Onna Irukka Kathukanum
From Anbu Karangal · 1965
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Details
- Anbu Karangal1965
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Onna irukka kathukkanum | You must learn to live as one |
| Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum | If this truth is told, you must accept it |
| Male | |
| Onna irukka kathukkanum | You must learn to live as one |
| Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum | If this truth is told, you must accept it |
| Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga | Look at the flock of crows |
| Male | |
| Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga | Look at the flock of crows |
| Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga | Who taught them to stay united? |
| Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga | Look at the flock of crows |
| Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga | Who taught them to stay united? |
| Male | |
| Onna irukka kathukkanum | You must learn to live as one |
| Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum | If this truth is told, you must accept it |
| Male | |
| Veettai vittu veliyae vandhaal | If you step out of your house |
| Naalum nadakkalaam | All four kinds of events may happen |
| Andha naalum therinju | Understanding those circumstances |
| Nadandhu kittaa | If you conduct yourself wisely |
| Nallaa irukkalaam | Life will turn out well |
| Male | |
| Veettai vittu veliyae vandhaal | If you step out of your house |
| Naalum nadakkalaam | All four kinds of events may happen |
| Andha naalum therinju | Understanding those circumstances |
| Nadandhu kittaa | If you conduct yourself wisely |
| Nallaa irukkalaam | Life will turn out well |
| Male | |
| Unnai kettu ennai kettu | By asking you or asking me |
| Edhuvum nadakkumaa | Will anything take place? |
| Unnai kettu ennai kettu | By asking you or asking me |
| Edhuvum nadakkumaa | Will anything take place? |
| Andha oruvan nadathum nadagathai | The drama staged by that Divine One |
| Nirutha mudiyumaa | Can anyone stop it? |
| Male | |
| Onna irukka kathukkanum | You must learn to live as one |
| Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum | If this truth is told, you must accept it |
| Male | |
| Thannai pola pirarai ennum | To treat others as one treats oneself |
| Thanmai vendumae | Such a noble quality is needed |
| Andha thanmai vara ullathilae | For that quality to bloom in the heart |
| Karunai vendumae | Compassion is required |
| Male | |
| Thannai pola pirarai ennum | To treat others as one treats oneself |
| Thanmai vendumae | Such a noble quality is needed |
| Andha thanmai vara ullathilae | For that quality to bloom in the heart |
| Karunai vendumae | Compassion is required |
| Male | |
| Ponnai pola manam padaithaal | If one is blessed with a heart like gold |
| Selvam verillai | There is no greater wealth than that |
| Ponnai pola manam padaithaal | If one is blessed with a heart like gold |
| Selvam verillai | There is no greater wealth than that |
| Idhai purindhu konda oruvanai pol | Like the person who understands this |
| Manidhan verillai | There is no finer human being |
| Male | |
| Onna irukka kathukkanum | You must learn to live as one |
| Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum | If this truth is told, you must accept it |
| Male | |
| Konja neram kaatradithu | The wind may blow strongly for a while |
| Oyindhu pogalaam | And then settle down |
| Vaanil koodi varum megangalum | The clouds gathering in the sky |
| Kalaindhu pogalaam | May also scatter away |
| Male | |
| Konja neram kaatradithu | The wind may blow strongly for a while |
| Oyindhu pogalaam | And then settle down |
| Vaanil koodi varum megangalum | The clouds gathering in the sky |
| Kalaindhu pogalaam | May also scatter away |
| Male | |
| Naetru varai nadandhadhellaam | Whatever happened until yesterday |
| Indru maaralaam | May change today |
| Naetru varai nadandhadhellaam | Whatever happened until yesterday |
| Indru maaralaam | May change today |
| Naam ner vazhiyil nadandhu sendraal | If we walk on the straight and righteous path |
| Nanmai adaiyalaam | We will attain true goodness |
| Male | |
| Onna irukka kathukkanum | You must learn to live as one |
| Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum | If this truth is told, you must accept it |
| Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga | Look at the flock of crows |
| Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga | Who taught them to stay united? |
| Male | |
| Onna irukka kathukkanum | You must learn to live as one |
| Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum | If this truth is told, you must accept it |
ஒண்ணா இருக்க கத்துக்கணும்
இந்த உண்மையை சொன்னா ஒத்துக்கணும்
You must learn to live as one
If this truth is told, you must accept it
ஒண்ணா இருக்க கத்துக்கணும்
இந்த உண்மையை சொன்னா ஒத்துக்கணும்
காக்கா கூட்டத்தை பாருங்க
You must learn to live as one
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Look at the flock of crows
காக்கா கூட்டத்தை பாருங்க
அதுக்கு கத்து கொடுத்தது யாருங்க
காக்கா கூட்டத்தை பாருங்க
அதுக்கு கத்து கொடுத்தது யாருங்க
Look at the flock of crows
Who taught them to stay united?
Look at the flock of crows
Who taught them to stay united?
ஒண்ணா இருக்க கத்துக்கணும்
இந்த உண்மையை சொன்னா ஒத்துக்கணும்
You must learn to live as one
If this truth is told, you must accept it
வீட்டை விட்டு வெளியே வந்தால்
நாலும் நடக்கலாம்
அந்த நாலும் தெரிஞ்சி
நடந்துகிட்டா
நல்லா இருக்கலாம்
If you step out of your house
All four kinds of events may happen
Understanding those circumstances
If you conduct yourself wisely
Life will turn out well
வீட்டை விட்டு வெளியே வந்தால்
நாலும் நடக்கலாம்
அந்த நாலும் தெரிஞ்சி
நடந்துகிட்டா
நல்லா இருக்கலாம்
If you step out of your house
All four kinds of events may happen
Understanding those circumstances
If you conduct yourself wisely
Life will turn out well
உன்னைக் கேட்டு என்னைக் கேட்டு
எதுவும் நடக்குமா
உன்னைக் கேட்டு என்னைக் கேட்டு
எதுவும் நடக்குமா
அந்த ஒருவன் நடத்தும்
நாடகத்தை நிறுத்த முடியுமா
By asking you or asking me
Will anything take place?
By asking you or asking me
Will anything take place?
The drama staged by that Divine One
Can anyone stop it?
ஒண்ணா இருக்க கத்துக்கணும்
இந்த உண்மையை சொன்னா ஒத்துக்கணும்
You must learn to live as one
If this truth is told, you must accept it
தன்னைப்போல பிறரை எண்ணும்
தன்மை வேண்டுமே
அந்த தன்மை வர உள்ளத்திலே
கருணை வேண்டுமே
To treat others as one treats oneself
Such a noble quality is needed
For that quality to bloom in the heart
Compassion is required
தன்னைப்போல பிறரை எண்ணும்
தன்மை வேண்டுமே
அந்த தன்மை வர உள்ளத்திலே
கருணை வேண்டுமே
To treat others as one treats oneself
Such a noble quality is needed
For that quality to bloom in the heart
Compassion is required
பொன்னைப்போல மனம் படைத்தால்
செல்வம் வேறில்லை
பொன்னைப்போல மனம் படைத்தால்
செல்வம் வேறில்லை
இதை புரிந்து கொண்ட ஒருவனை போல்
மனிதன் வேறில்லை
If one is blessed with a heart like gold
There is no greater wealth than that
If one is blessed with a heart like gold
There is no greater wealth than that
Like the person who understands this
There is no finer human being
ஒண்ணா இருக்க கத்துக்கணும்
இந்த உண்மையை சொன்னா ஒத்துக்கணும்
You must learn to live as one
If this truth is told, you must accept it
கொஞ்ச நேரம் காற்றடித்து
ஓய்ந்து போகலாம்
வானில் கூடி வரும் மேகங்களும்
கலைந்து போகலாம்
The wind may blow strongly for a while
And then settle down
The clouds gathering in the sky
May also scatter away
கொஞ்ச நேரம் காற்றடித்து
ஓய்ந்து போகலாம்
வானில் கூடி வரும் மேகங்களும்
கலைந்து போகலாம்
The wind may blow strongly for a while
And then settle down
The clouds gathering in the sky
May also scatter away
நேற்று வரை நடந்ததெல்லாம்
இன்று மாறலாம்
நேற்று வரை நடந்ததெல்லாம்
இன்று மாறலாம்
நாம் நேர் வழியில் நடந்து சென்றால்
நன்மை அடையலாம்
Whatever happened until yesterday
May change today
Whatever happened until yesterday
May change today
If we walk on the straight and righteous path
We will attain true goodness
ஒண்ணா இருக்க கத்துக்கணும்
இந்த உண்மையை சொன்னா ஒத்துக்கணும்
காக்கா கூட்டத்தை பாருங்க
அதுக்கு கத்து கொடுத்தது யாருங்க
You must learn to live as one
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Look at the flock of crows
Who taught them to stay united?
ஒண்ணா இருக்க கத்துக்கணும்
இந்த உண்மையை சொன்னா ஒத்துக்கணும்
You must learn to live as one
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Onna irukka kathukkanum
You must learn to live as one
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Onna irukka kathukkanum
You must learn to live as one
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga
Look at the flock of crows
Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga
Look at the flock of crows
Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga
Who taught them to stay united?
Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga
Look at the flock of crows
Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga
Who taught them to stay united?
Onna irukka kathukkanum
You must learn to live as one
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Veettai vittu veliyae vandhaal
If you step out of your house
Naalum nadakkalaam
All four kinds of events may happen
Andha naalum therinju
Understanding those circumstances
Nadandhu kittaa
If you conduct yourself wisely
Nallaa irukkalaam
Life will turn out well
Veettai vittu veliyae vandhaal
If you step out of your house
Naalum nadakkalaam
All four kinds of events may happen
Andha naalum therinju
Understanding those circumstances
Nadandhu kittaa
If you conduct yourself wisely
Nallaa irukkalaam
Life will turn out well
Unnai kettu ennai kettu
By asking you or asking me
Edhuvum nadakkumaa
Will anything take place?
Unnai kettu ennai kettu
By asking you or asking me
Edhuvum nadakkumaa
Will anything take place?
Andha oruvan nadathum nadagathai
The drama staged by that Divine One
Nirutha mudiyumaa
Can anyone stop it?
Onna irukka kathukkanum
You must learn to live as one
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Thannai pola pirarai ennum
To treat others as one treats oneself
Thanmai vendumae
Such a noble quality is needed
Andha thanmai vara ullathilae
For that quality to bloom in the heart
Karunai vendumae
Compassion is required
Thannai pola pirarai ennum
To treat others as one treats oneself
Thanmai vendumae
Such a noble quality is needed
Andha thanmai vara ullathilae
For that quality to bloom in the heart
Karunai vendumae
Compassion is required
Ponnai pola manam padaithaal
If one is blessed with a heart like gold
Selvam verillai
There is no greater wealth than that
Ponnai pola manam padaithaal
If one is blessed with a heart like gold
Selvam verillai
There is no greater wealth than that
Idhai purindhu konda oruvanai pol
Like the person who understands this
Manidhan verillai
There is no finer human being
Onna irukka kathukkanum
You must learn to live as one
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Konja neram kaatradithu
The wind may blow strongly for a while
Oyindhu pogalaam
And then settle down
Vaanil koodi varum megangalum
The clouds gathering in the sky
Kalaindhu pogalaam
May also scatter away
Konja neram kaatradithu
The wind may blow strongly for a while
Oyindhu pogalaam
And then settle down
Vaanil koodi varum megangalum
The clouds gathering in the sky
Kalaindhu pogalaam
May also scatter away
Naetru varai nadandhadhellaam
Whatever happened until yesterday
Indru maaralaam
May change today
Naetru varai nadandhadhellaam
Whatever happened until yesterday
Indru maaralaam
May change today
Naam ner vazhiyil nadandhu sendraal
If we walk on the straight and righteous path
Nanmai adaiyalaam
We will attain true goodness
Onna irukka kathukkanum
You must learn to live as one
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga
Look at the flock of crows
Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga
Who taught them to stay united?
Onna irukka kathukkanum
You must learn to live as one
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
If this truth is told, you must accept it
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Onna Irukka Kathukkanum' is a timeless philosophical song from the 1965 film 'Anbu Karangal', penned by lyricist Vaali. The song presents an uplifting message on unity, moral integrity, compassion, and divine destiny. Using simple imagery from nature—such as crows sharing food and flying together—the song reminds humans to live in solidarity and overcome selfish motives. The lyrics further explore the transience of life's struggles, comparing hardships to passing winds and scattering storm clouds. Vaali emphasizes that while life is filled with unpredictable turns guided by a higher divine power, possessing a heart of gold filled with empathy and walking along the righteous path ensures true peace and fulfillment.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (Rhyming ends)
“Onna irukka kathukkanum / Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum”
The lines end with similar sounding rhyming words 'kathukkanum' and 'othukkanum'.
Ethugai (Second letter agreement)
“Thannai pola pirarai ennum / Andha thanmai vara ullathilae / Ponnai pola manam padaithaal”
The second consonant 'n' ('nn') rhymes across lines ('Thannai', 'Andha', 'Ponnai').
Uvamai Ani (Simile)
“Ponnai pola manam padaithaal”
Compares a pure, generous human heart to gold using the explicit comparative word 'pola'.
Metaphor / Symbolism
“Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga / Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga”
The flock of crows serves as a natural metaphor for unity and communal living without innate selfishness.
Personification / Nature Allegory
“Konja neram kaatradithu oyindhu pogalaam / Vaanil koodi varum megangalum kalaindhu pogalaam”
Life's passing troubles and turbulent phases are allegorized as temporary winds and dispersing clouds.
Did you know?
Trivia
The movie 'Anbu Karangal' (1965) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Devika. This famous philosophical song was sung by T. M. Soundararajan with music composed by R. Goverdhanam. Lyricist Vaali crafted this song using simple everyday Tamil to deliver profound ethical advice, a hallmark of 1960s Tamil cinema morality tracks.
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