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Jaya Gopi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Karunai Ullame

From Jaya Gopi · 1955

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Chithoor Nagaiya
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Jaya Gopi
Movie release year
1955
Lyrics added on
21 Sept 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Karunai ullamae illaiyaa
Jagaththinil kanintha
Nenjamae illaiyaa
Karunai ullamae illaiyaa
Jagaththinil kanintha
Nenjamae illaiyaa
Karunai ullamae illaiyaa
Thanthai thaai izhanthu
Vaattam kollum
Siru pillaigal
Puvikkae paaram aavathaa
Thanthai thaai izhanthu
Vaattam kollum
Siru pillaigal
Puvikkae paaram aavathaa
Karunai ullamae illaiyaa
Jagaththinil kanintha
Nenjamae illaiyaa
Komaathaathaan paalloottum maathaa
Poodevithaan thaalaattum maathaa
Komaathaathaan paalloottum maathaa
Poodevithaan thaalaattum maathaa
Sooriya chandhirarae panthukkalae
Sooriya chandhirarae panthukkalae
Intha jegamellaam
Piriyamaana illangal thaanae
Karunai ullamae illaiyaa
Jagaththinil kanintha
Nenjamae illaiyaa
Aasai paasam pesunth thendralae
Anaathai kisikkalin sinegithanae
Aasai paasam pesunth thendralae
Anaathai kisikkalin sinegithanae
Niththirai thaayin
Miruthu karangalitho
Niththirai thaayin
Miruthu karangalitho
Thunbam maranthidum thunaigalae
Karunai ullamae illaiyaa
Jagaththinil kanintha
Nenjamae illaiyaa
Aa…..karunai ullamae illaiyaa…
Is there no merciful heart?
In this world, is there no
tender soul at all?
Is there no merciful heart?
In this world, is there no
tender soul at all?
Is there no merciful heart?
Having lost mother and father,
and suffering in sorrow,
should little children
become a burden to this earth?
Having lost mother and father,
and suffering in sorrow,
should little children
become a burden to this earth?
Is there no merciful heart?
In this world, is there no
tender soul at all?
The sacred cow is the mother who nurses us with milk,
Mother Earth is the mother who sings a lullaby,
The sacred cow is the mother who nurses us with milk,
Mother Earth is the mother who sings a lullaby,
The sun and moon are our dear kin,
The sun and moon are our dear kin,
and this whole world
is our loving home, is it not?
Is there no merciful heart?
In this world, is there no
tender soul at all?
Oh gentle breeze that speaks of love and warmth,
friend to these orphan babies,
Oh gentle breeze that speaks of love and warmth,
friend to these orphan babies,
Of Mother Sleep,
here are her gentle hands,
Of Mother Sleep,
here are her gentle hands,
comforting companions that make sorrow fade!
Is there no merciful heart?
In this world, is there no
tender soul at all?
Ah... is there no merciful heart?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song expresses a deep lamentation for orphaned children who wander the world without parental care. The speaker questions humanity, asking whether there is no kindness or compassionate heart left in society to care for young souls who have lost their mother and father. To comfort these destitute children, the song turns to nature as a maternal and protective force: the sacred cow acts as a mother offering milk, Mother Earth rocks them to sleep, the sun and moon serve as loving relatives, and the gentle breeze acts as a comforting companion. Through these evocative imagery, the lyric highlights the tragedy of human indifference while offering solace in nature's eternal embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinath Thalai)

Siru pillaigal Puvikkae paaram aavathaa

The refrain asks whether young orphaned children can truly be a burden to the earth, highlighting human apathy and invoking empathy from the listener.

Personification (Uruvagamaakkal)

Aasai paasam pesunth thendralae

Nature is personified as maternal figures and friends—the breeze speaks of love, Mother Earth sings lullabies, and sleep is depicted as a tender mother with soft hands.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Komaathaathaan paalloottum maathaa / Poodevithaan thaalaattum maathaa

The repetition of 'maathaa' at the line endings creates a soothing rhythm echoing a lulling song.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Jaya Gopi' (1955) featured music by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and lyrics by the master poet Kannadasan. Singer-actor Chittor V. Nagaiah delivered a deeply emotional performance in this track, portraying his signature benevolent and grief-stricken persona that resonated strongly with contemporary audiences.

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