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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odam Ondru Kattril

From Tripura Sundari · 1978

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Tripura Sundari
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
8 Jun 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Odam ondru kaattril pona vazhi
Naamum pogindrom
Yaetho ondru naalai endru
Innum vaazhgindrom
Odam ondru kaattril pona vazhi
Naamum pogindrom
Paathai endru yaedhum illai
Kaalam ellaam naangal pogindrom
Thaagam vanthaal neerum illai
Neeril ingae naalum vaazhgindrom
Intha neeril sendrae kaanal neeraanom
Odam ondru kaattril pona vazhi
Naamum pogindrom
Thoondil ittom meengal illai
Naangal ingae thoondil meenaanom
Odam vittom dheepam illai
Naangal ingae odam polaanom
Entha neram engae povom endraanom
Megam endraal minnal undu
Thondrum minnalthaanae maaraathaa
Vaazhkkai endraal innal undu
Kaanum innal thaanae theeraathaa
Nalla kaalam ondru naalai vaaraathaa
Odam ondru kaattril pona vazhi
Naamum pogindrom
Wherever the wind carries a boat along,
we too keep drifting on.
Hoping for something better tomorrow,
we still carry on living...
Wherever the wind carries a boat along,
we too keep drifting on.
There is no clear path ahead,
yet we keep wandering all our lives.
When thirst strikes, there is no water to drink,
though we live upon the water every day.
Drifting across these waters, we became like a mirage.
Wherever the wind carries a boat along,
we too keep drifting on.
We cast our fishing hooks, but caught no fish,
and we ourselves became the fish trapped on a hook.
We set out in our boat with no lamp to guide us,
and we became just like a lost boat.
Wondering where we will go, and when.
Where there are clouds, there is lightning;
won't that flashing lightning fade away?
Where there is life, there are hardships;
won't the troubles we face come to an end?
Won't better days arrive tomorrow?
Wherever the wind carries a boat along,
we too keep drifting on.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Odam Ondru Kaattril Pona Vazhi' is a deeply philosophical and haunting song that reflects on the uncertain, helpless nature of human life. Using vivid maritime metaphors—such as a boat drifting aimlessly in the wind, being surrounded by ocean water yet dying of thirst, and getting caught on a hook while trying to fish—the lyrics portray humans as helpless travelers subject to the unpredictable whims of fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Odam ondru kaattril pona vazhi / Naamum pogindrom”

Human life drifting aimlessly without a clear destination is directly compared to a boat floating helplessly in the direction of the wind.

Paradox / Irony

“Thaagam vanthaal neerum illai / Neeril ingae naalum vaazhgindrom”

Highlights the ironic struggle of being surrounded by water (the sea/river) yet having no drinkable water to quench thirst.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Thondrum minnalthaanae maaraathaa / Kaanum innal thaanae theeraathaa / Nalla kaalam ondru naalai vaaraathaa”

The repeating end suffix '-raathaa' across consecutive rhetorical questions creates a rhythmic, melancholic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track features Ilaiyaraaja in a rare triple role as the composer, lyricist, and playback singer. Known for its minimalist acoustic orchestration, the song remains one of Ilaiyaraaja's earliest and most revered philosophical compositions reflecting existential themes.

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