Onna Vitta Yarum Illa
From Manaivi Ready · 1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami | Other than you, there is no one, Oh God! |
| Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami | Show me a way to let this soul live a little! |
| Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee | Come like a mother, without me even having to call you. |
| Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee | When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread (thaali), grant it to me! |
| Kannu paakkaamalum kaathu ketkkaamalum | Without seeing with your eyes and without hearing with your ears, |
| Koyil kondathellaam yaen nee…. | Why are you residing in a temple? |
| Male | |
| Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami | Other than you, there is no one, Oh God! |
| Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami | Show me a way to let this soul live a little! |
| Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee | Come like a mother, without me even having to call you. |
| Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee | When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me! |
| Male | |
| Intha saathi sanam ellaam kaakkai inam | All these caste folks and relatives are just like a flock of crows. |
| Maman machchaannuthaan peru | They are called uncles and brothers-in-law only in name. |
| Yaarum suththam illa nalla raththam illa | No one is pure, and no one has good intentions in their blood. |
| Sonnaa kuththam illa paaru | Look, there is no fault in stating this truth! |
| Male | |
| Thaanae vanthavanga thaanam senjavanga | Those who came on their own and offered help out of charity, |
| Sontha bantham illa yaar yaaro | They are not true kin; they are just strangers. |
| Maman kann muzhikka mayilu thaththalikka | For the uncle to wake up and for the peacock-like girl struggling in agony, |
| Saami unnaalathaan aagaatho | Oh God, can't this miracle happen through you? |
| Mayangurappo kalangurappo | When feeling faint and feeling distressed, |
| Mayangurappo kalangurappo | When feeling faint and feeling distressed, |
| Anji kedukkuthu nenjam thudikkuthu | The heart is trembling in fear and thumping in pain! |
| Male | |
| Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami | Other than you, there is no one, Oh God! |
| Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami | Show me a way to let this soul live a little! |
| Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee | Come like a mother, without me even having to call you. |
| Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee | When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me! |
| Male | |
| Sodi kanda pulla sogaththa kandathilla | The girl who found her life partner had never known sorrow before. |
| Vaadi nikkuthaiyaa paavam | Look at her now, standing withered in pity! |
| Poovu vaadaamalum pottu pogaamalum | So that her flowers don't fade and her bindi isn't lost (protecting her marital status), |
| Kaaval neethaan intha neram | You are the sole guardian at this moment! |
| Male | |
| Paal pol vellai manam pachcha pillai gunam | A heart as white as milk with the innocent nature of a newborn child, |
| Paai mel thindaaduthu paaraiyaa | Look, it is struggling helpless on the sickbed! |
| Unna nampiduvom nambi kumbiduvom | We will place our faith in you and worship you with trust. |
| Thunbam theekkurathu yaariyaa | Who else is there to relieve our misery? |
| Male | |
| Serakodinja siru kuruvi | Like a little bird with broken wings, |
| Serakodinja siru kuruvi | Like a little bird with broken wings, |
| Seththu pozhachchingu kanna thoranthida | May it survive death and open its eyes back to life here! |
| Male | |
| Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami | Other than you, there is no one, Oh God! |
| Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami | Show me a way to let this soul live a little! |
| Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee | Come like a mother, without me even having to call you. |
| Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee | When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me! |
| Kannu paakkaamalum kaathu ketkkaamalum | Without seeing with your eyes and without hearing with your ears, |
| Koyil kondathellaam yaen nee…. | Why are you residing in a temple? |
| Male | |
| Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami | Other than you, there is no one, Oh God! |
| Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami | Show me a way to let this soul live a little! |
| Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee | Come like a mother, without me even having to call you. |
| Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee | When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me! |
ஒன்ன விட்டா யாரும் இல்ல சாமி
இந்த உசுர கொஞ்சம் வாழ வச்சு காமி
தாயப் போல கூப்பிடாம வா நீ
ஒரு தாலிப் பிச்ச கேக்குறப்போ தா நீ
கண்ணு பாக்காமலும் காது கேக்காமலும்
கோயில் கொண்டதெல்லாம் ஏன் நீ......
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread (thaali), grant it to me!
Without seeing with your eyes and without hearing with your ears,
Why are you residing in a temple?
ஒன்ன விட்டா யாரும் இல்ல சாமி
இந்த உசுர கொஞ்சம் வாழ வச்சு காமி
தாயப் போல கூப்பிடாம வா நீ
ஒரு தாலிப் பிச்ச கேக்குறப்போ தா நீ
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me!
இந்த சாதி சனம் எல்லாம் காக்கை இனம்
மாமன் மச்சான்னுதான் பேரு
யாரும் சுத்தம் இல்ல நல்ல ரத்தம் இல்ல
சொன்னா குத்தம் இல்ல பாரு
All these caste folks and relatives are just like a flock of crows.
They are called uncles and brothers-in-law only in name.
No one is pure, and no one has good intentions in their blood.
Look, there is no fault in stating this truth!
தானே வந்தவங்க தானம் செஞ்சவங்க
சொந்த பந்தம் இல்ல யார் யாரோ
மாமன் கண் முழிக்க மயிலு தத்தளிக்க
சாமி உன்னாலதான் ஆகாதோ
மயங்குறப்போ கலங்குறப்போ
மயங்குறப்போ கலங்குறப்போ
அஞ்சிக் கெடக்குது நெஞ்சம் துடிக்குது.....
Those who came on their own and offered help out of charity,
They are not true kin; they are just strangers.
For the uncle to wake up and for the peacock-like girl struggling in agony,
Oh God, can't this miracle happen through you?
When feeling faint and feeling distressed,
When feeling faint and feeling distressed,
The heart is trembling in fear and thumping in pain!
ஒன்ன விட்டா யாரும் இல்ல சாமி
இந்த உசுர கொஞ்சம் வாழ வச்சு காமி
தாயப் போல கூப்பிடாம வா நீ
ஒரு தாலிப் பிச்ச கேக்குறப்போ தா நீ
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me!
சோடி கண்ட புள்ள சொகத்த கண்டதில்ல
வாடி நிக்குதையா பாவம்
பூவு வாடாமலும் பொட்டு போகாமலும்
காவல் நீதான் இந்த நேரம்
The girl who found her life partner had never known sorrow before.
Look at her now, standing withered in pity!
So that her flowers don't fade and her bindi isn't lost (protecting her marital status),
You are the sole guardian at this moment!
பால் போல் வெள்ளை மனம் பச்சப் பிள்ளை குணம்
பாய் மேல் திண்டாடுது பாரையா
உன்ன நம்பிடுவோம் நம்பி கும்பிடுவோம்
துன்பம் தீக்குறது யாரையா
A heart as white as milk with the innocent nature of a newborn child,
Look, it is struggling helpless on the sickbed!
We will place our faith in you and worship you with trust.
Who else is there to relieve our misery?
செறகொடிஞ்ச சிறு குருவி
செறகொடிஞ்ச சிறு குருவி
செத்துப் பொழச்சிங்கு கண்ணத் தொறந்திட
Like a little bird with broken wings,
Like a little bird with broken wings,
May it survive death and open its eyes back to life here!
ஒன்ன விட்டா யாரும் இல்ல சாமி
இந்த உசுர கொஞ்சம் வாழ வச்சு காமி
தாயப் போல கூப்பிடாம வா நீ
ஒரு தாலிப் பிச்ச கேக்குறப்போ தா நீ
கண்ணு பாக்காமலும் காது கேக்காமலும்
கோயில் கொண்டதெல்லாம் ஏன் நீ......
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me!
Without seeing with your eyes and without hearing with your ears,
Why are you residing in a temple?
ஒன்ன விட்டா யாரும் இல்ல சாமி
இந்த உசுர கொஞ்சம் வாழ வச்சு காமி
தாயப் போல கூப்பிடாம வா நீ
ஒரு தாலிப் பிச்ச கேக்குறப்போ தா நீ
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me!
Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread (thaali), grant it to me!
Kannu paakkaamalum kaathu ketkkaamalum
Without seeing with your eyes and without hearing with your ears,
Koyil kondathellaam yaen nee….
Why are you residing in a temple?
Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me!
Intha saathi sanam ellaam kaakkai inam
All these caste folks and relatives are just like a flock of crows.
Maman machchaannuthaan peru
They are called uncles and brothers-in-law only in name.
Yaarum suththam illa nalla raththam illa
No one is pure, and no one has good intentions in their blood.
Sonnaa kuththam illa paaru
Look, there is no fault in stating this truth!
Thaanae vanthavanga thaanam senjavanga
Those who came on their own and offered help out of charity,
Sontha bantham illa yaar yaaro
They are not true kin; they are just strangers.
Maman kann muzhikka mayilu thaththalikka
For the uncle to wake up and for the peacock-like girl struggling in agony,
Saami unnaalathaan aagaatho
Oh God, can't this miracle happen through you?
Mayangurappo kalangurappo
When feeling faint and feeling distressed,
Mayangurappo kalangurappo
When feeling faint and feeling distressed,
Anji kedukkuthu nenjam thudikkuthu
The heart is trembling in fear and thumping in pain!
Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me!
Sodi kanda pulla sogaththa kandathilla
The girl who found her life partner had never known sorrow before.
Vaadi nikkuthaiyaa paavam
Look at her now, standing withered in pity!
Poovu vaadaamalum pottu pogaamalum
So that her flowers don't fade and her bindi isn't lost (protecting her marital status),
Kaaval neethaan intha neram
You are the sole guardian at this moment!
Paal pol vellai manam pachcha pillai gunam
A heart as white as milk with the innocent nature of a newborn child,
Paai mel thindaaduthu paaraiyaa
Look, it is struggling helpless on the sickbed!
Unna nampiduvom nambi kumbiduvom
We will place our faith in you and worship you with trust.
Thunbam theekkurathu yaariyaa
Who else is there to relieve our misery?
Serakodinja siru kuruvi
Like a little bird with broken wings,
Serakodinja siru kuruvi
Like a little bird with broken wings,
Seththu pozhachchingu kanna thoranthida
May it survive death and open its eyes back to life here!
Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me!
Kannu paakkaamalum kaathu ketkkaamalum
Without seeing with your eyes and without hearing with your ears,
Koyil kondathellaam yaen nee….
Why are you residing in a temple?
Onna vittaa yaarum illa saami
Other than you, there is no one, Oh God!
Intha ushura konjam vaazha vachchu kaami
Show me a way to let this soul live a little!
Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee
Come like a mother, without me even having to call you.
Oru thaali pitcha kekkurappo thaa nee
When I beg for the alms of a sacred marriage thread, grant it to me!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
‘Onna Vittaa Yaarum Illa Saami’ is a heart-wrenching devotional plea from the 1987 Tamil film 'Manaivi Ready'. Composed and sung by Ilayaraja with lyrics by Vaali, the song captures a moment of ultimate helplessness where the protagonist turns to God as the final refuge. The lyrics question the aloofness of the deity while desperately begging for the life of a loved one who is battling illness, asking God to act like a compassionate mother and protect the young bride's sacred marital bond ('thaali'). The song contrasts the utter selflessness needed in moments of crisis with the cold indifference of selfish relatives, whom the speaker compares to opportunistic crows. Through rich metaphors—such as comparing the innocent patient to a bird with broken wings struggling on a mat—the track moves through grief, angst, and raw faith, pleading for a miraculous recovery.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai Ani)
“Thaaya pola kooppidaama vaa nee”
Compares God's unconditional care and protection to that of a mother ('Thaaya pola' = like a mother).
Simile (Uwamai Ani)
“Paal pol vellai manam pachcha pillai gunam”
Compares the absolute purity and innocence of the character's heart to white milk ('Paal pol') and a newborn child.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Intha saathi sanam ellaam kaakkai inam”
Directly compares selfish relatives and kin to a flock of crows ('kaakkai inam') who only gather for self-interest.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Serakodinja siru kuruvi”
Metaphorically describes the bedridden, helpless loved one as a 'little bird with broken wings'.
Rhyme / Monai (Initial Rhyme)
“Mayangurappo kalangurappo”
Repetition of sound patterns and internal rhythm across lines creating emotional cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Manaivi Ready' (1987) is a Tamil comedy-drama film directed by Pandiarajan. Although the movie is predominantly a lighthearted comedy, this song sung and composed by Ilayaraja stands out as a poignant, intense emotional peak. The composition is widely praised for Ilayaraja's soulful vocal delivery, which captures deep anguish and spiritual fervour, paired with Vaali's evocative folk-rooted lyricism.
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