Oru Naa Oru Pozhudu
From Anthimanthaarai · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Swarnalatha
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Anthimanthaarai1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Oru naa oru pozhudhu | For a day, for a single moment, |
| Un moonju kaangaama | Without seeing your face, |
| En usuru allaadudhae | My soul tosses in agony. |
| Female | |
| Oru naa oru pozhudhu | For a day, for a single moment, |
| Un moonju kaangaama | Without seeing your face, |
| En usuru allaadudhae | My soul tosses in agony. |
| Female | |
| Marunaa varum varaikkum | Until the next day arrives, |
| Pasi thookam kollaama | Losing hunger and sleep, |
| Manasu malladudhae | My heart struggles continuously. |
| Female | |
| Kaaveri nadhiyum | Even the Kaveri river |
| Rendaaga koodum | May split into two, |
| Kollidam vandhu | But arriving at Kollidam, |
| Onnaaga serum | It merges together as one. |
| Kaalathin kanakku | The calculations of time, |
| Yaar kaana koodum | Who can ever fathom? |
| Female | |
| Oru naa oru pozhudhu | For a day, for a single moment, |
| Un moonju kaangaama | Without seeing your face, |
| En usuru allaadudhae | My soul tosses in agony. |
| Female | |
| Marunaa varum varaikkum | Until the next day arrives, |
| Pasi thookam kollaama | Losing hunger and sleep, |
| Manasu malladudhae | My heart struggles continuously. |
| Female | |
| {Neenda mudi konjam | {My long hair a bit, |
| Niram maari pochu | Has changed its color, |
| Sangu kuzhiyodu | Along with the collarbone hollow, |
| Kural maari pochu} (2) | The voice has also changed} (2) |
| Female | |
| Odi vayasaachu | Time ran past and I aged, |
| Urumaari pochu | My physical form changed, |
| Odi vayasaachu | Time ran past and I aged, |
| Urumaari pochu | My physical form changed, |
| Nenapuga mattum thaanae | Only the memories |
| Maaraama irukku | Remain unchanged. |
| Female | |
| Oru naa oru pozhudhu | For a day, for a single moment, |
| Un moonju kaangaama | Without seeing your face, |
| En usuru allaadudhae | My soul tosses in agony. |
| Female | |
| Marunaa varum varaikkum | Until the next day arrives, |
| Pasi thookam kollaama | Losing hunger and sleep, |
| Manasu malladudhae | My heart struggles continuously. |
| Female | |
| {Enna suththi oru kootam | {Even when a crowd surrounds me |
| Sirikkindra podhum | Laughing and merry, |
| Unnapathi en udhadu | My lips continuously |
| Ooyaama pesum} (2) | Speak only about you without ceasing} (2) |
| Female | |
| Kaathu mazhai ethanaalum | No matter how much wind and rain lash, |
| Karaiyathu paasam | Our deep affection will not dissolve. |
| Kaathu mazhai ethanaalum | No matter how much wind and rain lash, |
| Karaiyathu paasam | Our deep affection will not dissolve. |
| Kattaiyilum vegaathu | Even on the funeral pyre, it won't burn— |
| Kai thotta vaasam | The fragrance of your touch. |
| Female | |
| Oru naa oru pozhudhu | For a day, for a single moment, |
| Un moonju kaangaama | Without seeing your face, |
| En usuru allaadudhae | My soul tosses in agony. |
| Female | |
| Marunaa varum varaikkum | Until the next day arrives, |
| Pasi thookam kollaama | Losing hunger and sleep, |
| Manasu malladudhae | My heart struggles continuously. |
| Female | |
| Kaaveri nadhiyum | Even the Kaveri river |
| Rendaaga koodum | May split into two, |
| Kollidam vandhu | But arriving at Kollidam, |
| Onnaaga serum | It merges together as one. |
| Kaalathin kanakku | The calculations of time, |
| Yaar kaana koodum | Who can ever fathom? |
| Female | |
| Oru naa oru pozhudhu | For a day, for a single moment, |
| Un moonju kaangaama | Without seeing your face, |
| En usuru allaadudhae | My soul tosses in agony. |
| Female | |
| Marunaa varum varaikkum | Until the next day arrives, |
| Pasi thookam kollaama | Losing hunger and sleep, |
| Manasu malladudhae | My heart struggles continuously. |
ஒரு நா ஒரு பொழுது
ஒன் மூஞ்சு காங்காம
என் உசுரு அல்லாடுதே
For a day, for a single moment,
Without seeing your face,
My soul tosses in agony.
ஒரு நா ஒரு பொழுது
ஒன் மூஞ்சு காங்காம
என் உசுரு அல்லாடுதே
For a day, for a single moment,
Without seeing your face,
My soul tosses in agony.
மறு நா வரும் வரைக்கும்
பசி தூக்கம் கொள்ளாம
மனசு மல்லாடுதே
Until the next day arrives,
Losing hunger and sleep,
My heart struggles continuously.
காவிரி நதியும்
ரெண்டாகக் கூடும்
கொள்ளிடம் வந்து
ஒன்னாகச் சேரும்
காலத்தின் கணக்கு
யார் காணக் கூடும்
Even the Kaveri river
May split into two,
But arriving at Kollidam,
It merges together as one.
The calculations of time,
Who can ever fathom?
ஒரு நா ஒரு பொழுது
ஒன் மூஞ்சு காங்காம
என் உசுரு அல்லாடுதே
For a day, for a single moment,
Without seeing your face,
My soul tosses in agony.
மறு நா வரும் வரைக்கும்
பசி தூக்கம் கொள்ளாம
மனசு மல்லாடுதே
Until the next day arrives,
Losing hunger and sleep,
My heart struggles continuously.
{நீண்ட முடி கொஞ்சம்
நிறம் மாறிப் போச்சு
சங்கு குழியோடு
குரல் மாறிப் போச்சு} (2)
{My long hair a bit,
Has changed its color,
Along with the collarbone hollow,
The voice has also changed} (2)
ஓடி வயசாச்சு
உரு மாறிப் போச்சு
ஓடி வயசாச்சு
உரு மாறிப் போச்சு
நெனப்புக மட்டும்தானே
மாறாம இருக்கு
Time ran past and I aged,
My physical form changed,
Time ran past and I aged,
My physical form changed,
Only the memories
Remain unchanged.
ஒரு நா ஒரு பொழுது
ஒன் மூஞ்சு காங்காம
என் உசுரு அல்லாடுதே
For a day, for a single moment,
Without seeing your face,
My soul tosses in agony.
மறு நா வரும் வரைக்கும்
பசி தூக்கம் கொள்ளாம
மனசு மல்லாடுதே
Until the next day arrives,
Losing hunger and sleep,
My heart struggles continuously.
{என்ன சுத்தி ஒரு கூட்டம்
சிரிக்கின்ற போதும்
உன்னப் பத்தி என் உதடு
ஓயாம பேசும்} (2)
{Even when a crowd surrounds me
Laughing and merry,
My lips continuously
Speak only about you without ceasing} (2)
காத்து மழை எதனாலும்
கரையாது பாசம்
காத்து மழை எதனாலும்
கரையாது பாசம்
கட்டையிலும் வேகாது
கை தொட்ட வாசம்
No matter how much wind and rain lash,
Our deep affection will not dissolve.
No matter how much wind and rain lash,
Our deep affection will not dissolve.
Even on the funeral pyre, it won't burn—
The fragrance of your touch.
ஒரு நா ஒரு பொழுது
ஒன் மூஞ்சு காங்காம
என் உசுரு அல்லாடுதே
For a day, for a single moment,
Without seeing your face,
My soul tosses in agony.
மறு நா வரும் வரைக்கும்
பசி தூக்கம் கொள்ளாம
மனசு மல்லாடுதே
Until the next day arrives,
Losing hunger and sleep,
My heart struggles continuously.
காவிரி நதியும்
ரெண்டாகக் கூடும்
கொள்ளிடம் வந்து
ஒன்னாகச் சேரும்
காலத்தின் கணக்கு
யார் காணக் கூடும்
Even the Kaveri river
May split into two,
But arriving at Kollidam,
It merges together as one.
The calculations of time,
Who can ever fathom?
ஒரு நா ஒரு பொழுது
ஒன் மூஞ்சு காங்காம
என் உசுரு அல்லாடுதே
For a day, for a single moment,
Without seeing your face,
My soul tosses in agony.
மறு நா வரும் வரைக்கும்
பசி தூக்கம் கொள்ளாம
மனசு மல்லாடுதே
Until the next day arrives,
Losing hunger and sleep,
My heart struggles continuously.
Oru naa oru pozhudhu
For a day, for a single moment,
Un moonju kaangaama
Without seeing your face,
En usuru allaadudhae
My soul tosses in agony.
Oru naa oru pozhudhu
For a day, for a single moment,
Un moonju kaangaama
Without seeing your face,
En usuru allaadudhae
My soul tosses in agony.
Marunaa varum varaikkum
Until the next day arrives,
Pasi thookam kollaama
Losing hunger and sleep,
Manasu malladudhae
My heart struggles continuously.
Kaaveri nadhiyum
Even the Kaveri river
Rendaaga koodum
May split into two,
Kollidam vandhu
But arriving at Kollidam,
Onnaaga serum
It merges together as one.
Kaalathin kanakku
The calculations of time,
Yaar kaana koodum
Who can ever fathom?
Oru naa oru pozhudhu
For a day, for a single moment,
Un moonju kaangaama
Without seeing your face,
En usuru allaadudhae
My soul tosses in agony.
Marunaa varum varaikkum
Until the next day arrives,
Pasi thookam kollaama
Losing hunger and sleep,
Manasu malladudhae
My heart struggles continuously.
{Neenda mudi konjam
{My long hair a bit,
Niram maari pochu
Has changed its color,
Sangu kuzhiyodu
Along with the collarbone hollow,
Kural maari pochu} (2)
The voice has also changed} (2)
Odi vayasaachu
Time ran past and I aged,
Urumaari pochu
My physical form changed,
Odi vayasaachu
Time ran past and I aged,
Urumaari pochu
My physical form changed,
Nenapuga mattum thaanae
Only the memories
Maaraama irukku
Remain unchanged.
Oru naa oru pozhudhu
For a day, for a single moment,
Un moonju kaangaama
Without seeing your face,
En usuru allaadudhae
My soul tosses in agony.
Marunaa varum varaikkum
Until the next day arrives,
Pasi thookam kollaama
Losing hunger and sleep,
Manasu malladudhae
My heart struggles continuously.
{Enna suththi oru kootam
{Even when a crowd surrounds me
Sirikkindra podhum
Laughing and merry,
Unnapathi en udhadu
My lips continuously
Ooyaama pesum} (2)
Speak only about you without ceasing} (2)
Kaathu mazhai ethanaalum
No matter how much wind and rain lash,
Karaiyathu paasam
Our deep affection will not dissolve.
Kaathu mazhai ethanaalum
No matter how much wind and rain lash,
Karaiyathu paasam
Our deep affection will not dissolve.
Kattaiyilum vegaathu
Even on the funeral pyre, it won't burn—
Kai thotta vaasam
The fragrance of your touch.
Oru naa oru pozhudhu
For a day, for a single moment,
Un moonju kaangaama
Without seeing your face,
En usuru allaadudhae
My soul tosses in agony.
Marunaa varum varaikkum
Until the next day arrives,
Pasi thookam kollaama
Losing hunger and sleep,
Manasu malladudhae
My heart struggles continuously.
Kaaveri nadhiyum
Even the Kaveri river
Rendaaga koodum
May split into two,
Kollidam vandhu
But arriving at Kollidam,
Onnaaga serum
It merges together as one.
Kaalathin kanakku
The calculations of time,
Yaar kaana koodum
Who can ever fathom?
Oru naa oru pozhudhu
For a day, for a single moment,
Un moonju kaangaama
Without seeing your face,
En usuru allaadudhae
My soul tosses in agony.
Marunaa varum varaikkum
Until the next day arrives,
Pasi thookam kollaama
Losing hunger and sleep,
Manasu malladudhae
My heart struggles continuously.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Oru Naa Oru Pozhudhu' from 'Anthimanthaarai' (1996) is a poignant Tamil song that expresses timeless love, deep emotional longing, and the enduring nature of human connection across aging and separation. The protagonist grieves how even a single day without seeing their loved one causes intense restlessness, hungerless days, and sleepless nights. The lyrics capture the physical toll of time—greying hair, a fading voice, and an aging body—contrasted sharply against memories and affection that remain completely unblemished and permanent. Vairamuthu uses powerful metaphors rooted in Tamil culture and geography, such as the river Kaveri splitting and reuniting at Kollidam, symbolizing how lovers who are separated by circumstances are ultimately reunited by fate. The song concludes with the poetic declaration that even death and the flames of the funeral pyre cannot destroy the eternal scent of a beloved's touch, emphasizing a love that transcends mortality.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Uvamai
“Kaaveri nadhiyum Rendaaga koodum Kollidam vandhu Onnaaga serum”
Compares the life separation and eventual reunion of separated lovers to the Kaveri river splitting into branches and merging back together at Kollidam.
Hyperbole / Uyirvu Navirchi Ani
“Kattaiyilum vegaathu Kai thotta vaasam”
Exaggerates the permanence of love by stating that even the heat of the funeral pyre ('kattai') cannot burn away the touch and memory of the beloved.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Odi vayasaachu / Urumaari pochu”
The lines end with similar sounding ending syllables ('aachu' and 'pochu'), creating a rhythmic cadence.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaaveri nadhiyum / Kaalathin kanakku”
The starting consonants of the first words in these structural lines share the initial 'Kaa' sound.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Anthimanthaarai' (1996), directed by Bharathiraja and starring Vijayakumar and Jayasudha, featured a musical score composed by A. R. Rahman. The song 'Oru Naa Oru Pozhudhu' was sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and Krishnaraj (with Swarnalatha in versions), showcasing traditional folk sentimentality mixed with classical phrasing. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.
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