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Kudumbam Oru Kadhambam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kudumbam Oru Kadhambam

From Kudumbam Oru Kadhambam · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Kudumbam Oru Kadhambam
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
30 Mar 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kudumbam oru kadhambam
Pala vannam pala vannam
Dhinamum madhi nayangum
Pala ennam pala ennam
Devan oru paadhai devi oru paadhai
Kuzhanthai oru paadhai
Kaalam seiyum perum leelai
Kudumbam oru kadhambam
Pala vannam
Dhinamum madhi nayangum
Pala ennam
Devan oru paadhai devi oru paadhai
Kuzhanthai oru paadhai
Kaalam seiyum perum leelai
Manaiyaal pan seithaal
Manavaalan vaazhalaam
Adhilae varumaanam aanaalum avamaanam
Veedugal thorum ingu
Idhuthaanae kelvi indru
Vidinthaal oru ennam
Ellorkkum thaniyullam
Kudumbam oru kadhambam
Pala vannam pala vannam
Dhinamum madhi nayangum
Pala ennam pala ennam
Kanavan perithendru
Mananthaargal mangaiyargal
Uzhaippaal avalendru
Mananthaargal naayagarkal
Porulaathaaraththilae
Porulthaanaa thaaram indru
Porulaathaaraththilae
Porulthaanaa thaaram indru
Iruvar uzhaiththaalthaan
Innaalilae pasi theerum
Kudumbam oru kadhambam
Pala vannam
Dhinamum madhi nayangum
Pala ennam
Irandu kudhiraiyilae
Oru manithan povathenna
Irandu ninaivugalil
Sila manithar vaazhvathenna
Kaalangalthorum
Avar sinthanaiyil maattramenna
Manithan ninaikkindran
Iraivan athai maattrugindraan
Kudumbam oru kadhambam
Pala vannam pala vannam
Dhinamum madhi nayangum
Pala ennam pala ennam
Devan oru paadhai devi oru paadhai
Kuzhanthai oru paadhai
Kaalam seiyum perum leelai
Kudumbam oru kadhambam
Pala vannam
Dhinamum madhi nayangum
Pala ennam
A family is a mixed garland of flowers,
In so many colors, so many colors!
Every day the mind gets confused,
With so many thoughts, so many thoughts!
The husband walks one path, the wife walks another,
The child walks yet another path,
This is the great game played by time!
A family is a mixed garland of flowers,
In so many colors!
Every day the mind gets confused,
With so many thoughts!
The husband walks one path, the wife walks another,
The child walks yet another path,
This is the great game played by time!
If the wife goes to work,
The husband can survive,
There is income in it, but there is also shame!
In every home around here,
Isn't this the question today?
When dawn breaks, each has a different thought,
Everyone has a mind of their own!
A family is a mixed garland of flowers,
In so many colors, so many colors!
Every day the mind gets confused,
With so many thoughts, so many thoughts!
Thinking a husband was everything,
Women once got married;
Expecting that she would earn,
Men now get married!
In this economic struggle,
Is a wife valued only for money today?
In this economic struggle,
Is a wife valued only for money today?
Only if both of them work,
Can hunger be wiped out these days!
A family is a mixed garland of flowers,
In so many colors!
Every day the mind gets confused,
With so many thoughts!
Riding two horses at the same time,
Why does a person try to travel?
Torn between two conflicting minds,
Why do some people live?
With every passing age,
Why does their thinking keep changing?
Man plans one thing,
God alters it into another!
A family is a mixed garland of flowers,
In so many colors, so many colors!
Every day the mind gets confused,
With so many thoughts, so many thoughts!
The husband walks one path, the wife walks another,
The child walks yet another path,
This is the great game played by time!
A family is a mixed garland of flowers,
In so many colors!
Every day the mind gets confused,
With so many thoughts!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Kudumbam Oru Kadhambam' explores the complexities, contradictions, and evolving dynamics of modern family life. Written by Kannadasan and set to music by M. S. Viswanathan, the song metaphorically equates a family to a 'kadhambam'—a garland composed of varied flowers—symbolizing diverse personalities, opinions, and life paths residing under one roof. It reflects on societal shifts where economic realities force both husbands and wives to work, creating financial support yet triggering ego clashes, changing expectations, and social dilemmas. Ultimately, the song highlights how human intentions are reshaped by time, fate, and economic pressures, capturing the bitter-sweet essence of family relationships with profound philosophical depth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Kudumbam oru kadhambam”

Comparing family to 'Kadhambam' (a mixed floral garland) to signify diverse personalities grouped together.

Repetition (Anaphora/Anadiplosis)

“Pala vannam pala vannam”

Repetition of 'Pala vannam' and 'Pala ennam' creates rhythm and reinforces multiplicity.

Metaphor

“Irandu kudhiraiyilae Oru manithan povathenna”

Riding two horses at once symbolizes leading a divided life or juggling conflicting thoughts and responsibilities.

Eltru / Monnai (Tamil Alliteration)

“Manaiyaal pan seithaal Manavaalan vaazhalaam”

Matching initial sounds in consecutive words such as 'Manaiyaal' / 'Manavaalan' and 'Porulaathaaraththilae' / 'Porulthaanaa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is the title track of the 1981 film 'Kudumbam Oru Kadhambam' directed by S. P. Muthuraman, based on Visu's popular stage play. Visu himself starred in the movie, which dealt with middle-class domestic issues, working wives, and generational differences.

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