yaarum ingillai
No one exists here without motherhood.
Garbam illaamal kadavul ingillai
God does not exist here without a womb.
Thaaipaalai pola theertham vaerillai
There is no holy water like mother's milk.
Aval vaai sollai pola vedham vaerillai
There is no holy scripture like the words from her mouth.
Kadavulum neeyum oru thaaipillai
God and you are children of the same mother.
Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae
Both of you are solitary trees.
Avanukkum unakuum annai illai
Neither he nor you have a mother.
Athanaal verinam thaanae
Therefore, you are of a different kind.
Nadhiendraal nurai undu
Where there is a river, there is foam.
Vaazhvendraal kurai undu
Where there is life, there are flaws.
Thee irundhal angae pugaiirukkum
Where there is fire, there will be smoke.
Uravirunthal konjam pagaiyirukkum
Where there are relationships, there will be a little enmity.
Kadalinrunthaal engo karairukkum
Where there is an ocean, there will be a shore somewhere.
Kathaiirunthaal edho mudivirukkum
Where there is a story, there will be an ending.
Vaazhvum varaamal saavum naerammal
Neither living fully nor approaching death,
Rendum illamaal mannil vaazhgindraai
Without either, you exist on this earth.
Penmai kandalae thaaimai kaangindraai
Whenever you see womanhood, you perceive motherhood.
Palar poojai kondaadum poovaai vaazhgindraai
You live as a sacred flower revered and worshipped by many.
Anbulla maganae azhuthathu podhum
Beloved son, enough of crying now.
Punnagai sindhu idhu ini pookalin maatham
Smile now, from here on it is the season of flowers.
Kadavulum neeyum oru thaaipillai
God and you are children of the same mother.
Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae
Both of you are solitary trees.
Avanukkum unakuum annai illai
Neither he nor you have a mother.
Athanal verinam thaanae
Therefore, you are of a different kind.
Nadhiendraal nurai undu
Where there is a river, there is foam.
Vaazhvendraal kurai undu
Where there is life, there are flaws.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kadavulum Neeyum' from Sindhu Nathi Poo is a deeply emotional philosophical song sung from the perspective of an elder or mother figure comforting a protagonist who grew up motherless after a tragic past. Vairamuthu's lyrics draw a poignant parallel between the protagonist and God—both exist without a human mother, making them lonely figures in the world, yet elevated in spirit. The song addresses life's inherent imperfections, comparing human sorrow to foam in a river, smoke from fire, or the stormy downpours of the Tamil month Aipasi. Ultimately, the song offers solace, encouraging the protagonist to overcome past trauma, let go of tears, and embrace hope as a flower blooming in a new spring.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)
“Iruvarum thanimaram thaanae”
Comparing the protagonist and God to a 'Thanimaram' (solitary tree) emphasizes isolation, divine detachment, and emotional loneliness.
Edhugai (எதுகை - Second letter rhyming)
“Nadhi endraal nurai undu / Vaazhvendral kurai undu”
The second letter 'dhi' (தி) rhymes across consecutive lines 'Nadhi' and 'Vaazhve' (phonetically aligning structure).
Analogy & Symbolism
“Thee irundhal angae pugaiirukkum / Uravirunthal konjam pagaiyirukkum”
Using natural phenomena (river foam, smoke from fire, ocean shores) as allegories for inevitable natural flaws and truths in human life.
Did you know?
Trivia
Music director Soundaryan, who gained fame with 'Cheran Pandiyan', composed the soundtrack for 'Sindhu Nathi Poo' (1994). Lyricist Vairamuthu's evocative imagery connecting maternal loss with philosophical detachment is considered one of the highlights of the album, complemented by the emotive vocals of K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki.
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