Ola Kudisayile
From Thirunelveli · 2000
- Lyricist
- Chidambaranathan
- Singer
- Biju Narayanan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thirunelveli2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum | Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut, |
| Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu | My mind circles around the vast sky. |
| Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaa | Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaa |
| Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaanaa naanaanan naanaa | Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaanaa naanaanan naanaa |
| Male | |
| Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum | Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut, |
| Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu | My mind circles around the vast sky. |
| Naan vaazhum koottukkullae thanichchirunthaalum | Though I reside alone inside my small nest, |
| Vinmeengal koottaththoda manasu suththuthu | My mind wanders alongside the cluster of stars. |
| Male | |
| Illai endraal thunbam illai | Not having wealth does not bring sorrow, |
| Selvam endraal inbam illai | Having riches does not bring happiness, |
| Endrum ulla selvam manasu thaanae | The true eternal wealth is the mind itself. |
| Male | |
| Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum | Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut, |
| Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu | My mind circles around the vast sky. |
| Male | |
| Poonguruvi thaalaattum pulveli sirikkum | The little bird sings a lullaby, and the grassland smiles, |
| Pon veyyil manjalai thoovi paarkkum | The golden sunlight sprinkles turmeric hues and gazes. |
| Thaenaruvi neerottam maan pol kudhikkum | The sweet waterfall flows and leaps like a deer, |
| Neeralai paadidum jadhigal ketkumae | One can hear the rhythmic patterns sung by the water waves. |
| Male | |
| Mazhai megaththu muththam payirgal aadum aattam | The rain cloud's kiss makes the crops sway and dance, |
| Kaatrin kaigal pattaal angae aanatham | Where the hands of the breeze touch, there is pure joy. |
| Vaanampaadigal koottam naduvil vanna thottam | A colorful garden amidst a flock of skylarks, |
| Kaana kaana nenjil endrum aanantham | Beholding it repeatedly brings eternal joy to the heart. |
| Male | |
| Chiththiram pol mannil azhagu | The beauty on earth is like a fine painting, |
| Eththanai eththanai maanae | Oh my dear, how vast and abundant it is! |
| Aththanaiyum paarththaal ingu verenna vendum | If one witnesses all of that, what else could one ever need? |
| Male | |
| Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum | Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut, |
| Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu | My mind circles around the vast sky. |
| Male | |
| Thanga veenai aanaalum thaanaai paadaathu | Even a golden veena cannot play music by itself, |
| Meettavum ketkavum oruvan vendum | It needs someone to pluck its strings and listen. |
| Raagam nooru irunthaalum thaanaai ketkaathu | Even if there are a hundred ragas, they won't play on their own, |
| Raagangal therinthavan oruvan vendumae | One needs someone who truly understands the ragas. |
| Male | |
| Isaiyaalae mayangaatha manamthaan ulagil yaedhu | Is there any mind in the world that is not enchanted by music? |
| Irunda manadhin ullae isaiyum nuzhaiyaathu | Yet music cannot enter inside a darkened, bitter heart. |
| En paadal sellaatha idamthaan ulagil yaedhu | Is there any place in this world where my song cannot go? |
| Adhai thodarnthu neeyum sella mudiyaathu | Though you may not be able to follow everywhere it reaches. |
| Andhi vaanil thendral pola thingal pola aadu | Dance like the evening breeze and the moon in the twilight sky, |
| Ullam sollum unmai geetham endrendrum paadu | Sing forever the song of truth spoken by your inner soul. |
| Male | |
| Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum | Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut, |
| Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu | My mind circles around the vast sky. |
| Naan vaazhum koottukkullae thanichchirunthaalum | Though I reside alone inside my small nest, |
| Vinmeengal koottaththoda manasu suththuthu | My mind wanders alongside the cluster of stars. |
| Male | |
| Illai endraal thunbam illai | Not having wealth does not bring sorrow, |
| Selvam endraal inbam illai | Having riches does not bring happiness, |
| Endrum ulla selvam manasu thaanae | The true eternal wealth is the mind itself. |
| Male | |
| Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum | Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut, |
| Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu | My mind circles around the vast sky. |
ஓலக் குடிசையிலே நான் இருந்தாலும்
வானத்ததான் எம் மனசு வட்டம் இடுது
நானா நானனா நானாணன் நானா
நானா நானனா நானாணன் நானனா நானாணன் நானா
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaa
Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaanaa naanaanan naanaa
ஓலக் குடிசையிலே நான் இருந்தாலும்
வானத்ததான் எம் மனசு வட்டம் இடுது
நான் வாழும் கூட்டுக்குள்ளே தனிச்சிருந்தாலும்
விண்மீன்கள் கூட்டத்தோட மனசு சுத்துது
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Though I reside alone inside my small nest,
My mind wanders alongside the cluster of stars.
இல்லை என்றால் துன்பம் இல்லை
செல்வம் என்றால் இன்பம் இல்லை
என்றும் உள்ள செல்வம் மனசு தானே
Not having wealth does not bring sorrow,
Having riches does not bring happiness,
The true eternal wealth is the mind itself.
ஓலக் குடிசையிலே நான் இருந்தாலும்
வானத்ததான் எம் மனசு வட்டம் இடுது
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
My mind circles around the vast sky.
பூங்குருவி தாலாட்டும் புல்வெளி சிரிக்கும்
பொன் வெயில் மஞ்சளை தூவிப் பார்க்குமே
தேனருவி நீரோட்டம் மான் போல் குதிக்கும்
நீரலை பாடிடும் ஜதிகள் கேட்குமே
The little bird sings a lullaby, and the grassland smiles,
The golden sunlight sprinkles turmeric hues and gazes.
The sweet waterfall flows and leaps like a deer,
One can hear the rhythmic patterns sung by the water waves.
மழை மேகத்து முத்தம் பயிர்கள் ஆடும் ஆட்டம்
காற்றின் கைகள் பட்டால் அங்கே ஆனந்தம்
வானம்பாடிகள் கூட்டம் நடுவில் வண்ணத் தோட்டம்
காணக் காண நெஞ்சில் என்றும் ஆனந்தம்
The rain cloud's kiss makes the crops sway and dance,
Where the hands of the breeze touch, there is pure joy.
A colorful garden amidst a flock of skylarks,
Beholding it repeatedly brings eternal joy to the heart.
சித்திரம் போல் மண்ணில் அழகு
எத்தனை எத்தனை மானே
அத்தனையும் பார்த்தால் இங்கு வேறென்ன வேண்டும்
The beauty on earth is like a fine painting,
Oh my dear, how vast and abundant it is!
If one witnesses all of that, what else could one ever need?
ஓலக் குடிசையிலே நான் இருந்தாலும்
வானத்ததான் எம் மனசு வட்டம் இடுது
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
My mind circles around the vast sky.
தங்க வீணை ஆனாலும் தானாய்ப் பாடாது
மீட்டவும் கேட்கவும் ஒருவன் வேண்டுமே
ராகம் நூறு இருந்தாலும் தானாய் கேட்காது
ராகங்கள் தெரிந்தவன் ஒருவன் வேண்டுமே
Even a golden veena cannot play music by itself,
It needs someone to pluck its strings and listen.
Even if there are a hundred ragas, they won't play on their own,
One needs someone who truly understands the ragas.
இசையாலே மயங்காத மனம்தான் உலகில் ஏது
இருண்ட மனதின் உள்ளே இசையும் நுழையாது
என் பாடல் செல்லாத இடம்தான் உலகில் ஏது
அதை தொடர்ந்து நீயும் செல்ல முடியாது
அந்தி வானில் தென்றல் போல திங்கள் போல ஆடு
உள்ளம் சொல்லும் உண்மை கீதம் என்றென்றும் பாடு
Is there any mind in the world that is not enchanted by music?
Yet music cannot enter inside a darkened, bitter heart.
Is there any place in this world where my song cannot go?
Though you may not be able to follow everywhere it reaches.
Dance like the evening breeze and the moon in the twilight sky,
Sing forever the song of truth spoken by your inner soul.
ஓலக் குடிசையிலே நான் இருந்தாலும்
வானத்ததான் எம் மனசு வட்டம் இடுது
நான் வாழும் கூட்டுக்குள்ளே தனிச்சிருந்தாலும்
விண்மீன்கள் கூட்டத்தோட மனசு சுத்துது
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Though I reside alone inside my small nest,
My mind wanders alongside the cluster of stars.
இல்லை என்றால் துன்பம் இல்லை
செல்வம் என்றால் இன்பம் இல்லை
என்றும் உள்ள செல்வம் மனசு தானே
Not having wealth does not bring sorrow,
Having riches does not bring happiness,
The true eternal wealth is the mind itself.
ஓலக் குடிசையிலே நான் இருந்தாலும்
வானத்ததான் எம் மனசு வட்டம் இடுது
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaa
Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaa
Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaanaa naanaanan naanaa
Naanaa naananaa naanaanan naanaanaa naanaanan naanaa
Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Naan vaazhum koottukkullae thanichchirunthaalum
Though I reside alone inside my small nest,
Vinmeengal koottaththoda manasu suththuthu
My mind wanders alongside the cluster of stars.
Illai endraal thunbam illai
Not having wealth does not bring sorrow,
Selvam endraal inbam illai
Having riches does not bring happiness,
Endrum ulla selvam manasu thaanae
The true eternal wealth is the mind itself.
Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Poonguruvi thaalaattum pulveli sirikkum
The little bird sings a lullaby, and the grassland smiles,
Pon veyyil manjalai thoovi paarkkum
The golden sunlight sprinkles turmeric hues and gazes.
Thaenaruvi neerottam maan pol kudhikkum
The sweet waterfall flows and leaps like a deer,
Neeralai paadidum jadhigal ketkumae
One can hear the rhythmic patterns sung by the water waves.
Mazhai megaththu muththam payirgal aadum aattam
The rain cloud's kiss makes the crops sway and dance,
Kaatrin kaigal pattaal angae aanatham
Where the hands of the breeze touch, there is pure joy.
Vaanampaadigal koottam naduvil vanna thottam
A colorful garden amidst a flock of skylarks,
Kaana kaana nenjil endrum aanantham
Beholding it repeatedly brings eternal joy to the heart.
Chiththiram pol mannil azhagu
The beauty on earth is like a fine painting,
Eththanai eththanai maanae
Oh my dear, how vast and abundant it is!
Aththanaiyum paarththaal ingu verenna vendum
If one witnesses all of that, what else could one ever need?
Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Thanga veenai aanaalum thaanaai paadaathu
Even a golden veena cannot play music by itself,
Meettavum ketkavum oruvan vendum
It needs someone to pluck its strings and listen.
Raagam nooru irunthaalum thaanaai ketkaathu
Even if there are a hundred ragas, they won't play on their own,
Raagangal therinthavan oruvan vendumae
One needs someone who truly understands the ragas.
Isaiyaalae mayangaatha manamthaan ulagil yaedhu
Is there any mind in the world that is not enchanted by music?
Irunda manadhin ullae isaiyum nuzhaiyaathu
Yet music cannot enter inside a darkened, bitter heart.
En paadal sellaatha idamthaan ulagil yaedhu
Is there any place in this world where my song cannot go?
Adhai thodarnthu neeyum sella mudiyaathu
Though you may not be able to follow everywhere it reaches.
Andhi vaanil thendral pola thingal pola aadu
Dance like the evening breeze and the moon in the twilight sky,
Ullam sollum unmai geetham endrendrum paadu
Sing forever the song of truth spoken by your inner soul.
Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Naan vaazhum koottukkullae thanichchirunthaalum
Though I reside alone inside my small nest,
Vinmeengal koottaththoda manasu suththuthu
My mind wanders alongside the cluster of stars.
Illai endraal thunbam illai
Not having wealth does not bring sorrow,
Selvam endraal inbam illai
Having riches does not bring happiness,
Endrum ulla selvam manasu thaanae
The true eternal wealth is the mind itself.
Ola kudisaiyilae naan irunthaalum
Even though I live in a palm-leaf hut,
Vaanaththathaan em manasu vattam iduthu
My mind circles around the vast sky.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This uplifting philosophical song celebrates contentment, inner peace, and the unlimited freedom of the human spirit despite humble physical circumstances. The protagonist lives in a modest thatch-roof hut, yet their mind soars high among the stars and clouds, untouched by material poverty. The song highlights how true wealth lies in a contented mind rather than material fortune.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Poonguruvi thaalaattum pulveli sirikkum”
Nature is personified; the grassland is described as 'smiling' while birds sing lullabies.
Simile
“Thaenaruvi neerottam maan pol kudhikkum”
The movement of the waterfall stream is explicitly compared to a leaping deer using 'pol'.
Ethugai (Second letter rhyme)
“Illai endraal thunbam illai / Selvam endraal inbam illai”
The second consonant sound 'll' in 'Illai' and 'Selvam' creates a rhythmic Tamil poetic rhyme.
Metaphor
“Chiththiram pol mannil azhagu”
The natural scenery of the earth is poetically represented as an exquisite painting.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics were penned by lyricist Chidambaranathan for the 2000 Tamil movie 'Thirunelveli'. The song serves as a reflective, rural philosophical track emphasizing simple living and high thinking.
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