Ore Oru Oorile
From Padikkadha Medhai · 1960
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Padikkadha Medhai1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa | In a certain town, there was a king. |
| Male :Hmm mmm | Male: Hmm mmm |
| Female :Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa | Female: In a certain town, there was a king. |
| Orae oru raajaavukku orae oru raani | For that one king, there was one queen. |
| Orae oru raajaavukku orae oru raani | For that one king, there was one queen. |
| Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa | In a certain town, there was a king. |
| Male | |
| Orae oru raani petraal onbadhu pillai | That one queen gave birth to nine children. |
| Orae oru raani petraal onbadhu pillai | That one queen gave birth to nine children. |
| Andha onbadhilae ondru kooda uruppadiyillai | Among those nine, not even one was good for anything. |
| Andha onbadhilae ondru kooda uruppadiyillai | Among those nine, not even one was good for anything. |
| Uruppadiyillai | Good for nothing. |
| Female | |
| Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa | In a certain town, there was a king. |
| Male | |
| Padichirundhum thandhai thaayai | Despite being educated, one forgot to respect |
| Madhikka marandhaan | his father and mother. |
| Oruvan padukkaiyilae mullai vaithu | One placed thorns on their bed |
| Paarthu maghizhndhaan | and rejoiced watching them suffer. |
| Male | |
| Padichirundhum thandhai thaayai | Despite being educated, one forgot to respect |
| Madhikka marandhaan | his father and mother. |
| Oruvan padukkaiyilae mullai vaithu | One placed thorns on their bed |
| Paarthu maghizhndhaan | and rejoiced watching them suffer. |
| Pidicha muyal athanaikkum | Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs. |
| Moondru kaalendraan | Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs. |
| Pidicha muyal athanaikkum | Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs. |
| Moondru kaalendraan | Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs. |
| Oruvan pondaattiyin kaalgalukku | One stood guard humbly at the feet of his wife, |
| Kaaval irundhaan kaaval irundhaan | stood guard, stood guard. |
| Female | |
| Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa | In a certain town, there was a king. |
| Male | |
| Pillai petra raajaa oru naayai valarthaar | The king who fathered children raised a dog. |
| Adhai pillaikku mel kangalai pol | More than his own children, like his own eyes, |
| Kaathu valarthaar | he protected and raised it. |
| Pillai petra raajaa oru naayai valarthaar | The king who fathered children raised a dog. |
| Adhai pillaikku mel kangalai pol | More than his own children, like his own eyes, |
| Kaathu valarthaar | he protected and raised it. |
| Female | |
| Unmai anbu saevai endra | Truth, love, and selfless service — |
| Moondrum koduthaar | he gave it all three. |
| Unmai anbu saevai endra | Truth, love, and selfless service — |
| Moondrum koduthaar | he gave it all three. |
| Adhan ullathilae veedu katti | He built a home inside its heart, |
| Thaanum irundhaar | and resided there himself. |
| Adhan ullathilae veedu katti | He built a home inside its heart, |
| Thaanum irundhaar | and resided there himself, |
| Thaanum irundhaar | resided there himself. |
| Female | |
| Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa | In a certain town, there was a king. |
| Male | |
| Sondhamendru vandhadhellaam | All those who came claiming to be relatives |
| Sondhamum illai | were never true relatives. |
| Oru thunai illaamal vandhadhellaam | All that came without any support |
| Baaramum illai | was never a burden. |
| Sondhamendru vandhadhellaam | All those who came claiming to be relatives |
| Sondhamum illai | were never true relatives. |
| Oru thunai illaamal vandhadhellaam | All that came without any support |
| Baaramum illai | was never a burden. |
| Male | |
| Nandri ulla uyirgalellaam | All grateful living beings |
| Pillai thaanadaa | are like true children, my brother! |
| Nandri ulla uyirgalellaam | All grateful living beings |
| Pillai thaanadaa | are like true children, my brother! |
| Thambi nandri ketta maganai vida | Younger brother, compared to an ungrateful son, |
| Naaigal meldaa | dogs are far better! |
| Nandri ketta maganai vida | Compared to an ungrateful son, |
| Naaigal meldaa | dogs are far better! |
| Naaigal meldaa | Dogs are far better! |
ஒரே ஒரு ஊரிலே ஒரே ஒரு ராஜா
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஒரே ஒரு ஊரிலே ஒரே ஒரு ராஜா
ஒரே ஒரு ராஜாவுக்கு ஒரே ஒரு ராணி
ஒரே ஒரு ராஜாவுக்கு ஒரே ஒரு ராணி
ஒரே ஒரு ஊரிலே ஒரே ஒரு ராஜா
In a certain town, there was a king.
Male: Hmm mmm
Female: In a certain town, there was a king.
For that one king, there was one queen.
For that one king, there was one queen.
In a certain town, there was a king.
ஒரே ஒரு ராணி பெற்றாள் ஒன்பது பிள்ளை
ஒரே ஒரு ராணி பெற்றாள் ஒன்பது பிள்ளை
அந்த ஒன்பதிலே ஒன்றுக் கூட உருப்படி இல்லை
அந்த ஒன்பதிலே ஒன்றுக் கூட உருப்படி இல்லை
உருப்படி இல்லை
That one queen gave birth to nine children.
That one queen gave birth to nine children.
Among those nine, not even one was good for anything.
Among those nine, not even one was good for anything.
Good for nothing.
ஒரே ஒரு ஊரிலே ஒரே ஒரு ராஜா
In a certain town, there was a king.
படிச்சிருந்தும் தந்தை தாயை
மதிக்க மறந்தான்
ஒருவன் படுக்கையிலே முள்ளை வைத்து
பார்த்து மகிழ்ந்தான்
Despite being educated, one forgot to respect
his father and mother.
One placed thorns on their bed
and rejoiced watching them suffer.
படிச்சிருந்தும் தந்தை தாயை
மதிக்க மறந்தான்
ஒருவன் படுக்கையிலே முள்ளை வைத்து
பார்த்து மகிழ்ந்தான்
பிடிச்ச முயல் அத்தனைக்கும்
மூன்று கால் என்றான்
பிடிச்ச முயல் அத்தனைக்கும்
மூன்று கால் என்றான்
ஒருவன் பெண்டாட்டியின் கால்களுக்கு
காவல் இருந்தான்
Despite being educated, one forgot to respect
his father and mother.
One placed thorns on their bed
and rejoiced watching them suffer.
Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs.
Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs.
Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs.
Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs.
One stood guard humbly at the feet of his wife,
stood guard, stood guard.
ஒரே ஒரு ஊரிலே ஒரே ஒரு ராஜா
In a certain town, there was a king.
பிள்ளை பெற்ற ராஜா ஒரு நாயை வளர்த்தார்
அதை பிள்ளைக்கு மேல் கண்களைப் போல்
காத்து வளத்தார்
பிள்ளை பெற்ற ராஜா ஒரு நாயை வளர்த்தார்
அதை பிள்ளைக்கு மேல் கண்களைப் போல்
காத்து வளத்தார்
The king who fathered children raised a dog.
More than his own children, like his own eyes,
he protected and raised it.
The king who fathered children raised a dog.
More than his own children, like his own eyes,
he protected and raised it.
உண்மை அன்பு சேவை என்ற
மூன்றும் கொடுத்தார்
உண்மை அன்பு சேவை என்ற
மூன்றும் கொடுத்தார்
அதன் உள்ளத்திலே வீடு கட்டி
தானும் இருந்தார்
அதன் உள்ளத்திலே வீடு கட்டி
தானும் இருந்தார்
தானும் இருந்தார்
Truth, love, and selfless service —
he gave it all three.
Truth, love, and selfless service —
he gave it all three.
He built a home inside its heart,
and resided there himself.
He built a home inside its heart,
and resided there himself,
resided there himself.
ஒரே ஒரு ஊரிலே ஒரே ஒரு ராஜா
In a certain town, there was a king.
சொந்தமென்று வந்ததெல்லாம்
சொந்தமும் இல்லை
ஒரு துணை இல்லாமல் வந்தததெல்லாம்
பாரமும் இல்லை
சொந்தமென்று வந்ததெல்லாம்
சொந்தமும் இல்லை
ஒரு துணை இல்லாமல் வந்தததெல்லாம்
பாரமும் இல்லை
All those who came claiming to be relatives
were never true relatives.
All that came without any support
was never a burden.
All those who came claiming to be relatives
were never true relatives.
All that came without any support
was never a burden.
நன்றி உள்ள உயிர்களெல்லாம்
பிள்ளை தானாடா
நன்றி உள்ள உயிர்களெல்லாம்
பிள்ளை தானாடா
தம்பி நன்றி கெட்ட மகனைவிட
நாய்கள் மேலடா
தம்பி நன்றி கெட்ட மகனைவிட
நாய்கள் மேலடா
நாய்கள் மேலடா
All grateful living beings
are like true children, my brother!
All grateful living beings
are like true children, my brother!
Younger brother, compared to an ungrateful son,
dogs are far better!
Compared to an ungrateful son,
dogs are far better!
Dogs are far better!
ஒரே ஒரு ஊரிலே ஒரே ஒரு ராஜா
ஒரே ஒரு ராஜாவுக்கு ஒரே ஒரு ராணி
ஒரு ராணி பெற்றாள் ஒன்பது பிள்ளை
அந்த ஒன்பதிலே ஒன்றுக் கூட
உருப்படி இல்லை
உருப்படி இல்லை
ஒரே ஒரு ஊரிலே ஒரே ஒரு ராஜா
Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa
In a certain town, there was a king.
Male :Hmm mmm
Male: Hmm mmm
Female :Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa
Female: In a certain town, there was a king.
Orae oru raajaavukku orae oru raani
For that one king, there was one queen.
Orae oru raajaavukku orae oru raani
For that one king, there was one queen.
Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa
In a certain town, there was a king.
Orae oru raani petraal onbadhu pillai
That one queen gave birth to nine children.
Orae oru raani petraal onbadhu pillai
That one queen gave birth to nine children.
Andha onbadhilae ondru kooda uruppadiyillai
Among those nine, not even one was good for anything.
Andha onbadhilae ondru kooda uruppadiyillai
Among those nine, not even one was good for anything.
Uruppadiyillai
Good for nothing.
Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa
In a certain town, there was a king.
Padichirundhum thandhai thaayai
Despite being educated, one forgot to respect
Madhikka marandhaan
his father and mother.
Oruvan padukkaiyilae mullai vaithu
One placed thorns on their bed
Paarthu maghizhndhaan
and rejoiced watching them suffer.
Padichirundhum thandhai thaayai
Despite being educated, one forgot to respect
Madhikka marandhaan
his father and mother.
Oruvan padukkaiyilae mullai vaithu
One placed thorns on their bed
Paarthu maghizhndhaan
and rejoiced watching them suffer.
Pidicha muyal athanaikkum
Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs.
Moondru kaalendraan
Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs.
Pidicha muyal athanaikkum
Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs.
Moondru kaalendraan
Whatever rabbit he caught, he insisted it had only three legs.
Oruvan pondaattiyin kaalgalukku
One stood guard humbly at the feet of his wife,
Kaaval irundhaan kaaval irundhaan
stood guard, stood guard.
Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa
In a certain town, there was a king.
Pillai petra raajaa oru naayai valarthaar
The king who fathered children raised a dog.
Adhai pillaikku mel kangalai pol
More than his own children, like his own eyes,
Kaathu valarthaar
he protected and raised it.
Pillai petra raajaa oru naayai valarthaar
The king who fathered children raised a dog.
Adhai pillaikku mel kangalai pol
More than his own children, like his own eyes,
Kaathu valarthaar
he protected and raised it.
Unmai anbu saevai endra
Truth, love, and selfless service —
Moondrum koduthaar
he gave it all three.
Unmai anbu saevai endra
Truth, love, and selfless service —
Moondrum koduthaar
he gave it all three.
Adhan ullathilae veedu katti
He built a home inside its heart,
Thaanum irundhaar
and resided there himself.
Adhan ullathilae veedu katti
He built a home inside its heart,
Thaanum irundhaar
and resided there himself,
Thaanum irundhaar
resided there himself.
Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa
In a certain town, there was a king.
Sondhamendru vandhadhellaam
All those who came claiming to be relatives
Sondhamum illai
were never true relatives.
Oru thunai illaamal vandhadhellaam
All that came without any support
Baaramum illai
was never a burden.
Sondhamendru vandhadhellaam
All those who came claiming to be relatives
Sondhamum illai
were never true relatives.
Oru thunai illaamal vandhadhellaam
All that came without any support
Baaramum illai
was never a burden.
Nandri ulla uyirgalellaam
All grateful living beings
Pillai thaanadaa
are like true children, my brother!
Nandri ulla uyirgalellaam
All grateful living beings
Pillai thaanadaa
are like true children, my brother!
Thambi nandri ketta maganai vida
Younger brother, compared to an ungrateful son,
Naaigal meldaa
dogs are far better!
Nandri ketta maganai vida
Compared to an ungrateful son,
Naaigal meldaa
dogs are far better!
Naaigal meldaa
Dogs are far better!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Orae Oru Oorilae' from the movie 'Padikkadha Medhai' (1960) uses the structure of a simple bedtime story or nursery fable to convey a deep moral truth about human relationships and ingratitude. The lyrics tell the story of a king (representing a devoted parent) and queen who raise nine children. Despite receiving education and care, every single child turns out to be disrespectful, cruel, obstinate, or subservient to their spouses while neglecting their own parents. Finding no genuine love or respect from his biological offspring, the king raises a loyal dog with love and devotion. The dog repays him with true affection, loyalty, and gratitude. Lyricist Kannadasan uses this story to deliver a sharp commentary on societal hypocrisy, highlighting that true kinship is defined by loyalty and gratitude rather than blood ties—concluding that a grateful animal is far superior to an ungrateful child.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory / Moral Fable
“Orae oru oorilae orae oru raajaa... Orae oru raani petraal onbadhu pillai”
The entire song uses a simple fairy-tale framing ('Once upon a time there was a king...') as an allegory to critique filial ingratitude and human character flaws.
Tamil Idiom (Pazhamozhi / Marabuthodar)
“Pidicha muyal athanaikkum moondru kaalendraan”
Uses the famous Tamil proverb about insisting a caught rabbit has three legs, symbolizing extreme stubbornness, foolish obstinacy, and refusing to accept truth.
Simile (Upamai)
“Adhai pillaikku mel kangalai pol kaathu valarthaar”
Compares the intense care given to raising the dog to protecting one's own eyes ('kangalai pol').
Muran (Contrast / Irony)
“Thambi nandri ketta maganai vida naaigal meldaa”
Contrasts an ungrateful human son with a loyal dog, pointing out the irony that an animal possesses higher moral virtue than human offspring.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Padikkadha Medhai' (1960), directed by A. Bhimsingh and starring Sivaji Ganesan, is famous for its emotional family drama centered around loyalty, poverty, and human character. The song is composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan along with P. Susheela. Kannadasan's lyrics in this song showcase his unique mastery in distilling complex philosophy into deceptively simple, childlike storytelling language.
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