Karuvatheva
From Nedunalvaadai · 2017
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Deepak
- Music director
- Jose Franklin
- Details
- Nedunalvaadai2017
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Ada karuvatheva | Hey Karuvatheva |
| Ongkannellam kanneera | Are your eyes filled with tears? |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Male | |
| Un nelama sonna | If your condition is spoken of |
| Kulam neruppa povum | The water pond will turn into fire |
| Ongkadhaiya oru karumayam | Your story is pitch-black grief |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Male | |
| Pottappulla pozhuthapochu | The girl's youth has passed away |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Petha pulla pagaiyapochu | The child you raised became an enemy |
| Vidhithanae yaarvelva | It is fate, who can conquer it? |
| Male | |
| Sonthamellam somaiyapochu | All relatives have become a heavy burden |
| Karuvatheva..aa…. | Oh Karuvatheva... |
| Annan thambi pagaiyaana | When brothers turn into enemies |
| Maga enga povaa… | Where will the daughter go? |
| Male | |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Ada karuvatheva | Hey Karuvatheva |
| Ongkannellam kanneera | Are your eyes filled with tears? |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Male | |
| Un nelama sonna | If your condition is spoken of |
| Kulam neruppa povum | The water pond will turn into fire |
| Ongkadhaiya oru karumayam | Your story is pitch-black grief |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Male | |
| Mullumela oru sondhamo | Is kinship like resting on a bed of thorns? |
| Entha pakkam ethu kiliyumo | Which side will tear away where? |
| Maanam kaakka oru kovam kaatta | To protect honor or to show anger |
| Indha vaazhkkaiyil edamilla | There is no room in this life |
| Male | |
| Vaetti onnuthaan michamo | Is a single veshti all that remains for you? |
| Nee kaattum paasam | The affection you display |
| Adhu uchchamo | Is it at its ultimate peak? |
| Vaanam paathu intha boomi | Looking at the sky, this earth |
| Polanthirukku | Has cracked wide open |
| Megam thuliyilla | Without even a single drop from clouds |
| Male | |
| Dheganthaan theyum | Only the body wears away |
| Seruppellam theyum | All the footwear wears away |
| Nee kaattum peranbu | The great love you show |
| Theyathaiyyaa | Will never wear away, sir |
| Male | |
| Nilam kooda theerum | Even the land might be exhausted |
| Kadal kooda theerum | Even the sea might dry up |
| Nee petha kadan mattum | Only the debt you incurred for us |
| Theerathaiyyaa | Will never end, sir |
| Male | |
| Oru pasuvin thiyagamthan | Only a cow's sacrifice |
| Usuraa ozhuguthu paalaaga | Flows out as life-giving milk |
| Oru manusanin thiyagamthan | Only a man's sacrifice |
| Ovvoru kudumbamum aalaga | Helps every family grow and flourish |
| Male | |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Ada karuvatheva | Hey Karuvatheva |
| Ongkannellam kanneera | Are your eyes filled with tears? |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Male | |
| Un nelama sonna | If your condition is spoken of |
| Kulam neruppa povum | The water pond will turn into fire |
| Ongkadhaiya oru karumayam | Your story is pitch-black grief |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Male | |
| …………………………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Soththu irunthalum thollaiyae | If wealth exists, it is a trouble |
| Adhu iththu vizhunthalum thollaiyae | If it rots away, that too is a trouble |
| Paasamulla oru paavi manasu | An affectionate, suffering heart |
| Adhu padutha thoongaathu | Cannot sleep when lying down |
| Male | |
| Baaram erangum oru vayasula | At an age when burdens should lighten |
| Pudhu baaram yeruvathu nyaayama | Is it fair for new burdens to pile up? |
| Paavam vaazhamaram | Poor tender banana tree |
| Ayyo yezhamaram | Alas, poor fragile tree |
| Idiya thaangathu | Cannot withstand a thunderbolt |
| Male | |
| Narai konda kesam | Hair filled with grey |
| Thirai konda dhegam | Body filled with wrinkles |
| Thidamaana un nenju | Your resolute heart |
| Naraikkathaiyyaa | Will never turn grey, sir |
| Male | |
| Uravellaam maarum | All relationships will change |
| Varavellaam theerum | All income will be spent |
| Usuraana onpaasam | Your deep life-giving love |
| Velukkathaiyyaa | Will never fade away, sir |
| Male | |
| Oru kizhavanin kanneero | The tears of an old man |
| Tharaiyil oduthu nadhiyaaga | Flow upon the earth like a river |
| Nadhiyodiya thadamellam | Along the path where the river ran |
| Kudumbam valaruthu payiraaga | The family grows like lush crops |
| Male | |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Ada karuvatheva | Hey Karuvatheva |
| Ongkannellam kanneera | Are your eyes filled with tears? |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
| Male | |
| Un nelama sonna | If your condition is spoken of |
| Kulam neruppa povum | The water pond will turn into fire |
| Ongkadhaiya oru karumayam | Your story is pitch-black grief |
| Karuvatheva | Oh Karuvatheva |
கருவாதேவா
அட கருவாதேவா
ஒங்கண்ணெல்லாம் கண்ணீரா
கருவாதேவா
Oh Karuvatheva
Hey Karuvatheva
Are your eyes filled with tears?
Oh Karuvatheva
உன் நெலம சொன்னா
குளம் நெருப்பா போவும்
உங்கதைய ஒரு கரு மாயம்
கருவாதேவா
If your condition is spoken of
The water pond will turn into fire
Your story is pitch-black grief
Oh Karuvatheva
பொட்டப்புள்ள பொழுதா போச்சு
கருவாதேவா
பெத்தபுள்ள பகையா போச்சு
விதி தானே யார் வெல்வா
The girl's youth has passed away
Oh Karuvatheva
The child you raised became an enemy
It is fate, who can conquer it?
சொந்தமெல்லாம் சுமையா போச்சு
கருவாதேவா ..ஆஆ ...
அண்ணண் தம்பி பகையான
மக எங்க போவா
All relatives have become a heavy burden
Oh Karuvatheva...
When brothers turn into enemies
Where will the daughter go?
கருவாதேவா
அட கருவாதேவா
ஒங்கண்ணெல்லாம் கண்ணீரா
கருவாதேவா
Oh Karuvatheva
Hey Karuvatheva
Are your eyes filled with tears?
Oh Karuvatheva
உன் நெலம சொன்னா
குளம் நெருப்பா போவும்
உங்கதைய ஒரு கரு மாயம்
கருவாதேவா
If your condition is spoken of
The water pond will turn into fire
Your story is pitch-black grief
Oh Karuvatheva
முள்ளு மேல ஒரு சொந்தமோ
எந்த பக்கம் எது கிழியுமோ
மானம் காக்க ஒரு கோவம் காட்ட
இந்த வாழ்க்கையில் இடமில்ல
Is kinship like resting on a bed of thorns?
Which side will tear away where?
To protect honor or to show anger
There is no room in this life
வேட்டி ஒன்னு தான் மிச்சமோ
நீ காட்டும் பாசம் அது உச்சமோ
வானம் பார்த்து இந்த பூமி
புலர்ந்திருக்கு மேகம் துளியில
Is a single veshti all that remains for you?
The affection you display
Is it at its ultimate peak?
Looking at the sky, this earth
Has cracked wide open
Without even a single drop from clouds
தேகம் தான் தேயும்
செருப்பு தான் தேயும்
நீ காட்டும் பேரன்பு
தேயாதைய்யா ....
Only the body wears away
All the footwear wears away
The great love you show
Will never wear away, sir
நிலம் கூட தீரும்
கடல் கூட தீரும்
நீ பெத்த கடன் மட்டும்
தீராதைய்யா ....
Even the land might be exhausted
Even the sea might dry up
Only the debt you incurred for us
Will never end, sir
ஒரு பசுவின் தியாகம் தான்
உசுரா ஒழுகுது பாலாக
ஒரு மனுஷனின் தியாகம் தான்
ஒவ்வொரு குடும்பமும் ஆளாக
Only a cow's sacrifice
Flows out as life-giving milk
Only a man's sacrifice
Helps every family grow and flourish
கருவாதேவா
அட கருவாதேவா
ஒங்கண்ணெல்லாம் கண்ணீரா
கருவாதேவா
Oh Karuvatheva
Hey Karuvatheva
Are your eyes filled with tears?
Oh Karuvatheva
உன் நெலம சொன்னா
குளம் நெருப்பா போவும்
உங்கதைய ஒரு கரு மாயம்
கருவாதேவா
If your condition is spoken of
The water pond will turn into fire
Your story is pitch-black grief
Oh Karuvatheva
.................................
...
சொத்து இருந்தாலும் தொல்லையே
அது இத்து விழுந்தாலும் தொல்லையே
பாசம் உள்ள ஒரு பாவி மனசு
அது படுத்தா தூங்காது
If wealth exists, it is a trouble
If it rots away, that too is a trouble
An affectionate, suffering heart
Cannot sleep when lying down
பாரம் இறங்கும் வயசுல
புது பாரம் ஏறுவது நியாயமா
பாவம் வாழைமரம்
அய்யோ ஏழைமரம் இடிய தாங்காது
At an age when burdens should lighten
Is it fair for new burdens to pile up?
Poor tender banana tree
Alas, poor fragile tree
Cannot withstand a thunderbolt
நரை கொண்ட கேசம்
திரை கொண்ட தேகம்
திடமென உன் நெஞ்சு
நரைக்காது ஐயா
Hair filled with grey
Body filled with wrinkles
Your resolute heart
Will never turn grey, sir
உறவெல்லாம் மாறும்
வரவெல்லாம் தீரும்
உசுரான உன் பாசம்
வெளுக்காது ஐயா
All relationships will change
All income will be spent
Your deep life-giving love
Will never fade away, sir
ஒரு கிழவனின் கண்ணீரோ
தரையில் ஓடுது நதியாக
நதி ஓடிய தடம் எல்லாம்
குடும்பம் வளருது பயிராக
The tears of an old man
Flow upon the earth like a river
Along the path where the river ran
The family grows like lush crops
கருவாதேவா
அட கருவாதேவா
ஒங்கண்ணெல்லாம் கண்ணீரா
கருவாதேவா
Oh Karuvatheva
Hey Karuvatheva
Are your eyes filled with tears?
Oh Karuvatheva
உன் நெலம சொன்னா
குளம் நெருப்பா போவும்
உங்கதைய ஒரு கரு மாயம்
கருவாதேவா
If your condition is spoken of
The water pond will turn into fire
Your story is pitch-black grief
Oh Karuvatheva
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Ada karuvatheva
Hey Karuvatheva
Ongkannellam kanneera
Are your eyes filled with tears?
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Un nelama sonna
If your condition is spoken of
Kulam neruppa povum
The water pond will turn into fire
Ongkadhaiya oru karumayam
Your story is pitch-black grief
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Pottappulla pozhuthapochu
The girl's youth has passed away
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Petha pulla pagaiyapochu
The child you raised became an enemy
Vidhithanae yaarvelva
It is fate, who can conquer it?
Sonthamellam somaiyapochu
All relatives have become a heavy burden
Karuvatheva..aa….
Oh Karuvatheva...
Annan thambi pagaiyaana
When brothers turn into enemies
Maga enga povaa…
Where will the daughter go?
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Ada karuvatheva
Hey Karuvatheva
Ongkannellam kanneera
Are your eyes filled with tears?
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Un nelama sonna
If your condition is spoken of
Kulam neruppa povum
The water pond will turn into fire
Ongkadhaiya oru karumayam
Your story is pitch-black grief
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Mullumela oru sondhamo
Is kinship like resting on a bed of thorns?
Entha pakkam ethu kiliyumo
Which side will tear away where?
Maanam kaakka oru kovam kaatta
To protect honor or to show anger
Indha vaazhkkaiyil edamilla
There is no room in this life
Vaetti onnuthaan michamo
Is a single veshti all that remains for you?
Nee kaattum paasam
The affection you display
Adhu uchchamo
Is it at its ultimate peak?
Vaanam paathu intha boomi
Looking at the sky, this earth
Polanthirukku
Has cracked wide open
Megam thuliyilla
Without even a single drop from clouds
Dheganthaan theyum
Only the body wears away
Seruppellam theyum
All the footwear wears away
Nee kaattum peranbu
The great love you show
Theyathaiyyaa
Will never wear away, sir
Nilam kooda theerum
Even the land might be exhausted
Kadal kooda theerum
Even the sea might dry up
Nee petha kadan mattum
Only the debt you incurred for us
Theerathaiyyaa
Will never end, sir
Oru pasuvin thiyagamthan
Only a cow's sacrifice
Usuraa ozhuguthu paalaaga
Flows out as life-giving milk
Oru manusanin thiyagamthan
Only a man's sacrifice
Ovvoru kudumbamum aalaga
Helps every family grow and flourish
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Ada karuvatheva
Hey Karuvatheva
Ongkannellam kanneera
Are your eyes filled with tears?
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Un nelama sonna
If your condition is spoken of
Kulam neruppa povum
The water pond will turn into fire
Ongkadhaiya oru karumayam
Your story is pitch-black grief
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
……………………………..
...
Soththu irunthalum thollaiyae
If wealth exists, it is a trouble
Adhu iththu vizhunthalum thollaiyae
If it rots away, that too is a trouble
Paasamulla oru paavi manasu
An affectionate, suffering heart
Adhu padutha thoongaathu
Cannot sleep when lying down
Baaram erangum oru vayasula
At an age when burdens should lighten
Pudhu baaram yeruvathu nyaayama
Is it fair for new burdens to pile up?
Paavam vaazhamaram
Poor tender banana tree
Ayyo yezhamaram
Alas, poor fragile tree
Idiya thaangathu
Cannot withstand a thunderbolt
Narai konda kesam
Hair filled with grey
Thirai konda dhegam
Body filled with wrinkles
Thidamaana un nenju
Your resolute heart
Naraikkathaiyyaa
Will never turn grey, sir
Uravellaam maarum
All relationships will change
Varavellaam theerum
All income will be spent
Usuraana onpaasam
Your deep life-giving love
Velukkathaiyyaa
Will never fade away, sir
Oru kizhavanin kanneero
The tears of an old man
Tharaiyil oduthu nadhiyaaga
Flow upon the earth like a river
Nadhiyodiya thadamellam
Along the path where the river ran
Kudumbam valaruthu payiraaga
The family grows like lush crops
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Ada karuvatheva
Hey Karuvatheva
Ongkannellam kanneera
Are your eyes filled with tears?
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Un nelama sonna
If your condition is spoken of
Kulam neruppa povum
The water pond will turn into fire
Ongkadhaiya oru karumayam
Your story is pitch-black grief
Karuvatheva
Oh Karuvatheva
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Karuvatheva' from the film Nedunalvaadai is a heart-wrenching ode to selfless fatherhood and grandfathers who sacrifice their whole lives for their families. It portrays Karuvathevan, an aged patriarch carrying enormous emotional and financial burdens due to family feuds and ill fortune. Despite his physical body decaying with age and hardship, his boundlessly affectionate heart remains untarnished. Through vivid imagery of rural hardship—cracked earth, wearing footwear, and weeping old age—lyricist Vairamuthu highlights how an elder's tears and quiet sacrifices act as a river that nourishes subsequent generations like crops, even while they receive little gratitude in return.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Oru kizhavanin kanneero / Tharaiyil oduthu nadhiyaaga”
Compares an old man's tears to a river that flows and irrigates crops, symbolizing how his grief and sacrifices sustain his family's growth.
Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)
“Narai konda kesam / Thirai konda dhegam / Thidamaana un nenju / Naraikkathaiyyaa”
Contrasts physical decay (grey hair, wrinkled body) with the immortal strength of his inner love that never fades or turns grey.
Initial Rhyme (Monai)
“Vaetti onnuthaan michamo / Nee kaattum paasam”
Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds across adjacent words to create a rhythmic, elegiac cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Nedunalvaadai (2019) was directed by debutant B. Selvakannan. The emotional musical score was composed by Jose Franklin, and this flagship song was written by National Award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu, sung powerfully by Master Minnal Raja to portray the central elderly character played by late actor Poo Ramu.
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