Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Odam Enge Pogum

From Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
10 Jan 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Odam engae pogum
Adhu nadhi vazhiyae
Vaazhkkai engae pogum
Adhu vidhi vazhiyae
Vidukadhai idhu pennae
Vidai kandupidi kannae
Odam engae pogum
Adhu nadhi vazhiyae
Vaazhkkai engae pogum
Adhu vidhi vazhiyae
Kaadu malai yaeri pogira nadhikku
Pombalainga peru vanthathu edhukku
Thanneeru illaamae nadhiyae illeenga
Kanneeru illaamae pombala illeenga
Aarum ponnum kaalam vanthaa
Kalangi pogum paaru
Odam engae Adiyae….
Odam engae pogum
Adhu nadhi vazhiyae
Vaazhkkai engae pogum
Adhu vidhi vazhiyae….
Aara cholli aavathennavo kuyilae
Aabaththukku paavamillaiyae mayilae
Nallavan kettaalum nanmaithaan undaagum
Thangaththai suttaalum innumthaan nallaagum
Aadi maasam pona piragu
Koodi varattum kaalam
Odam engae Adiyae….
Odam engae pogum
Adhu nadhi vazhiyae
Vaazhkkai engae pogum
Adhu vidhi vazhiyae….
Vidukadhai idhu pennae
Vidai kandupidi kannae
Odam engae pogum
Adhu nadhi vazhiyae
Vaazhkkai engae pogum
Adhu vidhi vazhiyae
Where will a boat go?
Along the path of the river.
Where will life go?
Along the path of destiny.
This is a riddle, my girl,
Find the answer, my dear.
Where will a boat go?
Along the path of the river.
Where will life go?
Along the path of destiny.
For a river that flows over forests and hills,
Why was it given a woman's name?
There is no river without water,
And there is no woman without tears.
When the time comes, both a river and a woman
Will be troubled and shaken, you see.
Where will the boat go, my girl...
Where will a boat go?
Along the path of the river.
Where will life go?
Along the path of destiny...
What is the point of telling pain to heal, my cuckoo?
There is no sin in desperate times, my peacock.
Even if a good person suffers, only good will come of it;
Even when gold is burned in fire, it only becomes purer.
Once the month of Aadi passes,
Let the time come for us to unite.
Where will the boat go, my girl...
Where will a boat go?
Along the path of the river.
Where will life go?
Along the path of destiny.
This is a riddle, my girl,
Find the answer, my dear.
Where will a boat go?
Along the path of the river.
Where will life go?
Along the path of destiny...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a deeply philosophical track that uses rural metaphors to reflect on life, destiny, and womanhood. By comparing human life to a boat tossed upon a river governed by fate, the lyricist highlights the inevitability of destiny. The song draws poignant parallels between a river and a woman—both bear names of grace, flow through rough landscapes, and endure emotional or physical turbulence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Analogy / Metaphor

“Odam engae pogum / Adhu nadhi vazhiyae... Vaazhkkai engae pogum / Adhu vidhi vazhiyae”

Compares human life drifting through destiny to a boat steered along the natural course of a river.

Ethugai (Second letter assonance)

“Thanneeru illaamae nadhiyae illeenga / Kanneeru illaamae pombala illeenga”

The second letter 'nna' (ன்) matches in 'Thanneeru' and 'Kanneeru', creating a pleasing phonetic rhyme while drawing a parallel between water and tears.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Adhu nadhi vazhiyae / Adhu vidhi vazhiyae”

The line endings 'vazhiyae' rhyme with each other across stanzas.

Simile / Refinement Metaphor

“Thangaththai suttaalum innumthaan nallaagum”

Uses the metaphor of gold being refined in fire to show that good people only shine brighter through trials and tribulations.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru' (1986) is a rural drama directed by V. M. S. Rajakumaran, starring Ramarajan and Rekha. The film's musical score was composed by the duo Sankar-Ganesh, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song captures classic 1980s Tamil rural philosophy, blending nature imagery with deep life lessons.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Annaandhu Paar2018
SavarakathiImpermanenceResilience
Malaiyae Asainthalum Shanthi Ethu1956
Mathar Kula ManickamFateGrief
Pirappatharkum Irappatharkum1986
Jothi MalarFateContemplative
Vazhkkai Ennum Odam1964
PoompuharFateJourney
Mirutha Mirutha2016
MiruthanGriefImpermanence
Oru Naalil – Star Version2024
Star – 2024 FilmTimeContemplative

From the same album

More songs from Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru

View album
Venanda Ada Vittutungada1986
Namma Ooru Nalla OoruHumorous
Malliga Poovu Poduthe1986
Namma Ooru Nalla OoruPlayful
Pootha Maligai1986
Namma Ooru Nalla OoruRomantic
Singara Kaathu1986
Namma Ooru Nalla OoruRomantic
Azhagaana Chinna Payalae1986
Namma Ooru Nalla OoruTender

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.