- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Rojavin Raja
- Movie release year
- 1976
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Feb 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Odi Konde Iruppen' from 'Rojavin Raja' (1976) expresses philosophical disillusionment framed through dramatic, manic intensity. The protagonist declares his unending quest to keep running as long as the world rotates, drawing parallels to the restless ocean waves, clouds, and birds that seem to search for him. Through manic laughter and cynical questioning, he reflects on the absurdities of life, love, and human nature. He sharply critiques society's superficiality—pointing out how people build sky-high mansions yet possess hearts as tiny as mustard seeds, and how greed drives humans to steal from divine abundance. He questions if love brings anything beyond pain and ponders if even God experienced romantic failure, resulting in the flawed, chaotic world humans inhabit. Ultimately, he dismisses the mad, hurried world around him, refusing to play the healer and choosing instead to run endlessly.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kadarkarai iruppadhu kaadhalukka / Oru kaadhali varuvadhu vedhanaikka / Adikkadi sirippadhu baavanaikka / Unnai aandavan padaithathu sodhanaikka”
The lines end with rhyming suffixes (-kka) creating a rhythmic, questioning cadence across the stanza.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Adhil manasugal paarungal kadukualavu”
Human hearts in wealthy mansions are metaphorically compared to mustard seeds (kaduku) to highlight narrow-mindedness and lack of generosity.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Paadhaiyil pogindra paavigala / Neengal padaithavan anuppiya aavigala”
The initial phonetic sounds repeat harmoniously within the poetic line structures.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Indha ulagam suzhalvathu nirkkum varai / Naan odi konde iruppen”
The refrain repeats throughout the song to emphasize the relentless, ongoing nature of the protagonist's existential journey.
Did you know?
Trivia
Rojavin Raja (1976) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The song highlights the legendary partnership between lyricist Kannadasan, composer M. S. Vishwanathan, and singer T. M. Soundararajan, who were famous for creating deeply theatrical, philosophical songs reflecting heartbreak and social satire in 1970s Tamil cinema.
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