Oonam Oonam
From Porkkaalam · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Deva
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Porkkaalam1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aridhu aridhu | Rare, it is rare! |
| Maanidanaai pirathal aridhu | To be born as a human being is rare. |
| Koon kurudu sevidu neengi | To be born free from hunchback, blindness, and deafness, |
| Pirathal adhai vida aridhu | Is even rarer than that. |
| Male | |
| Oonam oonma oonam ingae | Is disability really a physical flaw here? |
| Oonam yaarungoo | Who is truly disabled, my friends? |
| Oonam oonma oonam ingae | Is disability really a physical flaw here? |
| Oonam yaarungoo | Who is truly disabled, my friends? |
| Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam | All the defects present in the body |
| Oonam illingoo | Are not true disabilities at all, sir. |
| Ullam nalla irundhaa | If the heart and mind are pure and good, |
| Oonam oru kurai illae | A physical disability is no flaw at all. |
| Ullam oona patta | If the mind itself becomes corrupt and disabled, |
| Udambirunthum payan illae | Having a healthy body is of no use. |
| Male | |
| Rendu kaalu ullavano kedukkuraan | A person with two legs ruins society, |
| Silar oththa kaalil nalla vazhi nadakkuraan | While some walking on a single leg tread the righteous path. |
| Male | |
| Oonam oonma oonam ingae | Is disability really a physical flaw here? |
| Oonam yaarungoo | Who is truly disabled, my friends? |
| Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam | All the defects present in the body |
| Oonam illingoo | Are not true disabilities at all, sir. |
| Male | |
| Ooo…oo….ooo…ooo…ooo…oo…oo… | Ooo…oo….ooo…ooo…ooo…oo…oo… |
| Male | |
| Kanja paiyan ellarumae | All those who are miserly, |
| Kai irunthum oonam | Are disabled despite having functional hands. |
| Adha kandirukken naanum | I have witnessed this myself. |
| Neenga yaara paarthu | At whom are you looking |
| Oonaminnu solringho ooo oo | When you call someone disabled? |
| Male | |
| Kadan kuduthavan ethira vantha | When the money lender approaches, |
| Kadan pattavan oomai | The debtor suddenly turns mute. |
| Idha kandirukkirom naama | We have seen this happen repeatedly. |
| Yenga vaayillaatha jeevangala vaiyuringoo | Why do you scold these innocent, voiceless beings? |
| Male | |
| Kaatchi inga nallalae | If your vision and outlook are bad, |
| Kannu kooda venangoo | Even having functional eyes is useless. |
| Vaaimai nenjil irukkaiyilae | When truthfulness resides in the heart, |
| Vaayum kooda venangoo | You don't even need words or a mouth. |
| Male | |
| Oonam ennada oonam | What is physical disability, my friend? |
| Ada gyaanam thaanae venum | Oh, what we truly need is wisdom! |
| Andha gyaanam vara venuminnaa | And for that wisdom to dawn, |
| Manasu maara venum | The human heart and mind must change. |
| Male | |
| Oonam oonma oonam ingae | Is disability really a physical flaw here? |
| Oonam yaarungoo | Who is truly disabled, my friends? |
| Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam | All the defects present in the body |
| Oonam illingoo | Are not true disabilities at all, sir. |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………… | …………………………… |
| Male | |
| Aatharangara oraththula | On the banks of the river, |
| Valanthirukkudhu thennai | A coconut tree has grown. |
| Adhu valanjirurukkudhu kanna | It stands crooked and bent, my dear, |
| Adhil thengaaiya | Yet its sweet coconuts, |
| Veruthavanga yaarungoo ooo ooo | Has anyone ever rejected or hated? |
| Male | |
| Maduraiyila koyilathaan | Have your eyes ever seen |
| Paarthathunda kannu | The grand temple in Madurai? |
| Athil motta gopuram onnu | There is a flat, unfinished tower there, |
| Adhil meenakshi kudirukka paarungoo | Yet Goddess Meenakshi resides inside it! |
| Male | |
| Kannadhaasan sonnango | Kannadasan said it, |
| Vairamuthu sonaangoo | Vairamuthu said it as well, |
| Oonam enbathu manasu thaanu | That true disability lies in one's mind, |
| Unakkum enakkum sonaangoo | They taught this truth to both you and me. |
| Male | |
| Oonam ennada oonam | What is physical disability, my friend? |
| Ada gyaanam thaanae venum | Oh, what we truly need is wisdom! |
| Andha gyaanam vara venuminnaa | And for that wisdom to dawn, |
| Manasu maara venum | The human heart and mind must change. |
| Male | |
| Oonam oonma oonam ingae | Is disability really a physical flaw here? |
| Oonam yaarungoo | Who is truly disabled, my friends? |
| Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam | All the defects present in the body |
| Oonam illingoo | Are not true disabilities at all, sir. |
| Male | |
| Ullam nalla irundhaa | If the heart and mind are pure and good, |
| Oonam oru kurai illae | A physical disability is no flaw at all. |
| Ullam oona patta | If the mind itself becomes corrupt and disabled, |
| Udambirunthum payan illae | Having a healthy body is of no use. |
| Male | |
| Rendu kaalu ullavano kedukkuraan | A person with two legs ruins society, |
| Silar oththa kaalil nalla vazhi nadakkuraan | While some walking on a single leg tread the righteous path. |
| Male | |
| Oonam oonma oonam ingae | Is disability really a physical flaw here? |
| Oonam yaarungoo | Who is truly disabled, my friends? |
| Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam | All the defects present in the body |
| Oonam illingoo | Are not true disabilities at all, sir. |
| Male | |
| Oonam oonma oonam ingae | Is disability really a physical flaw here? |
| Oonam yaarungoo | Who is truly disabled, my friends? |
| Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam | All the defects present in the body |
| Oonam illingoo | Are not true disabilities at all, sir. |
அரிது அரிது மானிடனாய்
பிறத்தல் அரிது
கூன் குருடு செவிடு நீங்கி
பிறத்தல் அதை விட அரிது
Rare, it is rare!
To be born as a human being is rare.
To be born free from hunchback, blindness, and deafness,
Is even rarer than that.
ஊனம் ஊனம் ஊனம் இங்கே
ஊனம் யாருங்கோ
ஊனம் ஊனம் ஊனம் இங்கே
ஊனம் யாருங்கோ
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
All the defects present in the body
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
If the heart and mind are pure and good,
A physical disability is no flaw at all.
If the mind itself becomes corrupt and disabled,
Having a healthy body is of no use.
உடம்பில் உள்ள குறைகள்
எல்லாம் ஊனம் இல்லீங்கோ
உள்ளம் நல்லாருந்தா
ஊனம் ஒரு குறை இல்லே
உள்ளம் ஊனப்பட்டா
உடம்பிருந்தும் பயனில்லே
A person with two legs ruins society,
While some walking on a single leg tread the righteous path.
ரெண்டு காலு
உள்ளவனோ கெடுக்குறான்
சிலர் ஒத்த காலில்
நல்ல வழி நடக்குறான்
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
All the defects present in the body
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
ஊனம் ஊனம் ஊனம் இங்கே
ஊனம் யாருங்கோ
உடம்பில் உள்ள குறைகள் எல்லாம்
ஊனம் இல்லீங்கோ
Ooo…oo….ooo…ooo…ooo…oo…oo…
ஓஒ.....ஓஒ.....ஓஓஒ........
All those who are miserly,
Are disabled despite having functional hands.
I have witnessed this myself.
At whom are you looking
When you call someone disabled?
கஞ்ச பையன் எல்லாருமே
கை இருந்தும் ஊனம்
அத கண்டிருக்கேன் நானும்
நீங்க யார பாத்து
ஊனமுன்னு சொல்றீங்கோ....ஓ
When the money lender approaches,
The debtor suddenly turns mute.
We have seen this happen repeatedly.
Why do you scold these innocent, voiceless beings?
கடன் கொடுத்தவன்
எதுர வந்தா கடன் பட்டவன் ஊமை
இத கண்டிருக்கோம் நாம
ஏங்க வாயிலாத ஜீவன்கள
வையரிங்கோ
If your vision and outlook are bad,
Even having functional eyes is useless.
When truthfulness resides in the heart,
You don't even need words or a mouth.
காட்சி இங்க நல்லாலே
கண்ணு கூட வேணாங்கோ
வாய்மை நெஞ்சில் இருக்கையிலே
வாயும் கூட வேணாங்கோ
What is physical disability, my friend?
Oh, what we truly need is wisdom!
And for that wisdom to dawn,
The human heart and mind must change.
ஊனம் என்னடா ஊனம்
அட ஞானம் தானே வேணும்
அந்த ஞானம் வர
வேணுமுன்னா மனசு மாற வேணும்
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
All the defects present in the body
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
ஊனம் ஊனம் ஊனம் இங்கே
ஊனம் யாருங்கோ
உடம்பில் உள்ள குறைகள் எல்லாம்
ஊனம் இல்லீங்கோ
……………………………
ஊனம் ஊனம் ஊனம் இங்கே
ஊனம் யாருங்கோ
உடம்பில் உள்ள குறைகள் எல்லாம்
ஊனம் இல்லீங்கோ
On the banks of the river,
A coconut tree has grown.
It stands crooked and bent, my dear,
Yet its sweet coconuts,
Has anyone ever rejected or hated?
......................
Have your eyes ever seen
The grand temple in Madurai?
There is a flat, unfinished tower there,
Yet Goddess Meenakshi resides inside it!
ஆத்தங்கரை ஓரத்துல
வளர்ந்திருக்குது தென்னை
அது வளைஞ்சிருக்குது என்ன
அதில் தேங்காய
வெறுத்தவங்க யாருங்கோ...ஓ
Kannadasan said it,
Vairamuthu said it as well,
That true disability lies in one's mind,
They taught this truth to both you and me.
மதுரையில கோயிலைத்தான்
பாத்ததுண்டா கண்ணு
அதில் மொட்ட கோபுரம் ஒன்னு
அதில் மீனாட்சி குடியிருக்கா பாருங்கோ
What is physical disability, my friend?
Oh, what we truly need is wisdom!
And for that wisdom to dawn,
The human heart and mind must change.
கண்ணதாசன் சொன்னாங்கோ
வைரமுத்து சொன்னாங்கோ
ஊனம் என்பது மனசுதான்னு
உனக்கும் எனக்கும் சொன்னாங்கோ
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
All the defects present in the body
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
ஊனம் என்னடா ஊனம்
அட ஞானம் தானே வேணும்
அந்த ஞானம் வர வேணுமுன்னா
மனசு மாற வேணும்
If the heart and mind are pure and good,
A physical disability is no flaw at all.
If the mind itself becomes corrupt and disabled,
Having a healthy body is of no use.
ஊனம் ஊனம் ஊனம் இங்கே
ஊனம் யாருங்கோ
உடம்பில் உள்ள குறைகள் எல்லாம்
ஊனம் இல்லீங்கோ
A person with two legs ruins society,
While some walking on a single leg tread the righteous path.
உள்ளம் நல்லாருந்தா
ஊனம் ஒரு குறை இல்லே
உள்ளம் ஊனப்பட்டா
உடம்பிருந்தும் பயனில்லே
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
All the defects present in the body
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
ரெண்டு காலு
உள்ளவனோ கெடுக்குறான்
சிலர் ஒத்த காலில்
நல்ல வழி நடக்குறான்
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
All the defects present in the body
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
ஊனம் ஊனம் ஊனம் இங்கே
ஊனம் யாருங்கோ
உடம்பில் உள்ள குறைகள் எல்லாம்
ஊனம் இல்லீங்கோ
ஊனம் ஊனம் ஊனம் இங்கே
ஊனம் யாருங்கோ
உடம்பில் உள்ள குறைகள் எல்லாம்
ஊனம் இல்லீங்கோ
Aridhu aridhu
Rare, it is rare!
Maanidanaai pirathal aridhu
To be born as a human being is rare.
Koon kurudu sevidu neengi
To be born free from hunchback, blindness, and deafness,
Pirathal adhai vida aridhu
Is even rarer than that.
Oonam oonma oonam ingae
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Oonam yaarungoo
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
Oonam oonma oonam ingae
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Oonam yaarungoo
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam
All the defects present in the body
Oonam illingoo
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
Ullam nalla irundhaa
If the heart and mind are pure and good,
Oonam oru kurai illae
A physical disability is no flaw at all.
Ullam oona patta
If the mind itself becomes corrupt and disabled,
Udambirunthum payan illae
Having a healthy body is of no use.
Rendu kaalu ullavano kedukkuraan
A person with two legs ruins society,
Silar oththa kaalil nalla vazhi nadakkuraan
While some walking on a single leg tread the righteous path.
Oonam oonma oonam ingae
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Oonam yaarungoo
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam
All the defects present in the body
Oonam illingoo
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
Ooo…oo….ooo…ooo…ooo…oo…oo…
Ooo…oo….ooo…ooo…ooo…oo…oo…
Kanja paiyan ellarumae
All those who are miserly,
Kai irunthum oonam
Are disabled despite having functional hands.
Adha kandirukken naanum
I have witnessed this myself.
Neenga yaara paarthu
At whom are you looking
Oonaminnu solringho ooo oo
When you call someone disabled?
Kadan kuduthavan ethira vantha
When the money lender approaches,
Kadan pattavan oomai
The debtor suddenly turns mute.
Idha kandirukkirom naama
We have seen this happen repeatedly.
Yenga vaayillaatha jeevangala vaiyuringoo
Why do you scold these innocent, voiceless beings?
Kaatchi inga nallalae
If your vision and outlook are bad,
Kannu kooda venangoo
Even having functional eyes is useless.
Vaaimai nenjil irukkaiyilae
When truthfulness resides in the heart,
Vaayum kooda venangoo
You don't even need words or a mouth.
Oonam ennada oonam
What is physical disability, my friend?
Ada gyaanam thaanae venum
Oh, what we truly need is wisdom!
Andha gyaanam vara venuminnaa
And for that wisdom to dawn,
Manasu maara venum
The human heart and mind must change.
Oonam oonma oonam ingae
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Oonam yaarungoo
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam
All the defects present in the body
Oonam illingoo
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
……………………………
……………………………
Aatharangara oraththula
On the banks of the river,
Valanthirukkudhu thennai
A coconut tree has grown.
Adhu valanjirurukkudhu kanna
It stands crooked and bent, my dear,
Adhil thengaaiya
Yet its sweet coconuts,
Veruthavanga yaarungoo ooo ooo
Has anyone ever rejected or hated?
Maduraiyila koyilathaan
Have your eyes ever seen
Paarthathunda kannu
The grand temple in Madurai?
Athil motta gopuram onnu
There is a flat, unfinished tower there,
Adhil meenakshi kudirukka paarungoo
Yet Goddess Meenakshi resides inside it!
Kannadhaasan sonnango
Kannadasan said it,
Vairamuthu sonaangoo
Vairamuthu said it as well,
Oonam enbathu manasu thaanu
That true disability lies in one's mind,
Unakkum enakkum sonaangoo
They taught this truth to both you and me.
Oonam ennada oonam
What is physical disability, my friend?
Ada gyaanam thaanae venum
Oh, what we truly need is wisdom!
Andha gyaanam vara venuminnaa
And for that wisdom to dawn,
Manasu maara venum
The human heart and mind must change.
Oonam oonma oonam ingae
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Oonam yaarungoo
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam
All the defects present in the body
Oonam illingoo
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
Ullam nalla irundhaa
If the heart and mind are pure and good,
Oonam oru kurai illae
A physical disability is no flaw at all.
Ullam oona patta
If the mind itself becomes corrupt and disabled,
Udambirunthum payan illae
Having a healthy body is of no use.
Rendu kaalu ullavano kedukkuraan
A person with two legs ruins society,
Silar oththa kaalil nalla vazhi nadakkuraan
While some walking on a single leg tread the righteous path.
Oonam oonma oonam ingae
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Oonam yaarungoo
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam
All the defects present in the body
Oonam illingoo
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
Oonam oonma oonam ingae
Is disability really a physical flaw here?
Oonam yaarungoo
Who is truly disabled, my friends?
Udambil ulla kuraigal ellaam
All the defects present in the body
Oonam illingoo
Are not true disabilities at all, sir.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This philosophical song challenges societal prejudices surrounding physical disability by redefining what it truly means to be disabled. Drawing heavily from ancient Tamil wisdom and classical poetry, lyricist Vairamuthu argues that physical impairments are not true disabilities; rather, character defects like greed, dishonesty, stinginess, and lack of empathy constitute real handicap. A person with full physical abilities who acts selfishly or corruptly is portrayed as spiritually disabled, whereas a person with physical challenges who lives with integrity and wisdom possesses true wholeness. Through vivid imagery—such as a bent coconut tree yielding sweet fruit or an unfinished temple tower housing the divine Goddess Meenakshi—the song emphasizes that inner beauty and moral character far outweigh external physical perfection. The emotional arc moves from traditional philosophical reverence to social commentary, urging humanity to cultivate mental transformation, true wisdom (gyaanam), and universal compassion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Intertextual Reference / Literary Allusion
“Aridhu aridhu / Maanidanaai pirathal aridhu”
Directly references the famous classical Tamil poem by the ancient poetess Avvaiyar ('Aridhu aridhu maanidaraadhai aridhu') to ground the philosophical message in traditional wisdom.
Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Ullam nalla irundhaa / Udambirunthum payan illae”
The second letter 'lla'/'da' in 'Ullam' and 'Udambirunthum' creates rhythmic phonetic harmony.
Analogy / Metaphor
“Valanthirukkudhu thennai / Adhu valanjirurukkudhu kanna / Adhil thengaaiya / Veruthavanga yaarungoo”
Compares a physically challenged person to a bent coconut tree that still yields sweet, valuable coconut, illustrating that physical shape does not diminish intrinsic value.
Self-Reference / Meta-poetry
“Kannadhaasan sonnango / Vairamuthu sonaangoo”
The lyricist Vairamuthu poetically cites legendary poet Kannadasan and himself as messengers of this humanistic philosophy.
Did you know?
Trivia
The opening lines adapt the timeless verse of Avvaiyar from classical Tamil literature. The film 'Porkkaalam' (1997), directed by Cheran, features a central storyline revolving around family bonds and physical challenges, making this song a key thematic centerpiece of the movie.
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