Oru Kaalathile Ennai
From Vaa Kanna Vaa · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Vaa Kanna Vaa1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda | Once upon a time, to bind me tight |
| Oru rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom |
| Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda | Once upon a time, to bind me tight |
| Oru rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom |
| Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom of love |
| Male | |
| Antha rajjiyaththai aanada rajavin pinnaal | Behind the king who ruled that kingdom |
| Poojjiyam irunthathu oru poojjiyam irunthathu | There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind |
| Antha rajjiyaththai aanada rajavin pinnaal | Behind the king who ruled that kingdom |
| Poojjiyam irunthathu oru poojjiyam irunthathu | There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind |
| Male | |
| Ada naalu sevuththula pinju karangal | Hey, within these four walls, tender little hands |
| Kodu kizhichchathaiyyaa | Scribbled lines, oh sir |
| Ada naalu sevuththula pinju karangal | Hey, within these four walls, tender little hands |
| Kodu kizhichchathaiyyaa | Scribbled lines, oh sir |
| Antha kodu kizhichchavan kooda irukkaiyil | When the child who scribbled those lines was around |
| Veedu sirichchathaiyyaa | This home smiled, oh sir |
| Intha veedu sirichchathaiyyaa…. | This home smiled, oh sir... |
| Male | |
| Nalla puththi irunthathu sakthi irunthathu | I had good sense and strength |
| Pillai irukkaiyilae | When my child was right here with me |
| Ippa piththu pidichchathu raththam kodhichchathu | Now madness has taken over and my blood boils |
| Thannanthanimaiyilae indru | In complete loneliness today |
| Thannanthanimaiyilae…. | In complete loneliness... |
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda | Once upon a time, to bind me tight |
| Oru rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom |
| Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom of love |
| Male | |
| Avan kalla sirippilae ennai | With his innocent, artless smile |
| Mayakkiya kanna paramaaththmaa | Oh Krishna, Supreme Soul, he mesmerized me |
| Avan kalla sirippilae ennai | With his innocent, artless smile |
| Mayakkiya kanna paramaaththmaa | Oh Krishna, Supreme Soul, he mesmerized me |
| Avan potta vilanginil maatti thavikkira | Struggling, trapped in the shackles he placed |
| Chinnanchiru aathmaa chinnanchiru aathmaa | Is my tiny little soul, my tiny little soul |
| Male | |
| Avan pesu mazhalaigal | His babbling baby words |
| Oodhum kuzhalena kaadhil inichchathaiyyaa | Sounded as sweet as a playing flute to my ears, oh sir |
| Intha meesai kizhavanin aasai kuzhanthaiyai | This moustached old man's darling child |
| Kaalam pirichchathaiyyaa kalikaalam pirichchathaiyyaa | Time separated us, this dark era separated us |
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththilae | Once upon a time... |
| Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda | Once upon a time, to bind me tight |
| Oru rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom |
| Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom of love |
| Male | |
| Intha paattan padugira paattai ninaichchaa | If you reflect on the plight this old grandfather suffers |
| Paasam puriyalaiyaa | Don't you understand the affection behind it? |
| Intha paattan padugira paattai ninaichchaa | If you reflect on the plight this old grandfather suffers |
| Paasam puriyalaiyaa | Don't you understand the affection behind it? |
| Adhu paatti manasaiyum paatti eduppathu | It stirs and breaks even the grandmother's heart |
| Paarththaa theriyalaiyaa | Don't you see it when you look at us? |
| Paarththaa theriyalaiyaa…. | Don't you see it when you look at us... |
| Male | |
| Ada ooraar kuzhanthaiyai | Hey, someone else's child |
| Rendu kizhangalum ooty valarththathaiyyaa | These two old folks lovingly raised and fed |
| Ippa oottai padakena paasa suzhalilae | Now, like a leaky boat caught in a whirlpool of affection |
| Maatti muzhikkuthaiyaa | They are trapped and gasping for air |
| Paavam maatti muzhikkuthaiyaa | Pity them, trapped and gasping for air |
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththilae | Once upon a time... |
| Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda | Once upon a time, to bind me tight |
| Oru rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom |
| Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu | There was a kingdom of love |
| Male | |
| Antha rajjiyaththai aanada rajavin pinnaal | Behind the king who ruled that kingdom |
| Poojjiyam irunthathu oru poojjiyam irunthathu | There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind |
ஒரு காலத்திலே என்னைக் கட்டிப்போட
ஒரு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
ஒரு காலத்திலே என்னைக் கட்டிப்போட
ஒரு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
அன்பு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
There was a kingdom
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
There was a kingdom
There was a kingdom of love
அந்த ராஜ்ஜியத்தை ஆண்ட ராஜாவின் பின்னால்
பூஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது ஒரு பூஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
அந்த ராஜ்ஜியத்தை ஆண்ட ராஜாவின் பின்னால்
பூஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது ஒரு பூஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
Behind the king who ruled that kingdom
There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind
Behind the king who ruled that kingdom
There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind
அட நாலு செவுத்துல பிஞ்சுக் கரங்கள்
கோடு கிழிச்சதய்யா
அட நாலு செவுத்துல பிஞ்சுக் கரங்கள்
கோடு கிழிச்சதய்யா
அந்த கோடு கிழிச்சவன் கூட இருக்கையில்
வீடு சிரிச்சதய்யா.....
இந்த வீடு சிரிச்சதய்யா.....
Hey, within these four walls, tender little hands
Scribbled lines, oh sir
Hey, within these four walls, tender little hands
Scribbled lines, oh sir
When the child who scribbled those lines was around
This home smiled, oh sir
This home smiled, oh sir...
நல்ல புத்தி இருந்தது சக்தி இருந்தது
பிள்ளை இருக்கையிலே
இப்ப பித்து பிடிச்சது ரத்தம் கொதிச்சது
தன்னந்தனிமையிலே இன்று
தன்னந்தனிமையிலே.........
I had good sense and strength
When my child was right here with me
Now madness has taken over and my blood boils
In complete loneliness today
In complete loneliness...
ஒரு காலத்திலே என்னைக் கட்டிப்போட
ஒரு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
அன்பு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
There was a kingdom
There was a kingdom of love
அவன் கள்ளச் சிரிப்பிலே என்னை
மயக்கிய கண்ணப் பரமாத்மா
அவன் கள்ளச் சிரிப்பிலே என்னை
மயக்கிய கண்ணப் பரமாத்மா
அவன் போட்ட விலங்கினில் மாட்டித் தவிக்கிற
சின்னஞ்சிறு ஆத்மா சின்னஞ்சிறு ஆத்மா
With his innocent, artless smile
Oh Krishna, Supreme Soul, he mesmerized me
With his innocent, artless smile
Oh Krishna, Supreme Soul, he mesmerized me
Struggling, trapped in the shackles he placed
Is my tiny little soul, my tiny little soul
அவன் பேசும் மழலைகள்
ஊதும் குழலென காதில் இனிச்சதய்யா
இந்த மீசைக் கிழவனின் ஆசை குழந்தையை
காலம் பிரிச்சதய்யா கலிகாலம் பிரிச்சதய்யா
His babbling baby words
Sounded as sweet as a playing flute to my ears, oh sir
This moustached old man's darling child
Time separated us, this dark era separated us
ஒரு காலத்திலே.......
ஒரு காலத்திலே என்னைக் கட்டிப்போட
ஒரு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
அன்பு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
There was a kingdom
There was a kingdom of love
இந்த பாட்டன் படுகிற பாட்டை நினைச்சா
பாசம் புரியலையா
இந்த பாட்டன் படுகிற பாட்டை நினைச்சா
பாசம் புரியலையா
அது பாட்டி மனசையும் பாட்டி எடுப்பது
பார்த்தா தெரியலையா....
பார்த்தா தெரியலையா....
If you reflect on the plight this old grandfather suffers
Don't you understand the affection behind it?
If you reflect on the plight this old grandfather suffers
Don't you understand the affection behind it?
It stirs and breaks even the grandmother's heart
Don't you see it when you look at us?
Don't you see it when you look at us...
அட ஊரார் குழைந்தையை
ரெண்டு கிழங்களும் ஊட்டி வளர்த்ததைய்யா
இப்ப ஓட்டை படகென பாச சுழலிலே
மாட்டி முழிக்குதையா
பாவம் மாட்டி முழிக்குதையா
Hey, someone else's child
These two old folks lovingly raised and fed
Now, like a leaky boat caught in a whirlpool of affection
They are trapped and gasping for air
Pity them, trapped and gasping for air
ஒரு காலத்திலே.......
ஒரு காலத்திலே என்னைக் கட்டிப்போட
ஒரு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
அன்பு ராஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
There was a kingdom
There was a kingdom of love
அந்த ராஜ்ஜியத்தை ஆண்ட ராஜாவின் பின்னால்
பூஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது ஒரு பூஜ்ஜியம் இருந்தது
Behind the king who ruled that kingdom
There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind
Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
Oru rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom
Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
Oru rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom
Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom of love
Antha rajjiyaththai aanada rajavin pinnaal
Behind the king who ruled that kingdom
Poojjiyam irunthathu oru poojjiyam irunthathu
There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind
Antha rajjiyaththai aanada rajavin pinnaal
Behind the king who ruled that kingdom
Poojjiyam irunthathu oru poojjiyam irunthathu
There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind
Ada naalu sevuththula pinju karangal
Hey, within these four walls, tender little hands
Kodu kizhichchathaiyyaa
Scribbled lines, oh sir
Ada naalu sevuththula pinju karangal
Hey, within these four walls, tender little hands
Kodu kizhichchathaiyyaa
Scribbled lines, oh sir
Antha kodu kizhichchavan kooda irukkaiyil
When the child who scribbled those lines was around
Veedu sirichchathaiyyaa
This home smiled, oh sir
Intha veedu sirichchathaiyyaa….
This home smiled, oh sir...
Nalla puththi irunthathu sakthi irunthathu
I had good sense and strength
Pillai irukkaiyilae
When my child was right here with me
Ippa piththu pidichchathu raththam kodhichchathu
Now madness has taken over and my blood boils
Thannanthanimaiyilae indru
In complete loneliness today
Thannanthanimaiyilae….
In complete loneliness...
Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
Oru rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom
Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom of love
Avan kalla sirippilae ennai
With his innocent, artless smile
Mayakkiya kanna paramaaththmaa
Oh Krishna, Supreme Soul, he mesmerized me
Avan kalla sirippilae ennai
With his innocent, artless smile
Mayakkiya kanna paramaaththmaa
Oh Krishna, Supreme Soul, he mesmerized me
Avan potta vilanginil maatti thavikkira
Struggling, trapped in the shackles he placed
Chinnanchiru aathmaa chinnanchiru aathmaa
Is my tiny little soul, my tiny little soul
Avan pesu mazhalaigal
His babbling baby words
Oodhum kuzhalena kaadhil inichchathaiyyaa
Sounded as sweet as a playing flute to my ears, oh sir
Intha meesai kizhavanin aasai kuzhanthaiyai
This moustached old man's darling child
Kaalam pirichchathaiyyaa kalikaalam pirichchathaiyyaa
Time separated us, this dark era separated us
Oru kaalaththilae
Once upon a time...
Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
Oru rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom
Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom of love
Intha paattan padugira paattai ninaichchaa
If you reflect on the plight this old grandfather suffers
Paasam puriyalaiyaa
Don't you understand the affection behind it?
Intha paattan padugira paattai ninaichchaa
If you reflect on the plight this old grandfather suffers
Paasam puriyalaiyaa
Don't you understand the affection behind it?
Adhu paatti manasaiyum paatti eduppathu
It stirs and breaks even the grandmother's heart
Paarththaa theriyalaiyaa
Don't you see it when you look at us?
Paarththaa theriyalaiyaa….
Don't you see it when you look at us...
Ada ooraar kuzhanthaiyai
Hey, someone else's child
Rendu kizhangalum ooty valarththathaiyyaa
These two old folks lovingly raised and fed
Ippa oottai padakena paasa suzhalilae
Now, like a leaky boat caught in a whirlpool of affection
Maatti muzhikkuthaiyaa
They are trapped and gasping for air
Paavam maatti muzhikkuthaiyaa
Pity them, trapped and gasping for air
Oru kaalaththilae
Once upon a time...
Oru kaalaththilae ennai kattippoda
Once upon a time, to bind me tight
Oru rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom
Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu
There was a kingdom of love
Antha rajjiyaththai aanada rajavin pinnaal
Behind the king who ruled that kingdom
Poojjiyam irunthathu oru poojjiyam irunthathu
There was a zero, yes, a zero stood behind
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oru Kaalaththilae' from *Vaa Kanna Vaa* (1982) is a deeply moving lamentation sung by an elderly man reminiscing about a happier past filled with family love and warmth. He fondly remembers how his home once reverberated with the innocent laughter and scribblings of a beloved child. That era felt like a kingdom where love ruled supreme, giving him wisdom, vitality, and emotional completeness. In contrast, the present brings the painful agony of separation and extreme solitude. He describes his current state as feeling like a 'zero' after losing his kingdom of affection, and compares his and his wife's plight to being stranded in a leaky boat caught in a whirlpool of attachment. Delivered with immense emotional weight by T. M. Soundararajan, the song captures the heartbreaking reality of old age, loneliness, and nostalgia for lost relationships.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Oodhum kuzhalena kaadhil inichchathaiyyaa”
Compares the child's tender babble ('mazhalai') directly to the sweet music played on a flute ('oodhum kuzhal').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Anbu rajjiyam irunthathu”
Metaphorically describes the happy household full of affection as a 'kingdom of love' ('anbu rajjiyam').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ippa oottai padakena paasa suzhalilae”
Compares the vulnerable state of the elderly couple to a leaky boat ('oottai padagu') tossed around in a whirlpool of emotional attachment ('paasa suzhal').
Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Antha rajjiyaththai aanada rajavin pinnaal / Poojjiyam irunthathu”
Contrasts the status of being a 'King' ('raja') ruling a kingdom of love with becoming a 'Zero' ('poojjiyam') in isolation.
Personification
“Veedu sirichchathaiyyaa”
Gives the non-living house the human attribute of smiling ('veedu sirichchathaiyyaa') when the child was present.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oru Kaalaththilae' is a classic emotional track composed by M. S. Viswanathan for the 1982 Tamil movie *Vaa Kanna Vaa*, starring Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan and Sujatha. The lyrics were penned by Vaali, and the legendary T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) voiced the track for Sivaji Ganesan. TMS's vocal expressive range perfectly matched Sivaji's iconic dramatic performance on screen, making it one of the memorable sentimental songs about aging and familial longing in Tamil cinema.
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