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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oororama Aathupakkam

From Idhaya Kovil · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Ilayaraja, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Idhaya Kovil1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Male
Jumjumkujum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jumjumkujum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Male
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Male
Oororamaa aaththu pakkamBy the side of the river at the edge of the village,
ThennanththoppuThere is a coconut grove.
Thopporamaa indha pakkamBeside the grove, on this side,
Kurivi kooduIs a bird's nest.
Male
Ada oororamaa aaththu pakkamAh, by the side of the river at the edge of the village,
ThennanththoppuThere is a coconut grove.
Thopporamaa indha pakkamBeside the grove, on this side,
Kurivi kooduIs a bird's nest.
Male
Aan kuruvi dhaanThe male bird,
Yeraiya thedi poyirundhadhuHad gone searching for food.
Pen kuruvi dhaanThe female bird,
Koottukkullae kaathirundhadhuWas waiting inside the nest.
Male
Veetta thediSearching for its home,
Aan kuruvi dhaanThe male bird,
Vandhu serndhadhuReturned and reached.
KoottukkullaeInside the nest,
Kuruvi rendumaeBoth the birds,
Onnaa serndhuCame together as one.
Male :Jumchukku jumjumMale: (Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chorus
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Male
Oororamaa aaththu pakkamBy the side of the river at the edge of the village,
ThennanththoppuThere is a coconut grove.
Thopporamaa indha pakkamBeside the grove, on this side,
Kurivi kooduIs a bird's nest.
Male
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Female
Tu tu tu thuthuthu(Vocal scatting sounds)
Thuthuthu raththe(Vocal scatting sounds)
Thuthuthu thuthuthae(Vocal scatting sounds)
Chorus
Jukujukuchukku jaajaa(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jukujukuchukku jaajaa(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jukujukuchukku jaajaa(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jukujukuchukku jaajaa(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chorus
{Jaghajaa{Worldly joy,
Chorus
Kukku} (2)Cuckoo} (2)
Chorus
JaghajaaWorldly joy,
Female
Angae dhinamOver there, every day,
Muththam idumThe sound of kisses being given,
Saththam varudhuCan be heard.
Male
Ingae adhuOver here, if that
Vandhaal perumHappens, it is seen as a
Kuththam varudhuGreat sin.
Female
Angae oru pettaiOver there, a hen
Pala muttai idudhuLays many eggs.
Male
Ingae pala pettaiOver here, many women,
Viral pattaal sududhuBurn if even a finger touches them.
Female
Kannaadi meenaIf you follow a mirror fish (a fair maiden) behind,
Pinnaadi ponaaShe will glare at you with her eyes.
Kannaalae moraippaalaeDemanding to know what you want,
Male
Yennaannu kettuRaising a big scene,
Koochalgal pottuShe will stand stiff like a drawn bow.
Villaattam verappaalaeEvery single day,
Female
NaaldhorumaeDisplaying pure love and affection,
Uravai kaattumI am like that flock of birds living harmoniously.
Panpaadidum kuruvi koottamI am indeed.
Naan dhaan(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Male
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum{By the side of the river at the edge of the village,
Male
{Oororamaa aaththu pakkamThere is a coconut grove.
ThennanththoppuFemale: Beside the grove, on this side,
Female :Thopporamaa indha pakkamIs a bird's nest.} (2)
Kurivi koodu} (2)The male bird,
Male
Aan kuruvi dhaanHad gone searching for food.
Yeraiya thedi poyirundhadhuFemale: The female bird,
Female :Pen kuruvi dhaanWas waiting inside the nest.
Koottukkullae kaathirundhadhuSearching for its home,
Male
Veetta thediThe male bird,
Aan kuruvi dhaanReturned and reached.
Vandhu serndhadhu(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chorus
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajumOver there lies a paradise,
Male
Angae oru sorgamWill that ever exist here?
Adhu ingae varumoFemale: Here, there are so many classes and barriers,
Female :Ingae pala vargamWill this ever bring joy?
Idhu inbam tharumoEvery creature considers everyone family,
Male
Ellaam oru sondhamSuch is the bird's mindset.
Yena yennum paravaiFemale: A heart untainted by malice,
Female :Kannam ila nenjamSees love and kinship in everything.
Adhil kaanum uravaiThe moment a bride-seeing ritual happens,
Female
Pen paarkkum bodhaeBargaining and dowry demands begin.
Baerangal pesumWhere is such a male mindset over there among birds?
Aan vargam angaedhuOh my, no thanks,
Male
Ammaadi vendaamA married life,
Kalyaana vaazhkkaiIs not something we can handle.
Nammaalae aagaadhu(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Male
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajumBy the side of the river at the edge of the village,
Male
Oororamaa aaththu pakkamThere is a coconut grove.
ThennanththoppuFemale: Beside the grove, on this side,
Female :Thopporamaa indha pakkamIs a bird's nest.
Kurivi kooduAh-ha, by the side of the river at the edge of the village,
Male
Adadadada oororamaaThere is a coconut grove.
Aaththu pakkamFemale: Beside the grove,
ThennanththoppuOn this side,
Female :ThopporamaaIs a bird's nest.
Indha pakkamThe male bird,
Kurivi kooduHad gone searching for food.
Male
Aan kuruvi dhaanFemale: The female bird,
Yeraiya thedi poyirundhadhuWas waiting inside the nest.
Female :Pen kuruvi dhaanSearching for its home,
Koottukkullae kaathirundhadhuThe male bird,
Male
Veetta thediReturned and reached.
Aan kuruvi dhaanInside the nest,
Vandhu serndhadhuBoth the birds,
Female
KoottukkullaeCame together as one.
Kuruvi rendumaeMale: (Rhythmic beat syllables)
Onnaa serndhu{Rhythmic beat syllables
Male
Jumchukku jumjumRhythmic beat syllables
Chorus
{JumjumkujumjumkaRhythmic beat syllables
Chikku jumjumkkajumRhythmic beat syllables} (2)
Jumjumkujumjumka(Rhythmic concluding beat syllables)
Chikku jumjumkkajum} (2)
Thighu thighu thighu thighu jum

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oororama Aaththu Pakkam' uses a charming fable-like allegory comparing the uninhibited, natural life of birds with the rigid, complicated social norms of human society. Through a dialogue between the male and female leads, the lyrics illustrate how birds live in harmonious freedom—where male and female birds care for each other without societal judgment, dowry demands, or social division.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory / Extended Metaphor

Aan kuruvi dhaan yeraiya thedi poyirundhadhu... Pen kuruvi dhaan koottukkullae kaathirundhadhu

The simple story of male and female birds sharing a nest and caring for each other serves as a extended metaphor contrasting nature's simplicity with human social complications.

Muran (Antithesis)

Angae dhinam muththam idum saththam varudhu... Ingae adhu vandhaal perum kuththam varudhu

Contrasts 'Angae' (there in nature among birds) with 'Ingae' (here among humans), pointing out how expression of affection is natural there but condemned as a fault here.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Angae oru pettai / Ingae pala pettai

The second consonant 'nga' (ங்) creates a harmonic rhythm across the lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Idhaya Kovil' (1985) was directed by Mani Ratnam and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vaali. The song 'Oororama Aaththu Pakkam' is a playful duet rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, featuring signature Ilaiyaraaja rhythmic scatting and folk-pop fusion arrangements.

Keep listening

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