Oru Oorula Raja
From Vaazhai · 2024
- Lyricist
- Mari Selvaraj
- Singer
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Music director
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Details
- Vaazhai2024
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru oorula raja | Once upon a time in a town, a king |
| Oruththan irundhaanaam | There lived a certain king, they say |
| Antha raja sollura | All the stories that king tells |
| Kadhaiyellaam kanneerdhaanaam | Are nothing but tears |
| Male | |
| Oru oorula raja | Once upon a time in a town, a king |
| Oruththan irundhaanaam | There lived a certain king, they say |
| Antha raja sollura | All the stories that king tells |
| Kadhaiyellaam kanneerdhaanaam | Are nothing but tears |
| Male | |
| Avan nimirndhu paarththaa… vaanam | If he looks up... it is the sky |
| Kuniniju paarththaa …boomi | If he looks down... it is the earth |
| Idaiyil avanthaan …baaram | In between, he himself is the burden |
| Kaal nadakka nadakka neelum dhooram | As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer |
| Male | |
| Oru oorula raja | Once upon a time in a town, a king |
| Male | |
| Oorula oru kaaka iruththuchaan | In that town, there lived a crow |
| Male | |
| Kaakkaa kadha kekkumpodhu | When listening to the story of the crow |
| Yaana moonju theriyudhu | The face of an elephant appears |
| Yaana kadha kekkumpodhu | When listening to the story of the elephant |
| Poona saththam kekkudhu | The sound of a cat is heard |
| Male | |
| Ponna kadha kekkumpodhu | When listening to the story of gold and girls |
| Therunaai koraikkudhu | A stray dog barks |
| Waw! naai koraikka koraikka | Woof! As the dog keeps barking and barking |
| Waw! waw! waw! | Woof! Woof! Woof! |
| Naai koraikka waw! waw! | As the dog barks, woof! woof! |
| Male | |
| Kaakkaa kottam setharudhu | The flock of crows scatters away |
| Yaanakkoottam meraludhu | The herd of elephants gets terrified |
| Poona vandhu pirandudhu | A cat comes and scratches open |
| Soththu paana odaiyudhu | The rice pot breaks |
| Odaiyudhu odaiyudhu | It breaks, it breaks |
| Raja veettu soththuppaana | The rice pot in the king's home |
| Odaiyudhu odaiyudhu | It breaks, it breaks |
| Male | |
| Rajavukku valikkudhu | The king feels the pain |
| Kazhuththellam kanakkudhu | His neck feels heavy and weighed down |
| Kazhuththellam kanakkudhu | His neck feels heavy and weighed down |
| Thanneera kekkudhu | It asks for water |
| Kanner pongudhu… | Tears surge forth... |
| Male | |
| Antha raja sollura | All the stories that king tells |
| Kadhaiyellam kanneerdhaanaam | Are nothing but tears |
| Avan nimirndhu paarththaa.. vaanam | If he looks up... it is the sky |
| Kuniniju paarththaa… boomi | If he looks down... it is the earth |
| Idaiyil avanthaan ….baaram | In between, he himself is the burden |
| Kaal nadakka nadakka neelum dhooram | As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer |
| Male | |
| Ei innum kadha kelu | Hey, listen to more of the story |
| Namma raja kadha kelu | Listen to the story of our king |
| Ei innum kadha kelu | Hey, listen to more of the story |
| Namma raja kadha kelu | Listen to the story of our king |
| Male | |
| Komali raja | A clown king |
| Avan thindaattam poduraan | He struggles and writhes in agony |
| Oor koodi paakkumpothu | When the whole town gathers to watch |
| Kuththaattam aaduran | He performs a folk dance |
| Kuththaattam aaduran | He performs a folk dance |
| Male | |
| Antha raja sollura | All the stories that king tells |
| Kadhaiyellam kanneerdhaanaam | Are nothing but tears |
| Avan nimirndhu paarththaa.. vaanam | If he looks up... it is the sky |
| Kuniniju paarththaa… boomi | If he looks down... it is the earth |
| Idaiyil avanthaan ….baaram | In between, he himself is the burden |
| Kaal nadakka nadakka neelum dhooram | As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer |
| Male | |
| Oru oorula raja | Once upon a time in a town, a king |
| Oruththan irundhaanaam | There lived a certain king, they say |
| Male | |
| Antha raja sollura | All the stories that king tells |
| Kadhaiyellam kanneerdhaanaam | Are nothing but tears |
| Avan nimirndhu paarththaa.. vaanam | If he looks up... it is the sky |
| Kuniniju paarththaa… boomi | If he looks down... it is the earth |
| Idaiyil avanthaan ….baaram | In between, he himself is the burden |
| Kaal nadakka nadakka neelum dhooram | As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer |
| Male | |
| Aeli nee ippa | Hey Aeli, you now |
| Kanna moodi thoongu | Close your eyes and sleep |
| Raja kadha romba neelam | The king's story is far too long |
| Neeyum kannamoodi thoongu | You too close your eyes and sleep |
ஒரு ஊருல ராஜா
ஒருத்தன் இருந்தானாம்
அந்த ராஜா சொல்லுற
கதையெல்லாம் கண்ணீர்தானாம்
Once upon a time in a town, a king
There lived a certain king, they say
All the stories that king tells
Are nothing but tears
ஒரு ஊருல ராஜா
ஒருத்தன் இருந்தானாம்
அந்த ராஜா சொல்லுற
கதையெல்லாம் கண்ணீர்தானாம்
Once upon a time in a town, a king
There lived a certain king, they say
All the stories that king tells
Are nothing but tears
அவன் நிமிர்ந்து பார்த்தா வானம்
குனிஞ்சி பார்த்தா பூமி
இடையில் அவன்தான் பாரம்
கால் நடக்க நடக்க நீளும் தூரம்
If he looks up... it is the sky
If he looks down... it is the earth
In between, he himself is the burden
As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer
ஒரு ஊருல ராஜா
Once upon a time in a town, a king
ஊருல ஒரு காக்கா இருத்துச்சான்
In that town, there lived a crow
காக்கா கத கேக்கும் போது
யானை மூஞ்சு தெரியுது
யானை கதை கேட்கும்போது
பூனை சத்தம் கேக்குது
When listening to the story of the crow
The face of an elephant appears
When listening to the story of the elephant
The sound of a cat is heard
பூனை கதை கேக்கும் போது
தெருநாய் கொரைக்குது
வெளவ்! நாய் கொரைக்க கொரைக்க
வெளவ்! வெளவ்! வெளவ்!
நாய் கொரைக்க வெளவ்! வெளவ்!
When listening to the story of gold and girls
A stray dog barks
Woof! As the dog keeps barking and barking
Woof! Woof! Woof!
As the dog barks, woof! woof!
காக்கா கோட்டம் சிதறுது
யானைக்கூட்டம் மெரளுது
பூனை வந்து பிரண்டுது
சோத்து பானை உடையுது
உடையுது உடையுது
ராஜா வீட்டு சோத்துப்பான
உடையுது உடையுது
The flock of crows scatters away
The herd of elephants gets terrified
A cat comes and scratches open
The rice pot breaks
It breaks, it breaks
The rice pot in the king's home
It breaks, it breaks
ராஜாவுக்கு வலிக்குது
கழுத்தெல்லாம் கணக்குது
கழுத்தெல்லாம் கணக்குது
தண்ணீர கேக்குது
கண்ணீர் பொங்குது…
The king feels the pain
His neck feels heavy and weighed down
His neck feels heavy and weighed down
It asks for water
Tears surge forth...
அந்த ராஜா சொல்லுற
கதையெல்லாம் கண்ணீர்தானாம்
அவன் நிமிர்ந்து பார்த்தா வானம்
குனிஞ்சி பார்த்தா பூமி
இடையில் அவன்தான் பாரம்
கால் நடக்க நடக்க நீளும் தூரம்
All the stories that king tells
Are nothing but tears
If he looks up... it is the sky
If he looks down... it is the earth
In between, he himself is the burden
As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer
எய் இன்னும் கத கேளு
நம்ம ராஜா கத கேளு
எய் இன்னும் கத கேளு
நம்ம ராஜா கத கேளு
Hey, listen to more of the story
Listen to the story of our king
Hey, listen to more of the story
Listen to the story of our king
கோமாளி ராஜா
அவன் திண்டாட்டம் போடுறான்
ஊர் கூடி பாக்கும் போது
குத்தாட்டம் ஆடுறான்
குத்தாட்டம் ஆடுறான்
A clown king
He struggles and writhes in agony
When the whole town gathers to watch
He performs a folk dance
He performs a folk dance
அந்த ராஜா சொல்லுற
கதையெல்லாம் கண்ணீர்தானாம்
அவன் நிமிர்ந்து பார்த்தா வானம்
குனிஞ்சி பார்த்தா பூமி
இடையில் அவன்தான் பாரம்
கால் நடக்க நடக்க நீளும் தூரம்
All the stories that king tells
Are nothing but tears
If he looks up... it is the sky
If he looks down... it is the earth
In between, he himself is the burden
As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer
ஒரு ஊருல ராஜா
ஒருத்தன் இருந்தானாம்
Once upon a time in a town, a king
There lived a certain king, they say
அந்த ராஜா சொல்லுற
கதையெல்லாம் கண்ணீர்தானாம்
அவன் நிமிர்ந்து பார்த்தா வானம்
குனிஞ்சி பார்த்தா பூமி
இடையில் அவன்தான் பாரம்
கால் நடக்க நடக்க நீளும் தூரம்
All the stories that king tells
Are nothing but tears
If he looks up... it is the sky
If he looks down... it is the earth
In between, he himself is the burden
As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer
ஏலே நீ இப்ப கண்ண மூடி தூங்கு
ராஜா கத ரொம்ப நீளம்
நீயும் கண்ணமூடி தூங்கு
Hey Aeli, you now
Close your eyes and sleep
The king's story is far too long
You too close your eyes and sleep
Oru oorula raja
Once upon a time in a town, a king
Oruththan irundhaanaam
There lived a certain king, they say
Antha raja sollura
All the stories that king tells
Kadhaiyellaam kanneerdhaanaam
Are nothing but tears
Oru oorula raja
Once upon a time in a town, a king
Oruththan irundhaanaam
There lived a certain king, they say
Antha raja sollura
All the stories that king tells
Kadhaiyellaam kanneerdhaanaam
Are nothing but tears
Avan nimirndhu paarththaa… vaanam
If he looks up... it is the sky
Kuniniju paarththaa …boomi
If he looks down... it is the earth
Idaiyil avanthaan …baaram
In between, he himself is the burden
Kaal nadakka nadakka neelum dhooram
As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer
Oru oorula raja
Once upon a time in a town, a king
Oorula oru kaaka iruththuchaan
In that town, there lived a crow
Kaakkaa kadha kekkumpodhu
When listening to the story of the crow
Yaana moonju theriyudhu
The face of an elephant appears
Yaana kadha kekkumpodhu
When listening to the story of the elephant
Poona saththam kekkudhu
The sound of a cat is heard
Ponna kadha kekkumpodhu
When listening to the story of gold and girls
Therunaai koraikkudhu
A stray dog barks
Waw! naai koraikka koraikka
Woof! As the dog keeps barking and barking
Waw! waw! waw!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Naai koraikka waw! waw!
As the dog barks, woof! woof!
Kaakkaa kottam setharudhu
The flock of crows scatters away
Yaanakkoottam meraludhu
The herd of elephants gets terrified
Poona vandhu pirandudhu
A cat comes and scratches open
Soththu paana odaiyudhu
The rice pot breaks
Odaiyudhu odaiyudhu
It breaks, it breaks
Raja veettu soththuppaana
The rice pot in the king's home
Odaiyudhu odaiyudhu
It breaks, it breaks
Rajavukku valikkudhu
The king feels the pain
Kazhuththellam kanakkudhu
His neck feels heavy and weighed down
Kazhuththellam kanakkudhu
His neck feels heavy and weighed down
Thanneera kekkudhu
It asks for water
Kanner pongudhu…
Tears surge forth...
Antha raja sollura
All the stories that king tells
Kadhaiyellam kanneerdhaanaam
Are nothing but tears
Avan nimirndhu paarththaa.. vaanam
If he looks up... it is the sky
Kuniniju paarththaa… boomi
If he looks down... it is the earth
Idaiyil avanthaan ….baaram
In between, he himself is the burden
Kaal nadakka nadakka neelum dhooram
As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer
Ei innum kadha kelu
Hey, listen to more of the story
Namma raja kadha kelu
Listen to the story of our king
Ei innum kadha kelu
Hey, listen to more of the story
Namma raja kadha kelu
Listen to the story of our king
Komali raja
A clown king
Avan thindaattam poduraan
He struggles and writhes in agony
Oor koodi paakkumpothu
When the whole town gathers to watch
Kuththaattam aaduran
He performs a folk dance
Kuththaattam aaduran
He performs a folk dance
Antha raja sollura
All the stories that king tells
Kadhaiyellam kanneerdhaanaam
Are nothing but tears
Avan nimirndhu paarththaa.. vaanam
If he looks up... it is the sky
Kuniniju paarththaa… boomi
If he looks down... it is the earth
Idaiyil avanthaan ….baaram
In between, he himself is the burden
Kaal nadakka nadakka neelum dhooram
As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer
Oru oorula raja
Once upon a time in a town, a king
Oruththan irundhaanaam
There lived a certain king, they say
Antha raja sollura
All the stories that king tells
Kadhaiyellam kanneerdhaanaam
Are nothing but tears
Avan nimirndhu paarththaa.. vaanam
If he looks up... it is the sky
Kuniniju paarththaa… boomi
If he looks down... it is the earth
Idaiyil avanthaan ….baaram
In between, he himself is the burden
Kaal nadakka nadakka neelum dhooram
As his feet keep walking, the distance stretches longer
Aeli nee ippa
Hey Aeli, you now
Kanna moodi thoongu
Close your eyes and sleep
Raja kadha romba neelam
The king's story is far too long
Neeyum kannamoodi thoongu
You too close your eyes and sleep
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
‘Oru Oorula Raja’ from the movie 'Vaazhai' (2024), written by director Mari Selvaraj and composed/sung by Santhosh Narayanan, frames a deeply poignant story of child labor and societal oppression within the structure of a folk bedtime lullaby. The 'king' in the song is an ironic metaphor for a young boy forced into heavy manual labor—carrying massive banana bunches on his shoulder until his neck aches. What appears as a simple fable featuring crows, elephants, and dogs evolves into a tragic commentary on how a child's suffering is turned into public entertainment, with the 'clown king' forced to dance through his pain for the amusement of others.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Komali raja / Avan thindaattam poduraan”
The young laborer is metaphorically referred to as a 'clown king' (Komali raja), capturing the tragic contrast between the dignity he deserves and the mockery of his real-world plight.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kaakkaa kadha kekkumpodhu / Yaana kadha kekkumpodhu”
The second consonant sound 'k' in 'Kaakkaa' and 'Yaana' (with matching rhythm) aligns across lines to produce classical Tamil poetic rhythm.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Avan nimirndhu paarththaa… vaanam / Kuniniju paarththaa …boomi”
Juxtaposition of looking up to the sky (vaanam) and looking down to the earth (boomi) with symmetrical phrasing creates structural symmetry.
Imagery & Personification
“Kazhuththellam kanakkudhu / Thanneera kekkudhu / Kanner pongudhu…”
Evokes visceral sensory imagery of the physical toll of carrying burdens—the aching neck craving water, yet yielding only tears.
Did you know?
Trivia
Mari Selvaraj wrote the lyrics based on his own childhood experiences working in banana plantations in Southern Tamil Nadu before becoming a filmmaker. Santhosh Narayanan's haunting vocal delivery and minimalist acoustic backing emphasize the raw, folk-lullaby nature of the song, which serves as a central thematic pillar for the film 'Vaazhai'.
Keep listening