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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karuppu Karuppu

From Kaaka Muttai · 2014

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Kaaka Muttai2014

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Karuppu karuppuBlack, black
Karuppu niraththaiThe color black
Veruthu veruthuHating and despising
Ulagam odhukkaAs the world casts it aside
Kaakkai kaakkai muttaiDoes a crow's egg
Vannam maatrikkondadhaa..Change its color?
Male
Uruvam uruvamForm, form
Uruvam mattumJust the physical form
Manidhan manidhanHuman, human
Manidhan illaiIs not what makes a human
Uruvam illai udaigal endruNot the person, but clothes, is that how
MaariponadhaaIt has changed?
Male
Adichi pudichiHustling and striving
Adichi pudichiHustling and striving
Allum pagalumDay and night
Ulachchi ulachchiWorking hard, working hard
Nenachi nenachi nenachiThinking, thinking, thinking
Nenachi virumbi vandhaal..If one comes yearning with longing...
Male
……………………....
Male
Karuppu karuppuBlack, black
Karuppu niraththaiThe color black
Veruthu veruthuHating and despising
Ulagam odhukkaAs the world casts it aside
Kaakkai kaakkai muttaiDoes a crow's egg
Vannam maatrikkondadhaa..Change its color?
Male
Uruvam uruvamForm, form
Uruvam mattumJust the physical form
Manidhan manidhanHuman, human
Manidhan illaiIs not what makes a human
Uruvam illai udaigal endruNot the person, but clothes, is that how
MaariponadhaaIt has changed?
Male
Aal paadhiHalf the person
Nam aadai paadhiHalf our clothes
Endrae thaanThat is what they say
Ada yaar sonnadhu..Hey, who said that?
Male
Avanaal thaanOnly because of him
Nam maanam inguOur dignity here
Kaathaadi polLike a kite
Parandhodudhu..Flies away!
Male
Naam ada naetru varaiHey, until yesterday
Pasiththaal thaanOnly when hungry
Ada unbomadaa…Hey, we used to eat...
Yaar indru maatri vaiththaarWho changed it today?
Rusikkaai naam alaindhomadaa…We wandered around just for taste...
Male
……………………....
Male
Karuppu karuppuBlack, black
Karuppu niraththaiThe color black
Veruthu veruthuHating and despising
Ulagam odhukkaAs the world casts it aside
Kaakkai kaakkai muttaiDoes a crow's egg
Vannam maatrikkondadhaa..Change its color?
Male
Uruvam uruvamForm, form
Uruvam mattumJust the physical form
Manidhan manidhanHuman, human
Manidhan illaiIs not what makes a human
Uruvam illai udaigal endruNot the person, but clothes, is that how
MaariponadhaaIt has changed?
Male
Adichi pudichiHustling and striving
Adichi pudichiHustling and striving
Allum pagalumDay and night
Ulachchi ulachchiWorking hard, working hard
Nenachi nenachi nenachiThinking, thinking, thinking
Nenachi virumbi vandhaal..If one comes yearning with longing...
Male
……………………...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Kaaka Muttai addresses class bias, superficial judgment based on appearance, and the impact of modern consumerism on the underprivileged. Lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar questions why society measures human value by outward attire and skin color rather than character and hard work. The lyrics draw a powerful parallel between the natural color of a crow's egg and the unchangeable reality of one's roots.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodaru (Epizeuxis / Repetition)

Karuppu karuppu

Repeated words like 'Karuppu karuppu', 'Veruthu veruthu', and 'Nenachi nenachi' emphasize emotional intensity and continuous struggle in traditional Tamil poetic structure.

Uvamai (Simile)

Kaathaadi pol

Comparing lost self-respect or dignity blowing away in society to a kite floating in the wind.

Ummaithogai (Antithetical Pairing)

Allum pagalum

'Allum pagalum' pairs night and day together to denote non-stop, round-the-clock labor.

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Trivia

Kaaka Muttai (2014) was directed by M. Manikandan and featured music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar with lyrics by late National Award-winning lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar. The film won two National Film Awards, including Best Children's Film.

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