- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Sirkazhi Govindarajan
- Music directors
- M. S. Vishwanathan, T. K. Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Kaathiruntha Kangal
- Movie release year
- 1962
- Lyrics added on
- 22 Mar 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Odam Nadhiyinilae is a deeply philosophical and poignant song expressing themes of loneliness, emotional separation, and the transient nature of existence. Using the striking image of a boat moving down a river while a solitary woman remains behind on the bank, lyricist Kannadasan constructs a metaphor for the soul departing from the physical body and the isolation of earthly life. The lyrics compare human existence to a dance performed on a stage built of desires, posing fundamental questions about human mystery—such as who truly resides in another's heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Odam nadhiyinilae / Oruthi mattum karaiyinilae”
The image of a boat drifting away on a river while a woman stands alone on the shore serves as a metaphor for the soul departing the physical body and human isolation.
Metaphor
“Aasai ennum medaiyilae / Aadivarum vaazhvinilae”
Life is explicitly compared to a dance performed upon a theatrical stage built of human desires.
Analogy
“Kootukullae kuyil irrukkum / Paatu varum veliyinilae”
The cuckoo residing in its nest while sending its voice outward symbolizes the separation between the physical entity and its essential, expressive spirit.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Kaathiruntha Kangal (1962) stars Gemini Ganesan and Savitri in dual roles, with this philosophical piece rendered with deep pathos by veteran singer Sirkazhi Govindarajan under the composition of the iconic Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo.
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