Oru Kodiyaal Onnu
From Bairavi · 1978
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Bairavi1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Oru kodiyaal onnu | One among ten million, |
| Odi vaaraa raamaa | Comes running, O Raama! |
| Kaathadikkum neram thoothunadhu laabam | Winnowing while the wind blows brings profit, |
| Laabamadaa saami | It is indeed a profit, my lord! |
| Female | |
| Yaetham yerachi | Having drawn water with the picottah, |
| Kaathu kedakken | I am lying in wait. |
| Paakkura kannu pakkathil illae | The eyes that look at me are not nearby. |
| Sandhanam vandhaachu | Sandal paste has arrived, |
| Kungumam vandhaachu | Vermilion has arrived, |
| En saamiyum varaadho… hoi | Won't my lord come too... oh! |
| Enna thaedi | Searching for me? |
| Female | |
| Thaiyum porandhaa | When the auspicious month of Thai is born, |
| Pongalum undu | There will be Pongal, |
| Mangalam undu | There will be auspiciousness, |
| Kottu muzhakku | The beating of drums, |
| Vethala thattu oorvalam undu | And a grand procession with betel leaf trays! |
| Chorus | |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Female | |
| {Aathula neerottam | Water flows in the river, |
| Ana muzhukka vellam | Floods cover the entire dam, |
| Akkaraiyil nee irukka | While you are on the other shore, |
| Ala modhum ullam} (2) | My heart churns like restless waves. |
| Female | |
| Nithiraiyum kollaama | Without even sleeping, |
| Kaathirukken thangam | I am waiting, my darling gold, |
| Ikkaraikku nee vandhaa | If you come to this shore, |
| Indha meenu thullum | This fish will leap with joy! |
| Enga poyi paappen | Where shall I go look for you? |
| Naan enna solli keppen | What shall I ask, and to whom? |
| En saamiyum varaadho… hoi | Won't my lord come too... oh! |
| Enna thaedi | Searching for me? |
| Female | |
| Yaetham yerachi | Having drawn water with the picottah, |
| Kaathu kedakken | I am lying in wait. |
| Paakkura kannu pakkathil illae | The eyes that look at me are not nearby. |
| Sandhanam vandhaachu | Sandal paste has arrived, |
| Kungumam vandhaachu | Vermilion has arrived, |
| En saamiyum varaadho… hoi | Won't my lord come too... oh! |
| Enna thaedi | Searching for me? |
| Chorus | |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Female | |
| Kuthu vilakkeriyum | An oil lamp burns bright, |
| Koodamadhu onnu | In a traditional hall, |
| Koodathin naduvinilae | In the middle of that hall, |
| Pulambudhoru ponnu | A young girl laments, |
| Aasa vecha naal mudhalaa | Ever since the day I fell in love, |
| Thudikkudhaiyaa kannu | My eye twitches with longing! |
| Adikkadi vaasalilae | Frequently at the doorway, |
| Thaedudhaiyaa ninnu | It stands and searches for you! |
| Female | |
| Raa pagalaa thavichen | Day and night I suffered, |
| Naan ragasiyathil thudichaen | I twitched and ached in secret, |
| Raa pagalaa thavichen | Day and night I suffered, |
| Naan ragasiyathil thudichaen | I twitched and ached in secret. |
| En saamiyum vandhaachu… hoi | My lord has finally arrived... oh! |
| Enna thaedi | Searching for me! |
| Chorus | |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
| Thandhana thaanaa | Thandhana thaanaa |
ஒரு கொடியால் ஒன்னு.....
ஓடி வாடா ராமா
காத்தடிக்கும் நேரம் தூத்தினது லாபம்
லாபமடா சாமி......
One among ten million,
Comes running, O Raama!
Winnowing while the wind blows brings profit,
It is indeed a profit, my lord!
ஏத்தம் எறைச்சி
காத்துக் கெடக்கேன்
பாக்குற கண்ணு பக்கத்தில் இல்லே
சந்தனம் வந்தாச்சு
குங்குமம் வந்தாச்சு
என் சாமியும் வாராதோ....ஓ.....ஹோய்
என்னைத் தேடி.......
Having drawn water with the picottah,
I am lying in wait.
The eyes that look at me are not nearby.
Sandal paste has arrived,
Vermilion has arrived,
Won't my lord come too... oh!
Searching for me?
தையும் பொறந்தா
பொங்கலும் உண்டு
மங்கலம் உண்டு
கொட்டு முழக்கு
வெத்திலைத் தட்டு
ஊர்வலம் உண்டு
When the auspicious month of Thai is born,
There will be Pongal,
There will be auspiciousness,
The beating of drums,
And a grand procession with betel leaf trays!
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
{ஆத்தில நீரோட்டம்
அணை முழுக்க வெள்ளம்
அக்கரையில் நீயிருக்க
அலைமோதும் உள்ளம்} (2)
Water flows in the river,
Floods cover the entire dam,
While you are on the other shore,
My heart churns like restless waves.
நித்திரையும் கொள்ளாம
காத்திருக்கேன் தங்கம்
இக்கரைக்கு நீ வந்தால்
இந்த மீனு துள்ளும்
எங்கப் போயிப் பாப்பேன்
நான் என்ன சொல்லிக் கேப்பேன்
எஞ்சாமியும் வாராதோ...ஓ.....ஹோய்
என்னைத் தேடி.......
Without even sleeping,
I am waiting, my darling gold,
If you come to this shore,
This fish will leap with joy!
Where shall I go look for you?
What shall I ask, and to whom?
Won't my lord come too... oh!
Searching for me?
ஏத்தம் எறைச்சி
காத்துக் கெடக்கேன்
பாக்குற கண்ணு பக்கத்தில் இல்லே
சந்தனம் வந்தாச்சு
குங்குமம் வந்தாச்சு
என் சாமியும் வாராதோ...ஓ....ஹோய்
என்னைத் தேடி.......
Having drawn water with the picottah,
I am lying in wait.
The eyes that look at me are not nearby.
Sandal paste has arrived,
Vermilion has arrived,
Won't my lord come too... oh!
Searching for me?
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
குத்து விளக்கெரியும்
கூடமது ஒண்ணு
கூடத்து நடுவினிலே
புலம்புதொரு பொண்ணு
ஆசை வச்ச நாள் முதலாய்
துடிக்குதய்யா கண்ணு
அடிக்கடி வாசலிலே
தேடுதய்யா நின்னு
An oil lamp burns bright,
In a traditional hall,
In the middle of that hall,
A young girl laments,
Ever since the day I fell in love,
My eye twitches with longing!
Frequently at the doorway,
It stands and searches for you!
ராப்பகலாய் தவிச்சேன்
நான் ரகசியத்தில் துடிச்சேன்
ராப்பகலாய் தவிச்சேன்
நான் ரகசியத்தில் துடிச்சேன்
என் சாமியும் வந்தாச்சு.....ஹோய்
என்ன தேடி
Day and night I suffered,
I twitched and ached in secret,
Day and night I suffered,
I twitched and ached in secret.
My lord has finally arrived... oh!
Searching for me!
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
தந்தன தானா
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Oru kodiyaal onnu
One among ten million,
Odi vaaraa raamaa
Comes running, O Raama!
Kaathadikkum neram thoothunadhu laabam
Winnowing while the wind blows brings profit,
Laabamadaa saami
It is indeed a profit, my lord!
Yaetham yerachi
Having drawn water with the picottah,
Kaathu kedakken
I am lying in wait.
Paakkura kannu pakkathil illae
The eyes that look at me are not nearby.
Sandhanam vandhaachu
Sandal paste has arrived,
Kungumam vandhaachu
Vermilion has arrived,
En saamiyum varaadho… hoi
Won't my lord come too... oh!
Enna thaedi
Searching for me?
Thaiyum porandhaa
When the auspicious month of Thai is born,
Pongalum undu
There will be Pongal,
Mangalam undu
There will be auspiciousness,
Kottu muzhakku
The beating of drums,
Vethala thattu oorvalam undu
And a grand procession with betel leaf trays!
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
{Aathula neerottam
Water flows in the river,
Ana muzhukka vellam
Floods cover the entire dam,
Akkaraiyil nee irukka
While you are on the other shore,
Ala modhum ullam} (2)
My heart churns like restless waves.
Nithiraiyum kollaama
Without even sleeping,
Kaathirukken thangam
I am waiting, my darling gold,
Ikkaraikku nee vandhaa
If you come to this shore,
Indha meenu thullum
This fish will leap with joy!
Enga poyi paappen
Where shall I go look for you?
Naan enna solli keppen
What shall I ask, and to whom?
En saamiyum varaadho… hoi
Won't my lord come too... oh!
Enna thaedi
Searching for me?
Yaetham yerachi
Having drawn water with the picottah,
Kaathu kedakken
I am lying in wait.
Paakkura kannu pakkathil illae
The eyes that look at me are not nearby.
Sandhanam vandhaachu
Sandal paste has arrived,
Kungumam vandhaachu
Vermilion has arrived,
En saamiyum varaadho… hoi
Won't my lord come too... oh!
Enna thaedi
Searching for me?
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Kuthu vilakkeriyum
An oil lamp burns bright,
Koodamadhu onnu
In a traditional hall,
Koodathin naduvinilae
In the middle of that hall,
Pulambudhoru ponnu
A young girl laments,
Aasa vecha naal mudhalaa
Ever since the day I fell in love,
Thudikkudhaiyaa kannu
My eye twitches with longing!
Adikkadi vaasalilae
Frequently at the doorway,
Thaedudhaiyaa ninnu
It stands and searches for you!
Raa pagalaa thavichen
Day and night I suffered,
Naan ragasiyathil thudichaen
I twitched and ached in secret,
Raa pagalaa thavichen
Day and night I suffered,
Naan ragasiyathil thudichaen
I twitched and ached in secret.
En saamiyum vandhaachu… hoi
My lord has finally arrived... oh!
Enna thaedi
Searching for me!
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Thandhana thaanaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This folk-style romantic song from 'Bairavi' (1978) expresses the intense longing, playful anticipation, and emotional arc of a village woman waiting for her beloved ('saami'). Using evocative rural imagery—such as winnowing grain in the wind, drawing water with an irrigation picottah ('yaetham'), and watching a flooded river—the lyricist Kannadasan grounds her personal passion in the rhythms of agricultural life and traditional Tamil rituals like the festival month of Thai, sandalwood, kumkum, and marriage processions. The emotional progression shifts from anxious solitude and sleepless nights—symbolized by a burning oil lamp and a churning heart separated across the river—to ultimate joy and fulfillment when her lover finally arrives seeking her out, resolving her secret torment into celebration.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Proverb / Idiomatic Usage (Pazhamozhi)
“Kaathadikkum neram thoothunadhu laabam”
Refers to the famous Tamil proverb 'Kaatruள்ள pothe thoothikol' (Winnow while the wind blows / Make hay while the sun shines), applying agricultural wisdom to seize love's opportune moments.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Indha meenu thullum”
The heroine metaphorically compares herself (or her heart) to a fish leaping joyfully in water once her lover crosses the river to join her.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Thaiyum porandhaa / Pongalum undu / Mangalam undu”
The repeating end sound 'undu' creates a rhythmic cadence celebrating upcoming auspicious events.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Sandhanam vandhaachu / Kungumam vandhaachu”
The second consonant sounds rhyme in traditional Tamil verse, lending musicality to the folk rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Bairavi' (1978) is a landmark film in Tamil cinema history as it marked Rajinikanth's debut as a solo lead hero, leading distributor M. Kalaignanam to give him the iconic title 'Superstar'. The movie's music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring lyrics written by the legendary poet laureate Kannadasan.
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