Thaayum Konja Kaalam
From Kangaroo · 2015
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Harihara Sudhan
- Music director
- Srinivas
- Details
- Kangaroo2015
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Karu vazhiyaa vandhadhedhuvum… | Nothing that comes through the womb... |
| Nirandharamilla… | ...is permanent. |
| Kattaiyila pora varaiyil… | Until going into the wooden bier... |
| Sudhandhiram illa… | ...there is no freedom. |
| Ingu sudhandhiram illa | Here, there is no freedom. |
| Edhuvum nirandharamilla | Nothing is permanent. |
| Male | |
| Thaayum konja kaalam | Mother is only for a short time. |
| Thagappanum konja kaalam | Father is only for a short time. |
| Oorum konja kaalam | The town is only for a short time. |
| Vandha uravum konja kaalam | Relationships that came are only for a short time. |
| Male | |
| Thaayum konja kaalam | Mother is only for a short time. |
| Thagappanum konja kaalam | Father is only for a short time. |
| Oorum konja kaalam | The town is only for a short time. |
| Vandha uravum konja kaalam | Relationships that came are only for a short time. |
| Male | |
| Nenachu nenachu paathaakkaa | If you think deeply about it, |
| Neeyum konja kaalam | Even you are here for a short time. |
| On nenappu konja kaalam | Your memories and thoughts are only for a short time. |
| Sariththiramthu mannargalum | Even the kings of history... |
| Konja konja kaalam | ...were here for just a short time. |
| Andha chandhirarum sooriyarum | Even the moon and the sun... |
| Innum konja kaalam | ...are here for a little more time. |
| Innum konja kaalam | ...for just a little more time. |
| Male | |
| Thaayum konja kaalam | Mother is only for a short time. |
| Thagappanum konja kaalam | Father is only for a short time. |
| Oorum konja kaalam | The town is only for a short time. |
| Vandha uravum konja kaalam | Relationships that came are only for a short time. |
| Chorus | |
| Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo | Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo |
| Toottoo toottoo | Toottoo toottoo |
| Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo | Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo |
| Male | |
| Ettaadha mala mela | On top of an unreachable mountain, |
| Kadavul irukkudhu | God resides. |
| Adha ettivida manusa paya | To reach up and touch Him, a human's... |
| Idhayam thudikkudhu | ...heart throbs with longing. |
| Chorus | |
| Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo | Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo |
| Toottoo too | Toottoo too |
| Male | |
| Sondha bandham odi vandhu | Kith and kin come running... |
| Kaala izhukkudhu | ...and pull at your legs. |
| Ada sothu pathu aasa vandhu | Ah, greed for wealth and property arrives... |
| Kaiya amukkudhu… | ...and presses down your hands. |
| Male | |
| Kaamam vera kadaisi varaikkum | Lust grabs you by the neck... |
| Kazhutha pudikkudhu… | ...until the very end. |
| Kaamam vera kadaisi varaikkum | Lust grabs you by the neck... |
| Kazhutha pudikkudhu | ...until the very end. |
| Idhil kadavul kitta pora vazhi | In the middle of all this, where is the path... |
| Enga irukkudhu | ...to reach God? |
| Enga irukkudhu… | Where is it? |
| Male | |
| Kattaiyila pora varaiyil | Until going into the wooden bier, |
| Sudhandhiram illa | there is no freedom. |
| Karu vazhiyaa vandha edhuvum | Anything that comes through the womb, |
| Nirandharamilla | is not permanent. |
| Male | |
| Thaayum konja kaalam | Mother is only for a short time. |
| Thagappanum konja kaalam | Father is only for a short time. |
| Oorum konja kaalam | The town is only for a short time. |
| Vandha uravum konja kaalam | Relationships that came are only for a short time. |
| Chorus | |
| Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo | Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo |
| Toottoo toottoo | Toottoo toottoo |
| Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo | Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo |
| Male | |
| Muppadhukku mela | After thirty, |
| Unakku mudiyum udhirudhu | your hair starts falling out. |
| Ada naappadhukku mela | Ah, after forty, |
| Paarva nadukkamaagudhu | your eyesight starts trembling. |
| Chorus | |
| Tuttoo tuttoo | Tuttoo tuttoo |
| Male | |
| Ambadhukku mela pallu | After fifty, your teeth... |
| Aadi pogudhu | ...shake and loosen. |
| Arubadhukku mela a | After sixty, ah... |
| Aanma adangi pogudhu | ...the vital energy subsides. |
| Male | |
| Odamboda porandhadhellaam | Everything born with this body... |
| Onna piriyudhu… | ...departs together. |
| Odamboda porandhadhellaam | Everything born with this body... |
| Onna piriyudhu | ...departs together. |
| Idhil ongooda porandhadhuvaa | In this, will whatever was born with you... |
| Irukka pogudhu | ...truly remain with you? |
| Male | |
| Kattaiyila pora varaiyil | Until going into the wooden bier, |
| Sudhandhiram illa | there is no freedom. |
| Karu vazhiyaa vandha edhuvum | Anything that comes through the womb, |
| Nirandharamilla | is not permanent. |
| Male | |
| Thaayum konja kaalam | Mother is only for a short time. |
| Thagappanum konja kaalam | Father is only for a short time. |
| Oorum konja kaalam | The town is only for a short time. |
| Vandha uravum konja kaalam | Relationships that came are only for a short time. |
| Male | |
| Nenachu nenachu paathaakkaa | If you think deeply about it, |
| Neeyum konja kaalam | Even you are here for a short time. |
| On nenappu konja kaalam | Your memories and thoughts are only for a short time. |
| Sariththiramthu mannargalum | Even the kings of history... |
| Konja konja kaalam | ...were here for just a short time. |
| Andha chandhirarum sooriyarum | Even the moon and the sun... |
| Innum konja kaalam | ...are here for a little more time. |
| Innum konja kaalam | ...for just a little more time. |
கருவழியா வந்ததெதுவும்.....
நிரந்தரம் இல்ல....
கட்டையில போற வரையில்....
சுதந்திரம் இல்ல.....
இங்கு சுதந்திரம் இல்ல
எதுவும் நிரந்தரம் இல்ல
Nothing that comes through the womb...
...is permanent.
Until going into the wooden bier...
...there is no freedom.
Here, there is no freedom.
Nothing is permanent.
தாயும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
தகப்பனும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
ஊரும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
அந்த உறவும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
Mother is only for a short time.
Father is only for a short time.
The town is only for a short time.
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
தாயும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
தகப்பனும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
ஊரும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
அந்த உறவும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
Mother is only for a short time.
Father is only for a short time.
The town is only for a short time.
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
நெனச்சு நெனச்சு பாத்தாக்கா
நீயும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
உன் நெனைப்பும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
சரித்திரத்து மன்னர்களும்
கொஞ்ச கொஞ்ச காலம்
அந்த சந்திரரும் சூரியரும்
இன்னும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
இன்னும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
If you think deeply about it,
Even you are here for a short time.
Your memories and thoughts are only for a short time.
Even the kings of history...
...were here for just a short time.
Even the moon and the sun...
...are here for a little more time.
...for just a little more time.
தாயும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
தகப்பனும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
ஊரும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
அந்த உறவும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
Mother is only for a short time.
Father is only for a short time.
The town is only for a short time.
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
............................................
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Toottoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo
எட்டாத மலை மேல
கடவுள் இருக்குது
அத எட்டிவிட மனுஷ பைய
இதயம் துடிக்குது
On top of an unreachable mountain,
God resides.
To reach up and touch Him, a human's...
...heart throbs with longing.
.......................................
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Toottoo too
சொந்த பந்தம் ஓடி வந்து
கால இழுக்குது
அட சொத்து பத்து ஆசை வந்து
கைய அமுக்குது
Kith and kin come running...
...and pull at your legs.
Ah, greed for wealth and property arrives...
...and presses down your hands.
காமம் வேற கடைசி வரைக்கும்
கழுத்த புடிக்குது
காமம் வேற கடைசி வரைக்கும்
கழுத்த புடிக்குது
இதில் கடவுள் கிட்ட போற வழி
எங்க இருக்குது
எங்க இருக்குது.....
Lust grabs you by the neck...
...until the very end.
Lust grabs you by the neck...
...until the very end.
In the middle of all this, where is the path...
...to reach God?
Where is it?
கட்டையில போற வரையில்
சுதந்திரம் இல்ல
கருவழியா வந்ததெதுவும்
நிரந்தரம் இல்ல
Until going into the wooden bier,
there is no freedom.
Anything that comes through the womb,
is not permanent.
தாயும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
தகப்பனும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
ஊரும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
அந்த உறவும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
Mother is only for a short time.
Father is only for a short time.
The town is only for a short time.
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
.........................
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Toottoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo
முப்பதுக்கு மேல
உனக்கு முடி உதிருது
அட நாப்பதுக்கு மேல
பார்வை நடுக்கம் ஆகுது
After thirty,
your hair starts falling out.
Ah, after forty,
your eyesight starts trembling.
...........................
Tuttoo tuttoo
அம்பதுக்கு மேல பல்லு
ஆடிப்போகுது
அறுபதுக்கு மேல
ஆண்மை அடங்கி போகுது
After fifty, your teeth...
...shake and loosen.
After sixty, ah...
...the vital energy subsides.
உடம்போட பொறந்ததெல்லாம்
ஒன்னு பிரியுது
உடம்போட பொறந்ததெல்லாம்
ஒன்னு பிரியுது
இதில் உன்கூட பொறந்ததுவா
இருக்க போகுது
Everything born with this body...
...departs together.
Everything born with this body...
...departs together.
In this, will whatever was born with you...
...truly remain with you?
கட்டையில போற வரையில்
சுதந்திரம் இல்ல
கருவழியா வந்ததெதுவும்
நிரந்தரம் இல்ல
Until going into the wooden bier,
there is no freedom.
Anything that comes through the womb,
is not permanent.
தாயும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
தகப்பனும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
ஊரும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
அந்த உறவும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
Mother is only for a short time.
Father is only for a short time.
The town is only for a short time.
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
நெனச்சு நெனச்சு பாத்தாக்கா
நீயும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
உன் நெனைப்பும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
சரித்திரத்து மன்னர்களும்
கொஞ்ச கொஞ்ச காலம்
அந்த சந்திரரும் சூரியரும்
இன்னும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
இன்னும் கொஞ்ச காலம்
If you think deeply about it,
Even you are here for a short time.
Your memories and thoughts are only for a short time.
Even the kings of history...
...were here for just a short time.
Even the moon and the sun...
...are here for a little more time.
...for just a little more time.
Karu vazhiyaa vandhadhedhuvum…
Nothing that comes through the womb...
Nirandharamilla…
...is permanent.
Kattaiyila pora varaiyil…
Until going into the wooden bier...
Sudhandhiram illa…
...there is no freedom.
Ingu sudhandhiram illa
Here, there is no freedom.
Edhuvum nirandharamilla
Nothing is permanent.
Thaayum konja kaalam
Mother is only for a short time.
Thagappanum konja kaalam
Father is only for a short time.
Oorum konja kaalam
The town is only for a short time.
Vandha uravum konja kaalam
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
Thaayum konja kaalam
Mother is only for a short time.
Thagappanum konja kaalam
Father is only for a short time.
Oorum konja kaalam
The town is only for a short time.
Vandha uravum konja kaalam
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
Nenachu nenachu paathaakkaa
If you think deeply about it,
Neeyum konja kaalam
Even you are here for a short time.
On nenappu konja kaalam
Your memories and thoughts are only for a short time.
Sariththiramthu mannargalum
Even the kings of history...
Konja konja kaalam
...were here for just a short time.
Andha chandhirarum sooriyarum
Even the moon and the sun...
Innum konja kaalam
...are here for a little more time.
Innum konja kaalam
...for just a little more time.
Thaayum konja kaalam
Mother is only for a short time.
Thagappanum konja kaalam
Father is only for a short time.
Oorum konja kaalam
The town is only for a short time.
Vandha uravum konja kaalam
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Toottoo toottoo
Toottoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo
Ettaadha mala mela
On top of an unreachable mountain,
Kadavul irukkudhu
God resides.
Adha ettivida manusa paya
To reach up and touch Him, a human's...
Idhayam thudikkudhu
...heart throbs with longing.
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Toottoo too
Toottoo too
Sondha bandham odi vandhu
Kith and kin come running...
Kaala izhukkudhu
...and pull at your legs.
Ada sothu pathu aasa vandhu
Ah, greed for wealth and property arrives...
Kaiya amukkudhu…
...and presses down your hands.
Kaamam vera kadaisi varaikkum
Lust grabs you by the neck...
Kazhutha pudikkudhu…
...until the very end.
Kaamam vera kadaisi varaikkum
Lust grabs you by the neck...
Kazhutha pudikkudhu
...until the very end.
Idhil kadavul kitta pora vazhi
In the middle of all this, where is the path...
Enga irukkudhu
...to reach God?
Enga irukkudhu…
Where is it?
Kattaiyila pora varaiyil
Until going into the wooden bier,
Sudhandhiram illa
there is no freedom.
Karu vazhiyaa vandha edhuvum
Anything that comes through the womb,
Nirandharamilla
is not permanent.
Thaayum konja kaalam
Mother is only for a short time.
Thagappanum konja kaalam
Father is only for a short time.
Oorum konja kaalam
The town is only for a short time.
Vandha uravum konja kaalam
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo
Toottoo toottoo
Toottoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo
Tuttoo tuttoo toottoo toottoo toottoo
Muppadhukku mela
After thirty,
Unakku mudiyum udhirudhu
your hair starts falling out.
Ada naappadhukku mela
Ah, after forty,
Paarva nadukkamaagudhu
your eyesight starts trembling.
Tuttoo tuttoo
Tuttoo tuttoo
Ambadhukku mela pallu
After fifty, your teeth...
Aadi pogudhu
...shake and loosen.
Arubadhukku mela a
After sixty, ah...
Aanma adangi pogudhu
...the vital energy subsides.
Odamboda porandhadhellaam
Everything born with this body...
Onna piriyudhu…
...departs together.
Odamboda porandhadhellaam
Everything born with this body...
Onna piriyudhu
...departs together.
Idhil ongooda porandhadhuvaa
In this, will whatever was born with you...
Irukka pogudhu
...truly remain with you?
Kattaiyila pora varaiyil
Until going into the wooden bier,
Sudhandhiram illa
there is no freedom.
Karu vazhiyaa vandha edhuvum
Anything that comes through the womb,
Nirandharamilla
is not permanent.
Thaayum konja kaalam
Mother is only for a short time.
Thagappanum konja kaalam
Father is only for a short time.
Oorum konja kaalam
The town is only for a short time.
Vandha uravum konja kaalam
Relationships that came are only for a short time.
Nenachu nenachu paathaakkaa
If you think deeply about it,
Neeyum konja kaalam
Even you are here for a short time.
On nenappu konja kaalam
Your memories and thoughts are only for a short time.
Sariththiramthu mannargalum
Even the kings of history...
Konja konja kaalam
...were here for just a short time.
Andha chandhirarum sooriyarum
Even the moon and the sun...
Innum konja kaalam
...are here for a little more time.
Innum konja kaalam
...for just a little more time.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Thaayum Konja Kaalam' from the film Kangaroo is a profound philosophical meditation on transience, physical decay, and the ultimate impermanence of mortal life. Lyricist Vairamuthu explores how human ties—parents, relatives, material possessions, and sensual desires—bind a person throughout life, preventing ultimate freedom until death ('kattaiyila pora varaiyil'). He chronicles the inevitable aging process decade by decade (hair loss in the 30s, failing eyesight in the 40s, loose teeth in the 50s, and fading vitality in the 60s) to emphasize that even our own bodies are temporary companions.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme / Refrain)
“Thaayum konja kaalam / Thagappanum konja kaalam”
Repetition of the refrain 'konja kaalam' (a short time) at the end of multiple lines emphasizes the underlying theme of impermanence.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Thaayum konja kaalam / Thagappanum konja kaalam”
Matching initial 'Th' sounds create a rhythmic, song-like cadence in the couplet.
Metaphor and Synecdoche
“Kattaiyila pora varaiyil / Sudhandhiram illa”
'Kattaiyila' (wooden pyre/bier) serves as a metaphor for death and mortality.
Numerical Progression Imagery
“Muppadhukku mela... / Naappadhukku mela...”
A chronological countdown of physical decline mapped across human decades (30s to 60s).
Did you know?
Trivia
The soundtrack for 'Kangaroo' (2015) was composed by A. R. Reihana (sister of A. R. Rahman). This philosophical song was rendered by the legendary playback singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, whose energetic yet soulful delivery highlights Vairamuthu's deeply contemplative Tamil lyrics.
Keep listening
More from Kangaroo
Kangaroo
Kangaroo
Kangaroo
Kangaroo