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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Kinnathai

From Vasantha Maligai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vasantha
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vasantha Maligai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Pala ennathil neendhukindren…yen…I swim through many thoughts... why?
Male
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Pala ennathil neendhukindren…yen…I swim through many thoughts... why?
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Female
Thakka thakka thimmiTo the rhythmic beats,
Thaalam-jathiyodu…Along with tempo and cadence...
Kayal nadamada…As fish-like eyes dance...
Aval maiyal uravada…As she shares an infatuated romance...
Male
Thakka thakka thimmiTo the rhythmic beats,
Thaalam-jathiyodu…Along with tempo and cadence...
Kayal nadamada…As fish-like eyes dance...
Aval maiyal uravada…As she shares an infatuated romance...
Iru pakkathilae silarOn both sides, a few
Pattu mugathinar thottu vilaiyadaSilken-faced ones touch and play,
Kai kattu valaiyadaAs bangles on clasped hands jingle!
Hahaaa….Hahaha...
Male
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Pala ennathil neendhukindren…yen…I swim through many thoughts... why?
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Female
Sorgam irupathu unmai endraal…If it is true that heaven exists...
Athu pakkathil nirkattumae…Let it stand right beside me...
Verum vetkangal odattumae…Let mere shyness flee away...
Male
Sorgam irupathu unmai endraal…If it is true that heaven exists...
Athu pakkathil nirkattumae…Let it stand right beside me...
Verum vetkangal odattumae…Let mere shyness flee away...
Intha kokkuikku thevaiAll that this heron needs
Kooriya mookinil sikkiya meen mattumaeIs only the fish trapped in its sharp beak.
Ithan thevaigal vazhattumae..hehehhhLet its desires flourish.. heheheh.
Male
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Pala ennathil neendhukindren…yen…I swim through many thoughts... why?
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Female
Aa…aaaa…aaaa..aaa..Ah... aaaa... aaaa.. aaa..
Katazhaganadhor… karpanai rajiyam…A strikingly beautiful imaginary kingdom...
Katti mudinthathadaa…Has been fully built!
Athil kattil amainthathada…In it, a bed has been prepared...
Male
Katazhaganadhor… karpanai rajiyam…A strikingly beautiful imaginary kingdom...
Katti mudinthathadaa…Has been fully built!
Athil kattil amainthathada…In it, a bed has been prepared...
Kodum sattangal dharmangal yethum illaiThere are no cruel laws or codes of virtue here,
Inba sakaram sutruthadaaThe wheel of pleasure spins!
Hahahaha… athil naan chakaravathiyada..hehehhHahaha... and in it, I am the emperor! Heheheh.
Male
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Pala ennathil neendhukindren…yen…I swim through many thoughts... why?
Oru kinnathai endhukindrenI hold up a goblet of wine.
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Male :Da da da la la la aha ha ha la la laMale: Da da da la la la aha ha ha la la la
Da da da la la la aha ha ha ho ho hoDa da da la la la aha ha ha ho ho ho
Ahaa ha haa hmm hm hmm ahaa haa haa hehehhAhaa ha haa hmm hm hmm ahaa haa haa hehehh

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oru Kinnathai Endhukindren' is an iconic song from 'Vasantha Maligai' (1972) depicting a wealthy protagonist drowning his deep psychological pain, heartbreak, and disillusionment in alcohol and sensory indulgence. Surrounding himself with wine, music, and courtly dancers, he attempts to numb his mind, yet keeps questioning the purpose of his turmoil ('Why, why, why?'). He rationalizes his indulgence by comparing himself to a crane seeking immediate gratification in the fish it catches, brushing aside societal ideas of heaven and morality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Intha kokkuikku thevai / Kooriya mookinil sikkiya meen mattumae

The protagonist compares himself to a crane ('kokku') and his immediate sensory desires to a fish ('meen') caught in its beak.

Metaphor

Inba sakaram sutruthadaa... athil naan chakaravathiyada

He visualizes his hedonistic realm as a spinning 'wheel of pleasure' (Inba sakaram) where he crowns himself as the emperor (Chakaravathi).

Iyaipu (Rhyme)

Katti mudinthathadaa… / Athil kattil amainthathada…

The lines end with matching suffixes ('-thadaa'), creating a rhythmic flow characteristic of Tamil lyrics.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Katazhaganadhor… / Katti mudinthathadaa…

The second consonant sound 'ta/t' repeats across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vasantha Maligai' (1972) features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) rendering this track for Sivaji Ganesan. The song is famous for Sivaji Ganesan's theatrical intoxication sequence and signature glass-holding dance movements, capturing both the grandeur and tragic ruin of his character Vijay.

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