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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Koottu Kiliyaaga

From Padikathavan (1985 Film) · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Padikathavan (1985 Film)
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
2 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Paadu pan paadu
Irai theda parandhaalum
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Koodu oru koodu
Ennenna thevaigal
Annanai kelungal
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Paadu pan paadu
Irai theda parandhaalum
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Koodu oru koodu
{Sellum vazhi engengum
Pallam varalaam
Ullam edhir paaraamal
Vellam varalaam
Nermai adhu maaraamal
Dharmam adhai meeraamal
Naalum nadai podungal
Gnyanam peralaam} (2)
Sathiyathai nee kaathirunthaal
Sathiyam ungalai kaathirukkum
Thaai thandha anbukkum
Naan thandha panbukkum
Poomaalai kaathirukkum
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Paadu pan paadu
Irai theda parandhaalum
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Koodu oru koodu
{Nellin vidhai podaamal
Nellum varumaa
Vervai adhu sindhaamal
Velli panamaa
Vellai ilam chittukkal
Vettri kodi kattungal
Sorgam adhai thattungal
Vinnai thodungal} (2)
Perukku vazhvadhu
Vazhkai illai
Oorukku vazhvathill
Thozhvi illai
Aanandha kanneeril
Abishegam naan seidhen
En kannil eeram illai
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Paadu pan paadu
Irai theda parandhaalum
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Koodu oru koodu
Ennenna thevaigal
Annanai kelungal
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Paadu pan paadu
Irai theda parandhaalum
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Koodu oru koodu
Like parrots sharing one nest,
Like cuckoos in a single grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
Though you fly far searching for food,
Though you wander in different directions,
Our nest remains one and the same.
Whatever your needs are,
Just ask your elder brother.
Like parrots sharing one nest,
Like cuckoos in a single grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
Though you fly far searching for food,
Though you wander in different directions,
Our nest remains one and the same.
Wherever your path leads,
Pitfalls may appear along the way.
Without your heart expecting it,
Floods of trouble may arrive.
Without ever losing your honesty,
Without ever straying from what is right,
Keep walking ahead every day,
And you will gain true wisdom.
If you stand up and protect the truth,
Truth itself will always protect you.
For the love our mother gave,
And the values I taught you,
A garland of honor awaits.
Like parrots sharing one nest,
Like cuckoos in a single grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
Though you fly far searching for food,
Though you wander in different directions,
Our nest remains one and the same.
Without planting the seeds,
Will any harvest ever grow?
Without shedding honest sweat,
Can you earn any silver coins?
My innocent, young little sparrows,
Raise your flag of victory!
Knock upon the doors of heaven,
And reach up to touch the sky!
Living merely for fame
Is not a real life.
Living for the good of others
Will never end in defeat.
With tears of pure joy,
I have showered my blessings upon you;
There are no tears of sorrow in my eyes.
Like parrots sharing one nest,
Like cuckoos in a single grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
Though you fly far searching for food,
Though you wander in different directions,
Our nest remains one and the same.
Whatever your needs are,
Just ask your elder brother.
Like parrots sharing one nest,
Like cuckoos in a single grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
Though you fly far searching for food,
Though you wander in different directions,
Our nest remains one and the same.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

‘Oru Koottu Kiliyaaga’ from Padikathavan (1985) is an iconic Tamil song centered around fraternal devotion, ethical living, and family unity. Sung from the perspective of an affectionate older brother (played by Rajinikanth), the song addresses his younger siblings as birds raised in a shared nest. He encourages them to fly out into the world to pursue their dreams, reassuring them that their family home will always remain their steadfast sanctuary and that he will support them through every need. Throughout the song, the brother imparts crucial moral guidelines for life: adhering strictly to honesty and righteousness despite hardships, putting in honest hard work to reap success, and prioritizing community service over selfish ambition. The emotional core highlights that true triumph lies in living virtuously and caring for one another.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

“Oru koottu kiliyaaga / Oru thoppu kuyilaaga”

Compares the siblings to parrots belonging to the same nest and cuckoos sharing the same grove using the comparison suffix '-aaga' (like).

Ethugai (Second-letter Assonance)

“Nermai adhu maaraamal / Dharmam adhai meeraamal”

The second letter 'r' ('r') rhymes across consecutive lines ('Nermai' and 'Dharmam').

Ethugai (Second-letter Assonance)

“Nellin vidhai podaamal / Vervai adhu sindhaamal”

The second consonant sound 'l/r' creates a rhythmic cadence across lines.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Vettri kodi kattungal / Sorgam adhai thattungal / Vinnai thodungal”

The end sound '-ungal' repeats across line endings, creating a marching, encouraging rhythm.

Personification / Moral Ani

“Sathiyathai nee kaathirunthaal / Sathiyam ungalai kaathirukkum”

Truth (Sathiyam) is personified as a guardian entity that protects those who uphold it.

Keep listening

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Oru Thanga Rathathil1979
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Venmegam Vinnil1985
Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985 Film)FamilyBrotherhood
Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal1963
Kaanchi ThalaivanBrotherhoodFamily
Malarnthum Malaratha1961
PasamalarFamilyBrotherhood

From the same album

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