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Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Kulla Nari

From Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu · 1987

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Yesudas, S. N. Surendar, Shoba Sekar
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
20 Dec 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaadu
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaadu
Adhai kondu sendra kadhai indru nammodu
Adhai kondu sendra kadhai indru nammodu
Kadhai kadhaiyaam karanamaam kaaranaththai kooranumaa
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaadu
Adhai kondu sendra kadhai indru nammodu
Kadhai kadhaiyaam karanamaam kaaranaththai kooranumaa
Kannak katti aadum aattam kannaamoochchi vilaiyaattu
Kannak katti aadum aattam kannaamoochchi vilaiyaattu
Manasakatti aadum aattam ingae aadum vilaiyaattu
Intha aattam edhuvarai pogum adhuvarai pogalaam
Idhil yaaru jeyippathu endru kadaisiyil paarkkalaam
Intha aattam edhuvarai pogum adhuvarai pogalaam
Idhil yaaru jeyippathu endru kadaisiyil paarkkalaam
{Oru kaalai vidinthu vidum
Yaavum vilangi vidum
Kaigal inainthu vidum naal kaanalaam} (2)
Paadhaigal maaralaam koodalaam
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaadu
Ellaam indru veshamaachchu ingae yaedhu manasatchi
Enathu kannai naanum namba engum illai oru satchi
Ellaam indru veshamaachchu ingae yaedhu manasatchi
Enathu kannai naanum namba engum illai oru satchi
Idhu bramman ezhuthiya vaazhkkai enum naadagam
Ingu vantha manithargal aalukkoru paaththiram
Idhu bramman ezhuthiya vaazhkkai enum naadagam
Ingu vantha manithargal aalukkoru paaththiram
{Ingu vaazhum manitharilae
Yaarthaan nadikkavillai
Vesham podavillai naan paarkkiraen} (2)
Oru kulla nari pullukkattu vellaadu
Adhai kondu sendra kadhai indru nammodu
Kadhai kadhaiyaam karanamaam kaaranaththai kooranumaa
A sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a goat
A sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a goat
The tale of taking them across is with us today
The tale of taking them across is with us today
Stories upon stories, twists upon twists—do I really need to explain the reason?
A sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a goat
The tale of taking them across is with us today
Stories upon stories, twists upon twists—do I really need to explain the reason?
The game played blindfolded is hide-and-seek
The game played blindfolded is hide-and-seek
The game played by binding hearts is what is happening here
Wherever this game goes, let us follow along
Let us see in the end who wins it
Wherever this game goes, let us follow along
Let us see in the end who wins it
A new morning will dawn
Everything will become clear
We shall see the day our hands unite
Paths may drift apart, or they may meet
A sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a goat
Everything has become a disguise today; where is anyone's conscience?
There is no proof anywhere for me to even trust my own eyes
Everything has become a disguise today; where is anyone's conscience?
There is no proof anywhere for me to even trust my own eyes
This is the play called life, written by Brahma
The people who arrive here each play a role
This is the play called life, written by Brahma
The people who arrive here each play a role
Among the people living here
Who isn't acting?
Who hasn't put on a disguise? I see it all
A sly fox, a bundle of grass, and a goat
The tale of taking them across is with us today
Stories upon stories, twists upon twists—do I really need to explain the reason?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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From the same album

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View album
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Oru Brindavanam1987
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Oru Brindavanam (Small)1987
Sattam Oru VilaiyattuTender
Nee Pirantha Podhu1987
Sattam Oru VilaiyattuDefiant

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