Oru Nadodi
From Manikuyil · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hmmm…mm…hm…mm…mm… | Hmmm…mm…hm…mm…mm… |
| Hm..mm..mm…mm… | Hm..mm..mm…mm… |
| Hmm mm mm hmmmm | Hmm mm mm hmmmm |
| Male | |
| Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum | A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune, |
| Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum | It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town. |
| Nee kaelu thaai pola nenjai idhu thaalaattum | Listen, it lulls the heart like a loving mother, |
| Naal thorum thaalaattil unnai idhu neeraattum | Every day, it bathes you in its soothing lullaby. |
| Vanna kiliyae hoo… hoo… ho | Oh colorful parrot, hoo… hoo… ho! |
| Male | |
| Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum | A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune, |
| Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum | It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town. |
| Male | |
| Vaaikkaalil kaalai vittaal aazham puriyum | Only when you step into the canal will you understand its depth, |
| Maelaaga paarthu nindraal enna theriyum | What can you ever know if you just stand and look from above? |
| Vaai paattai kaetta pinnaal ennai puriyum | Once you hear the song from my mouth, you will understand me, |
| Kaetkaamal kadhai alandhaal enna theriyum | What can you know if you spin tales without even listening? |
| Ennudaiya paattukkullae mannin manam veesidum | Within my song, the rich fragrance of the soil wafts, |
| Muthamizhil moodi vaitha sothukkalai pesidum | It speaks of the treasures preserved within the three forms of Tamil. |
| Paatteduthaa patta maram poo poothidum | If I start singing, even a withered tree will bloom with flowers, |
| Malai paaraigalum vaai vedichu neer vaarthidum | Even hard mountain rocks will split open and pour water. |
| Ada ooraar thaan paaraattum paattaali naan | Ah, I am a hard worker praised warmly by the townspeople! |
| Male | |
| Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum | A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune, |
| Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum | It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town. |
| Male | |
| Kalyaanam kaatchikkendru paattu irukku | There are songs meant for grand weddings and functions, |
| Koothaadum maedaikkendru paattu irukku | There are songs tailored for performance stages, |
| Thai pongal theevalikkum paattu irukku | There are songs for Thai Pongal and Diwali festivities, |
| Munnooru naatkalukkum paattu irukku | There are songs suited for all three hundred days of the year! |
| Aanaalum paattu ellaam makkalai poi chaeranum | And yet, all music must ultimately reach the common people, |
| Illaatti vaai kizhiya edhukkingu paadanum | Otherwise, why sing here until one's throat tears apart? |
| Vaayeduthu sonnadhellaam paattaagumaa | Will everything spoken aloud truly turn into a song? |
| Summa thee eduthu vechadhellaam vaettaagumaa | Will simply lighting a fire make it a real hunt? |
| Ada nee paadu ellorkkum podhuvaaga thaan | Hey, sing your song so that it serves everyone equally! |
| Male | |
| Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum | A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune, |
| Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum | It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town. |
| Nee kaelu thaai pola nenjai idhu thaalaattum | Listen, it lulls the heart like a loving mother, |
| Naal thorum thaalaattil unnai idhu neeraattum | Every day, it bathes you in its soothing lullaby. |
| Vanna kiliyae oo… oo… ho | Oh colorful parrot, oo… oo… ho! |
| Male | |
| Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum | A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune, |
| Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum | It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town. |
ஹ்ம்ம்.....ம்ம்.....ம்....ம்ம்....ம்ம்....
ஹ்ம்ம்....ம்ம்....ம்ம்.....ம்ம்....
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்ம்
Hmmm…mm…hm…mm…mm…
Hm..mm..mm…mm…
Hmm mm mm hmmmm
ஒரு நாடோடி பூங்காத்து சிந்து படிக்கும்
இது ஓடோடி ஊரெங்கும் தேனத் தெளிக்கும்
நீ கேளு தாய் போல நெஞ்சை இது தாலாட்டும்
நாள் தோறும் தாலாட்டில் உன்னை இது நீராட்டும்
வண்ணக் கிளியே ஹோ.....ஹோ.....ஹோ....
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
Listen, it lulls the heart like a loving mother,
Every day, it bathes you in its soothing lullaby.
Oh colorful parrot, hoo… hoo… ho!
ஒரு நாடோடி பூங்காத்து சிந்து படிக்கும்
இது ஓடோடி ஊரெங்கும் தேனத் தெளிக்கும்
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
வாய்க்காலில் காலை விட்டால் ஆழம் புரியும்
மேலாகப் பார்த்து நின்றால் என்ன தெரியும்
வாய்ப் பாட்டை கேட்ட பின்னால் என்னைப் புரியும்
கேட்காமல் கதை அளந்தால் என்ன தெரியும்
என்னுடைய பாட்டுக்குள்ளே மண்ணின் மணம் வீசிடும்
முத்தமிழில் மூடி வைத்த சொத்துகளை பேசிடும்
பாட்டெடுத்தா பட்ட மரம் பூப் பூத்திடும்
மலைப் பாறைகளும் வாய் வெடிச்சு நீர் வார்த்திடும்
அட ஊரார்தான் பாராட்டும் பாட்டாளி நான்
Only when you step into the canal will you understand its depth,
What can you ever know if you just stand and look from above?
Once you hear the song from my mouth, you will understand me,
What can you know if you spin tales without even listening?
Within my song, the rich fragrance of the soil wafts,
It speaks of the treasures preserved within the three forms of Tamil.
If I start singing, even a withered tree will bloom with flowers,
Even hard mountain rocks will split open and pour water.
Ah, I am a hard worker praised warmly by the townspeople!
ஒரு நாடோடி பூங்காத்து சிந்து படிக்கும்
இது ஓடோடி ஊரெங்கும் தேனத் தெளிக்கும்
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
கல்யாணம் காட்சிக்கென்று பாட்டு இருக்கு
கூத்தாடும் மேடைக்கென்று பாட்டு இருக்கு
தைப் பொங்கல் தீவாளிக்கும் பாட்டு இருக்கு
முந்நூறு நாட்களுக்கும் பாட்டு இருக்கு
ஆனாலும் பாட்டு எல்லாம் மக்களைப் போய்ச் சேரணும்
இல்லாட்டி வாய் கிழிய ஏதுக்கிங்கு பாடணும்
வாயெடுத்து சொன்னதெல்லாம் பாட்டாகுமா
சும்மா தீ எடுத்து வெச்சதெல்லாம் வேட்டாகுமா
அட நீ பாடு எல்லோர்க்கும் பொதுவாகத்தான்
There are songs meant for grand weddings and functions,
There are songs tailored for performance stages,
There are songs for Thai Pongal and Diwali festivities,
There are songs suited for all three hundred days of the year!
And yet, all music must ultimately reach the common people,
Otherwise, why sing here until one's throat tears apart?
Will everything spoken aloud truly turn into a song?
Will simply lighting a fire make it a real hunt?
Hey, sing your song so that it serves everyone equally!
ஒரு நாடோடி பூங்காத்து சிந்து படிக்கும்
இது ஓடோடி ஊரெங்கும் தேனத் தெளிக்கும்
நீ கேளு தாய் போல நெஞ்சை இது தாலாட்டும்
நாள் தோறும் தாலாட்டில் உன்னை இது நீராட்டும்
வண்ணக் கிளியே ஓ... ஓ... ஹோ
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
Listen, it lulls the heart like a loving mother,
Every day, it bathes you in its soothing lullaby.
Oh colorful parrot, oo… oo… ho!
ஒரு நாடோடி பூங்காத்து சிந்து படிக்கும்
இது ஓடோடி ஊரெங்கும் தேனத் தெளிக்கும்
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
Hmmm…mm…hm…mm…mm…
Hmmm…mm…hm…mm…mm…
Hm..mm..mm…mm…
Hm..mm..mm…mm…
Hmm mm mm hmmmm
Hmm mm mm hmmmm
Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
Nee kaelu thaai pola nenjai idhu thaalaattum
Listen, it lulls the heart like a loving mother,
Naal thorum thaalaattil unnai idhu neeraattum
Every day, it bathes you in its soothing lullaby.
Vanna kiliyae hoo… hoo… ho
Oh colorful parrot, hoo… hoo… ho!
Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
Vaaikkaalil kaalai vittaal aazham puriyum
Only when you step into the canal will you understand its depth,
Maelaaga paarthu nindraal enna theriyum
What can you ever know if you just stand and look from above?
Vaai paattai kaetta pinnaal ennai puriyum
Once you hear the song from my mouth, you will understand me,
Kaetkaamal kadhai alandhaal enna theriyum
What can you know if you spin tales without even listening?
Ennudaiya paattukkullae mannin manam veesidum
Within my song, the rich fragrance of the soil wafts,
Muthamizhil moodi vaitha sothukkalai pesidum
It speaks of the treasures preserved within the three forms of Tamil.
Paatteduthaa patta maram poo poothidum
If I start singing, even a withered tree will bloom with flowers,
Malai paaraigalum vaai vedichu neer vaarthidum
Even hard mountain rocks will split open and pour water.
Ada ooraar thaan paaraattum paattaali naan
Ah, I am a hard worker praised warmly by the townspeople!
Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
Kalyaanam kaatchikkendru paattu irukku
There are songs meant for grand weddings and functions,
Koothaadum maedaikkendru paattu irukku
There are songs tailored for performance stages,
Thai pongal theevalikkum paattu irukku
There are songs for Thai Pongal and Diwali festivities,
Munnooru naatkalukkum paattu irukku
There are songs suited for all three hundred days of the year!
Aanaalum paattu ellaam makkalai poi chaeranum
And yet, all music must ultimately reach the common people,
Illaatti vaai kizhiya edhukkingu paadanum
Otherwise, why sing here until one's throat tears apart?
Vaayeduthu sonnadhellaam paattaagumaa
Will everything spoken aloud truly turn into a song?
Summa thee eduthu vechadhellaam vaettaagumaa
Will simply lighting a fire make it a real hunt?
Ada nee paadu ellorkkum podhuvaaga thaan
Hey, sing your song so that it serves everyone equally!
Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
Nee kaelu thaai pola nenjai idhu thaalaattum
Listen, it lulls the heart like a loving mother,
Naal thorum thaalaattil unnai idhu neeraattum
Every day, it bathes you in its soothing lullaby.
Vanna kiliyae oo… oo… ho
Oh colorful parrot, oo… oo… ho!
Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum
A nomadic gentle breeze sings a folk tune,
Idhu ododi oorengum thaena thelikkum
It runs around, sprinkling honey all over the town.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from Manikuyil is a vibrant, reflective folk composition that celebrates the soothing, unifying power of music. The breeze is metaphorically portrayed as a wandering singer that spreads joy across the village like honey and comforts the heart with the warmth of a mother's lullaby. The protagonist asserts that true music carries the authentic aroma of the soil and the rich heritage of Tamil culture, possessing enough creative vigor to make dried trees blossom and rocks yield water. Beyond praising music's magical nature, the song presents a deep philosophy regarding the role of art in society. It highlights that while songs exist for every occasion—festivals, weddings, and celebrations—art is rendered meaningless if it fails to touch the lives of ordinary people. The lyricist emphasizes that genuine song comes from the soul and must serve the common good rather than superficial display.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Oru naadodi poongaathu sindhu padikkum”
The gentle breeze ('poongaathu') is personified as a nomadic singer ('naadodi') who travels around singing folk tunes ('sindhu').
Simile (Upamai)
“Nee kaelu thaai pola nenjai idhu thaalaattum”
The comforting effect of the music/breeze on the human heart is explicitly compared to a mother ('thaai pola') lulling her child.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Ani)
“Paatteduthaa patta maram poo poothidum / Malai paaraigalum vaai vedichu neer vaarthidum”
The lyrics exaggerate the miraculous power of song, claiming that singing can make a withered tree bloom and cause mountain rocks to crack open and spill water.
Monai (Initial Rhyming/Alliteration)
“Vaayeduthu sonnadhellaam paattaagumaa / Summa thee eduthu vechadhellaam vaettaagumaa”
The structural rhythm is enhanced by the rhyming sound patterns in 'Vaayeduthu' and 'paattaagumaa', as well as 'thee eduthu' and 'vaettaagumaa'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary Tamil lyricist Vaali, this song cleverly blends deep Tamil poetic traditions—such as mentioning 'Muthamizh' (the traditional triad of Tamil literature, music, and drama)—with accessible rural folk idioms. Vaali uses everyday village imagery like irrigation canals ('vaaikkaal') and withered trees ('patta maram') to deliver a moral message about art needing to be accessible to the common working-class people ('paattaali').
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