Oru Naal Song Lyrics – Raththam
From Raththam · 2023
- Lyricist
- Arivu
- Singer
- Kannan Narayanan
- Music directors
- Vijay Antony, Arivu
- Details
- Raththam2023
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru naal theruvil irangi | One day, walking down the street, |
| Naan nadanthaen | I was walking along. |
| En edhiril angu oru manidhan | A man appeared right in front of me there, |
| Male | |
| Iru kaigal iru kaalgal | With two hands and two legs, |
| Oru paraspara punnagaiyodu | With a mutual smile, |
| Uraiyaadida vanthaan ennodu | He approached to converse with me. |
| Male | |
| Mudhalaai un perenna | First asking, 'What is your name?' |
| Pirakaar un oorenna | Next, 'Which is your hometown?' |
| Nee yaar yaar ena kettaal | 'Who are you?' he asked. |
| Naan solli mudiththidum munbae | Before I could finish answering, |
| Avan anbai muriththaanae angae | He severed his warmth right then and there. |
| Male | |
| Naan sonna vivaraththai ketta nodi | The moment he heard the details I shared, |
| Avan ennai veruththaan andrae | He hated me that very moment. |
| Male | |
| Naan enna sonnaen | What did I say? |
| Naan yaarunnu sonnaen | I only told him who I was. |
| Verenna sonnaen | What else did I say? |
| En unmaiya sonnaen | I only spoke my truth. |
| Male | |
| Naan enna sonnaen | What did I say? |
| Naan yaarunnu sonnaen | I only told him who I was. |
| Verenna sonnaen | What else did I say? |
| En unmaiya sonnaen | I only spoke my truth. |
| Male | |
| Edhu nammai veraakki vaiththathu | What was it that set us apart? |
| Pirivu ingu yaaro vithaiththathu | Someone here has sown the seeds of division. |
| Male | |
| Edhu nammai veraakki vaiththathu | What was it that set us apart? |
| Pirivu ingu yaaro vithaiththathu | Someone here has sown the seeds of division. |
| Male | |
| Pidikkala | You didn't like it. |
| Enna yaen unakku pidikkala | Why didn't you like me? |
| Verukkura | You hate me, |
| Antha karanaththa solli tholaiyaen | Just spit out the damn reason! |
| Male | |
| Pidikkala | You didn't like it. |
| Enna yaen unakku pidikkala | Why didn't you like me? |
| Verukkura | You hate me, |
| Antha karanaththa solli tholaiyaen | Just spit out the damn reason! |
| Male | |
| Raayagaththin veethiyengum raththa aaru | A river of blood flows across the streets of Raayagam, |
| Un aanavaththai thookki pottu suttrippaaru | Cast aside your ego and look around. |
| Raththa aaru uttruppaaru | Observe this river of blood closely. |
| Male | |
| En kadhiyai | My plight, |
| Naan solla vanthaen | I came to tell. |
| Iru kannil | With eyes full |
| Kanavodu vanthaen | Of dreams, I came. |
| Male | |
| Thattu thadumaari | Stumbling and swaying, |
| Naan mela vanthu yaeri | I climbed up to overcome, |
| Naan patta anupavam | The bitter experience I endured, |
| Ippa sollaporaen story | Now I am going to tell my story. |
| Male | |
| Orunaal en theruvil | One day on my street, |
| Naan irangi nadanthaen | I walked down, |
| En edhiril angu oru manithan | A man appeared right in front of me there, |
| Nerungi vanthaan uranga sonnaan | He came close and told me to rest forever, |
| Male | |
| Nee Manushanae illa | 'You are not even a human.' |
| Male | |
| Veyilil odi | Running under the scorching sun, |
| Dhinam velai seithuthaan | Working hard every single day, |
| Thol karuththavan naan | I am a man with sun-darkened skin. |
| Male | |
| Thozhugai seithu | Offering my prayers, |
| Pin thozhilum seithu | And then performing my work, |
| Antha iraivan paalagan naan | I am a child of the Almighty God. |
| Male | |
| Paalinangal | Genders... |
| Kadhalukkul paarpathillai naan | I do not differentiate when it comes to love. |
| Neengal kuththum | The labels and stamps |
| Muththirai yaerpathillai naan | You imprint, I do not accept. |
| Male | |
| Ava pidikkala iva pidikkala | Don't like her, don't like this woman, |
| Mugam pidikkala madham pidikkala | Don't like the face, don't like the religion, |
| Mozhi pidikkala | Don't like the language, |
| Pirappu irappu padippu valarppu thinnum soru | Birth, death, education, upbringing, the food we consume, |
| Vaadaatha ooru unavu kanavu uravu ilavu | Unfading town, food, dreams, relationships, grief, |
| Desam mosam kadhal paasam sonna vaarththa pidikkala | Country, miseries, love, affection—you hate the words spoken. |
| Male | |
| Mannukkulla pogumpothum | Even when going down into the soil at death, |
| Konda veruppu pidikkala | You refuse to let go of the deep hatred you harbored. |
| Evanum marakkala evanum marakkala evanum marakkala | Nobody forgot, nobody forgot, nobody forgot. |
| Male | |
| Raayagaththin veethiyengum raththa aaru | A river of blood flows across the streets of Raayagam, |
| Un aanavaththai thookki pottu suttrippaaru | Cast aside your ego and look around. |
| Chorus | |
| ………………. | ... |
ஓரு நாள் தெருவில் இறங்கி
நான் நடந்தேன்
என் எதிரில் அங்கு ஒரு மனிதன்
One day, walking down the street,
I was walking along.
A man appeared right in front of me there,
இரு கைகள் இரு கால்கள்
ஒரு பரஸ்பர புன்னகையோடு
உரையாடிட வந்தான் என்னோடு
With two hands and two legs,
With a mutual smile,
He approached to converse with me.
முதலாய் உன் பேரென்ன
பிறகாய் உன் ஊரென்ன
நீ யார் யார் என கேட்டால்
நான் சொல்லி முடித்திடும் முன்பே
அவன் நட்பை முறித்தானே அங்கே
First asking, 'What is your name?'
Next, 'Which is your hometown?'
'Who are you?' he asked.
Before I could finish answering,
He severed his warmth right then and there.
நான் சொன்ன விவரத்தை கேட்டி நொடி
அவன் என்னை வெறுத்தான் அன்றே
The moment he heard the details I shared,
He hated me that very moment.
நான் என்ன சொன்னேன்
நான் யாருன்னு சொன்னேன்
வேறென்ன சொன்னேன்
என் உண்மைய சொன்னேன்
What did I say?
I only told him who I was.
What else did I say?
I only spoke my truth.
நான் என்ன சொன்னேன்
நான் யாருன்னு சொன்னேன்
வேறென்ன சொன்னேன்
என் உண்மைய சொன்னேன்
What did I say?
I only told him who I was.
What else did I say?
I only spoke my truth.
எது நம்மை வேறாக்கி வைத்தது
பிரிவு இங்கு யாரோ விதைத்தது
What was it that set us apart?
Someone here has sown the seeds of division.
எது நம்மை வேறாக்கி வைத்தது
பிரிவு இங்கு யாரோ விதைத்தது
What was it that set us apart?
Someone here has sown the seeds of division.
பிடிக்கல
என்ன ஏன் உனக்கு பிடிக்கல
வெறுக்குற
அந்த காரணத்த சொல்லித் தொலையேன்
You didn't like it.
Why didn't you like me?
You hate me,
Just spit out the damn reason!
பிடிக்கல
என்ன ஏன் உனக்கு பிடிக்கல
வெறுக்குற
அந்த காரணத்த சொல்லித் தொலையேன்
You didn't like it.
Why didn't you like me?
You hate me,
Just spit out the damn reason!
ராயகத்தின் வீதியெங்கும் ரத்த ஆறு
உன் ஆணவத்தை தூக்கி போட்டு சுற்றிப்பாரு
ரத்த ஆறு உற்றுப்பாரு
A river of blood flows across the streets of Raayagam,
Cast aside your ego and look around.
Observe this river of blood closely.
என் கதையை
நான் சொல்ல வந்தேன்
இரு கண்ணில்
கனேவாடு வந்தேன்
My plight,
I came to tell.
With eyes full
Of dreams, I came.
தட்டு தடுமாறி
நான் மேல வந்து ஏறி
நான் பட்ட அனுபவம்
இப்ப சொல்லப்போறேன் ஸ்டோரி
Stumbling and swaying,
I climbed up to overcome,
The bitter experience I endured,
Now I am going to tell my story.
ஒருநாள் என் தெருவில்
நான் இறங்கி நடந்தேன்
என் எதிரில் அங்கு ஒரு மனிதன்
நெருங்கி வந்தான் உறக்கக் சொன்னான்
One day on my street,
I walked down,
A man appeared right in front of me there,
He came close and told me to rest forever,
நீ மனசனே இல்ல
'You are not even a human.'
வெயிலில் ஓடி
தினம் வேலை செய்துதான்
தோல் கருத்தவன் நான்
Running under the scorching sun,
Working hard every single day,
I am a man with sun-darkened skin.
தொழுகை செய்து
பின் தொழிலும் செய்து
அந்த இறைவன் பாலகன் நான்
Offering my prayers,
And then performing my work,
I am a child of the Almighty God.
பாலினங்கள்
காதலுக்குள் பார்ப்பதில்லை நான்
நீங்கள் குத்தும்
முத்திரை ஏற்பதில்லை நான்
Genders...
I do not differentiate when it comes to love.
The labels and stamps
You imprint, I do not accept.
அவ பிடிக்கல இவ பிடிக்கல
முகம் பிடிக்கல மதம் பிடிக்கல
மொழி பிடிக்கல
பிறப்பு இறப்பு படிப்பு வளர்ப்பு தின்னும் சோறு
வாடாத ஊரு உணவு கனவு உறவு இளவு
தேசம் மோசம் காதல் பாசம் சொன்ன வார்த்த பிடிக்கல
சொல்லும் வாயும் பிடிக்கல
Don't like her, don't like this woman,
Don't like the face, don't like the religion,
Don't like the language,
Birth, death, education, upbringing, the food we consume,
Unfading town, food, dreams, relationships, grief,
Country, miseries, love, affection—you hate the words spoken.
மண்ணுக்குள்ள போகும் போதும்
கொண்ட வெறுப்பு பிடிக்கல
எவனும் மறக்கல எவனும் மறக்கல எவனும் மறக்கல
Even when going down into the soil at death,
You refuse to let go of the deep hatred you harbored.
Nobody forgot, nobody forgot, nobody forgot.
ராயகத்தின் வீதியெங்கும் ரத்த ஆறு
உன் ஆணவத்தை தூக்கி போட்டு சுற்றிப்பாரு
A river of blood flows across the streets of Raayagam,
Cast aside your ego and look around.
...................
...
Oru naal theruvil irangi
One day, walking down the street,
Naan nadanthaen
I was walking along.
En edhiril angu oru manidhan
A man appeared right in front of me there,
Iru kaigal iru kaalgal
With two hands and two legs,
Oru paraspara punnagaiyodu
With a mutual smile,
Uraiyaadida vanthaan ennodu
He approached to converse with me.
Mudhalaai un perenna
First asking, 'What is your name?'
Pirakaar un oorenna
Next, 'Which is your hometown?'
Nee yaar yaar ena kettaal
'Who are you?' he asked.
Naan solli mudiththidum munbae
Before I could finish answering,
Avan anbai muriththaanae angae
He severed his warmth right then and there.
Naan sonna vivaraththai ketta nodi
The moment he heard the details I shared,
Avan ennai veruththaan andrae
He hated me that very moment.
Naan enna sonnaen
What did I say?
Naan yaarunnu sonnaen
I only told him who I was.
Verenna sonnaen
What else did I say?
En unmaiya sonnaen
I only spoke my truth.
Naan enna sonnaen
What did I say?
Naan yaarunnu sonnaen
I only told him who I was.
Verenna sonnaen
What else did I say?
En unmaiya sonnaen
I only spoke my truth.
Edhu nammai veraakki vaiththathu
What was it that set us apart?
Pirivu ingu yaaro vithaiththathu
Someone here has sown the seeds of division.
Edhu nammai veraakki vaiththathu
What was it that set us apart?
Pirivu ingu yaaro vithaiththathu
Someone here has sown the seeds of division.
Pidikkala
You didn't like it.
Enna yaen unakku pidikkala
Why didn't you like me?
Verukkura
You hate me,
Antha karanaththa solli tholaiyaen
Just spit out the damn reason!
Pidikkala
You didn't like it.
Enna yaen unakku pidikkala
Why didn't you like me?
Verukkura
You hate me,
Antha karanaththa solli tholaiyaen
Just spit out the damn reason!
Raayagaththin veethiyengum raththa aaru
A river of blood flows across the streets of Raayagam,
Un aanavaththai thookki pottu suttrippaaru
Cast aside your ego and look around.
Raththa aaru uttruppaaru
Observe this river of blood closely.
En kadhiyai
My plight,
Naan solla vanthaen
I came to tell.
Iru kannil
With eyes full
Kanavodu vanthaen
Of dreams, I came.
Thattu thadumaari
Stumbling and swaying,
Naan mela vanthu yaeri
I climbed up to overcome,
Naan patta anupavam
The bitter experience I endured,
Ippa sollaporaen story
Now I am going to tell my story.
Orunaal en theruvil
One day on my street,
Naan irangi nadanthaen
I walked down,
En edhiril angu oru manithan
A man appeared right in front of me there,
Nerungi vanthaan uranga sonnaan
He came close and told me to rest forever,
Nee Manushanae illa
'You are not even a human.'
Veyilil odi
Running under the scorching sun,
Dhinam velai seithuthaan
Working hard every single day,
Thol karuththavan naan
I am a man with sun-darkened skin.
Thozhugai seithu
Offering my prayers,
Pin thozhilum seithu
And then performing my work,
Antha iraivan paalagan naan
I am a child of the Almighty God.
Paalinangal
Genders...
Kadhalukkul paarpathillai naan
I do not differentiate when it comes to love.
Neengal kuththum
The labels and stamps
Muththirai yaerpathillai naan
You imprint, I do not accept.
Ava pidikkala iva pidikkala
Don't like her, don't like this woman,
Mugam pidikkala madham pidikkala
Don't like the face, don't like the religion,
Mozhi pidikkala
Don't like the language,
Pirappu irappu padippu valarppu thinnum soru
Birth, death, education, upbringing, the food we consume,
Vaadaatha ooru unavu kanavu uravu ilavu
Unfading town, food, dreams, relationships, grief,
Desam mosam kadhal paasam sonna vaarththa pidikkala
Country, miseries, love, affection—you hate the words spoken.
Mannukkulla pogumpothum
Even when going down into the soil at death,
Konda veruppu pidikkala
You refuse to let go of the deep hatred you harbored.
Evanum marakkala evanum marakkala evanum marakkala
Nobody forgot, nobody forgot, nobody forgot.
Raayagaththin veethiyengum raththa aaru
A river of blood flows across the streets of Raayagam,
Un aanavaththai thookki pottu suttrippaaru
Cast aside your ego and look around.
……………….
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Raththa Aaru' from the movie 'Raththam' is a powerful socio-political commentary on deep-rooted prejudice, casteism, regional bias, and discrimination prevalent in society. The narrator describes a simple encounter on the street where two humans greet each other as equals, until identity markers—such as name, origin, religion, and caste—are revealed. Instantly, the warmth disappears and gives way to unprovoked hatred, illustrating how societal division is arbitrarily sown and nurtured.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Raayagaththin veethiyengum raththa aaru”
'Raththa aaru' (river of blood) metaphorically depicts the widespread violent consequences of communal and social prejudice.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Ava pidikkala iva pidikkala / Mugam pidikkala madham pidikkala / Mozhi pidikkala”
The repetitive ending 'pidikkala' (don't like) creates rhythmic emphasis on societal intolerance.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Naan enna sonnaen / Naan yaarunnu sonnaen / Verenna sonnaen / En unmaiya sonnaen”
The repeated interrogative lines reinforce the narrator's confusion and hurt over being hated simply for speaking the truth about his identity.
Muran (Antithesis)
“Pirappu irappu padippu valarppu”
Contrasting life milestones like birth ('Pirappu') and death ('Irappu') in quick succession to emphasize how bias spans from life to the grave.
Did you know?
Trivia
The track from 'Raththam' (2023) is penned by independent artist Arivu, known for writing sharp lyrics dealing with social equality and anti-caste themes. The movie stars Vijay Antony and is directed by C. S. Amudhan.
Keep listening