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Lyrics & meaning

Odi Velaiyadu Papa

From Ezhavathu Manithan · 1982

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Saibaba
Music director
L. Vaidyanathan
Movie name
Ezhavathu Manithan
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
20 Dec 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Odi vilaiyaadu pappaa
Nee ointhirukka laaaathu pappaa
Koodi vilaiyaadu pappaa
Oru kuzhanthaiyai vaiyaathae pappaa
Odi vilaiyaadu pappaa
Nee ointhirukka laaaathu pappaa
Koodi vilaiyaadu pappaa
Oru kuzhanthaiyai vaiyaathae pappaa
Kaalai ezhunthavudan padippu
Pinbu kanivu kodukkum nalla paattu
Maalai muzhuthum vilaiyaattu
Endru vazhkka paduththi kollu pappaa
…………
Chinnajiru kuruvi polae
Nee thirinthu paranthuvaa pappaa
Vanna paravaigalai kandu
Nee manathil magizhchi kollu pappaa
Odi vilaiyaadu pappaa
Nee ointhirukka laaaathu pappaa
Koodi vilaiyaadu pappaa
Oru kuzhanthaiyai vaiyaathae pappaa
…………
Saadhigal illaiyadi pappaa
Kula thaazhchchi uyarchi sollal paavam
Needhi uyarnthamadhi kalvi
Anbu niraiya udaiyavarkal melor
Ellaarum orr kulam
Ellaarum orr inam
Ellaarum india makkal
Ellaarum orr nirai
Ellaarum orr vilai
Ellaarum innaattu mannar
Odi vilaiyaadu pappaa
Nee ointhirukka laaaathu pappaa
Koodi vilaiyaadu pappaa
Oru kuzhanthaiyai vaiyaathae pappaa
Paadhaganj seipavarai kandaal
Naam payangkolla laagaathu pappaa
Modhi midhiththuvidu pappaa
Avar mugaththil umizhnthuvidu pappaa
Ini oru vidhi seivom
Adhai entha naalum kaappom
Thani oruvanukku unavillaiyenil
Jegaththinai azhiththiduvom
Run and play, little child
You must never sit idle, little child
Gather together and play, little child
Never scold another child, little child
Run and play, little child
You must never sit idle, little child
Gather together and play, little child
Never scold another child, little child
Study as soon as you wake up in the morning
Then sing good songs that bring sweetness
Spend the entire evening in play
Make this your way of life, little child
[Instrumental music]
Like a tiny little bird
You should wander and fly around, little child
Upon seeing the colorful birds
Fill your heart with joy, little child
Run and play, little child
You must never sit idle, little child
Gather together and play, little child
Never scold another child, little child
[Instrumental music]
There are no castes at all, little child
It is a sin to speak of high or low birth
Justice, high intellect, and knowledge
And those filled with abundant love are the noble ones
Everyone belongs to one single family
Everyone belongs to one single race
Everyone is the people of India
Everyone shares the same stature
Everyone holds equal value
Everyone is a sovereign ruler of this land
Run and play, little child
You must never sit idle, little child
Gather together and play, little child
Never scold another child, little child
If you see those who commit evil deeds
We must never be afraid of them, little child
Confront them and trample them down, little child
Spit right on their faces, little child
Let us make a new rule now
And protect it for all time
If a single individual is left without food
We shall destroy the entire world
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a timeless educational and social anthem composed by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar, featured in the 1982 film Ezhavathu Manithan. It begins as tender guidance for young children, encouraging them to run, play, study in the morning, sing sweet songs, and live freely and joyously like birds in nature without sitting idle or harboring malice toward peers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile

Chinnajiru kuruvi polae

The child is compared to a little bird wandering freely in 'Chinnajiru kuruvi polae'.

Anaphora

Ellaarum orr kulam

The repetition of 'Ellaarum' (Everyone) at the start of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic emphasis on absolute human equality.

Hyperbole

Jegaththinai azhiththiduvom

The dramatic exaggeration of destroying the whole world if even one person starves emphasizes the supreme moral imperative of social justice.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ezhavathu Manithan (1982), directed by K. Hariharan with music by classical maestro L. Vaidyanathan, prominently featured the legendary poems of Subramanya Bharathiyaar and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.

Keep listening

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