Oru Jeevanthan Sad
From Naan Adimai Illai · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Vijay Anand
- Details
- Naan Adimai Illai1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru jeevan thaan | There is only one life, |
| Un paadal thaan | And it is your song, |
| Ooyaamal isaikkindrathu | Playing without ever stopping. |
| Iru kannilum un gnyaabagam | In both my eyes, memories of you |
| Urangaamal irukkindrathu | Remain awake without sleeping. |
| Paasangalum banthangalum | Affections and bondings, |
| Pirithaalum piriyaathathu | Cannot be separated even if torn apart. |
| Kaalangalum nerangalum | Ages and moments, |
| Kalaithaalum kalaiyaathathu | Cannot be erased even if disrupted. |
| Male | |
| Stupid evan sonaan | Which stupid guy said that? |
| Who said it i say | Who said it, I ask! |
| Paasamaavathu banthamaavathu | What affection? What bonds? |
| All non sense i say hahahaha | All nonsense, I say, hahahaha! |
| Male | |
| Oru jeevan thaan | There is only one life, |
| Un paadal thaan | And it is your song, |
| Ooyaamal isaikkindrathu | Playing without ever stopping. |
| Chorus | |
| {Haa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa… | {Haa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Aaa….aaa…aaa….} (2) | Aaa….aaa…aaa….} (2) |
| Male | |
| Keezhvargam melvargam | Lower class and upper class |
| Inaiyaadha iru kodugal haa haa haa haa | Are two parallel lines that never meet, ha ha ha ha. |
| Serndhaalum haa… sila naalil | Even if they unite, ha... within a few days, |
| Karaigindra manal veedugal | They are sandcastles that erode away. |
| Male | |
| Kattil sondham ennai kaivittathu | The relationship of the marital bed has abandoned me, |
| Thottil sondham ennai thodargindrathu | While the relationship of the cradle continues to follow me. |
| Uyir vazhgiren unakkaaga than | I stay alive only for your sake, |
| Yaarum illai enakkaaga than | For there is no one else for me. |
| Malarae malarae madiyil thavalum nilavae | Oh flower, oh flower, moon crawling on the lap, |
| Male | |
| Haa…ungamma | Ha... your mother, |
| Enna vila koduthu vaanga nenacha | Thought of buying me at what price? |
| Naan yaarukkum adimai illai | I am a slave to no one! |
| Its impossible i say..hahahaha | It's impossible I say... hahahaha! |
| Male | |
| Oru jeevan thaan | There is only one life, |
| Un paadal thaan | And it is your song, |
| Ooyaamal isaikkindrathu..haa | Playing without ever stopping... ha. |
| Male | |
| Deivangal sila neram | Gods, at times, |
| Thavaraaga ninaikindradhu haa hahaha | Think mistakenly, ha ha ha ha. |
| Porundhatha iru nenjai | Two incompatible hearts, |
| Manavaazhvil inaikindradhu | They join together in married life. |
| Male | |
| Kalyaanamae anbin aadharam than | Marriage is indeed the foundation of love, |
| Unn vaazhvilae adhu viyabaram than | But in your life, it is merely a business. |
| Mani maaligai un veedu than | A palace of jewels is your home, |
| Maanjolaiyil enn koodu than | While my nest is in a mango grove. |
| Madhu than manaiviii | Alcohol is my wife now, |
| Ini en vazkhai thunaivi | My life partner from here on! |
| Male | |
| Naan kudippen | I will drink, |
| Ketkrathukku pondattiya irukka | Is there a wife to question me? |
| Hahahaha | Hahahaha |
| Kudichittae iruppen | I will keep drinking, |
| Enna ketkrathukku yaar irukka haa | Who is there to question me, ha? |
| Hahahahaha | Hahahahaha |
| Male | |
| Oru jeevan thaan | There is only one life, |
| Un paadal thaan | And it is your song, |
| Ooyaamal isaikkindrathu | Playing without ever stopping. |
| Iru kannilum un gnyaabagam | In both my eyes, memories of you |
| Urangaamal irukkindrathu | Remain awake without sleeping. |
| Paasangalum banthangalum | Affections and bondings, |
| Pirithaalum piriyaathathu haa haa..aa… | Cannot be separated even if torn apart, ha ha..aa… |
| Kaalangalum nerangalum | Ages and moments, |
| Kalaithaalum kalaiyaathathu ha hahahah | Cannot be erased even if disrupted, ha hahahah |
ஒரு ஜீவன்தான்
உன் பாடல்தான்
ஓயாமல் இசைக்கின்றது
இரு கண்ணிலும் உன் ஞாபகம்
உறங்காமல் இருக்கின்றது
பாசங்களும் பந்தங்களும்
பிரித்தாலும் பிரியாதது
காலங்களும் நேரங்களும்
கலைத்தாலும் கலையாதது
There is only one life,
And it is your song,
Playing without ever stopping.
In both my eyes, memories of you
Remain awake without sleeping.
Affections and bondings,
Cannot be separated even if torn apart.
Ages and moments,
Cannot be erased even if disrupted.
ஸ்டுபிட் எவன் சொன்னான்
ஹூ செட் இட் ஐ சே
பாசமாவது பந்தமாவது
ஆல் நான்சென்ஸ் ஐ சே ஹஹஹஹா
Which stupid guy said that?
Who said it, I ask!
What affection? What bonds?
All nonsense, I say, hahahaha!
ஒரு ஜீவன்தான்
உன் பாடல்தான்
ஓயாமல் இசைக்கின்றது
There is only one life,
And it is your song,
Playing without ever stopping.
{ஹா....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆ...
ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....} (2)
{Haa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa….aaa…aaa….} (2)
கீழ்வர்க்கம் மேல்வர்க்கம்
இணையாத இருகோடுகள் ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா
சேர்ந்தாலும் ஹா....சில நாளில்
கரைகின்ற மணல் வீடுகள்
Lower class and upper class
Are two parallel lines that never meet, ha ha ha ha.
Even if they unite, ha... within a few days,
They are sandcastles that erode away.
கட்டில் சொந்தம் என்னை கை விட்டது
தொட்டில் சொந்தம் என்னை தொடர்கின்றது
உயிர் வாழ்கிறேன் உனக்காகத்தான்
யாருமில்லை எனக்காகத்தான்
மலரே மலரே மடியில் தவழும் நிலவே
The relationship of the marital bed has abandoned me,
While the relationship of the cradle continues to follow me.
I stay alive only for your sake,
For there is no one else for me.
Oh flower, oh flower, moon crawling on the lap,
ஹா....உங்கம்மா
என்ன விலை கொடுத்து வாங்க நினைச்சா
நான் யாருக்கும் அடிமை இல்லை
இட்ஸ் இம்பாஸிபிள் ஐ சே.....ஹாஹாஹா
Ha... your mother,
Thought of buying me at what price?
I am a slave to no one!
It's impossible I say... hahahaha!
ஒரு ஜீவன்தான்
உன் பாடல்தான்
ஓயாமல் இசைக்கின்றது
There is only one life,
And it is your song,
Playing without ever stopping... ha.
தெய்வங்கள் சில நேரம்
தவறாக நினைக்கின்றது ஹா ஹஹஹா
பொருந்தாத இரு நெஞ்சை
மணவாழ்வில் இணைக்கின்றது
Gods, at times,
Think mistakenly, ha ha ha ha.
Two incompatible hearts,
They join together in married life.
கல்யாணமே அன்பின் ஆதாரம்தான்
உன் வாழ்விலே அது வியாபாரம்தான்
மணிமாளிகை உன் வீடுதான்
மாஞ்சோலையில் என் கூடுதான்
மதுதான் மனைவி
இனி என் வாழ்க்கை துணைவி
Marriage is indeed the foundation of love,
But in your life, it is merely a business.
A palace of jewels is your home,
While my nest is in a mango grove.
Alcohol is my wife now,
My life partner from here on!
நான் குடிப்பேன்
கேட்கறதுக்கு பொண்டாட்டியா இருக்கா
ஹஹஹஹா
குடிச்சிட்டே இருப்பேன்
என்ன கேட்கறதுக்கு யார் இருக்கா ஹா
ஹஹஹஹா
I will drink,
Is there a wife to question me?
Hahahaha
I will keep drinking,
Who is there to question me, ha?
Hahahahaha
ஒரு ஜீவன்தான்
உன் பாடல்தான்
ஓயாமல் இசைக்கின்றது
இரு கண்ணிலும் உன் ஞாபகம்
உறங்காமல் இருக்கின்றது
பாசங்களும் பந்தங்களும்
பிரித்தாலும் பிரியாதது ஹா ஹா....ஆ....
காலங்களும் நேரங்களும்
கலைத்தாலும் கலையாததுஹ ஹஹஹஹா
There is only one life,
And it is your song,
Playing without ever stopping.
In both my eyes, memories of you
Remain awake without sleeping.
Affections and bondings,
Cannot be separated even if torn apart, ha ha..aa…
Ages and moments,
Cannot be erased even if disrupted, ha hahahah
Oru jeevan thaan
There is only one life,
Un paadal thaan
And it is your song,
Ooyaamal isaikkindrathu
Playing without ever stopping.
Iru kannilum un gnyaabagam
In both my eyes, memories of you
Urangaamal irukkindrathu
Remain awake without sleeping.
Paasangalum banthangalum
Affections and bondings,
Pirithaalum piriyaathathu
Cannot be separated even if torn apart.
Kaalangalum nerangalum
Ages and moments,
Kalaithaalum kalaiyaathathu
Cannot be erased even if disrupted.
Stupid evan sonaan
Which stupid guy said that?
Who said it i say
Who said it, I ask!
Paasamaavathu banthamaavathu
What affection? What bonds?
All non sense i say hahahaha
All nonsense, I say, hahahaha!
Oru jeevan thaan
There is only one life,
Un paadal thaan
And it is your song,
Ooyaamal isaikkindrathu
Playing without ever stopping.
{Haa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
{Haa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaa….aaa…aaa….} (2)
Aaa….aaa…aaa….} (2)
Keezhvargam melvargam
Lower class and upper class
Inaiyaadha iru kodugal haa haa haa haa
Are two parallel lines that never meet, ha ha ha ha.
Serndhaalum haa… sila naalil
Even if they unite, ha... within a few days,
Karaigindra manal veedugal
They are sandcastles that erode away.
Kattil sondham ennai kaivittathu
The relationship of the marital bed has abandoned me,
Thottil sondham ennai thodargindrathu
While the relationship of the cradle continues to follow me.
Uyir vazhgiren unakkaaga than
I stay alive only for your sake,
Yaarum illai enakkaaga than
For there is no one else for me.
Malarae malarae madiyil thavalum nilavae
Oh flower, oh flower, moon crawling on the lap,
Haa…ungamma
Ha... your mother,
Enna vila koduthu vaanga nenacha
Thought of buying me at what price?
Naan yaarukkum adimai illai
I am a slave to no one!
Its impossible i say..hahahaha
It's impossible I say... hahahaha!
Oru jeevan thaan
There is only one life,
Un paadal thaan
And it is your song,
Ooyaamal isaikkindrathu..haa
Playing without ever stopping... ha.
Deivangal sila neram
Gods, at times,
Thavaraaga ninaikindradhu haa hahaha
Think mistakenly, ha ha ha ha.
Porundhatha iru nenjai
Two incompatible hearts,
Manavaazhvil inaikindradhu
They join together in married life.
Kalyaanamae anbin aadharam than
Marriage is indeed the foundation of love,
Unn vaazhvilae adhu viyabaram than
But in your life, it is merely a business.
Mani maaligai un veedu than
A palace of jewels is your home,
Maanjolaiyil enn koodu than
While my nest is in a mango grove.
Madhu than manaiviii
Alcohol is my wife now,
Ini en vazkhai thunaivi
My life partner from here on!
Naan kudippen
I will drink,
Ketkrathukku pondattiya irukka
Is there a wife to question me?
Hahahaha
Hahahaha
Kudichittae iruppen
I will keep drinking,
Enna ketkrathukku yaar irukka haa
Who is there to question me, ha?
Hahahahaha
Hahahahaha
Oru jeevan thaan
There is only one life,
Un paadal thaan
And it is your song,
Ooyaamal isaikkindrathu
Playing without ever stopping.
Iru kannilum un gnyaabagam
In both my eyes, memories of you
Urangaamal irukkindrathu
Remain awake without sleeping.
Paasangalum banthangalum
Affections and bondings,
Pirithaalum piriyaathathu haa haa..aa…
Cannot be separated even if torn apart, ha ha..aa…
Kaalangalum nerangalum
Ages and moments,
Kalaithaalum kalaiyaathathu ha hahahah
Cannot be erased even if disrupted, ha hahahah
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oru Jeevan Thaan' from 'Naan Adimai Illai' (1986) portrays the raw grief, betrayal, and rebellious frustration of a man heartbroken by social disparity and a failed marriage. Beginning with sentimental nostalgia about eternal bonds and restless memories, the song abruptly shifts into bitter laughter and sarcastic outbursts as the protagonist drinks to numb his pain. He fiercely attacks class divides, declaring that rich and poor are parallel lines that can never truly merge without crumbling like sandcastles. As the narrative unfolds, he vehemently rejects the idea of being bought or controlled by wealthy in-laws, asserting his pride with the titular sentiment 'Naan yaarukkum adimai illai' (I am a slave to no one). He mocks marriage as a mere business transaction for the affluent and sarcastically crowns alcohol as his new wife. Through a mix of tragic nostalgia and drunken defiance, Vairamuthu's lyrics capture the emotional breakdown of a proud man pushed to the edge by societal rejection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Kattil sondham ennai kaivittathu / Thottil sondham ennai thodargindrathu”
The second consonant 'tt' (ட்) in 'Kattil' and 'Thottil' creates an Ethugai rhyme, contrasting marital intimacy with maternal duty.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Pirithaalum piriyaathathu / Kalaithaalum kalaiyaathathu”
The lines end with the identical rhythmic suffix '-aalum ...aathathu', establishing an elegant melancholic cadence.
Monai (Initial Letter Alliteration)
“Mani maaligai un veedu than / Maanjolaiyil enn koodu than”
The initial 'Ma' (மா) sound is repeated in 'Mani' and 'Maanjolaiyil', adding melodic flow.
Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Keezhvargam melvargam / Inaiyaadha iru kodugal”
Pits 'Keezhvargam' (lower class) against 'Melvargam' (upper class), visually comparing social stratifications to non-intersecting parallel lines.
Metaphor
“Madhu than manaiviii / Ini en vazkhai thunaivi”
The singer metaphorically addresses liquor ('Madhu') as his wife and lifelong companion in his state of disillusionment.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Naan Adimai Illai' (1986), directed by Dwarkish, was notably the last film in which Rajinikanth and Sridevi starred together as lead actors. The music for the film was composed by Vijay Anand. This song, 'Oru Jeevan Thaan', rendered masterfully by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, features Rajinikanth performing in his trademark dramatic 'drunk acting' style, effortlessly interweaving tragic singing with spoken dialogue, laughter, and cynical commentary written by lyricist Vairamuthu.
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