Oru Thendral
From Pudhumai Penn · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pudhumai Penn1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aaa…..aa…..aa….aa….aaa…. | Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa… |
| Aa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa…..aaa….. | Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa… |
| Aa…..aaa……aa…..aa……aa….aaa…. | Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa… |
| Male | |
| Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae | Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm! |
| Oo….oru deivam padi thaandi varumae | Oh, a deity will step across the threshold! |
| Male | |
| Kaala devanin | Of the God of Time, |
| Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathey | The boundaries of righteousness are changing! |
| Chorus :Aa…. | Chorus: Aa… |
| Male :Kaala devanin | Male: Of the God of Time, |
| Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathey | The boundaries of righteousness are changing! |
| Chorus :Aa…. | Chorus: Aa… |
| Male | |
| Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae | Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm! |
| Male | |
| Adukkalai thudaippathum | Cleaning the kitchen, |
| Padukkaiyai virippathu | And spreading out the bed, |
| Adhu pennin thozhil illaiyae | Is not the only duty of a woman! |
| Sariththiram padaikkavum | To create history, |
| Tharithiram thudaikkavum | And to wipe away poverty, |
| Varuvathil pizhai illaiyae | There is no wrong in her stepping out! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa | Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa |
| Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa…. | Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa… |
| Male | |
| Adukkalai thudaippathum | Cleaning the kitchen, |
| Padukkaiyai virippathu | And spreading out the bed, |
| Adhu pennin thozhil illaiyae | Is not the only duty of a woman! |
| Sariththiram padaikkavum | To create history, |
| Tharithiram thudaikkavum | And to wipe away poverty, |
| Varuvathil pizhai illaiyae | There is no wrong in her stepping out! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa | Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa |
| Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa…. | Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa… |
| Male | |
| Suttrum enna sonnalum | Whatever the world around her may say, |
| Thooimai oondruthaan sontham | Purity alone is her true essence. |
| Kaval kaakum ennaalum | Guarding her forever, |
| Karpu ennam theeppantham | Is her virtue, like a flaming torch! |
| Iravum pagalum viyarvai vazhiya | Day and night, as sweat trickles down, |
| Karaikirathae raththam…..mmm… | Her very blood dissolves away… mmm… |
| Chorus : Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa | Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa |
| Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa…. | Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa… |
| Male | |
| Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae | Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm! |
| Oo….oru deivam padi thaandi varumae | Oh, a deity will step across the threshold! |
| Male | |
| Kaala devanin | Of the God of Time, |
| Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathae | The boundaries of righteousness are changing! |
| Chorus :Aa…… | Chorus: Aa… |
| Male :Kaala devanin | Male: Of the God of Time, |
| Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathae | The boundaries of righteousness are changing! |
| Chorus :Aa…… | Chorus: Aa… |
| Male | |
| Nilavinil irugindra kalangaththai | The spot that exists upon the moon, |
| Ivalthu peruviral thudaiththu vidum | Her thumb will wipe away! |
| Pudhuyuga magal ival | This daughter of the modern era, |
| Anigindra valaiyalagal | The bangles that she wears, |
| Siraigalai udaiththu vidum | Will break open the prison bars! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa | Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa |
| Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa…. | Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa… |
| Male | |
| Nilavinil irugindra kalangaththai | The spot that exists upon the moon, |
| Ivalthu peruviral thudaiththu vidum | Her thumb will wipe away! |
| Pudhuyuga magal ival | This daughter of the modern era, |
| Anigindra valaiyalagal | The bangles that she wears, |
| Siraigalai udaiththu vidum | Will break open the prison bars! |
| Chorus :Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa | Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa |
| Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa…. | Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa… |
| Male | |
| Parijaadha poombaavai paadhiyaagi ponaalae | This delicate Parijaatha flower-like maiden has been broken in half, |
| Thegam engum punnaagi | Her entire body covered in wounds, |
| Thedhi pola theinthaalae | Worn down like the passing dates on a calendar! |
| Sediyai pirintha piragum | Even after being separated from the plant, |
| Sedikku uyir tharuthe poovey | This flower gives life back to the plant itself! |
| Male | |
| Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae | Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm! |
| Oo….oru deivam padi thaandi varumae | Oh, a deity will step across the threshold! |
| Male | |
| {Kaala devanin | {Of the God of Time, |
| Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathae | The boundaries of righteousness are changing! |
| Chorus :Aa…… | Chorus: Aa… |
| Male :Kaala devanin | Male: Of the God of Time, |
| Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathae | The boundaries of righteousness are changing! |
| Chorus :Aa……} (2) | Chorus: Aa…} (2) |
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ......
அ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
அ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
ஓ......ஒரு தென்றல் புயலாகி வருமே
ஓ.......ஒரு தெய்வம் படி தாண்டி வருமே
Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm!
Oh, a deity will step across the threshold!
கால தேவனின்
தர்ம எல்லைகள் மாறுகின்றதே
குழு :
ஆ.....
கால தேவனின்
தர்ம எல்லைகள் மாறுகின்றதே
குழு :
ஆ.....
Of the God of Time,
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus: Aa…
Male: Of the God of Time,
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus: Aa…
ஓ......ஒரு தென்றல் புயலாகி வருமே.....
Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm!
அடுக்களை துடைப்பதும்
படுக்கையை விரிப்பதும்
அது பெண்ணின் தொழில் இல்லையே
சரித்திரம் படைக்கவும்
தரித்திரம் துடைக்கவும்
வருவதில் பிழை இல்லையே.....
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ......
அ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
Cleaning the kitchen,
And spreading out the bed,
Is not the only duty of a woman!
To create history,
And to wipe away poverty,
There is no wrong in her stepping out!
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
அடுக்களை துடைப்பதும்
படுக்கையை விரிப்பதும்
அது பெண்ணின் தொழில் இல்லையே
சரித்திரம் படைக்கவும்
தரித்திரம் துடைக்கவும்
வருவதில் பிழை இல்லையே.....
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ......
அ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
Cleaning the kitchen,
And spreading out the bed,
Is not the only duty of a woman!
To create history,
And to wipe away poverty,
There is no wrong in her stepping out!
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
சுற்றம் என்ன சொன்னாலும்
தூய்மை ஒன்றுதான் சொந்தம்
காவல் காக்கும் எந்நாளும்
கற்பு என்னும் தீப்பந்தம்
இரவும் பகலும் வியர்வை வழிய
கரைகிறதே ரத்தம்........ம்ம்ம்....
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ......
அ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
Whatever the world around her may say,
Purity alone is her true essence.
Guarding her forever,
Is her virtue, like a flaming torch!
Day and night, as sweat trickles down,
Her very blood dissolves away… mmm…
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
ஓ......ஒரு தென்றல் புயலாகி வருமே.....ஏ...
ஓ.......ஒரு தெய்வம் படி தாண்டி வருமே
Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm!
Oh, a deity will step across the threshold!
கால தேவனின்
தர்ம எல்லைகள் மாறுகின்றதே
குழு :
ஆ.....
கால தேவனின்
தர்ம எல்லைகள் மாறுகின்றதே
குழு :
ஆ.....
Of the God of Time,
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus: Aa…
Male: Of the God of Time,
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus: Aa…
நிலவினில் இருக்கின்ற களங்கத்தை
இவளது பெருவிரல் துடைத்து விடும்
புதுயுக மகள் இவள்
அணிகின்ற வளையல்கள்
சிறைகளை உடைத்து விடும்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ......
அ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
The spot that exists upon the moon,
Her thumb will wipe away!
This daughter of the modern era,
The bangles that she wears,
Will break open the prison bars!
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
நிலவினில் இருக்கின்ற களங்கத்தை
இவளது பெருவிரல் துடைத்து விடும்
புதுயுக மகள் இவள்
அணிகின்ற வளையல்கள்
சிறைகளை உடைத்து விடும்
குழு :
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ......
அ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
The spot that exists upon the moon,
Her thumb will wipe away!
This daughter of the modern era,
The bangles that she wears,
Will break open the prison bars!
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
பாரிஜாத பூம்பாவை பாதியாகி போனாளே
தேகம் எங்கும் புண்ணாகி
தேதி போல தேய்ந்தாளே
செடியை பிரிந்த பிறகும்
செடிக்கு உயிர் தருதே பூவே....
This delicate Parijaatha flower-like maiden has been broken in half,
Her entire body covered in wounds,
Worn down like the passing dates on a calendar!
Even after being separated from the plant,
This flower gives life back to the plant itself!
ஓ......ஒரு தென்றல் புயலாகி வருமே.....ஏ...
ஓ.......ஒரு தெய்வம் படி தாண்டி வருமே
Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm!
Oh, a deity will step across the threshold!
{கால தேவனின்
தர்ம எல்லைகள் மாறுகின்றதே
குழு :
ஆ.....
கால தேவனின்
தர்ம எல்லைகள் மாறுகின்றதே
குழு :
ஆ.....} (2)
{Of the God of Time,
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus: Aa…
Male: Of the God of Time,
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus: Aa…} (2)
Aaa…..aa…..aa….aa….aaa….
Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Aa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa…..aaa…..
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Aa…..aaa……aa…..aa……aa….aaa….
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae
Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm!
Oo….oru deivam padi thaandi varumae
Oh, a deity will step across the threshold!
Kaala devanin
Of the God of Time,
Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathey
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus :Aa….
Chorus: Aa…
Male :Kaala devanin
Male: Of the God of Time,
Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathey
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus :Aa….
Chorus: Aa…
Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae
Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm!
Adukkalai thudaippathum
Cleaning the kitchen,
Padukkaiyai virippathu
And spreading out the bed,
Adhu pennin thozhil illaiyae
Is not the only duty of a woman!
Sariththiram padaikkavum
To create history,
Tharithiram thudaikkavum
And to wipe away poverty,
Varuvathil pizhai illaiyae
There is no wrong in her stepping out!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Adukkalai thudaippathum
Cleaning the kitchen,
Padukkaiyai virippathu
And spreading out the bed,
Adhu pennin thozhil illaiyae
Is not the only duty of a woman!
Sariththiram padaikkavum
To create history,
Tharithiram thudaikkavum
And to wipe away poverty,
Varuvathil pizhai illaiyae
There is no wrong in her stepping out!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Suttrum enna sonnalum
Whatever the world around her may say,
Thooimai oondruthaan sontham
Purity alone is her true essence.
Kaval kaakum ennaalum
Guarding her forever,
Karpu ennam theeppantham
Is her virtue, like a flaming torch!
Iravum pagalum viyarvai vazhiya
Day and night, as sweat trickles down,
Karaikirathae raththam…..mmm…
Her very blood dissolves away… mmm…
Chorus : Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae
Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm!
Oo….oru deivam padi thaandi varumae
Oh, a deity will step across the threshold!
Kaala devanin
Of the God of Time,
Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathae
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus :Aa……
Chorus: Aa…
Male :Kaala devanin
Male: Of the God of Time,
Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathae
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus :Aa……
Chorus: Aa…
Nilavinil irugindra kalangaththai
The spot that exists upon the moon,
Ivalthu peruviral thudaiththu vidum
Her thumb will wipe away!
Pudhuyuga magal ival
This daughter of the modern era,
Anigindra valaiyalagal
The bangles that she wears,
Siraigalai udaiththu vidum
Will break open the prison bars!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Nilavinil irugindra kalangaththai
The spot that exists upon the moon,
Ivalthu peruviral thudaiththu vidum
Her thumb will wipe away!
Pudhuyuga magal ival
This daughter of the modern era,
Anigindra valaiyalagal
The bangles that she wears,
Siraigalai udaiththu vidum
Will break open the prison bars!
Chorus :Aaa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aaa
Chorus: Aaa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aaa
Aa….aaa…..aa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aa… aaa… aa… aa… aa… aaa…
Parijaadha poombaavai paadhiyaagi ponaalae
This delicate Parijaatha flower-like maiden has been broken in half,
Thegam engum punnaagi
Her entire body covered in wounds,
Thedhi pola theinthaalae
Worn down like the passing dates on a calendar!
Sediyai pirintha piragum
Even after being separated from the plant,
Sedikku uyir tharuthe poovey
This flower gives life back to the plant itself!
Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae
Oh, a gentle breeze will transform into a storm!
Oo….oru deivam padi thaandi varumae
Oh, a deity will step across the threshold!
{Kaala devanin
{Of the God of Time,
Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathae
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus :Aa……
Chorus: Aa…
Male :Kaala devanin
Male: Of the God of Time,
Dharma ellaigal maarugindrathae
The boundaries of righteousness are changing!
Chorus :Aa……} (2)
Chorus: Aa…} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Oru Thendral Puyalaagi Varumae from the film Pudhumai Penn (1984) is a powerful feminist anthem celebrating womanhood, emancipation, and resilience. Written by Vairamuthu and composed by Ilaiyaraaja, the song challenges traditional social expectations that confine women strictly to domestic chores like cooking and keeping the house. It asserts that stepping into the world to write history and alleviate poverty is a noble and necessary pursuit for women. The song uses evocative imagery to trace her journey from suffering to empowerment—comparing her initial quiet nature to a breeze that eventually gathers the force of a storm. Even as she undergoes intense physical hardship, sacrifice, and pain, her inner purity and strength remain undiminished. In the end, she emerges as a modern heroine capable of shattering social barriers and renewing life for those around her.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Oo….oru thendral puyalaagi varumae”
Compares a quiet, humble woman to a gentle breeze ('thendral') that transforms into a fierce storm ('puyal') when provoked by injustice.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Sariththiram padaikkavum / Tharithiram thudaikkavum”
The second consonant sound 'ri' (ri-thiram) matches across both lines, creating a rhythmic harmony.
Simile (Upamai)
“Thedhi pola theinthaalae”
Compares the physical weariness and passage of time in her suffering life directly to dates being torn off a calendar ('thedhi pola').
Hyperbole / Paradox
“Anigindra valaiyalagal siraigalai udaiththu vidum”
Exaggerates the strength of delicate bangles breaking prison walls, symbolizing delicate femininity overthrowing oppressive patriarchal boundaries.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Pudhumai Penn' (1984) was directed by Bharathiraja and starred Revathi in the lead role. The title and thematic spirit of the song draw inspiration from Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's progressive concept of 'Pudhumai Penn' (The New Woman). Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung by K. J. Yesudas, this song stands as one of Tamil cinema's most iconic feminist songs of the 1980s.
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