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Lyrics & meaning

Odakaran Pattu Male

From Naanum Indha Ooruthan · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Mano
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Naanum Indha Ooruthan1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thanae thandhananaa…(4) haeiThanae thandhananaa... (4 times) Hey!
Male
Oodakkaaran pattu ullatha vattam podumThe boatman's song circles around the heart.
Oda neeraa kaathu orasiyae thaalam podumThe stream's water and wind brush against each other to set the rhythm.
Kaathodu kettukko nenjodu pottukkoListen with your ears, store it in your heart,
Maanae malaithaenaeMy gentle deer, my mountain honey.
Male
Oodakkaaran pattu ullatha vattam podumThe boatman's song circles around the heart.
Oda neeraa kaathu orasiyae thaalam podumThe stream's water and wind brush against each other to set the rhythm.
Haan kaathodu kettukko nenjodu pottukkoAh, listen with your ears, store it in your heart,
Maanae malaithaenaeMy gentle deer, my mountain honey.
Oodakkaaran pattu ullatha vattam podumThe boatman's song circles around the heart.
Male
Raman nadanthanae kaaduRama walked through the forest,
Andha seethai magarasiyoduAlong with that blessed queen, Sita.
Thambhi kizhichaanae koduThe younger brother drew a boundary line,
Adha thaandi thavichaalae paeduAnd crossing it, the innocent lady suffered.
Kottukkullae nikkama kobam kondu pogaathaeDon't storm off in anger without staying within limits,
Veetukkullae thangaama vaazhavetti aagathaeDon't become destitute by abandoning your home.
Male
Veliya vandha ponnu maanam nelachidumaaIf a woman leaves her home bounds, can her honor remain intact?
Nilathil vandhaal semmenu pozhaichidumaaIf red soil washes onto barren land, can it survive unblemished?
Umperu repair aagatho maanaeWon't your name get ruined, my dear?
Male
Oodakkaaran pattu ullatha vattam podumThe boatman's song circles around the heart.
Oda neeraa kaathu orasiyae thaalam podumThe stream's water and wind brush against each other to set the rhythm.
Haei kaathodu kettukko nenjodu pottukkoHey, listen with your ears, store it in your heart,
Maanae malaithaenaeMy gentle deer, my mountain honey.
Oodakkaaran pattu ullatha vattam podumThe boatman's song circles around the heart.
Male
Ponnaa porandhakkaa yaarumAnyone born as a woman in this world,
Oru aanai manandhaaga vendumMust marry a good man.
Maanam mariyadhai kaakka andhaTo protect her honor and dignity, that
Manjakayironnu podhumSingle sacred yellow thread is enough.
Male
Vambhu thumbhu pannama sethukkadi machaanaAccept your man warmly without causing unnecessary fuss,
Andhi pagal eppodum pottukadi mundhaanaKeep your sari veil over you day and night.
Varappu onnu illama vayalirukkaCan a paddy field exist without a boundary ridge?
Odambhu onnu illama nizhalirukkaCan a shadow exist without a physical body?
Sittae naan sonnaakkaa thattama keluMy little bird, listen to what I say without refusing!
Male
Oodakkaaran pattu ullatha vattam podumThe boatman's song circles around the heart.
Oda neeraa kaathu orasiyae thaalam podumThe stream's water and wind brush against each other to set the rhythm.
Haei kaathodu kettukko nenjodu pottukkoHey, listen with your ears, store it in your heart,
Maanae malaithaenaeMy gentle deer, my mountain honey.
Male
Oodakkaaran pattu ullatha vattam podumThe boatman's song circles around the heart.
Oda neeraa kaathu orasiyae thaalam podumThe stream's water and wind brush against each other to set the rhythm.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oodakkaaran Pattu' is a folk-style advisory song sung from the perspective of a boatman imparting traditional life wisdom, restraint, and cultural ethics to a young woman. Set against the serene backdrop of flowing water and gentle breeze, the boatman uses nature imagery and mythological analogies—specifically referencing Sita crossing the Lakshman Rekha in the Ramayana—to warn against impulsive anger, breaking familial boundaries, and bringing disrepute to oneself.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kaathodu kettukko nenjodu pottukko

The matching end sounds 'kettukko' and 'pottukko' create a rhythmic closing rhyme.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Oodakkaaran pattu ullatha vattam podum / Oda neeraa kaathu orasiyae thaalam podum

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'O' across lines 2 and 3.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Maanae malaithaenae

Directly addressing the woman as 'deer' (Maanae) and 'mountain honey' (Malaithaenae) to convey sweetness and gentle nature.

Mythological Allusion

Raman nadanthanae kaadu ... Thambhi kizhichaanae kodu

References the epic Ramayana, specifically Lakshmana drawing the line (Lakshman Rekha) to protect Sita, illustrating the consequences of crossing boundaries.

Rhetorical Question

Varappu onnu illama vayalirukka / Odambhu onnu illama nizhalirukka

Uses rhetorical questions comparing a field without a ridge or a body without a shadow to emphasize that life requires boundaries and foundational ties.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Vaali for the 1990 movie 'Naanum Indha Ooruthan' starring Murali and Khushbu. Vaali excels at blending earthy rural folk sensibilities with deep philosophical advice embedded in traditional Tamil song formats.

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