Oru Koottu Kiliyaaga
From Padikathavan (1985 Film) · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Padikathavan (1985 Film)1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru koottu kiliyaaga | Like parrots sharing the same nest, |
| Oru thoppu kuyilaaga | Like cuckoos sharing the same grove, |
| Paadu pan paadu | Sing, sing a melody! |
| Male | |
| Irai theda parandhaalum | Even if you fly far seeking food, |
| Dhisai maari thirindhaalum | Even if you wander changing directions, |
| Koodu oru koodu | The nest is just one nest! |
| Male | |
| Ennenna thevaigal | Whatever needs you may have, |
| Annanai kelungal | Ask your elder brother! |
| Male | |
| Oru koottu kiliyaaga | Like parrots sharing the same nest, |
| Oru thoppu kuyilaaga | Like cuckoos sharing the same grove, |
| Paadu pan paadu | Sing, sing a melody! |
| Male | |
| Irai theda parandhaalum | Even if you fly far seeking food, |
| Dhisai maari thirindhaalum | Even if you wander changing directions, |
| Koodu oru koodu | The nest is just one nest! |
| Male | |
| {Sellum vazhi engengum | {Everywhere along the path you travel, |
| Pallam varalaam | Pits and obstacles may appear; |
| Ullam edhir paaraamal | Unexpectedly to your mind, |
| Vellam varalaam | Floods of trouble may arrive; |
| Male | |
| Nermai adhu maaraamal | Without compromising on honesty, |
| Dharmam adhai meeraamal | Without transgressing righteousness, |
| Naalum nadai podungal | March forward every single day, |
| Gnyanam peralaam} (2) | And you shall attain wisdom!} (2) |
| Male | |
| Sathiyathai nee kaathirunthaal | If you stand up to protect truth, |
| Sathiyam ungalai kaathirukkum | Truth itself will protect you! |
| Thaai thandha anbukkum | For the love given by mother, |
| Naan thandha panbukkum | And the righteous character instilled by me, |
| Poomaalai kaathirukkum | A garland of victory awaits you! |
| Male | |
| Oru koottu kiliyaaga | Like parrots sharing the same nest, |
| Oru thoppu kuyilaaga | Like cuckoos sharing the same grove, |
| Paadu pan paadu | Sing, sing a melody! |
| Male | |
| Irai theda parandhaalum | Even if you fly far seeking food, |
| Dhisai maari thirindhaalum | Even if you wander changing directions, |
| Koodu oru koodu | The nest is just one nest! |
| Male | |
| {Nellin vidhai podaamal | {Without sowing paddy seeds, |
| Nellum varumaa | Will paddy ever grow? |
| Vervai adhu sindhaamal | Without shedding your hard sweat, |
| Velli panamaa | Will silver wealth come to you? |
| Male | |
| Vellai ilam chittukkal | Innocent young birds, |
| Vettri kodi kattungal | Hoist the flag of victory! |
| Sorgam adhai thattungal | Knock on the doors of heaven, |
| Vinnai thodungal} (2) | And touch the high sky!} (2) |
| Male | |
| Perukku vazhvadhu | Living merely for self-aggrandizement |
| Vazhkai illai | Is not a real life; |
| Oorukku vazhvathill | In living selflessly for society, |
| Thozhvi illai | There is no failure! |
| Male | |
| Aanandha kanneeril | With tears of sheer joy, |
| Abishegam naan seidhen | I have showered my blessings; |
| En kannil eeram illai | There is no sadness in my eyes! |
| Male | |
| Oru koottu kiliyaaga | Like parrots sharing the same nest, |
| Oru thoppu kuyilaaga | Like cuckoos sharing the same grove, |
| Paadu pan paadu | Sing, sing a melody! |
| Male | |
| Irai theda parandhaalum | Even if you fly far seeking food, |
| Dhisai maari thirindhaalum | Even if you wander changing directions, |
| Koodu oru koodu | The nest is just one nest! |
| Male | |
| Ennenna thevaigal | Whatever needs you may have, |
| Annanai kelungal | Ask your elder brother! |
| Male | |
| Oru koottu kiliyaaga | Like parrots sharing the same nest, |
| Oru thoppu kuyilaaga | Like cuckoos sharing the same grove, |
| Paadu pan paadu | Sing, sing a melody! |
| Male | |
| Irai theda parandhaalum | Even if you fly far seeking food, |
| Dhisai maari thirindhaalum | Even if you wander changing directions, |
| Koodu oru koodu | The nest is just one nest! |
ஒரு கூட்டு கிளியாக
ஒரு தோப்பு குயிலாக
பாடு பண் பாடு
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
இரை தேட பறந்தாலும்
திசை மாறி திரிந்தாலும்
கூடு ஒரு கூடு
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Even if you wander changing directions,
The nest is just one nest!
என்னென்ன
தேவைகள் அண்ணனை
கேளுங்கள்
Whatever needs you may have,
Ask your elder brother!
ஒரு கூட்டு கிளியாக
ஒரு தோப்பு குயிலாக
பாடு பண் பாடு
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
இரை தேட பறந்தாலும்
திசை மாறி திரிந்தாலும்
கூடு ஒரு கூடு
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Even if you wander changing directions,
The nest is just one nest!
{ செல்லும் வழி
எங்கெங்கும் பள்ளம்
வரலாம் உள்ளம்
எதிர்பாராமல் வெள்ளம்
வரலாம்
{Everywhere along the path you travel,
Pits and obstacles may appear;
Unexpectedly to your mind,
Floods of trouble may arrive;
நேர்மை அது
மாறாமல் தர்மம் அதை
மீறாமல் நாளும் நடை
போடுங்கள் ஞானம்
பெறலாம் } (2)
Without compromising on honesty,
Without transgressing righteousness,
March forward every single day,
And you shall attain wisdom!} (2)
சத்தியத்தை நீ
காத்திருந்தால் சத்தியம்
உங்களை காத்திருக்கும்
தாய் தந்த அன்புக்கும் நான்
தந்த பண்புக்கும் பூ மாலை
காத்திருக்கும்
If you stand up to protect truth,
Truth itself will protect you!
For the love given by mother,
And the righteous character instilled by me,
A garland of victory awaits you!
ஒரு கூட்டு கிளியாக
ஒரு தோப்பு குயிலாக
பாடு பண் பாடு
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
இரை தேட பறந்தாலும்
திசை மாறி திரிந்தாலும்
கூடு ஒரு கூடு
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Even if you wander changing directions,
The nest is just one nest!
{ நெல்லின் விதை
போடாமல் நெல்லும்
வருமா வேர்வை அது
சிந்தாமல் வெள்ளி பணமா
{Without sowing paddy seeds,
Will paddy ever grow?
Without shedding your hard sweat,
Will silver wealth come to you?
வெள்ளை
இளம் சிட்டுக்கள் வெற்றி
கொடி கட்டுங்கள் சொர்க்கம்
அதை தட்டுங்கள் விண்ணை
தொடுங்கள் } (2)
Innocent young birds,
Hoist the flag of victory!
Knock on the doors of heaven,
And touch the high sky!} (2)
பேருக்கு வாழ்வது
வாழ்க்கை இல்லை ஊருக்கு
வாழ்வதில் தோல்வி இல்லை
Living merely for self-aggrandizement
Is not a real life;
In living selflessly for society,
There is no failure!
ஆனந்த கண்ணீரில்
அபிஷேகம் நான் செய்தேன்
என் கண்ணில் ஈரமில்லை
With tears of sheer joy,
I have showered my blessings;
There is no sadness in my eyes!
ஒரு கூட்டு கிளியாக
ஒரு தோப்பு குயிலாக
பாடு பண் பாடு
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
இரை தேட பறந்தாலும்
திசை மாறி திரிந்தாலும்
கூடு ஒரு கூடு
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Even if you wander changing directions,
The nest is just one nest!
என்னென்ன
தேவைகள் அண்ணனை
கேளுங்கள்
Whatever needs you may have,
Ask your elder brother!
ஒரு கூட்டு கிளியாக
ஒரு தோப்பு குயிலாக
பாடு பண் பாடு
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Sing, sing a melody!
இரை தேட பறந்தாலும்
திசை மாறி திரிந்தாலும்
கூடு ஒரு கூடு
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Even if you wander changing directions,
The nest is just one nest!
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Paadu pan paadu
Sing, sing a melody!
Irai theda parandhaalum
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Even if you wander changing directions,
Koodu oru koodu
The nest is just one nest!
Ennenna thevaigal
Whatever needs you may have,
Annanai kelungal
Ask your elder brother!
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Paadu pan paadu
Sing, sing a melody!
Irai theda parandhaalum
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Even if you wander changing directions,
Koodu oru koodu
The nest is just one nest!
{Sellum vazhi engengum
{Everywhere along the path you travel,
Pallam varalaam
Pits and obstacles may appear;
Ullam edhir paaraamal
Unexpectedly to your mind,
Vellam varalaam
Floods of trouble may arrive;
Nermai adhu maaraamal
Without compromising on honesty,
Dharmam adhai meeraamal
Without transgressing righteousness,
Naalum nadai podungal
March forward every single day,
Gnyanam peralaam} (2)
And you shall attain wisdom!} (2)
Sathiyathai nee kaathirunthaal
If you stand up to protect truth,
Sathiyam ungalai kaathirukkum
Truth itself will protect you!
Thaai thandha anbukkum
For the love given by mother,
Naan thandha panbukkum
And the righteous character instilled by me,
Poomaalai kaathirukkum
A garland of victory awaits you!
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Paadu pan paadu
Sing, sing a melody!
Irai theda parandhaalum
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Even if you wander changing directions,
Koodu oru koodu
The nest is just one nest!
{Nellin vidhai podaamal
{Without sowing paddy seeds,
Nellum varumaa
Will paddy ever grow?
Vervai adhu sindhaamal
Without shedding your hard sweat,
Velli panamaa
Will silver wealth come to you?
Vellai ilam chittukkal
Innocent young birds,
Vettri kodi kattungal
Hoist the flag of victory!
Sorgam adhai thattungal
Knock on the doors of heaven,
Vinnai thodungal} (2)
And touch the high sky!} (2)
Perukku vazhvadhu
Living merely for self-aggrandizement
Vazhkai illai
Is not a real life;
Oorukku vazhvathill
In living selflessly for society,
Thozhvi illai
There is no failure!
Aanandha kanneeril
With tears of sheer joy,
Abishegam naan seidhen
I have showered my blessings;
En kannil eeram illai
There is no sadness in my eyes!
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Paadu pan paadu
Sing, sing a melody!
Irai theda parandhaalum
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Even if you wander changing directions,
Koodu oru koodu
The nest is just one nest!
Ennenna thevaigal
Whatever needs you may have,
Annanai kelungal
Ask your elder brother!
Oru koottu kiliyaaga
Like parrots sharing the same nest,
Oru thoppu kuyilaaga
Like cuckoos sharing the same grove,
Paadu pan paadu
Sing, sing a melody!
Irai theda parandhaalum
Even if you fly far seeking food,
Dhisai maari thirindhaalum
Even if you wander changing directions,
Koodu oru koodu
The nest is just one nest!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
‘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.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed as Unknown in the context header, 'Oru Koottu Kiliyaaga' was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and features memorable renditions by K. J. Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam across different versions in the movie Padikathavan (1985). Starring Rajinikanth and Sivaji Ganesan, the film was a major box-office hit, and this song remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous anthems celebrating brotherly love and moral integrity.
Keep listening
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