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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odam Ondru

From Thiripura Sundari · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thiripura Sundari
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
4 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Odam ondru kaatril pona vazhi naamum pogindrom
Yaedho ondru naalai endru innum vaazhgindrom
Odam ondru kaatril pona vazhi naamum pogindrom
Paadhai endru yaedhumillai
Kaalam ellaam naangal pogindrom
Dhaagam vandhaal neerum illai
Neeril ingae naalum vaazhgindrom
Indha neeril sendrae kaanal neeraanom
Odam ondru kaatril pona vazhi naamum pogindrom
Thoondil ittom meengal illai
Naangal ingae thoondil meenaanom
Odam vittom dheebam illai
Naangal ingae odam pol aanom
Endha naeram engae povom endraanom
Odam ondru kaatril pona vazhi naamum pogindrom
Maegam endraal minnal undu
Thondrum minnal thaanae maaraadhaa
Vaazhkkai endraal innal undu
Kaanum innal thaanae theeraadhaa
Nalla kaalam ondru naalai vaaraadhaa
Odam ondru kaatril pona vazhi naamum pogindrom
Like a boat carried by the wind, we too drift on our way.
Hoping for something called tomorrow, we still live on.
Like a boat carried by the wind, we too drift on our way.
There is no set path for us,
yet we keep journeying all our lives.
When thirst comes, there is no water to drink,
though we live upon the water day after day.
Drifting on these waters, we have become like a mirage.
Like a boat carried by the wind, we too drift on our way.
We cast our fishing hooks, but caught no fish;
instead, we became the fish trapped on a hook.
We launched our boat without a guiding light,
and we ourselves have become like that drifting boat.
Left wondering where we will go, and at what moment.
Like a boat carried by the wind, we too drift on our way.
Where there are clouds, there is lightning,
but won't that striking lightning fade away?
Where there is life, there is suffering,
but won't the troubles we face come to an end?
Won't a better time arrive for us tomorrow?
Like a boat carried by the wind, we too drift on our way.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Odam Ondru Kaatril Pona Vazhi is a deeply philosophical and melancholic song penned by lyricist Kannadasan. The lyrics draw a vivid metaphor between human life and a small boat drifting helplessly in the wind across an unpredictable body of water. The characters reflect on their lack of control over fate, feeling stranded and helpless despite being surrounded by the vast ocean of existence, encapsulated by the irony of suffering thirst while living in water.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Odam ondru kaatril pona vazhi naamum pogindrom”

Compares human life drifting through fate to a boat moving aimlessly in whichever direction the wind blows.

Paradox / Irony

“Dhaagam vandhaal neerum illai / Neeril ingae naalum vaazhgindrom”

Highlights the existential irony of living in water (sea) yet having no drinkable water when thirsty.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings)

“Vaazhkkai endraal innal undu / Kaanum innal thaanae theeraadhaa / Nalla kaalam ondru naalai vaaraadhaa”

The rhetorical questions end with rhyming suffixes ('theeraadhaa', 'vaaraadhaa') creating a poetic rhythm.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Maegam endraal minnal undu”

Repetition of the initial 'Ma/Mi' sound in 'Maegam' and 'minnal'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic Kannadasan, this song showcases his signature style of transforming personal despair into universal philosophical truths using simple yet resonant marine metaphors.

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