Oora Therinjikitten
From Padikathavan (1985 Film) · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Padikathavan (1985 Film)1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oora therinjikitten.. | I've learned about this town.. |
| Ulagam purinjikitten | I've understood the world |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Gnyaanam porandhiruchu | Enlightenment has been born |
| Naalum purinjiruchu | Everything has become clear to me |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Male | |
| {Oora therinjikitten.. | {I've learned about this town.. |
| Ulagam purinjikitten | I've understood the world |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Gnyaanam porandhiruchu | Enlightenment has been born |
| Naalum purinjiruchu | Everything has become clear to me |
| Kanmani en kanmani} (2) | My dear, oh my dear} (2) |
| Male | |
| Pacha kozhanthainu | Thinking it was an innocent baby |
| Paalooti valarthen | I raised it feeding milk |
| Paala kudichiputtu | But after drinking the milk |
| Pambaagha kothuthadi | It bit like a green snake! |
| Male | |
| Oora therinjikitten.. | I've learned about this town.. |
| Ulagam purinjikitten | I've understood the world |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Gnyaanam porandhiruchu | Enlightenment has been born |
| Naalum purinjiruchu | Everything has become clear to me |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Male | |
| Yethu bandha paasam | What bond or affection is real? |
| Ellaam veli vesam | It is all just a superficial disguise |
| Kaasu panam vandha | When money and wealth arrive |
| Nesam sila maasam | Love lasts for only a few months |
| Sinthinen ratham sinthinen | I shed blood, I shed blood |
| Athu ellaam veen thaano | Was all of that completely in vain? |
| Veppilai karu veppilai | Neem leaves, bitter dark neem leaves |
| Athu yaaro naan thaanoo | Is that someone else, or is it me? |
| Male | |
| Yen veetu kannu kutti | The calf raised in my own house |
| Ennoda mallu katti | Is now wrestling with me |
| En maarbil muttuthadi | And headbutting my chest |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Thee patta kaayathila | On a wound already burnt by fire |
| Thael vandhu kottuthadi | A scorpion comes and stings! |
| Kanmani kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Male | |
| Oora therinjikitten.. | I've learned about this town.. |
| Ulagam purinjikitten | I've understood the world |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Gnyaanam porandhiruchu | Enlightenment has been born |
| Naalum purinjiruchu | Everything has become clear to me |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Male | |
| Netru ivan yeni indru ivan gnyaani | Yesterday he was a ladder, today he is a wise sage |
| Aalaa karai serthu aadum indha thoni | This boat sways alone after helping everyone reach the shore |
| Sonthamae oru vaanavil | Relationships are like a rainbow |
| Andha varnam konja neram | Those colors last only a short while |
| Bandhamae mullaanathaal | Because bonds turned into sharp thorns |
| Indha nenjil oru baaram | There is a heavy burden in this heart |
| Male | |
| Panam kaasa kandu putta | If money and riches are seen |
| Puli kooda pulla thinnum | Even a tiger will eat grass |
| Kalikaalam aachuthadi | Dark times (Kali Yuga) have arrived |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Adangaatha kaalai onnu | An untamable bull |
| Adimaadaa ponathadi | Has become a slave beast |
| Kanmani kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Male | |
| Oora therinjikitten.. | I've learned about this town.. |
| Ulagam purinjikitten | I've understood the world |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Gnyaanam porandhiruchu | Enlightenment has been born |
| Naalum purinjiruchu | Everything has become clear to me |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Male | |
| Pacha kozhanthainu | Thinking it was an innocent baby |
| Paalooti valarthen | I raised it feeding milk |
| Paala kudichiputtu | But after drinking the milk |
| Pambaagha kothuthadi | It bit like a green snake! |
| Male | |
| Oora therinjikitten.. | I've learned about this town.. |
| Ulagam purinjikitten | I've understood the world |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
| Gnyaanam porandhiruchu | Enlightenment has been born |
| Naalum purinjiruchu | Everything has become clear to me |
| Kanmani en kanmani | My dear, oh my dear |
ஊரத் தெரிஞ்சிக்கிட்டேன்
உலகம் புரிஞ்சிகிட்டேன்
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
ஞானம் பொறந்திருச்சு
நாளும் புரிஞ்சிருச்சு
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
I've learned about this town..
I've understood the world
My dear, oh my dear
Enlightenment has been born
Everything has become clear to me
My dear, oh my dear
{ ஊரத் தெரிஞ்சிக்கிட்டேன்
உலகம் புரிஞ்சிகிட்டேன்
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
ஞானம் பொறந்திருச்சு
நாளும் புரிஞ்சிருச்சு
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி } (2)
{I've learned about this town..
I've understood the world
My dear, oh my dear
Enlightenment has been born
Everything has become clear to me
My dear, oh my dear} (2)
பச்ச கொழந்தையின்னு
பாலூட்டி வளா்த்தேன் பால
குடிச்சிப்புட்டு பாம்பாக
கொத்துதடி
Thinking it was an innocent baby
I raised it feeding milk
But after drinking the milk
It bit like a green snake!
ஊரத் தெரிஞ்சிக்கிட்டேன்
உலகம் புரிஞ்சிகிட்டேன்
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
ஞானம் பொறந்திருச்சு
நாளும் புரிஞ்சிருச்சு
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
I've learned about this town..
I've understood the world
My dear, oh my dear
Enlightenment has been born
Everything has become clear to me
My dear, oh my dear
ஏது பந்த பாசம்
எல்லாம் வெளி வேஷம்
காசு பணம் வந்தா நேசம்
சில மாசம் சிந்தினேன்
ரத்தம் சிந்தினேன் அது
எல்லாம் வீண்தானோ
வேப்பிலை கருவேப்பிலை
அது யாரோ நான் தானோ
What bond or affection is real?
It is all just a superficial disguise
When money and wealth arrive
Love lasts for only a few months
I shed blood, I shed blood
Was all of that completely in vain?
Neem leaves, bitter dark neem leaves
Is that someone else, or is it me?
என் வீட்டு
கன்னுக்குட்டி என்னோட
மல்லுக்கட்டி என் மார்பில்
முட்டுதடி கண்மணி என்
கண்மணி தீப்பட்ட காயத்துல
தேள் வந்து கொட்டுதடி
கண்மணி கண்மணி
The calf raised in my own house
Is now wrestling with me
And headbutting my chest
My dear, oh my dear
On a wound already burnt by fire
A scorpion comes and stings!
My dear, oh my dear
ஊரத் தெரிஞ்சிக்கிட்டேன்
உலகம் புரிஞ்சிகிட்டேன்
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
ஞானம் பொறந்திருச்சு
நாளும் புரிஞ்சிருச்சு
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
I've learned about this town..
I've understood the world
My dear, oh my dear
Enlightenment has been born
Everything has become clear to me
My dear, oh my dear
நேற்று இவன்
ஏணி இன்று இவன்
ஞானி ஆளக்கரை சேர்த்து
ஆடும் இந்த தோணி
சொந்தமே ஒரு வானவில்
அந்த வர்ணம் கொஞ்ச
நேரம் பந்தமே முள்ளானதால்
இந்த நெஞ்சில் ஒரு பாரம்
Yesterday he was a ladder, today he is a wise sage
This boat sways alone after helping everyone reach the shore
Relationships are like a rainbow
Those colors last only a short while
Because bonds turned into sharp thorns
There is a heavy burden in this heart
பணம் காசக்கண்டு
புட்டா புலி கூட புள்ள
தின்னும் கலி காலம்
ஆச்சுதடி கண்மணி என்
கண்மணி அடங்காத காள
ஒன்னு அடி மாடா போனதடி
கண்மணி கண்மணி
If money and riches are seen
Even a tiger will eat grass
Dark times (Kali Yuga) have arrived
My dear, oh my dear
An untamable bull
Has become a slave beast
My dear, oh my dear
ஊரத் தெரிஞ்சிக்கிட்டேன்
உலகம் புரிஞ்சிகிட்டேன்
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
ஞானம் பொறந்திருச்சு
நாளும் புரிஞ்சிருச்சு
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
I've learned about this town..
I've understood the world
My dear, oh my dear
Enlightenment has been born
Everything has become clear to me
My dear, oh my dear
பச்ச கொழந்தையின்னு
பாலூட்டி வளா்த்தேன் பால
குடிச்சிப்புட்டு பாம்பாக
கொத்துதடி
Thinking it was an innocent baby
I raised it feeding milk
But after drinking the milk
It bit like a green snake!
ஊரத் தெரிஞ்சிக்கிட்டேன்
உலகம் புரிஞ்சிகிட்டேன்
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
ஞானம் பொறந்திருச்சு
நாளும் புரிஞ்சிருச்சு
கண்மணி என் கண்மணி
I've learned about this town..
I've understood the world
My dear, oh my dear
Enlightenment has been born
Everything has become clear to me
My dear, oh my dear
Oora therinjikitten..
I've learned about this town..
Ulagam purinjikitten
I've understood the world
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Gnyaanam porandhiruchu
Enlightenment has been born
Naalum purinjiruchu
Everything has become clear to me
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
{Oora therinjikitten..
{I've learned about this town..
Ulagam purinjikitten
I've understood the world
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Gnyaanam porandhiruchu
Enlightenment has been born
Naalum purinjiruchu
Everything has become clear to me
Kanmani en kanmani} (2)
My dear, oh my dear} (2)
Pacha kozhanthainu
Thinking it was an innocent baby
Paalooti valarthen
I raised it feeding milk
Paala kudichiputtu
But after drinking the milk
Pambaagha kothuthadi
It bit like a green snake!
Oora therinjikitten..
I've learned about this town..
Ulagam purinjikitten
I've understood the world
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Gnyaanam porandhiruchu
Enlightenment has been born
Naalum purinjiruchu
Everything has become clear to me
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Yethu bandha paasam
What bond or affection is real?
Ellaam veli vesam
It is all just a superficial disguise
Kaasu panam vandha
When money and wealth arrive
Nesam sila maasam
Love lasts for only a few months
Sinthinen ratham sinthinen
I shed blood, I shed blood
Athu ellaam veen thaano
Was all of that completely in vain?
Veppilai karu veppilai
Neem leaves, bitter dark neem leaves
Athu yaaro naan thaanoo
Is that someone else, or is it me?
Yen veetu kannu kutti
The calf raised in my own house
Ennoda mallu katti
Is now wrestling with me
En maarbil muttuthadi
And headbutting my chest
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Thee patta kaayathila
On a wound already burnt by fire
Thael vandhu kottuthadi
A scorpion comes and stings!
Kanmani kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Oora therinjikitten..
I've learned about this town..
Ulagam purinjikitten
I've understood the world
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Gnyaanam porandhiruchu
Enlightenment has been born
Naalum purinjiruchu
Everything has become clear to me
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Netru ivan yeni indru ivan gnyaani
Yesterday he was a ladder, today he is a wise sage
Aalaa karai serthu aadum indha thoni
This boat sways alone after helping everyone reach the shore
Sonthamae oru vaanavil
Relationships are like a rainbow
Andha varnam konja neram
Those colors last only a short while
Bandhamae mullaanathaal
Because bonds turned into sharp thorns
Indha nenjil oru baaram
There is a heavy burden in this heart
Panam kaasa kandu putta
If money and riches are seen
Puli kooda pulla thinnum
Even a tiger will eat grass
Kalikaalam aachuthadi
Dark times (Kali Yuga) have arrived
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Adangaatha kaalai onnu
An untamable bull
Adimaadaa ponathadi
Has become a slave beast
Kanmani kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Oora therinjikitten..
I've learned about this town..
Ulagam purinjikitten
I've understood the world
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Gnyaanam porandhiruchu
Enlightenment has been born
Naalum purinjiruchu
Everything has become clear to me
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Pacha kozhanthainu
Thinking it was an innocent baby
Paalooti valarthen
I raised it feeding milk
Paala kudichiputtu
But after drinking the milk
Pambaagha kothuthadi
It bit like a green snake!
Oora therinjikitten..
I've learned about this town..
Ulagam purinjikitten
I've understood the world
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Gnyaanam porandhiruchu
Enlightenment has been born
Naalum purinjiruchu
Everything has become clear to me
Kanmani en kanmani
My dear, oh my dear
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Oora Therinjikitten' is a iconic philosophical song from the 1985 film 'Padikathavan'. The song occurs at a pivotal narrative turning point where the protagonist, having dedicated his life and made severe sacrifices for his family, experiences heartbreaking betrayal from the very people he raised. Overwhelmed by grief and hard-earned wisdom, he laments the hypocritical nature of human relationships, which he realizes are driven solely by wealth and convenience. Through vivid imagery—such as being a ladder used by others to climb up, or feeding milk to a snake that turns around to bite—the protagonist reflects on his painful enlightenment. Delivered with soul-stirring depth by K. J. Yesudas under Ilaiyaraaja's evocative composition and paired with Vairamuthu's poignant lyrics, the track stands as a timeless anthem on life's bitter realities and spiritual awakening born from deep personal heartbreak.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Netru ivan yeni indru ivan gnyaani / Aalaa karai serthu aadum indha thoni”
The speaker compares himself to a ladder ('yeni') that helped others rise and a boat ('thoni') that safely transports people across the water while remaining behind.
Simile (உவமை)
“Sonthamae oru vaanavil / Andha varnam konja neram”
Relationships are compared to a rainbow ('vaanavil'), highlighting how their beautiful promises are temporary and fade away quickly.
Idiomatic Metaphor
“Paala kudichiputtu / Pambaagha kothuthadi”
Uses the traditional cultural idiom of feeding milk to a creature that turns out to be a venomous snake, representing treacherous betrayal by a loved one.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Oora therinjikitten.. / Ulagam purinjikitten”
The matching end sound ('therinjikitten' / 'purinjikitten') creates a rhythmic, memorable chorus resonance.
Did you know?
Trivia
1. 'Padikathavan' (1985) starring Rajinikanth, Sivaji Ganesan, and Ambika was a major box-office hit and a remake of the 1981 Hindi film 'Kasme Vaade'. 2. 'Oora Therinjikitten' remains one of Rajinikanth's most famous philosophical onscreen solos, known for conveying tragic vulnerability contrasting his usual heroic action image. 3. The track features a soulful acoustic guitar intro and melancholic solo violins by Ilaiyaraaja, perfectly matching K. J. Yesudas's emotionally charged vocals.
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