Oru Vaalum
From Idhaya Veenai · 1972
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Idhaya Veenai1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae | Neither having a tail, nor four legs, |
| Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae | Certain beasts live inside the town. |
| Male | |
| Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae | Neither having a tail, nor four legs, |
| Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae | Certain beasts live inside the town. |
| Indha kaattukkullae ulla mirugam ellaam | All the wild animals that live in this forest— |
| Indha kaattukkullae ulla mirugam ellaam | All the wild animals that live in this forest— |
| Adhai kaattilum ethanaiyo thaevalae | Are so much better compared to those human beasts! |
| Male | |
| Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae | Neither having a tail, nor four legs, |
| Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae | Certain beasts live inside the town. |
| Male | |
| Naaigal kadippadhum kazhudhai udhaippadhum | Dogs biting and donkeys kicking— |
| Iyarkkai enbadhu theriyum | We know that it is their natural instinct. |
| Naaigal kadippadhum kazhudhai udhaippadhum | Dogs biting and donkeys kicking— |
| Iyarkkai enbadhu theriyum | We know that it is their natural instinct. |
| Puligal paaivadhum narigal yaeippadhum | Tigers pouncing and foxes deceiving— |
| Piravi gunam endru puriyum | We understand these are their innate qualities. |
| Male | |
| Yendhendha naerathil kadippaan | At what moment will this human beast bite? |
| Ivan yendhendha vaelaiyil udhaippaan | At what hour will he kick? |
| Yendhendha naerathil kadippaan | At what moment will this human beast bite? |
| Ivan yendhendha vaelaiyil udhaippaan | At what hour will he kick? |
| Yaarukku ivargalai theriyum | Who can truly understand these people? |
| Paarvaikku gunam enna puriyum | How can one know their true character just by looking? |
| Male | |
| Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae | Neither having a tail, nor four legs, |
| Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae | Certain beasts live inside the town. |
| Male | |
| Annai madiyilae aadi pazhagidum | Playing and growing up in a mother's lap, |
| Pillai vadivilae ulla varai | As long as one remains in the form of a child, |
| Annai madiyilae aadi pazhagidum | Playing and growing up in a mother's lap, |
| Pillai vadivilae ulla varai | As long as one remains in the form of a child, |
| Male | |
| Anbu mazhalaiyil vanjamillaiyae | There is no malice in loving childhood; |
| Manidhar yaavarum nallavarae | All human beings are good people then. |
| Anbu mazhalaiyil vanjamillaiyae | There is no malice in loving childhood; |
| Manidhar yaavarum nallavarae | All human beings are good people then. |
| Thaai kodutha paal kudithu | The child who grew up drinking |
| Vaazhndhirukkum pillai | The milk given by its mother... |
| Valarndha pin adhu pol illai | Once grown up, it is no longer like that! |
| Male | |
| Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae | Neither having a tail, nor four legs, |
| Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae | Certain beasts live inside the town. |
| Male | |
| Paavam oridam pazhighal oridam | The sin is committed in one place, but the blame falls elsewhere; |
| Pala paer vaazhkkaiyil nadakkum | This happens in the lives of many people. |
| Paavam oridam pazhighal oridam | The sin is committed in one place, but the blame falls elsewhere; |
| Pala paer vaazhkkaiyil nadakkum | This happens in the lives of many people. |
| Unmai enbadhu oomaiyaagavae | Truth remaining mute and silent |
| Konja kaalam thaan irukkum | Will last only for a short while! |
| Male | |
| Karppukku ilakkanam vagukkum | Those who set rules defining chastity, |
| Penmaikku kalanganghal uraikkum | Yet cast false stains on womanhood... |
| Karppukku ilakkanam vagukkum | Those who set rules defining chastity, |
| Penmaikku kalanganghal uraikkum | Yet cast false stains on womanhood... |
| Yaarukkum theerppondru kidaikkum | A proper verdict will reach everyone, |
| Dharmathin kannai adhu thirakkum | And it will open the eyes of righteousness! |
| Male | |
| Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae | Neither having a tail, nor four legs, |
| Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae | Certain beasts live inside the town. |
| Indha kaattukkullae ulla mirugam ellaam | All the wild animals that live in this forest— |
| Adhai kaattilum ethanaiyo thaevalae | Are so much better compared to those human beasts! |
| Male | |
| Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae | Neither having a tail, nor four legs, |
| Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae | Certain beasts live inside the town. |
ஒரு வாலுமில்லே நாலு காலுமில்லே
சில மிருகம் இருக்குது ஊருக்குள்ளே
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Certain beasts live inside the town.
ஒரு வாலுமில்லே நாலு காலுமில்லே
சில மிருகம் இருக்குது ஊருக்குள்ளே
இந்தக் காட்டுக்குள்ளே உள்ள மிருகம் எல்லாம்
இந்தக் காட்டுக்குள்ளே உள்ள மிருகம் எல்லாம்
அதைக் காட்டிலும் எத்தனையோ தேவலே
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Certain beasts live inside the town.
All the wild animals that live in this forest—
All the wild animals that live in this forest—
Are so much better compared to those human beasts!
ஒரு வாலுமில்லே நாலு காலுமில்லே
சில மிருகம் இருக்குது ஊருக்குள்ளே
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Certain beasts live inside the town.
நாய்கள் கடிப்பதும் கழுதை உதைப்பதும்
இயற்கை என்பது தெரியும்
நாய்கள் கடிப்பதும் கழுதை உதைப்பதும்
இயற்கை என்பது தெரியும்
புலிகள் பாய்வதும் நரிகள் ஏய்ப்பதும்
பிறவி குணம் என்று புரியும்
Dogs biting and donkeys kicking—
We know that it is their natural instinct.
Dogs biting and donkeys kicking—
We know that it is their natural instinct.
Tigers pouncing and foxes deceiving—
We understand these are their innate qualities.
எந்தெந்த நேரத்தில் கடிப்பான்
இவன் எந்தெந்த வேளையில் உதைப்பான்
எந்தெந்த நேரத்தில் கடிப்பான்
இவன் எந்தெந்த வேளையில் உதைப்பான்
யாருக்கு இவர்களைத் தெரியும்
பார்வைக்கு குணம் என்ன புரியும்
At what moment will this human beast bite?
At what hour will he kick?
At what moment will this human beast bite?
At what hour will he kick?
Who can truly understand these people?
How can one know their true character just by looking?
ஒரு வாலுமில்லே நாலு காலுமில்லே
சில மிருகம் இருக்குது ஊருக்குள்ளே
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Certain beasts live inside the town.
அன்னை மடியிலே ஆடிப் பழகிடும்
பிள்ளை வடிவிலே உள்ள வரை
அன்னை மடியிலே ஆடிப் பழகிடும்
பிள்ளை வடிவிலே உள்ள வரை
Playing and growing up in a mother's lap,
As long as one remains in the form of a child,
Playing and growing up in a mother's lap,
As long as one remains in the form of a child,
அன்பு மழலையில் வஞ்சமில்லையே
மனிதர் யாவரும் நல்லவரே
அன்பு மழலையில் வஞ்சமில்லையே
மனிதர் யாவரும் நல்லவரே
தாய் கொடுத்த பால் குடித்து
வாழ்ந்திருக்கும் பிள்ளை
வளர்ந்த பின் அது போல் இல்லை
There is no malice in loving childhood;
All human beings are good people then.
There is no malice in loving childhood;
All human beings are good people then.
The child who grew up drinking
The milk given by its mother...
Once grown up, it is no longer like that!
ஒரு வாலுமில்லே நாலு காலுமில்லே
சில மிருகம் இருக்குது ஊருக்குள்ளே
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Certain beasts live inside the town.
பாவம் ஓரிடம் பழிகள் ஓரிடம்
பல பேர் வாழ்க்கையில் நடக்கும்
பாவம் ஓரிடம் பழிகள் ஓரிடம்
பல பேர் வாழ்க்கையில் நடக்கும்
உண்மை என்பது ஊமையாகவே
கொஞ்சக் காலம் தான் இருக்கும்
The sin is committed in one place, but the blame falls elsewhere;
This happens in the lives of many people.
The sin is committed in one place, but the blame falls elsewhere;
This happens in the lives of many people.
Truth remaining mute and silent
Will last only for a short while!
கற்புக்கு இலக்கணம் வகுக்கும்
பெண்மைக்கு களங்கங்கள் உரைக்கும்
கற்புக்கு இலக்கணம் வகுக்கும்
பெண்மைக்கு களங்கங்கள் உரைக்கும்
யாருக்கும் தீர்ப்பொன்று கிடைக்கும்
தர்மத்தின் கண்ணை அது திறக்கும்
Those who set rules defining chastity,
Yet cast false stains on womanhood...
Those who set rules defining chastity,
Yet cast false stains on womanhood...
A proper verdict will reach everyone,
And it will open the eyes of righteousness!
ஒரு வாலுமில்லே நாலு காலுமில்லே
சில மிருகம் இருக்குது ஊருக்குள்ளே
இந்தக் காட்டுக்குள்ளே உள்ள மிருகம் எல்லாம்
அதைக் காட்டிலும் எத்தனையோ தேவலே
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Certain beasts live inside the town.
All the wild animals that live in this forest—
Are so much better compared to those human beasts!
ஒரு வாலுமில்லே நாலு காலுமில்லே
சில மிருகம் இருக்குது ஊருக்குள்ளே
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Certain beasts live inside the town.
Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae
Certain beasts live inside the town.
Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae
Certain beasts live inside the town.
Indha kaattukkullae ulla mirugam ellaam
All the wild animals that live in this forest—
Indha kaattukkullae ulla mirugam ellaam
All the wild animals that live in this forest—
Adhai kaattilum ethanaiyo thaevalae
Are so much better compared to those human beasts!
Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae
Certain beasts live inside the town.
Naaigal kadippadhum kazhudhai udhaippadhum
Dogs biting and donkeys kicking—
Iyarkkai enbadhu theriyum
We know that it is their natural instinct.
Naaigal kadippadhum kazhudhai udhaippadhum
Dogs biting and donkeys kicking—
Iyarkkai enbadhu theriyum
We know that it is their natural instinct.
Puligal paaivadhum narigal yaeippadhum
Tigers pouncing and foxes deceiving—
Piravi gunam endru puriyum
We understand these are their innate qualities.
Yendhendha naerathil kadippaan
At what moment will this human beast bite?
Ivan yendhendha vaelaiyil udhaippaan
At what hour will he kick?
Yendhendha naerathil kadippaan
At what moment will this human beast bite?
Ivan yendhendha vaelaiyil udhaippaan
At what hour will he kick?
Yaarukku ivargalai theriyum
Who can truly understand these people?
Paarvaikku gunam enna puriyum
How can one know their true character just by looking?
Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae
Certain beasts live inside the town.
Annai madiyilae aadi pazhagidum
Playing and growing up in a mother's lap,
Pillai vadivilae ulla varai
As long as one remains in the form of a child,
Annai madiyilae aadi pazhagidum
Playing and growing up in a mother's lap,
Pillai vadivilae ulla varai
As long as one remains in the form of a child,
Anbu mazhalaiyil vanjamillaiyae
There is no malice in loving childhood;
Manidhar yaavarum nallavarae
All human beings are good people then.
Anbu mazhalaiyil vanjamillaiyae
There is no malice in loving childhood;
Manidhar yaavarum nallavarae
All human beings are good people then.
Thaai kodutha paal kudithu
The child who grew up drinking
Vaazhndhirukkum pillai
The milk given by its mother...
Valarndha pin adhu pol illai
Once grown up, it is no longer like that!
Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae
Certain beasts live inside the town.
Paavam oridam pazhighal oridam
The sin is committed in one place, but the blame falls elsewhere;
Pala paer vaazhkkaiyil nadakkum
This happens in the lives of many people.
Paavam oridam pazhighal oridam
The sin is committed in one place, but the blame falls elsewhere;
Pala paer vaazhkkaiyil nadakkum
This happens in the lives of many people.
Unmai enbadhu oomaiyaagavae
Truth remaining mute and silent
Konja kaalam thaan irukkum
Will last only for a short while!
Karppukku ilakkanam vagukkum
Those who set rules defining chastity,
Penmaikku kalanganghal uraikkum
Yet cast false stains on womanhood...
Karppukku ilakkanam vagukkum
Those who set rules defining chastity,
Penmaikku kalanganghal uraikkum
Yet cast false stains on womanhood...
Yaarukkum theerppondru kidaikkum
A proper verdict will reach everyone,
Dharmathin kannai adhu thirakkum
And it will open the eyes of righteousness!
Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae
Certain beasts live inside the town.
Indha kaattukkullae ulla mirugam ellaam
All the wild animals that live in this forest—
Adhai kaattilum ethanaiyo thaevalae
Are so much better compared to those human beasts!
Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae
Neither having a tail, nor four legs,
Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae
Certain beasts live inside the town.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae' serves as a sharp moral critique of human hypocrisy and deceit in modern society. The singer observes that wild animals in the forest are predictable and follow their natural instincts—a dog bites, a donkey kicks, and a fox tricks. In contrast, wicked human beings act like unpredictable beasts without physical tails or four legs, concealing their malice behind civilized appearances.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Oru vaalumillae naalu kaalumillae / Sila mirugam irukkudhu oorukkullae”
Compares deceitful, wicked human beings in society to wild beasts without tails or four legs.
Monai (மோனை - Alliteration)
“Paavam oridam pazhighal oridam”
The initial letter 'Paa' is repeated in 'Paavam' and 'pazhighal', creating a rhythmic flow.
Iyaipu (இயைபு - End Rhyme)
“Yendhendha naerathil kadippaan / Ivan yendhendha vaelaiyil udhaippaan”
Both consecutive lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('kadippaan' and 'udhaippaan').
Muran (முரண் - Antithesis/Contrast)
“Anbu mazhalaiyil vanjamillaiyae... Valarndha pin adhu pol illai”
Contrasts the inherent purity and innocence of childhood with the deceitful nature people acquire as adults.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic song is from the 1972 Tamil movie 'Idhaya Veenai' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), Manjula, and Lakshmi. The music was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, sung by T. M. Soundararajan, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The song exemplifies MGR's signature screen persona, blending philosophical life lessons and social commentary with political messaging.
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