Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Anbu Karangal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Onna Irukka Kathukanum

From Anbu Karangal · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Movie name
Anbu Karangal
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
20 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Onna irukka kathukkanum
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
Onna irukka kathukkanum
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga
Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga
Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga
Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga
Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga
Onna irukka kathukkanum
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
Veettai vittu veliyae vandhaal
Naalum nadakkalaam
Andha naalum therinju
Nadandhu kittaa
Nallaa irukkalaam
Veettai vittu veliyae vandhaal
Naalum nadakkalaam
Andha naalum therinju
Nadandhu kittaa
Nallaa irukkalaam
Unnai kettu ennai kettu
Edhuvum nadakkumaa
Unnai kettu ennai kettu
Edhuvum nadakkumaa
Andha oruvan nadathum nadagathai
Nirutha mudiyumaa
Onna irukka kathukkanum
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
Thannai pola pirarai ennum
Thanmai vendumae
Andha thanmai vara ullathilae
Karunai vendumae
Thannai pola pirarai ennum
Thanmai vendumae
Andha thanmai vara ullathilae
Karunai vendumae
Ponnai pola manam padaithaal
Selvam verillai
Ponnai pola manam padaithaal
Selvam verillai
Idhai purindhu konda oruvanai pol
Manidhan verillai
Onna irukka kathukkanum
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
Konja neram kaatradithu
Oyindhu pogalaam
Vaanil koodi varum megangalum
Kalaindhu pogalaam
Konja neram kaatradithu
Oyindhu pogalaam
Vaanil koodi varum megangalum
Kalaindhu pogalaam
Naetru varai nadandhadhellaam
Indru maaralaam
Naetru varai nadandhadhellaam
Indru maaralaam
Naam ner vazhiyil nadandhu sendraal
Nanmai adaiyalaam
Onna irukka kathukkanum
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
Kaakkaa koottatha paarunga
Adhukku kathu koduthadhu yaarunga
Onna irukka kathukkanum
Indha unmaiya chonna othukkanum
We must learn to live together as one.
When this truth is spoken, you must accept it.
We must learn to live together as one.
When this truth is spoken, you must accept it.
Look at the flock of crows;
Look at the flock of crows;
who taught them to stay together?
Look at the flock of crows;
who taught them to stay together?
We must learn to live together as one.
When this truth is spoken, you must accept it.
When we step out of the house,
all kinds of things may happen.
Understanding the ways of the world,
if we conduct ourselves wisely,
we can live happily.
When we step out of the house,
all kinds of things may happen.
Understanding the ways of the world,
if we conduct ourselves wisely,
we can live happily.
By asking you or asking me,
does anything happen?
By asking you or asking me,
does anything happen?
The drama staged by that One above,
can anyone stop it?
We must learn to live together as one.
When this truth is spoken, you must accept it.
To care for others just as we care for ourselves,
we need such a good heart.
For that goodness to grow within,
we need compassion.
To care for others just as we care for ourselves,
we need such a good heart.
For that goodness to grow within,
we need compassion.
If you have a heart of pure gold,
there is no greater wealth.
If you have a heart of pure gold,
there is no greater wealth.
Like the one who understands this truth,
there is no better human being.
We must learn to live together as one.
When this truth is spoken, you must accept it.
The wind may blow hard for a while,
and then quietly settle down.
The clouds gathering across the sky
may also drift away and clear.
The wind may blow hard for a while,
and then quietly settle down.
The clouds gathering across the sky
may also drift away and clear.
Whatever happened until yesterday
can change for the better today.
Whatever happened until yesterday
can change for the better today.
If we walk along the honest path,
goodness will surely reach us.
We must learn to live together as one.
When this truth is spoken, you must accept it.
Look at the flock of crows;
who taught them to stay together?
We must learn to live together as one.
When this truth is spoken, you must accept it.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Karuvile Uruvaana1952
En Thangai (1952 Film)BrotherhoodContemplative
Vanthaara Vazha Vaikkum1990
Periya Veetu PannakkaranBrotherhoodCompassion
Ramaranalum2000
Hey RamBrotherhoodCompassion
Nanbane Enathu Uyir1983
SattamBrotherhoodResilience
Ammamma Thambi Endru Nambi1973
Rajapart RangaduraiBrotherhoodCompassion
Neeyum Vaazha Vendum1976
ChithrapournamiCompassionBrotherhood

From the same album

More songs from Anbu Karangal

View album
Vaaiyaa Raja1965
Anbu KarangalRomantic
Raamanukke Seethai1965
Anbu KarangalDevotional
Azhagenna Arivenna1965
Anbu KarangalPlayful
Iravu Mudinthuvidum1965
Anbu KarangalRomantic
Kakithathil Kappal1965
Anbu KarangalMelancholic

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.