Kaithozhil Ondrai Katrukkol
From Kadavulin Kuzhandhai · 1960
- Lyricist
- Ramalingam Pillai
- Singer
- P. B. Sreenivas
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Kadavulin Kuzhandhai1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol | Learn a manual skill or trade, |
| Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol | Agree that you will have no worries. |
| Eththozhil edhuvum theriyaamal | Without knowing any profession at all, |
| Iruppathu unakke sariyaamo | Is it right for you to stay idle? |
| Male | |
| Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol | Learn a manual skill or trade, |
| Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol | Agree that you will have no worries. |
| Eththozhil edhuvum theriyaamal | Without knowing any profession at all, |
| Iruppathu unakke sariyaamo | Is it right for you to stay idle? |
| Male | |
| Uzhavum thozhilum illaamal | Without agriculture and manual labor, |
| Ulagil ondrum sellaathu | Nothing in this world can function. |
| Uzhavum thozhilum illaamal | Without agriculture and manual labor, |
| Ulagil ondrum sellaathu | Nothing in this world can function. |
| Male | |
| Vizhavum kalaiyum viruthugalum | Festivals, arts, and awards, |
| Verula inbamum irunthidumo | Could any other pleasures exist without them? |
| Vizhavum kalaiyum viruthugalum | Festivals, arts, and awards, |
| Verula inbamum irunthidumo | Could any other pleasures exist without them? |
| Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm | Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm |
| Male | |
| Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol | Learn a manual skill or trade, |
| Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol | Agree that you will have no worries. |
| Male | |
| Kollarum thachcharum koodaamal | Without blacksmiths and carpenters coming together, |
| Koodamum maadamum veedaamo | Can halls, upper stories, and houses exist? |
| Kollarum thachcharum koodaamal | Without blacksmiths and carpenters coming together, |
| Koodamum maadamum veedaamo | Can halls, upper stories, and houses exist? |
| Male | |
| Kalladi sirpiyum thachcharume | The stone-carving sculptor and the carpenter, |
| Kaariyam palavunukkachchaani | Are the vital linchpins for so many tasks. |
| Kalladi sirpiyum thachcharume | The stone-carving sculptor and the carpenter, |
| Kaariyam palavunukkachchaani | Are the vital linchpins for so many tasks. |
| Aahahahaa aahahahaa | Aahahahaa aahahahaa |
| Male | |
| Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol | Learn a manual skill or trade, |
| Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol | Agree that you will have no worries. |
| Male | |
| Nesavu kaararkal neiyaamal | If weavers do not weave, |
| Nilaththavar udaikken seivaargal | What will the people of the earth do for clothes? |
| Nesavu kaararkal neiyaamal | If weavers do not weave, |
| Nilaththavar udaikken seivaargal | What will the people of the earth do for clothes? |
| Male | |
| Kuyavan seithidum paandamandro | Is it not the vessels crafted by the potter |
| Kudiththanam nadaththida vendumendrum | That are needed to run a household every day? |
| Kuyavan seithidum paandamandro | Is it not the vessels crafted by the potter |
| Kudiththanam nadaththida vendumendrum | That are needed to run a household every day? |
| Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm | Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm |
| Male | |
| Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol | Learn a manual skill or trade, |
| Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol | Agree that you will have no worries. |
| Male | |
| Salavai savaram seithaalum | Even if it is laundering or barbering work, |
| Saakkaadai kazhuvuthal eithaalum | Or undertaking the cleaning of drainage/sewers, |
| Salavai savaram seithaalum | Even if it is laundering or barbering work, |
| Saakkaadai kazhuvuthal eithaalum | Or undertaking the cleaning of drainage/sewers, |
| Male | |
| Ulakukathanaal upakaaram | The world benefits from such service, |
| Ondrum theriyaar verum paaram | While those who know no skill are merely a burden. |
| Ulakukathanaal upakaaram | The world benefits from such service, |
| Ondrum theriyaar verum paaram | While those who know no skill are merely a burden. |
| Aahahahaa aahahahaa | Aahahahaa aahahahaa |
| Male | |
| Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol | Learn a manual skill or trade, |
| Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol | Agree that you will have no worries. |
| Eththozhil edhuvum theriyaamal | Without knowing any profession at all, |
| Iruppathu unakke sariyaamo | Is it right for you to stay idle? |
கைத்தொழில் ஒன்றைக் கற்றுக்கொள்
கவலை உனக்கில்லை ஒப்புக்கொள்
எத்தொழில் எதுவும் தெரியாமல்
இருப்பது உனக்கே சரியாமோ
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Agree that you will have no worries.
Without knowing any profession at all,
Is it right for you to stay idle?
கைத்தொழில் ஒன்றைக் கற்றுக்கொள்
கவலை உனக்கில்லை ஒப்புக்கொள்
எத்தொழில் எதுவும் தெரியாமல்
இருப்பது உனக்கே சரியாமோ
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Agree that you will have no worries.
Without knowing any profession at all,
Is it right for you to stay idle?
உழவும் தொழிலும் இல்லாமல்
உலகில் ஒன்றும் செல்லாது
உழவும் தொழிலும் இல்லாமல்
உலகில் ஒன்றும் செல்லாது
Without agriculture and manual labor,
Nothing in this world can function.
Without agriculture and manual labor,
Nothing in this world can function.
விழவும் கலையும் விருதுகளும்
வேறுள இன்பமும் இருந்திடுமோ
விழவும் கலையும் விருதுகளும்
வேறுள இன்பமும் இருந்திடுமோ
ஆஹஹஹா ஓஹோஹோ ஆஹஹஹா ம்ம்ம்ம்
Festivals, arts, and awards,
Could any other pleasures exist without them?
Festivals, arts, and awards,
Could any other pleasures exist without them?
Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm
கைத்தொழில் ஒன்றைக் கற்றுக்கொள்
கவலை உனக்கில்லை ஒப்புக்கொள்
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Agree that you will have no worries.
கொல்லரும் தச்சரும் கூடாமல்
கூடமும் மாடமும் வீடாமோ
கொல்லரும் தச்சரும் கூடாமல்
கூடமும் மாடமும் வீடாமோ
Without blacksmiths and carpenters coming together,
Can halls, upper stories, and houses exist?
Without blacksmiths and carpenters coming together,
Can halls, upper stories, and houses exist?
கல்லடி சிற்பியும் தச்சருமே
காரியம் பலவினுக்கச்சாணி
கல்லடி சிற்பியும் தச்சருமே
காரியம் பலவினுக்கச்சாணி
ஆஹஹஹா ஆஹஹஹா
The stone-carving sculptor and the carpenter,
Are the vital linchpins for so many tasks.
The stone-carving sculptor and the carpenter,
Are the vital linchpins for so many tasks.
Aahahahaa aahahahaa
கைத்தொழில் ஒன்றைக் கற்றுக்கொள்
கவலை உனக்கில்லை ஒப்புக்கொள்
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Agree that you will have no worries.
நெசவுக் காரர்கள் நெய்யாமல்
நிலத்தவர் உடைக்கென் செய்வார்கள்
நெசவுக் காரர்கள் நெய்யாமல்
நிலத்தவர் உடைக்கென் செய்வார்கள்
If weavers do not weave,
What will the people of the earth do for clothes?
If weavers do not weave,
What will the people of the earth do for clothes?
குயவன் செய்திடும் பாண்டமன்றோ
குடித்தனம் நடத்திட வேண்டுமென்றும்
குயவன் செய்திடும் பாண்டமன்றோ
குடித்தனம் நடத்திட வேண்டுமென்றும்
ஆஹஹஹா ஓஹோஹோ ஆஹஹஹா ம்ம்ம்ம்
Is it not the vessels crafted by the potter
That are needed to run a household every day?
Is it not the vessels crafted by the potter
That are needed to run a household every day?
Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm
கைத்தொழில் ஒன்றைக் கற்றுக்கொள்
கவலை உனக்கில்லை ஒப்புக்கொள்
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Agree that you will have no worries.
சலவை சவரம் செய்தாலும்
சாக்கடை கழுவுதல் எய்தாலும்
சலவை சவரம் செய்தாலும்
சாக்கடை கழுவுதல் எய்தாலும்
Even if it is laundering or barbering work,
Or undertaking the cleaning of drainage/sewers,
Even if it is laundering or barbering work,
Or undertaking the cleaning of drainage/sewers,
உலகுக்கதனால் உபகாரம்
ஒன்றும் தெரியார் வெறும் பாரம்
உலகுக்கதனால் உபகாரம்
ஒன்றும் தெரியார் வெறும் பாரம்
ஆஹஹஹா ஆஹஹஹா
The world benefits from such service,
While those who know no skill are merely a burden.
The world benefits from such service,
While those who know no skill are merely a burden.
Aahahahaa aahahahaa
கைத்தொழில் ஒன்றைக் கற்றுக்கொள்
கவலை உனக்கில்லை ஒப்புக்கொள்
எத்தொழில் எதுவும் தெரியாமல்
இருப்பது உனக்கே சரியாமோ
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Agree that you will have no worries.
Without knowing any profession at all,
Is it right for you to stay idle?
Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol
Agree that you will have no worries.
Eththozhil edhuvum theriyaamal
Without knowing any profession at all,
Iruppathu unakke sariyaamo
Is it right for you to stay idle?
Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol
Agree that you will have no worries.
Eththozhil edhuvum theriyaamal
Without knowing any profession at all,
Iruppathu unakke sariyaamo
Is it right for you to stay idle?
Uzhavum thozhilum illaamal
Without agriculture and manual labor,
Ulagil ondrum sellaathu
Nothing in this world can function.
Uzhavum thozhilum illaamal
Without agriculture and manual labor,
Ulagil ondrum sellaathu
Nothing in this world can function.
Vizhavum kalaiyum viruthugalum
Festivals, arts, and awards,
Verula inbamum irunthidumo
Could any other pleasures exist without them?
Vizhavum kalaiyum viruthugalum
Festivals, arts, and awards,
Verula inbamum irunthidumo
Could any other pleasures exist without them?
Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm
Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm
Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol
Agree that you will have no worries.
Kollarum thachcharum koodaamal
Without blacksmiths and carpenters coming together,
Koodamum maadamum veedaamo
Can halls, upper stories, and houses exist?
Kollarum thachcharum koodaamal
Without blacksmiths and carpenters coming together,
Koodamum maadamum veedaamo
Can halls, upper stories, and houses exist?
Kalladi sirpiyum thachcharume
The stone-carving sculptor and the carpenter,
Kaariyam palavunukkachchaani
Are the vital linchpins for so many tasks.
Kalladi sirpiyum thachcharume
The stone-carving sculptor and the carpenter,
Kaariyam palavunukkachchaani
Are the vital linchpins for so many tasks.
Aahahahaa aahahahaa
Aahahahaa aahahahaa
Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol
Agree that you will have no worries.
Nesavu kaararkal neiyaamal
If weavers do not weave,
Nilaththavar udaikken seivaargal
What will the people of the earth do for clothes?
Nesavu kaararkal neiyaamal
If weavers do not weave,
Nilaththavar udaikken seivaargal
What will the people of the earth do for clothes?
Kuyavan seithidum paandamandro
Is it not the vessels crafted by the potter
Kudiththanam nadaththida vendumendrum
That are needed to run a household every day?
Kuyavan seithidum paandamandro
Is it not the vessels crafted by the potter
Kudiththanam nadaththida vendumendrum
That are needed to run a household every day?
Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm
Aahahahaa ohho aahahahaa mmmm
Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol
Agree that you will have no worries.
Salavai savaram seithaalum
Even if it is laundering or barbering work,
Saakkaadai kazhuvuthal eithaalum
Or undertaking the cleaning of drainage/sewers,
Salavai savaram seithaalum
Even if it is laundering or barbering work,
Saakkaadai kazhuvuthal eithaalum
Or undertaking the cleaning of drainage/sewers,
Ulakukathanaal upakaaram
The world benefits from such service,
Ondrum theriyaar verum paaram
While those who know no skill are merely a burden.
Ulakukathanaal upakaaram
The world benefits from such service,
Ondrum theriyaar verum paaram
While those who know no skill are merely a burden.
Aahahahaa aahahahaa
Aahahahaa aahahahaa
Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol
Learn a manual skill or trade,
Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol
Agree that you will have no worries.
Eththozhil edhuvum theriyaamal
Without knowing any profession at all,
Iruppathu unakke sariyaamo
Is it right for you to stay idle?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic motivational song, written by the famous Tamil patriotic poet Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai, highlights the immense value and dignity of labor. It strongly urges individuals to learn at least one practical craft or vocation to achieve self-reliance and peace of mind, questioning the self-worth of remaining idle without acquiring any useful skill. The lyricist systematically pays tribute to various working-class professions that sustain human civilization—including farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, sculptors, weavers, potters, barbers, washermen, and sanitation workers. The song emphasizes that every honest trade, regardless of societal hierarchy, contributes essential services to humanity, while those who possess no skills and refuse to work remain a burden on society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)
“Kai thozhil ondrai kattrukkol / Kavalai unakkillai oppukkol”
The second consonant 'i' or 'va' matches across adjacent lines to create rhythmic symmetry, such as 'Kai thozhil' and 'Kavalai'.
Monaai (Alliteration in Tamil prosody)
“Kollarum thachcharum koodaamal / Koodamum maadamum veedaamo”
Initial letters rhyming across words in a line, such as the 'K' sound in 'Kollarum', 'Koodaamal', 'Koodamum'.
Rhetorical Question
“Eththozhil edhuvum theriyaamal / Iruppathu unakke sariyaamo”
The lyricist uses persuasive questioning to make the listener reflect on the necessity of skilled labor.
Metaphor
“Kaariyam palavunukkachchaani”
Comparing artisans and craftsmen to the 'achchaani' (linchpin) holding the wheel of societal progress together.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai, a celebrated Gandhian poet and the first Poet Laureate of Tamil Nadu, this poem is widely featured in school textbooks across Tamil Nadu to instill the value of self-reliance and the dignity of labor in young minds.
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