Oru Bommalattam Nadakkudhu
From Sivappu Malargal · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Sivappu Malargal1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu | A puppet show is taking place |
| Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu | It is very strange and novel |
| Male | |
| Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu | A puppet show is taking place |
| Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu | It is very strange and novel |
| Naalu peru naduvilae | Among four people in the middle |
| Noolu oruthan kaiyilae | The controlling thread is in one person's hand |
| Naalu peru naduvilae | Among four people in the middle |
| Noolu oruthan kaiyilae | The controlling thread is in one person's hand |
| Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu | A puppet show is taking place |
| Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu | It is very strange and novel |
| Male | |
| Allum pagalum annan vaazhndhaan | Day and night the elder brother lived |
| Thangachikaaga | For the sake of his younger sister |
| Andha ullam ippo kallaai ponadhu | That heart has now turned to stone |
| Than katchikaaga | For the sake of his own selfish motives |
| Male | |
| Allum pagalum annan vaazhndhaan | Day and night the elder brother lived |
| Thangachikaaga | For the sake of his younger sister |
| Andha ullam ippo kallaai ponadhu | That heart has now turned to stone |
| Than katchikaaga | For the sake of his own selfish motives |
| Male | |
| Maalai ondru thoduthu vaithaal | She wove a floral garland |
| Mannanukkaaga | For her beloved king |
| Adhai veedhiyilae vitterindhaal | She discarded it onto the street |
| Annanukaaga | For the sake of her elder brother |
| Male | |
| Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu | A puppet show is taking place |
| Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu | It is very strange and novel |
| Naalu peru naduvilae | Among four people in the middle |
| Noolu oruthan kaiyilae | The controlling thread is in one person's hand |
| Naalu peru naduvilae | Among four people in the middle |
| Noolu oruthan kaiyilae | The controlling thread is in one person's hand |
| Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu | A puppet show is taking place |
| Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu | It is very strange and novel |
| Male | |
| Ilavu kaatha killai pola | Like a parrot waiting for the silk-cotton fruit to ripen |
| Ithanai kaalam | All this time |
| Indha vangi magal varaindhadhellaam | Everything this bank manager's daughter drew |
| Thaneer kolam | Turned out to be a pattern drawn on water |
| Male | |
| Ilavu kaatha killai pola | Like a parrot waiting for the silk-cotton fruit to ripen |
| Ithanai kaalam | All this time |
| Indha vangi magal varaindhadhellaam | Everything this bank manager's daughter drew |
| Thaneer kolam | Turned out to be a pattern drawn on water |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal ennum paathirathil | In the vessel named love |
| Thaen eduthaanae | He gathered honey |
| Verum gouravathin aathirathaal | Yet out of the rage of mere false pride |
| Pottudaithaanae | He smashed it into pieces |
| Male | |
| Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu | A puppet show is taking place |
| Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu | It is very strange and novel |
| Male | |
| Naangu kiligal kaadhal valaiyil | Four parrots in love's trap |
| Vilunthathu yaeno | Why did they fall? |
| Idhil oruvar paavam mattravar thalaiyil | In this, why did one person's sin |
| Vidinthathu yaeno | Befall upon another's head? |
| Aaga motham vidhi varaintha nadagam thaanae | Overall, isn't this a play written by fate? |
| Idhil aalukkoru paathirathil nadithidathaanae | Where everyone is merely acting out their assigned role? |
| Male | |
| Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu | A puppet show is taking place |
| Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu | It is very strange and novel |
| Naalu peru naduvilae | Among four people in the middle |
| Noolu oruthan kaiyilae | The controlling thread is in one person's hand |
| Naalu peru naduvilae | Among four people in the middle |
| Noolu oruthan kaiyilae | The controlling thread is in one person's hand |
| Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu | A puppet show is taking place |
| Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu | It is very strange and novel |
ஒரு பொம்மலாட்டம் நடக்குது
ரொம்ப புதுமையாக இருக்குது
A puppet show is taking place
It is very strange and novel
ஒரு பொம்மலாட்டம் நடக்குது
ரொம்ப புதுமையாக இருக்குது
நாலு பேரு நடுவிலே
நூலு ஒருத்தன் கையிலே..
நாலு பேரு நடுவிலே
நூலு ஒருத்தன் கையிலே..
ஒரு பொம்மலாட்டம் நடக்குது
ரொம்ப புதுமையாக இருக்குது.....
A puppet show is taking place
It is very strange and novel
Among four people in the middle
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Among four people in the middle
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
A puppet show is taking place
It is very strange and novel
அல்லும் பகலும் அண்ணன்
வாழ்ந்தான் தங்கச்சிக்காக
அந்த உள்ளம் இப்போ கல்லாய் போனது
தன் கட்சிக்காக
Day and night the elder brother lived
For the sake of his younger sister
That heart has now turned to stone
For the sake of his own selfish motives
அல்லும் பகலும் அண்ணன்
வாழ்ந்தான் தங்கச்சிக்காக
அந்த உள்ளம் இப்போ கல்லாய் போனது
தன் கட்சிக்காக
Day and night the elder brother lived
For the sake of his younger sister
That heart has now turned to stone
For the sake of his own selfish motives
மாலை ஒன்று தொடுத்து வைத்தாள்
மன்னனுக்காக
அதை வீதியிலே விட்டெறிந்தாள்
அண்ணனுக்காக
She wove a floral garland
For her beloved king
She discarded it onto the street
For the sake of her elder brother
ஒரு பொம்மலாட்டம் நடக்குது
ரொம்ப புதுமையாக இருக்குது
நாலு பேரு நடுவிலே
நூலு ஒருத்தன் கையிலே..
நாலு பேரு நடுவிலே
நூலு ஒருத்தன் கையிலே..
ஒரு பொம்மலாட்டம் நடக்குது
ரொம்ப புதுமையாக இருக்குது.....
A puppet show is taking place
It is very strange and novel
Among four people in the middle
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Among four people in the middle
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
A puppet show is taking place
It is very strange and novel
இலவு காத்தக் கிளியைப் போலே
இத்தனை காலம்
இந்த வஞ்சி மகள் வரைந்ததெல்லாம்
தண்ணீர் கோலம்
Like a parrot waiting for the silk-cotton fruit to ripen
All this time
Everything this bank manager's daughter drew
Turned out to be a pattern drawn on water
இலவு காத்தக் கிளியைப் போலே
இத்தனை காலம்
இந்த வஞ்சி மகள் வரைந்ததெல்லாம்
தண்ணீர் கோலம்
Like a parrot waiting for the silk-cotton fruit to ripen
All this time
Everything this bank manager's daughter drew
Turned out to be a pattern drawn on water
காதலெனும் பாத்திரத்தில்
தேனெடுத்தானே
வெறும் கௌரவத்தின் ஆத்திரத்தால்
போட்டுடைத்தானே
In the vessel named love
He gathered honey
Yet out of the rage of mere false pride
He smashed it into pieces
ஒரு பொம்மலாட்டம் நடக்குது
ரொம்ப புதுமையாக இருக்குது
A puppet show is taking place
It is very strange and novel
நான்கு கிளிகள் காதல் வலையில்
விழுந்தது ஏனோ
இதில் ஒருவர் பாவம் மற்றவர் தலையில்
விடிந்தது ஏனோ
ஆக மொத்தம் விதி வரைந்த நாடகம் தானே
இதில் ஆளுக்கொரு பாத்திரத்தில் நடித்திடத்தானே...
Four parrots in love's trap
Why did they fall?
In this, why did one person's sin
Befall upon another's head?
Overall, isn't this a play written by fate?
Where everyone is merely acting out their assigned role?
ஒரு பொம்மலாட்டம் நடக்குது
ரொம்ப புதுமையாக இருக்குது
நாலு பேரு நடுவிலே
நூலு ஒருத்தன் கையிலே..
நாலு பேரு நடுவிலே
நூலு ஒருத்தன் கையிலே..
ஒரு பொம்மலாட்டம் நடக்குது
ரொம்ப புதுமையாக இருக்குது.....
A puppet show is taking place
It is very strange and novel
Among four people in the middle
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Among four people in the middle
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
A puppet show is taking place
It is very strange and novel
Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu
A puppet show is taking place
Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu
It is very strange and novel
Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu
A puppet show is taking place
Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu
It is very strange and novel
Naalu peru naduvilae
Among four people in the middle
Noolu oruthan kaiyilae
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Naalu peru naduvilae
Among four people in the middle
Noolu oruthan kaiyilae
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu
A puppet show is taking place
Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu
It is very strange and novel
Allum pagalum annan vaazhndhaan
Day and night the elder brother lived
Thangachikaaga
For the sake of his younger sister
Andha ullam ippo kallaai ponadhu
That heart has now turned to stone
Than katchikaaga
For the sake of his own selfish motives
Allum pagalum annan vaazhndhaan
Day and night the elder brother lived
Thangachikaaga
For the sake of his younger sister
Andha ullam ippo kallaai ponadhu
That heart has now turned to stone
Than katchikaaga
For the sake of his own selfish motives
Maalai ondru thoduthu vaithaal
She wove a floral garland
Mannanukkaaga
For her beloved king
Adhai veedhiyilae vitterindhaal
She discarded it onto the street
Annanukaaga
For the sake of her elder brother
Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu
A puppet show is taking place
Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu
It is very strange and novel
Naalu peru naduvilae
Among four people in the middle
Noolu oruthan kaiyilae
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Naalu peru naduvilae
Among four people in the middle
Noolu oruthan kaiyilae
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu
A puppet show is taking place
Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu
It is very strange and novel
Ilavu kaatha killai pola
Like a parrot waiting for the silk-cotton fruit to ripen
Ithanai kaalam
All this time
Indha vangi magal varaindhadhellaam
Everything this bank manager's daughter drew
Thaneer kolam
Turned out to be a pattern drawn on water
Ilavu kaatha killai pola
Like a parrot waiting for the silk-cotton fruit to ripen
Ithanai kaalam
All this time
Indha vangi magal varaindhadhellaam
Everything this bank manager's daughter drew
Thaneer kolam
Turned out to be a pattern drawn on water
Kaadhal ennum paathirathil
In the vessel named love
Thaen eduthaanae
He gathered honey
Verum gouravathin aathirathaal
Yet out of the rage of mere false pride
Pottudaithaanae
He smashed it into pieces
Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu
A puppet show is taking place
Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu
It is very strange and novel
Naangu kiligal kaadhal valaiyil
Four parrots in love's trap
Vilunthathu yaeno
Why did they fall?
Idhil oruvar paavam mattravar thalaiyil
In this, why did one person's sin
Vidinthathu yaeno
Befall upon another's head?
Aaga motham vidhi varaintha nadagam thaanae
Overall, isn't this a play written by fate?
Idhil aalukkoru paathirathil nadithidathaanae
Where everyone is merely acting out their assigned role?
Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu
A puppet show is taking place
Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu
It is very strange and novel
Naalu peru naduvilae
Among four people in the middle
Noolu oruthan kaiyilae
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Naalu peru naduvilae
Among four people in the middle
Noolu oruthan kaiyilae
The controlling thread is in one person's hand
Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu
A puppet show is taking place
Romba pudhumaiyaaga irukkudhu
It is very strange and novel
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song uses the central metaphor of a puppet show ('Bommallattam') to comment on human relationships, tragic misunderstandings, and the inescapable grip of fate. It describes how human beings, driven by pride, love, or family loyalty, often end up acting like helpless puppets whose strings are pulled by circumstances or an unseen hand.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Bommallattam)
“Oru bommallattam nadakkudhu”
Compares human life and interpersonal conflicts to a puppet show where people are controlled by unseen strings.
Proverbial Simile (Upamai)
“Ilavu kaatha killai pola”
Uses the traditional Tamil idiom of a parrot waiting fruitlessly for a silk-cotton fruit (which turns into inedible fluff) to symbolize disappointment and wasted hope.
Metaphor (Thaneer kolam)
“Thaneer kolam”
Describes plans and dreams as 'rangoli drawn on water', emphasizing their fleeting, fragile, and temporary nature.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Naalu peru naduvilae / Noolu oruthan kaiyilae”
'Naalu' and 'Noolu' share the 'lu' sound in the second character position, creating a pleasing rhythmic resonance.
Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Allum pagalum annan vaazhndhaan”
'Allu' (night) and 'Pagal' (day) are direct antonyms used together to emphasize continuous time.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary lyricist Vaali, this song features classical Tamil metaphors like 'Ilavu kaatha killai' and 'Thanneer kolam' to express deep emotional sorrow and fatalism, a signature storytelling style in 1980s Tamil cinema soundtracks.
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