- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Padikathavan (1985 Film)
- Movie release year
- 1985
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Feb 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'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.
Keep listening
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