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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Kulla Nari

From Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu · 1987

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Yesudas, S. N. Surendar, Shoba Sekar
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaaduA sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a white goat...
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaaduA sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a white goat...
Adhai kondu sendra kadhai indru nammoduThe story of taking them across is with us today.
Adhai kondu sendra kadhai indru nammoduThe story of taking them across is with us today.
Kadhai kadhaiyaam karanamaam kaaranaththai kooranumaaIt is a story of stories, a cause of causes; shall I tell you the reason?
Male
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaaduA sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a white goat...
Adhai kondu sendra kadhai indru nammoduThe story of taking them across is with us today.
Kadhai kadhaiyaam karanamaam kaaranaththai kooranumaaIt is a story of stories, a cause of causes; shall I tell you the reason?
Male
Kannak katti aadum aattam kannaamoochchi vilaiyaattuA game played blindfolded is a game of hide-and-seek.
Kannak katti aadum aattam kannaamoochchi vilaiyaattuA game played blindfolded is a game of hide-and-seek.
Manasakatti aadum aattam ingae aadum vilaiyaattuA game played by binding the mind is the game being played here.
Male
Intha aattam edhuvarai pogum adhuvarai pogalaamWherever this game goes, let us go along with it.
Idhil yaaru jeyippathu endru kadaisiyil paarkkalaamLet us see in the end who emerges victorious.
Intha aattam edhuvarai pogum adhuvarai pogalaamWherever this game goes, let us go along with it.
Idhil yaaru jeyippathu endru kadaisiyil paarkkalaamLet us see in the end who emerges victorious.
Female
{Oru kaalai vidinthu vidum{A new morning will dawn,
Yaavum vilangi vidumEverything will become clear,
Kaigal inainthu vidum naal kaanalaam} (2)We shall see the day when hands unite once again} (2)
Paadhaigal maaralaam koodalaamPaths may diverge, or they may merge.
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaaduA sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a white goat...
Male
Ellaam indru veshamaachchu ingae yaedhu manasatchiEverything today has become a facade; where is conscience here?
Enathu kannai naanum namba engum illai oru satchiThere is no witness anywhere for me to even trust my own eyes.
Ellaam indru veshamaachchu ingae yaedhu manasatchiEverything today has become a facade; where is conscience here?
Enathu kannai naanum namba engum illai oru satchiThere is no witness anywhere for me to even trust my own eyes.
Male
Idhu bramman ezhuthiya vaazhkkai enum naadagamThis life is a drama scripted by Brahma, the Creator.
Ingu vantha manithargal aalukkoru paaththiramThe people who arrived here each play a distinct role.
Idhu bramman ezhuthiya vaazhkkai enum naadagamThis life is a drama scripted by Brahma, the Creator.
Ingu vantha manithargal aalukkoru paaththiramThe people who arrived here each play a distinct role.
Female
{Ingu vaazhum manitharilae{Among all the human beings living here,
Yaarthaan nadikkavillaiWho hasn't acted,
Vesham podavillai naan paarkkiraen} (2)Who hasn't worn a disguise? Let me see!} (2)
Male
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaaduA sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a white goat...
Adhai kondu sendra kadhai indru nammoduThe story of taking them across is with us today.
Kadhai kadhaiyaam karanamaam kaaranaththai kooranumaaIt is a story of stories, a cause of causes; shall I tell you the reason?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song uses the famous ancient riddle of transporting a fox, a goat, and a bundle of grass across a river as an extended metaphor for the delicate, deceptive, and complicated nature of human relationships and social conflict. The lyrics depict life as a blindfolded game of hide-and-seek where people constantly wear disguises, act out scripted roles, and betray their own conscience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory / Metaphor

Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaadu

Uses the traditional river-crossing puzzle (fox, grass, goat) as an allegory for navigating tricky life situations where every choice carries risk.

Metaphor

Idhu bramman ezhuthiya vaazhkkai enum naadagam

Compares life directly to a theatrical play written by Lord Brahma (the Creator).

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

kulla / pullu

The second letter 'lla' (ள்ள) matches between 'kulla' and 'pullu', creating a pleasing Tamil rhyme.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

manasatchi / satchi

Lines end with rhyming sound patterns ('satchi'), enhancing the musical rhythm.

Monai (Initial Letter Alliteration)

Kannak katti aadum aattam kannaamoochchi vilaiyaattu

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kannak' and 'kannaamoochchi'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu' (1987) was directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and starred Vijayakanth. The soundtrack was composed by legendary maestro M. S. Viswanathan. Interestingly, singer S. N. Surendar (who sang on this track) is actor Vijay's maternal uncle and famously dubbed voiceover for Vijayakanth across numerous hit films. Additionally, Shoba Sekar, who co-sang this track, is actor Vijay's mother.

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