Ooruvittu Ooruvanthu
From Karagattakaran · 1989
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Gangai Amaran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Karagattakaran1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ooru vittu ooru vandhu | Having traveled from town to town, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga | Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| Peru kettu ponathinna | If our good reputation gets ruined, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Namma pozhappu ennagunga | Male: What will happen to our livelihood? |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| {Vittudu thambi | {Leave it, brother, |
| Idhu vaenaam thambi | Don't do this, brother; |
| Ithanai peru | So many people and a whole household, |
| Veedu ungalai nambi} (2) | Are depending on you} |
| Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa | Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa |
| Male | |
| Ooru vittu ooru vandhu | Having traveled from town to town, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga | Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| Peru kettu ponathinna | If our good reputation gets ruined, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Namma pozhappu ennagunga | Male: What will happen to our livelihood? |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| Annachi enna eppothum neenga | Brother, don't always judge me |
| Thappaaga enna venaam | In a wrong manner; |
| Ponnalae kettu poveno endru | Do not analyze or worry thinking |
| Aaraichi panna venaam | I will get ruined because of a woman. |
| Male | |
| Oorula olagathila | In this entire town and world, |
| Enga kadhai pol yedhum nadakaliya | Has nothing like our story ever happened before? |
| Chorus :Pab bab pab bab | Chorus :Pab bab pab bab |
| Male :Veetayum maranthuputtu | Male: Forgetting home completely, |
| Vera oru naatukku odaliya | Has no one ever run away to another place? |
| Chorus :Pab bab pab bab | Chorus :Pab bab pab bab |
| Male | |
| Manmadha leelaiyai | Is there anyone who has overcome |
| Vendravar undoo | The games of Cupid (Lord Manmadha)? |
| Chorus :Illa illa | Chorus: No, no! |
| Male :Mangai illadhoru | Male: Is there any victory achieved |
| Vetriyum undo | Without the presence of a woman? |
| Chorus :Illa illa | Chorus: No, no! |
| Male | |
| Manmadha leelaiyai | Is there anyone who has overcome |
| Vendravar undoo | The games of Cupid (Lord Manmadha)? |
| Mangai illadhoru | Is there any victory achieved |
| Vetriyum undo | Without the presence of a woman? |
| Kaadhal eedera | For love to succeed, |
| Paadu en kooda | Sing along with me! |
| Male | |
| Ooru vittu ooru vandhu | Having traveled from town to town, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga | Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| Vittudu thambi | Leave it, brother, |
| Idhu venaam thambi | Don't do this, brother; |
| Ithanai peru | So many people and a whole household, |
| Veedu ungalai nambi | Are depending on you. |
| Male | |
| Ooru vittu ooru vandhu | Having traveled from town to town, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga | Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| Aana porandha ellarum ponna | Every born man should consider |
| Anbaaga enna venum | A woman with deep affection. |
| Veena thirinja aanandham illa | Wandering around uselessly brings no joy, |
| Verenna solla venum | What else needs to be said? |
| Male | |
| Vazhkaiya rasikanumna | If you want to enjoy life, |
| Vanji kodi | A slender vine-like maiden |
| Vasanai pada venum | Should spread her fragrance around. |
| Chorus :Pab bab pab bab | Chorus :Pab bab pab bab |
| Male | |
| Vaalibam inikanumna | If youth is to feel sweet, |
| Ponna konjam | You must touch a maiden |
| Aasayil thoda venum | With gentle desire. |
| Chorus :Pab bab pab bab | Chorus :Pab bab pab bab |
| Male | |
| Kanniya thedunga | Look for a maiden, |
| Karpanai varum | And imagination will flow! |
| Chorus :Aama aama ma | Chorus: Yes, yes, yes! |
| Male | |
| Kandathum aayiram | The moment you see her, |
| Kaaviyam varum | A thousand epic poems will born! |
| Chorus :Aama aama ma | Chorus: Yes, yes, yes! |
| Male | |
| Kanniya thedunga | Look for a maiden, |
| Karpanai varum | And imagination will flow! |
| Kandathum aayiram | The moment you see her, |
| Kaaviyam varum | A thousand epic poems will born! |
| Kaadhal illama | Without love, |
| Boomi ingedhu…uuuu | Where would this earth even be? |
| Male | |
| Ooru vittu ooru vandhu | Having traveled from town to town, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga | Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| Peru kettu ponathinna | If our good reputation gets ruined, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Namma pozhappu ennagunga | Male: What will happen to our livelihood? |
| Chorus : Baba baaaa…. | Chorus : Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| {Vittudu thambi | {Leave it, brother, |
| Idhu vaenaam thambi | Don't do this, brother; |
| Ithanai peru | So many people and a whole household, |
| Veedu ungalai nambi} (2) | Are depending on you} |
| Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa | Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa |
| Male | |
| Ooru vittu ooru vandhu | Having traveled from town to town, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga | Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs, |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
| Male | |
| Peru kettu ponathinna | If our good reputation gets ruined, |
| Chorus: Baba baaaa…. | Chorus: Baba baaaa…. |
| Male :Namma pozhappu ennagunga | Male: What will happen to our livelihood? |
| Chorus :Baba baaaa…. | Chorus :Baba baaaa…. |
ஊரு விட்டு ஊரு வந்து
குழு :
பா பா பா
காதல் கீதல் பன்னாதிங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
பேரு கெட்டு போனதின்னா
குழு :
பா பா பா
நம்ம பொழப்பு என்னாகுங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
If our good reputation gets ruined,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: What will happen to our livelihood?
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
{விட்டுடு தம்பி
இது வேணாம் தம்பி
இத்தனை பேரு
வீடு உங்களை நம்பி} (2)
குழு :
பா பா பா பா
{Leave it, brother,
Don't do this, brother;
So many people and a whole household,
Are depending on you}
Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa
ஊரு விட்டு ஊரு வந்து
குழு :
பா பா பா
காதல் கீதல் பன்னாதிங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
பேரு கெட்டு போனதின்னா
குழு :
பா பா பா
நம்ம பொழப்பு என்னாகுங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
If our good reputation gets ruined,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: What will happen to our livelihood?
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
அண்ணாச்சி என்ன எப்போதும் நீங்க
தப்பாக என்ன வேணாம்
பொன்னாலே கெட்டு போவேனோ என்று
ஆராய்ச்சி பண்ண வேணாம்
Brother, don't always judge me
In a wrong manner;
Do not analyze or worry thinking
I will get ruined because of a woman.
ஊருல ஒலகத்தில
எங்க கதை போல் ஏதும் நடக்கலியா
குழு :
பா பா பா பா
வீட்டையும் மறந்துபுட்டு
வேற ஒரு நாட்டுக்கு ஓடலையா
குழு :
பா பா பா பா
In this entire town and world,
Has nothing like our story ever happened before?
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Male: Forgetting home completely,
Has no one ever run away to another place?
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
மன்மத லீலையை
வென்றவர் உண்டோ
குழு :
இல்ல இல்ல
மங்கை இல்லாதொரு
வெற்றியும் உண்டோ
குழு :
இல்ல இல்ல
Is there anyone who has overcome
The games of Cupid (Lord Manmadha)?
Chorus: No, no!
Male: Is there any victory achieved
Without the presence of a woman?
Chorus: No, no!
மன்மத லீலையை
வென்றவர் உண்டோ
மங்கை இல்லாதொரு
வெற்றியும் உண்டோ
Is there anyone who has overcome
The games of Cupid (Lord Manmadha)?
Is there any victory achieved
Without the presence of a woman?
For love to succeed,
Sing along with me!
காதல் ஈடேற
பாடு என் கூட
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
ஊரு விட்டு ஊரு வந்து
குழு :
பா பா பா
காதல் கீதல் பன்னாதிங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
Leave it, brother,
Don't do this, brother;
So many people and a whole household,
Are depending on you.
விட்டுடு தம்பி
இது வேணாம் தம்பி
இத்தனை பேறு
வீடு உங்களை நம்பி
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
ஊரு விட்டு ஊரு வந்து
குழு :
பா பா பா
காதல் கீதல் பன்னாதிங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
Every born man should consider
A woman with deep affection.
Wandering around uselessly brings no joy,
What else needs to be said?
ஆனா பொறந்த எல்லாரும் பொண்ண
அன்பாக எண்ண வேணும்
வீனா திரிஞ்சா ஆனந்தம் இல்ல
வேறென்ன சொல்ல வேணும்
If you want to enjoy life,
A slender vine-like maiden
Should spread her fragrance around.
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
வாழ்க்கைய ரசிக்கணும்னா
வஞ்சிக் கோடி
வாசனை பட வேணும்
குழு :
பா பா பா பா
If youth is to feel sweet,
You must touch a maiden
With gentle desire.
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
வாலிபம் இனிகனும்னா
பொண்ண கொஞ்சம்
ஆசையில் தொட வேணும்
குழு :
பா பா பா பா
Look for a maiden,
And imagination will flow!
Chorus: Yes, yes, yes!
கண்ணிய தேடுங்க
கற்பனை வரும்
குழு :
ஆமா ஆமா மா
கண்டதும் ஆயிரம்
காவியம் வரும்
குழு :
ஆமா ஆமா மா
The moment you see her,
A thousand epic poems will born!
Chorus: Yes, yes, yes!
கண்ணிய தேடுங்க
கற்பனை வரும்
கண்டதும் ஆயிரம்
காவியம் வரும்
Look for a maiden,
And imagination will flow!
The moment you see her,
A thousand epic poems will born!
Without love,
Where would this earth even be?
காதல் இல்லாம
பூமி இங்கேது
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
ஊரு விட்டு ஊரு வந்து
குழு :
பா பா பா
காதல் கீதல் பன்னாதிங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
If our good reputation gets ruined,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: What will happen to our livelihood?
Chorus : Baba baaaa….
பேரு கெட்டு போனதின்னா
குழு :
பா பா பா
நம்ம பொழப்பு என்னாகுங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
{Leave it, brother,
Don't do this, brother;
So many people and a whole household,
Are depending on you}
Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa
விட்டுடு தம்பி
இது வேணாம் தம்பி
இத்தனை பேறு
வீடு உங்களை நம்பி
அய்யயோ
விட்டுடு தம்பி
இது வேணாம் தம்பி
இத்தனை பேறு
வீடு உங்களை நம்பி
குழு :
பா பா பா பா
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
ஊரு விட்டு ஊரு வந்து
குழு :
பா பா பா
காதல் கீதல் பன்னாதிங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
If our good reputation gets ruined,
Chorus: Baba baaaa….
Male: What will happen to our livelihood?
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
பேரு கெட்டு போனதின்னா
குழு :
பா பா பா
நம்ம பொழப்பு என்னாகுங்க
குழு :
பா பா பா
Ooru vittu ooru vandhu
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Peru kettu ponathinna
If our good reputation gets ruined,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Namma pozhappu ennagunga
Male: What will happen to our livelihood?
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
{Vittudu thambi
{Leave it, brother,
Idhu vaenaam thambi
Don't do this, brother;
Ithanai peru
So many people and a whole household,
Veedu ungalai nambi} (2)
Are depending on you}
Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa
Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa
Ooru vittu ooru vandhu
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Peru kettu ponathinna
If our good reputation gets ruined,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Namma pozhappu ennagunga
Male: What will happen to our livelihood?
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Annachi enna eppothum neenga
Brother, don't always judge me
Thappaaga enna venaam
In a wrong manner;
Ponnalae kettu poveno endru
Do not analyze or worry thinking
Aaraichi panna venaam
I will get ruined because of a woman.
Oorula olagathila
In this entire town and world,
Enga kadhai pol yedhum nadakaliya
Has nothing like our story ever happened before?
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Male :Veetayum maranthuputtu
Male: Forgetting home completely,
Vera oru naatukku odaliya
Has no one ever run away to another place?
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Manmadha leelaiyai
Is there anyone who has overcome
Vendravar undoo
The games of Cupid (Lord Manmadha)?
Chorus :Illa illa
Chorus: No, no!
Male :Mangai illadhoru
Male: Is there any victory achieved
Vetriyum undo
Without the presence of a woman?
Chorus :Illa illa
Chorus: No, no!
Manmadha leelaiyai
Is there anyone who has overcome
Vendravar undoo
The games of Cupid (Lord Manmadha)?
Mangai illadhoru
Is there any victory achieved
Vetriyum undo
Without the presence of a woman?
Kaadhal eedera
For love to succeed,
Paadu en kooda
Sing along with me!
Ooru vittu ooru vandhu
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Vittudu thambi
Leave it, brother,
Idhu venaam thambi
Don't do this, brother;
Ithanai peru
So many people and a whole household,
Veedu ungalai nambi
Are depending on you.
Ooru vittu ooru vandhu
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Aana porandha ellarum ponna
Every born man should consider
Anbaaga enna venum
A woman with deep affection.
Veena thirinja aanandham illa
Wandering around uselessly brings no joy,
Verenna solla venum
What else needs to be said?
Vazhkaiya rasikanumna
If you want to enjoy life,
Vanji kodi
A slender vine-like maiden
Vasanai pada venum
Should spread her fragrance around.
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Vaalibam inikanumna
If youth is to feel sweet,
Ponna konjam
You must touch a maiden
Aasayil thoda venum
With gentle desire.
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Chorus :Pab bab pab bab
Kanniya thedunga
Look for a maiden,
Karpanai varum
And imagination will flow!
Chorus :Aama aama ma
Chorus: Yes, yes, yes!
Kandathum aayiram
The moment you see her,
Kaaviyam varum
A thousand epic poems will born!
Chorus :Aama aama ma
Chorus: Yes, yes, yes!
Kanniya thedunga
Look for a maiden,
Karpanai varum
And imagination will flow!
Kandathum aayiram
The moment you see her,
Kaaviyam varum
A thousand epic poems will born!
Kaadhal illama
Without love,
Boomi ingedhu…uuuu
Where would this earth even be?
Ooru vittu ooru vandhu
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Peru kettu ponathinna
If our good reputation gets ruined,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Namma pozhappu ennagunga
Male: What will happen to our livelihood?
Chorus : Baba baaaa….
Chorus : Baba baaaa….
{Vittudu thambi
{Leave it, brother,
Idhu vaenaam thambi
Don't do this, brother;
Ithanai peru
So many people and a whole household,
Veedu ungalai nambi} (2)
Are depending on you}
Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa
Chorus :Baa…baa…baa…baa
Ooru vittu ooru vandhu
Having traveled from town to town,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Male :Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga
Male: Don't engage in love and romance affairs,
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Peru kettu ponathinna
If our good reputation gets ruined,
Chorus: Baba baaaa….
Chorus: Baba baaaa….
Male :Namma pozhappu ennagunga
Male: What will happen to our livelihood?
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Chorus :Baba baaaa….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Ooru Vittu Ooru Vandhu' from the blockbuster Tamil film 'Karagattakaran' (1989) captures a playful banter between a traveling Karagattam dance troupe leader and his companions. The lead male performer expresses his romantic inclinations towards a young woman, while his companions caution him against romantic distractions. They remind him that their troupe travels from town to town to earn a living, and losing their reputation due to love affairs could ruin their livelihood and disappoint the family members relying on them. In response, the lead protagonist playfully defends love as an essential aspect of life. He references mythological and universal truths—arguing that nobody has ever escaped Cupid's influence (Manmadha Leelai) and that life, art, and poetry gain true meaning only through love and companionship. The song balances practical responsibility with youthful romantic optimism, set to an energetic folk rhythm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ooru vittu ooru vandhu / Peru kettu ponathinna”
The second consonant 'ru' in 'Ooru' matches with 'ru' in 'Peru' in consecutive or corresponding lines.
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Kanniya thedunga / Karpanai varum”
The starting consonant sound 'Ka' ('Kanniya') aligns with 'Ka' ('Karpanai').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vanji kodi vasanai pada venum”
A young maiden is metaphorically referred to as a 'vanji kodi' (creeper vine) bringing fragrance into life.
Echo Words / Colloquial Reduplication
“Kaadhal keedhal pannathinga”
The phrase 'Kaadhal keedhal' uses colloquial Tamil reduplication ('keedhal') to dismissively refer to love and related matters.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Karagattakaran' (1989), directed by Gangai Amaran, is a landmark Tamil folk musical film starring Ramarajan and Kanaka. The music for the film was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and this song features vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan and Gangai Amaran. The movie ran for over a year in theaters, becoming one of the biggest silver-jubilee blockbusters in Tamil cinema history, popularizing the traditional Tamil dance form 'Karagattam'.
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