Odu Odu Aadu
From Pushpa – The Rise · 2021
- Lyricist
- Viveka
- Singers
- Benny Dayal, V. M. Mahalingam
- Music director
- Devi Sri Prasad
- Details
- Pushpa – The Rise2021
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae | Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae |
| Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae | Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae |
| Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae | Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae |
| Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae | Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Male | |
| Velichatha thinnudhu kaadu | The forest consumes the sunlight |
| Chorus :Velichatha thinnudhu kaadu | Chorus :The forest consumes the sunlight |
| Male :Kaattai thinnudhu aadu | Male :The goat eats the forest |
| Chorus :Kaattai thinnudhu aadu | Chorus :The goat eats the forest |
| Male | |
| Aattai thinnudhu puli | The tiger devours the goat |
| Chorus :Aattai thinnudhu puli | Chorus :The tiger devours the goat |
| Male :Idhu thaan da pasi | Male :This right here is hunger! |
| Chorus :Idhu thaan da pasi | Chorus :This right here is hunger! |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Male | |
| Puliya thinnudhu saavu | Death devours the tiger |
| Saavai thinnudhu kaalam | Time devours death |
| Kaalatha thunnudhu kaali | Goddess Kali devours time itself |
| Idhu thaan maha pasi | This is the supreme hunger! |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Male | |
| Nikkama thorathum onnu | One creature relentlessly chases |
| Ada sikkama parakkum onnu | Ah, another creature flies to escape |
| Maattitta idhu seththuchi | If caught, this one perishes |
| Maattatti pasiyila adhu seththuchi | If not caught, that one dies of hunger |
| Male | |
| Oru jeevanukkingae pasi vandha | When hunger strikes a living soul here |
| Oru jeevan nichayam balithaanda | Another living soul is surely sacrificed! |
| Chorus | |
| Hey odu odu aadu | Hey, run run goat! |
| Puli vandhakka adhirum kaadu…hui | When the tiger arrives, the entire forest trembles! |
| Male | |
| Meenukku puzhu thaan valai | For the fish, a worm is the bait |
| Paravaikku dhaaniyam valai | For the bird, grain is the bait |
| Naayikku elumbae valai | For the dog, a bone is the bait |
| Manushanukkendrum aasaiyae valai | For humans, desire is forever the bait |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Male | |
| Bannari amman koyilu | At the Bannari Amman temple |
| Baliya aadu kozhi kekkudhu | Sacrifices of goats and chickens are demanded |
| Kaththiyum raththam poosudhu | The knife gets smeared with blood |
| Saamikku dhatchanai kodu varam thara | Give offerings to God to be granted a boon |
| Idhu thaan vidhiyin yaathira | This is the eternal journey of destiny |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Male | |
| Elaichavan paadu thindaattam | The weak person suffers and struggles |
| Idhu thaan ulagin vedham | This is the ultimate law of the world |
| Valuthavan paadu kondaattam enbadhu | That the strong person celebrates life |
| Kaalam sollum paadam..aah | Is the enduring lesson taught by time..aah |
| Male | |
| Pasiyin munnae theriyadhu needhi nyaayam | Morality and justice vanish when hunger strikes |
| Balam irukkum aaloda kaiyil raajyam | The kingdom belongs to the person who holds power |
| Chorus | |
| Hey odu odu aadu | Hey, run run goat! |
| Puli vandhakka adhirum kaadu… hui | When the tiger arrives, the entire forest trembles! |
| Male | |
| Adangi kedantha thavaru | Remaining submissive and quiet is a mistake |
| Chorus :Thavaru | Chorus :Mistake |
| Male :Adichavan thaane power-u | Male :The one who strikes holds the power! |
| Chorus :Power-u | Chorus :Power |
| Male :Othaikkira vazhi thaan perusu | Male :The path of standing up and fighting is grand |
| Chorus :Perusu | Chorus :Grand |
| Male :Othaikku munnaadi olagam sirusu | Male :Before a direct strike, the world cowers small |
| Chorus | |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Ah ah ah ah | [Vocalizations] |
| Male | |
| Thaakkura aalu mela | The one who attacks rises to the top |
| Thayangura aalu keezha | The one who hesitates falls to the bottom |
| Kuththula kedaikkira paadam | The harsh lesson learned from a hard blow |
| Budhanum kooda sollala da | Even Lord Buddha did not teach, my friend! |
தந்தானே தானே நானே நா னே
தந்தானே தானே நானே நா னே
தந்தானே தணி நாரி நானே
தந்தானே தணி நாரி நானே
Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae
Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae
Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae
Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae
{ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா } (4)
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
வெளிச்சத்த திண்ணுது காடு
குழு :
வெளிச்சத்த திண்ணுது காடு
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
காட்ட திண்ணுது ஆடு
குழு :
காட்ட திண்ணுது ஆடு
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
ஆட்டை திண்ணுது புலி
குழு :
ஆட்டை திண்ணுது புலி
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
இதுதாண்டா பசி
குழு :
இதுதாண்டா பசி
The forest consumes the sunlight
Chorus :The forest consumes the sunlight
Male :The goat eats the forest
Chorus :The goat eats the forest
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
The tiger devours the goat
Chorus :The tiger devours the goat
Male :This right here is hunger!
Chorus :This right here is hunger!
புலிய திண்ணுது சாவு
சாவ திண்ணுது காலம்
காலத்த துண்ணுது காளி
இதுதான் மகா பசி
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
Death devours the tiger
Time devours death
Goddess Kali devours time itself
This is the supreme hunger!
நிக்காம தொரத்தும் ஒண்ணு
அட சிக்காம பறக்கும் ஒண்ணு
மாட்டிட்டா இது செத்துச்சு
மாட்டாட்டி பசியில அது செத்துச்சி
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
ஒரு ஜீவனுக்கிங்கே பசி வந்தா
ஒரு ஜீவன் நிச்சயம் பலி தாண்டா
One creature relentlessly chases
Ah, another creature flies to escape
If caught, this one perishes
If not caught, that one dies of hunger
ஹேய் ஓடு ஓடு ஆடு
புலி வந்தாக்கா அதிரும் காடே ஓய்..
When hunger strikes a living soul here
Another living soul is surely sacrificed!
மீனுக்கு புழுதான் வலை
பறவைக்கு தானிய வலை
நாய்க்கு எலும்பே வலை
மனுசனுக்கு ஆசையே வலை
Hey, run run goat!
When the tiger arrives, the entire forest trembles!
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
For the fish, a worm is the bait
For the bird, grain is the bait
For the dog, a bone is the bait
For humans, desire is forever the bait
ஹ்ம்ம் ...ஹ்ம்ம்....
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
பன்னாரி அம்மன் கோயிலு
பலியா ஆடு கோழி கேக்குது
கத்தியும் ரத்தமும் பூசுது
சாமிக்கு தட்சணை கொடு வரம் தர
இதுதான் விதியின் யாத்திர
At the Bannari Amman temple
Sacrifices of goats and chickens are demanded
The knife gets smeared with blood
Give offerings to God to be granted a boon
This is the eternal journey of destiny
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
எளைச்சவன் பாடு திண்டாட்டம்
இதுதான் உலகின் வேதம்
வலுத்தவன் பாடு கொண்டாட்டம் என்பது
காலம் சொல்லும் பாடம்
The weak person suffers and struggles
This is the ultimate law of the world
That the strong person celebrates life
Is the enduring lesson taught by time..aah
பசியின் முன்னே தெரியாது
நீதி நியாயம்
பலம் இருக்கும் ஆளோட
கையில் ராஜ்ஜியம்
Morality and justice vanish when hunger strikes
The kingdom belongs to the person who holds power
ஹேய் ஓடு ஓடு ஆடு
புலி வந்தாக்கா அதிரும் காடு ஓய்…
Hey, run run goat!
When the tiger arrives, the entire forest trembles!
ஹ்ம்ம் ...ஹ்ம்ம் ..
Remaining submissive and quiet is a mistake
Chorus :Mistake
Male :The one who strikes holds the power!
Chorus :Power
Male :The path of standing up and fighting is grand
Chorus :Grand
Male :Before a direct strike, the world cowers small
அடங்கீ கெடந்தா தவறு
குழு :
தவறு
அடிச்சவன்தானே பவரு
குழு :
பவரு
ஒதைக்கிற வழிதான் பெருசு
குழு :
பெருசு
ஒதைக்கும் முன்னாடி உலகம் சிறுசு
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
ஆ ஆ ஆ அஹ ஹா
The one who attacks rises to the top
The one who hesitates falls to the bottom
The harsh lesson learned from a hard blow
Even Lord Buddha did not teach, my friend!
தாக்குற ஆளு மேல
தயங்குற ஆளு கீழ
குத்துர கிடைக்கிற பாடம்
புத்தனும் கூட சொல்லலடா
ஹ்ம்ம் ...ஹ்ம்ம்....
மலையாளம்
Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae
Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae
Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae
Thandhaanae thanae nanae naa nae
Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae
Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae
Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae
Thaanaanae thanni nari naa nae
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Velichatha thinnudhu kaadu
The forest consumes the sunlight
Chorus :Velichatha thinnudhu kaadu
Chorus :The forest consumes the sunlight
Male :Kaattai thinnudhu aadu
Male :The goat eats the forest
Chorus :Kaattai thinnudhu aadu
Chorus :The goat eats the forest
Aattai thinnudhu puli
The tiger devours the goat
Chorus :Aattai thinnudhu puli
Chorus :The tiger devours the goat
Male :Idhu thaan da pasi
Male :This right here is hunger!
Chorus :Idhu thaan da pasi
Chorus :This right here is hunger!
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Puliya thinnudhu saavu
Death devours the tiger
Saavai thinnudhu kaalam
Time devours death
Kaalatha thunnudhu kaali
Goddess Kali devours time itself
Idhu thaan maha pasi
This is the supreme hunger!
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Nikkama thorathum onnu
One creature relentlessly chases
Ada sikkama parakkum onnu
Ah, another creature flies to escape
Maattitta idhu seththuchi
If caught, this one perishes
Maattatti pasiyila adhu seththuchi
If not caught, that one dies of hunger
Oru jeevanukkingae pasi vandha
When hunger strikes a living soul here
Oru jeevan nichayam balithaanda
Another living soul is surely sacrificed!
Hey odu odu aadu
Hey, run run goat!
Puli vandhakka adhirum kaadu…hui
When the tiger arrives, the entire forest trembles!
Meenukku puzhu thaan valai
For the fish, a worm is the bait
Paravaikku dhaaniyam valai
For the bird, grain is the bait
Naayikku elumbae valai
For the dog, a bone is the bait
Manushanukkendrum aasaiyae valai
For humans, desire is forever the bait
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Bannari amman koyilu
At the Bannari Amman temple
Baliya aadu kozhi kekkudhu
Sacrifices of goats and chickens are demanded
Kaththiyum raththam poosudhu
The knife gets smeared with blood
Saamikku dhatchanai kodu varam thara
Give offerings to God to be granted a boon
Idhu thaan vidhiyin yaathira
This is the eternal journey of destiny
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Elaichavan paadu thindaattam
The weak person suffers and struggles
Idhu thaan ulagin vedham
This is the ultimate law of the world
Valuthavan paadu kondaattam enbadhu
That the strong person celebrates life
Kaalam sollum paadam..aah
Is the enduring lesson taught by time..aah
Pasiyin munnae theriyadhu needhi nyaayam
Morality and justice vanish when hunger strikes
Balam irukkum aaloda kaiyil raajyam
The kingdom belongs to the person who holds power
Hey odu odu aadu
Hey, run run goat!
Puli vandhakka adhirum kaadu… hui
When the tiger arrives, the entire forest trembles!
Adangi kedantha thavaru
Remaining submissive and quiet is a mistake
Chorus :Thavaru
Chorus :Mistake
Male :Adichavan thaane power-u
Male :The one who strikes holds the power!
Chorus :Power-u
Chorus :Power
Male :Othaikkira vazhi thaan perusu
Male :The path of standing up and fighting is grand
Chorus :Perusu
Chorus :Grand
Male :Othaikku munnaadi olagam sirusu
Male :Before a direct strike, the world cowers small
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Ah ah ah ah
[Vocalizations]
Thaakkura aalu mela
The one who attacks rises to the top
Thayangura aalu keezha
The one who hesitates falls to the bottom
Kuththula kedaikkira paadam
The harsh lesson learned from a hard blow
Budhanum kooda sollala da
Even Lord Buddha did not teach, my friend!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song, 'Odu Odu Aadu' (the Tamil dub of 'Daakko Daakko Meka' from the film Pushpa: The Rise), serves as a philosophical and raw commentary on the survival of the fittest in nature and human society. Through a food chain metaphor—where light feeds the forest, goats eat the plants, tigers eat the goats, and time eventually consumes all—the song illustrates that life is driven by primal hunger, power dynamics, and self-preservation. It exposes the harsh truth that in a dog-eat-dog world, moral high grounds fade in the face of basic survival needs.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Nikkama thorathum onnu / Ada sikkama parakkum onnu”
The second character 'k' (ik) rhymes in 'Nikkama' and 'sikkama', creating a rhythmic flow in Tamil poetry.
Extended Metaphor
“Meenukku puzhu thaan valai... Manushanukkendrum aasaiyae valai”
Compares various baits used to trap animals (worm for fish, grain for birds, bone for dogs) to human desire acting as the ultimate trap for mankind.
Muran (Antithesis)
“Thaakkura aalu mela / Thayangura aalu keezha”
Contrasts opposing concepts: 'mela' (top/above) and 'keezha' (bottom/below) to highlight the dynamic between the aggressor and the hesitant.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Odu Odu Aadu' is the Tamil adaptation of the popular track 'Daakko Daakko Meka' composed by Devi Sri Prasad for Pushpa: The Rise. Sung energetically by Benny Dayal and VM Mahalingam with lyrics by Viveka, the song sets up the protagonist Pushpa Raj's ruthless philosophy on life and survival in the red sandalwood smuggling underworld.
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