Kutham Kolai
From Kavalukku Kettikaran · 1990
- Lyricist
- Ilaiya Bharathi
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Kavalukku Kettikaran1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ae… ae… ae… | Hey... hey... hey... |
| Ae… ae… daei… aa… aa… aa… | Hey... hey... man... ah... ah... ah... |
| Karuivarai thodangi kallarai varaiyil | From the womb to the grave, |
| Kaanuvadhellaam dhandanai thaan | Everything seen is indeed a punishment. |
| Varumai patta manushanukku | For a poor human being, |
| Vaazhkkai ellaam haei dhandanai thaan | All of life, hey, is just a punishment. |
| Sabikka patta sanangalukku | For cursed people, |
| Saagum varai dhandanai thaan | Until they die, it is a punishment. |
| Chorus | |
| Aamaa… dhandanai thaan | Yes... it is a punishment. |
| Male | |
| Kutham kola senjavanellaam | All those who committed crimes and murders, |
| Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum | Must go to the police station. |
| Naan enna kutham senjenadaa | What crime did I commit, my friend? |
| Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae | My life itself is under guard! |
| Naan kaidhi illae | I am not a prisoner, |
| Aanaa innoruthan kaavalilae | But I am under someone else's custody. |
| Idhu poiyum illae | This is not a lie either, |
| Yeno ulagamum puriyavillae | Yet I do not understand why the world acts this way. |
| Male | |
| Kutham kola senjavanellaam | All those who committed crimes and murders, |
| Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum | Must go to the police station. |
| Naan enna kutham senjenadaa | What crime did I commit, my friend? |
| Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae | My life itself is under guard! |
| Male | |
| Ponnaana em manasu | My golden heart, |
| Punnaagi pona kadha | The story of how it turned into a wound, |
| Ennaannu solvenadaa | How shall I tell you, my friend? |
| Ponnaana em manasu | My golden heart, |
| Punnaagi pona kadha | The story of how it turned into a wound, |
| Ennaannu solvenadaa | How shall I tell you, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Vaanil yerathaan aasapatten | I desired to climb into the sky, |
| Thoondil meenathaan maattikkitten | Like a fish on a hook, I got trapped. |
| Kaadhal seiyathaan aasa konden | I longed to love, |
| Kaaval kaathu thaan naanum nondhen | And standing guard, I suffered in pain. |
| Male | |
| Karumbaana vaazhkka | A life that was sweet like sugarcane, |
| Kasappaagi pochae | Has turned bitter. |
| Sumaiyaana velaiyum sodhikkudhae | This burdensome job is also testing me. |
| Manasila ulla sumaiyum konjamaa | Is the burden in my mind any small thing? |
| Adha marandhirukka vazhiyum ennadaa daei | What is the way to forget it, hey friend? |
| Chorus | |
| Kutham kola senjavanellaam | All those who committed crimes and murders, |
| Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum | Must go to the police station. |
| Male :Naan enna kutham senjenadaa | Male: What crime did I commit, my friend? |
| Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae | My life itself is under guard! |
| Male | |
| Sollaadha paadam ellaam | Lessons that were untold, |
| Naan solli thandhenae | I taught them all. |
| Ippa thaan naan padikkiren | Only now am I learning myself. |
| Sollaadha paadam ellaam | Lessons that were untold, |
| Naan solli thandhenae | I taught them all. |
| Ippa thaan naan padikkiren | Only now am I learning myself. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhkka paadatha vittu puttu | Leaving aside life's actual lessons, |
| Yettu paadatha cholli thandhen | I taught bookish lessons. |
| Yettu churaikkaayum karikkaagumaa | Will a drawn gourd on paper serve as a curry? |
| Kettu purinjaalum uraikkaadhammaa | Even if understood after ruin, it does not sink in! |
| Endraikkum thunbam nirkkaadhu ingae | Sorrow will never remain forever here, |
| Inbamum vandhu pogumadaa | Joy too will come and go, my friend. |
| Irukkum vara ullaasamaa | As long as we exist, with joy, |
| Naama iruppadhilae thayakkam ennadaa daei | Why hesitate to live happily, hey friend? |
| Chorus | |
| Kutham kola senjavanellaam | All those who committed crimes and murders, |
| Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum | Must go to the police station. |
| Male :Naan enna kutham senjenadaa | Male: What crime did I commit, my friend? |
| Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae | My life itself is under guard! |
| Male | |
| Naan kaidhi illae | I am not a prisoner, |
| Chorus :Aanaa innoruthan kaavalilae | Chorus: But under someone else's custody. |
| Male :Idhu poiyum illae | Male: This is not a lie either, |
| Chorus :Yeno ulagamum puriyavillae | Chorus: Yet I do not understand why the world acts this way. |
| Chorus | |
| Kutham kola senjavanellaam | All those who committed crimes and murders, |
| Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum | Must go to the police station. |
| Male :Naan enna kutham senjenadaa | Male: What crime did I commit, my friend? |
| Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae | My life itself is under guard! |
ஏ.... ஏ..... ஏ......
ஏ.... ஏ......டேய்..... ஆ..... ஆ..... ஆ.....
கருவறை தொடங்கி கல்லறை வரையில்
காணுவதெல்லாம் தண்டனைதான்
வறுமைப் பட்ட மனுஷனுக்கு
வாழ்க்கை எல்லாம்
ஹேய் தண்டனைதான்
சபிக்கப் பட்ட சனங்களுக்கு
சாகும் வரை தண்டனைதான்…
Hey... hey... hey...
Hey... hey... man... ah... ah... ah...
From the womb to the grave,
Everything seen is indeed a punishment.
For a poor human being,
All of life, hey, is just a punishment.
For cursed people,
Until they die, it is a punishment.
ஆமா.... தண்டனைதான்…
Yes... it is a punishment.
குத்தம் கொலை
செஞ்சவனெல்லாம்
காவல் நிலையம் போக வேணும்
நான் என்ன குத்தம் செஞ்சேனடா
எந்தன் வாழ்க்கை காவலிலே
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Must go to the police station.
What crime did I commit, my friend?
My life itself is under guard!
I am not a prisoner,
But I am under someone else's custody.
This is not a lie either,
Yet I do not understand why the world acts this way.
நான் கைதி இல்லே
ஆனா இன்னொருத்தன் காவலிலே
இது பொய்யும் இல்லே
ஏனோ உலகமும் புரியவில்லே
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Must go to the police station.
What crime did I commit, my friend?
My life itself is under guard!
குத்தம் கொலை
செஞ்சவனெல்லாம்
காவல் நிலையம் போக வேணும்
நான் என்ன குத்தம் செஞ்சேனடா
எந்தன் வாழ்க்கை காவலிலே
My golden heart,
The story of how it turned into a wound,
How shall I tell you, my friend?
My golden heart,
The story of how it turned into a wound,
How shall I tell you, my friend?
பொன்னான என் மனசு
புண்ணாகிப் போன கதை
என்னான்னு சொல்வேனடா
பொன்னான என் மனசு
புண்ணாகிப் போன கதை
என்னான்னு சொல்வேனடா
I desired to climb into the sky,
Like a fish on a hook, I got trapped.
I longed to love,
And standing guard, I suffered in pain.
வானில் ஏறத்தான்
ஆசைப்பட்டேன்
தூண்டில் மீனாதான்
மாட்டிக்கிட்டேன்
காதல் செய்யத்தான்
ஆசை கொண்டேன்
காவல் காத்துத்தான்
நானும் நொந்தேன்
A life that was sweet like sugarcane,
Has turned bitter.
This burdensome job is also testing me.
Is the burden in my mind any small thing?
What is the way to forget it, hey friend?
கரும்பான வாழ்க்கை
கசப்பாகிப் போச்சே
சுமையான வேலையும்
சோதிக்குதே
மனசில் உள்ள
சுமையும் கொஞ்சமா
அத மறந்திருக்க வழியும்
என்னடா டேய்
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Must go to the police station.
Male: What crime did I commit, my friend?
My life itself is under guard!
குத்தம் கொலை
செஞ்சவனெல்லாம்
காவல் நிலையம் போக வேணும்
நான் என்ன குத்தம்
செஞ்சேனடா
எந்தன் வாழ்க்கை காவலிலே
Lessons that were untold,
I taught them all.
Only now am I learning myself.
Lessons that were untold,
I taught them all.
Only now am I learning myself.
சொல்லாத பாடம் எல்லாம்
நான் சொல்லி தந்தேனே
இப்பத்தான் நான் படிக்கிறேன்
சொல்லாத பாடம் எல்லாம்
நான் சொல்லி தந்தேனே
இப்பத்தான் நான் படிக்கிறேன்
Leaving aside life's actual lessons,
I taught bookish lessons.
Will a drawn gourd on paper serve as a curry?
Even if understood after ruin, it does not sink in!
Sorrow will never remain forever here,
Joy too will come and go, my friend.
As long as we exist, with joy,
Why hesitate to live happily, hey friend?
வாழ்க்கைப் பாடத்த
விட்டுப் புட்டு
ஏட்டுப் பாடத்தச் சொல்லித் தந்தேன்
ஏட்டுச் சுரைக்காயும் கறிக்காகுமா
கேட்டுப் புரிஞ்சாலும் உரைக்காதம்மா
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Must go to the police station.
Male: What crime did I commit, my friend?
My life itself is under guard!
என்றைக்கும் துன்பம்
நிக்காது இங்கே
இன்பமும் வந்து போகுமடா
இருக்கும் வரை உல்லாசமா
நாம இருப்பதிலே தயக்கம்
என்னடா டே டேய்
I am not a prisoner,
Chorus: But under someone else's custody.
Male: This is not a lie either,
Chorus: Yet I do not understand why the world acts this way.
குத்தம் கொலை
செஞ்சவனெல்லாம்
காவல் நிலையம் போக வேணும்
நான் என்ன குத்தம்
செஞ்சேனடா
எந்தன் வாழ்க்கை காவலிலே
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Must go to the police station.
Male: What crime did I commit, my friend?
My life itself is under guard!
நான் கைதி இல்லே
குழு :
ஆனா இன்னொருத்தன்
காவலிலே
இது பொய்யும் இல்லே
குழு :
ஏனோ உலகமும்
புரியவில்லே
குத்தம் கொலை
செஞ்சவனெல்லாம்
காவல் நிலையம் போக வேணும்
நான் என்ன குத்தம்
செஞ்சேனடா
எந்தன் வாழ்க்கை காவலிலே
Ae… ae… ae…
Hey... hey... hey...
Ae… ae… daei… aa… aa… aa…
Hey... hey... man... ah... ah... ah...
Karuivarai thodangi kallarai varaiyil
From the womb to the grave,
Kaanuvadhellaam dhandanai thaan
Everything seen is indeed a punishment.
Varumai patta manushanukku
For a poor human being,
Vaazhkkai ellaam haei dhandanai thaan
All of life, hey, is just a punishment.
Sabikka patta sanangalukku
For cursed people,
Saagum varai dhandanai thaan
Until they die, it is a punishment.
Aamaa… dhandanai thaan
Yes... it is a punishment.
Kutham kola senjavanellaam
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum
Must go to the police station.
Naan enna kutham senjenadaa
What crime did I commit, my friend?
Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae
My life itself is under guard!
Naan kaidhi illae
I am not a prisoner,
Aanaa innoruthan kaavalilae
But I am under someone else's custody.
Idhu poiyum illae
This is not a lie either,
Yeno ulagamum puriyavillae
Yet I do not understand why the world acts this way.
Kutham kola senjavanellaam
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum
Must go to the police station.
Naan enna kutham senjenadaa
What crime did I commit, my friend?
Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae
My life itself is under guard!
Ponnaana em manasu
My golden heart,
Punnaagi pona kadha
The story of how it turned into a wound,
Ennaannu solvenadaa
How shall I tell you, my friend?
Ponnaana em manasu
My golden heart,
Punnaagi pona kadha
The story of how it turned into a wound,
Ennaannu solvenadaa
How shall I tell you, my friend?
Vaanil yerathaan aasapatten
I desired to climb into the sky,
Thoondil meenathaan maattikkitten
Like a fish on a hook, I got trapped.
Kaadhal seiyathaan aasa konden
I longed to love,
Kaaval kaathu thaan naanum nondhen
And standing guard, I suffered in pain.
Karumbaana vaazhkka
A life that was sweet like sugarcane,
Kasappaagi pochae
Has turned bitter.
Sumaiyaana velaiyum sodhikkudhae
This burdensome job is also testing me.
Manasila ulla sumaiyum konjamaa
Is the burden in my mind any small thing?
Adha marandhirukka vazhiyum ennadaa daei
What is the way to forget it, hey friend?
Kutham kola senjavanellaam
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum
Must go to the police station.
Male :Naan enna kutham senjenadaa
Male: What crime did I commit, my friend?
Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae
My life itself is under guard!
Sollaadha paadam ellaam
Lessons that were untold,
Naan solli thandhenae
I taught them all.
Ippa thaan naan padikkiren
Only now am I learning myself.
Sollaadha paadam ellaam
Lessons that were untold,
Naan solli thandhenae
I taught them all.
Ippa thaan naan padikkiren
Only now am I learning myself.
Vaazhkka paadatha vittu puttu
Leaving aside life's actual lessons,
Yettu paadatha cholli thandhen
I taught bookish lessons.
Yettu churaikkaayum karikkaagumaa
Will a drawn gourd on paper serve as a curry?
Kettu purinjaalum uraikkaadhammaa
Even if understood after ruin, it does not sink in!
Endraikkum thunbam nirkkaadhu ingae
Sorrow will never remain forever here,
Inbamum vandhu pogumadaa
Joy too will come and go, my friend.
Irukkum vara ullaasamaa
As long as we exist, with joy,
Naama iruppadhilae thayakkam ennadaa daei
Why hesitate to live happily, hey friend?
Kutham kola senjavanellaam
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum
Must go to the police station.
Male :Naan enna kutham senjenadaa
Male: What crime did I commit, my friend?
Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae
My life itself is under guard!
Naan kaidhi illae
I am not a prisoner,
Chorus :Aanaa innoruthan kaavalilae
Chorus: But under someone else's custody.
Male :Idhu poiyum illae
Male: This is not a lie either,
Chorus :Yeno ulagamum puriyavillae
Chorus: Yet I do not understand why the world acts this way.
Kutham kola senjavanellaam
All those who committed crimes and murders,
Kaaval nilaiyam poga venum
Must go to the police station.
Male :Naan enna kutham senjenadaa
Male: What crime did I commit, my friend?
Endhan vaazhkka kaavalilae
My life itself is under guard!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song expresses deep philosophical angst over the ironies of life and destiny. The protagonist laments that life feels like an unending sentence from birth to the grave, especially for the poor and disenfranchised. While actual criminals belong in police custody, he wonders what sin he committed to find his own life trapped under emotional and situational captivity. Despite having a noble heart, he feels betrayed by circumstances, comparing his state to a fish caught on a hook. Through metaphors of sweet sugarcane turning bitter and bookish knowledge failing in practical life ('Yettu churaikkaay'), he reflects on how theoretical teachings fall short against real-world struggles. Ultimately, he attempts to reconcile his pain by reminding himself that happiness and sorrow are temporary phases, urging himself to embrace joy whenever possible despite life's heavy burdens.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Contrast (Karuivarai vs Kallarai)
“Karuivarai thodangi kallarai varaiyil”
Contrasts the beginning of life (womb/Karuivarai) with the end of life (tomb/Kallarai) to highlight lifelong suffering.
Metaphor (Ponnaana Manasu / Punnaagi)
“Ponnaana em manasu / Punnaagi pona kadha”
Compares a pure, loving heart to pure gold ('Ponnaana manasu') and emotional heartbreak to an open physical wound ('Punnaagi').
Metaphor / Imagery (Thoondil Meen)
“Thoondil meenathaan maattikkitten”
Compares the protagonist's helpless emotional state and trap of fate to a fish hooked by a fisherman.
Proverb / Metaphor (Yettu Churaikkaay)
“Yettu churaikkaayum karikkaagumaa”
Employs the famous Tamil proverb 'Yettu churaikkaay curry-ku udhavadhu' (a bookish gourd cannot make a meal), pointing out that theoretical knowledge cannot solve real-world problems.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed with unknown credits in some records, 'Kavalukku Kettikaran' (1990) was directed by Santhana Bharathi, starring Prabhu and Nirosha, with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.
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