Uppai Thinnavan
From Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal · 1976
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan | He who eats salt will drink water. |
| Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan | He who commits a mistake will face punishment. |
| Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan | He who admits his fault will feel ashamed. |
| Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan | He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom. |
| Male | |
| Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan | He who eats salt will drink water. |
| Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan | He who commits a mistake will face punishment. |
| Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan | He who admits his fault will feel ashamed. |
| Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan | He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom. |
| Male | |
| Oo nanbargal suttapin | Oh friends, after getting burnt once, |
| Nerupai thottavnillai | No one touches fire again. |
| Pattapin meendum kettu povathillai | After suffering once, no one goes astray again. |
| Vizhuntha kuzhanthai ezhunthu nadakkum | A fallen child will rise and walk. |
| Thelintha manithan thinthi nadappaan | A clear-minded man walks with purpose. |
| Male | |
| Karuvarai thodangi kallarai varaiyil | From the womb to the grave, |
| Ovvoru manithanum kaithi | Every single human being is a prisoner. |
| Idhu gouthama budharum padhinettu siththarum | This is the message that Gautama Buddha and the eighteen Siddhas, |
| Ulagukku solliya sedhi | Conveyed to the world. |
| Male | |
| Panthamum paasamum kai kaal vilangaai | With attachments and affection as handcuffs and leg shackles, |
| Pootti kondavan manithan | Man has locked himself up. |
| Idhil sinthanai seithu nyaanam vanthaal | If one reflects on this and attains wisdom, |
| Unmaiyil avanthaan punidhan | In truth, he alone is a holy soul. |
| Male | |
| Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan | He who eats salt will drink water. |
| Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan | He who commits a mistake will face punishment. |
| Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan | He who admits his fault will feel ashamed. |
| Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan | He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom. |
| Male | |
| Arisiyin melae avanavan peyarai | Upon every single grain of rice, |
| Aandavan ezhuthi vaippaan | God writes each person's name. |
| Adhai aduththavar yaarum keduppatharkkillai | No outsider can destroy or snatch that away. |
| Avanavan thindru theerppaan | Each person will consume what is destined for them. |
| Male | |
| Evanevanukku enenna thevai | Whatever each person needs, |
| Iraivan kodukkindraan | God provides it all. |
| Adhai avasara manithan aaththirapattu | Yet the hasty man, out of impatience, |
| Adharkkul edukkindraan | Tries to snatch it prematurely. |
| Male | |
| Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan | He who eats salt will drink water. |
| Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan | He who commits a mistake will face punishment. |
| Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan | He who admits his fault will feel ashamed. |
| Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan | He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom. |
| Nyaanam peruaan nyaanam peruvaan | Will gain wisdom, will gain wisdom. |
| Male | |
| Kadavul namathu pakkam irupaan | God will be on our side. |
| Neengal kanneer vida vendaam | You do not need to shed tears. |
| Kadavul namathu pakkam irupaan | God will be on our side. |
| Neengal kanneer vida vendaam | You do not need to shed tears. |
| Kaalam vanthaal kadhavugal thirakkum | When the time arrives, doors will open. |
| Kavalai padavendaam | Do not worry. |
| Male | |
| Pettaiyidum muttaikku paarayilae thaeraikkum | For the egg laid by a bird, and for the frog inside a stone, |
| Sattapadi avanthaanae kaaval | By cosmic law, He alone is the protector. |
| Avan petreduththa pillaigalil kuttramulla pergalai | Among the children He created, even those who have flaws, |
| Thakkapadi aadharikkum devan | God supports them appropriately. |
| Avan thakkapadi aadharikkumdevan | He is the God who supports them appropriately. |
| Male | |
| Thumparuntha kandrugalum thullugindra maadugalum | Unthered calves and leaping cattle, |
| Maalai vanthaal veedu vanthu serum | Will return home when evening falls. |
| Nalla panbu ketta maanidanum pakkuvamaai maarugindra | Even a flawed human who matures into good character, |
| Velai vanthaal vaazhvu vanthu koodum | When the right time arrives, a good life will come together. |
| Male | |
| Kadavul namathu pakkam irupaan | God will be on our side. |
| Neengal kanneer vida vendaam | You do not need to shed tears. |
| Kaalam vanthaal kadhavugal thirakkum | When the time arrives, doors will open. |
| Kavalai padavendaam | Do not worry. |
| Male | |
| ……………….. | |
| Whistle :…………….. | |
மற்றும் கோவை சுந்தரராஜன்
He who eats salt will drink water.
He who commits a mistake will face punishment.
He who admits his fault will feel ashamed.
He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom.
உப்பைத் தின்னவன் தண்ணிக் குடிப்பான்
தப்பைச் செய்தவன் தண்டனைக் கொள்வான்
ஒப்புக் கொண்டவன் வெட்கப்படுவான்
வெட்கப்பட்டவன் ஞானம் பெறுவான்
He who eats salt will drink water.
He who commits a mistake will face punishment.
He who admits his fault will feel ashamed.
He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom.
உப்பைத் தின்னவன் தண்ணிக் குடிப்பான்
தப்பைச் செய்தவன் தண்டனைக் கொள்வான்
ஒப்புக் கொண்டவன் வெட்கப்படுவான்
வெட்கப்பட்டவன் ஞானம் பெறுவான்
Oh friends, after getting burnt once,
No one touches fire again.
After suffering once, no one goes astray again.
A fallen child will rise and walk.
A clear-minded man walks with purpose.
ஓ நண்பர்களே சுட்டப் பின்
நெருப்பை தொட்டவனில்லை
பட்டப்பின் மீண்டும் கெட்டுப் போவதில்லை
விழுந்த குழந்தை எழுந்து நடக்கும்
தெளிந்த மனிதன் திருந்தி நடப்பான்
From the womb to the grave,
Every single human being is a prisoner.
This is the message that Gautama Buddha and the eighteen Siddhas,
Conveyed to the world.
கருவறை தொடங்கி கல்லறை வரையில்
ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனும் கைதி
இது கௌதம புத்தரும் பதினெட்டு சித்தரும்
உலகுக்கு சொல்லிய சேதி
With attachments and affection as handcuffs and leg shackles,
Man has locked himself up.
If one reflects on this and attains wisdom,
In truth, he alone is a holy soul.
பந்தமும் பாசமும் கை கால் விலங்காய்
பூட்டிக் கொண்டவன் மனிதன்
இதில் சிந்தனை செய்து ஞானம் வந்தால்
உண்மையில் அவன்தான் புனிதன்
He who eats salt will drink water.
He who commits a mistake will face punishment.
He who admits his fault will feel ashamed.
He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom.
உப்பைத் தின்னவன் தண்ணிக் குடிப்பான்
தப்பைச் செய்தவன் தண்டனைக் கொள்வான்
ஒப்புக் கொண்டவன் வெட்கப்படுவான்
வெட்கப்பட்டவன் ஞானம் பெறுவான்
Upon every single grain of rice,
God writes each person's name.
No outsider can destroy or snatch that away.
Each person will consume what is destined for them.
அரிசியின் மேலே அவனவன் பெயரை
ஆண்டவன் எழுதி வைப்பான்
அதை அடுத்தவர் யாரும் கெடுப்பதற்கில்லை
அவனவன் தின்று தீர்ப்பான்
Whatever each person needs,
God provides it all.
Yet the hasty man, out of impatience,
Tries to snatch it prematurely.
அரிசியின் மேலே அவனவன் பெயரை
ஆண்டவன் எழுதி வைப்பான்
அதை அடுத்தவர் யாரும் கெடுப்பதற்கில்லை
அவனவன் தின்று தீர்ப்பான்
He who eats salt will drink water.
He who commits a mistake will face punishment.
He who admits his fault will feel ashamed.
He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom.
Will gain wisdom, will gain wisdom.
எவனெவனுக்கு என்னென்ன தேவை
இறைவன் கொடுக்கின்றான்
அதை அவசர மனிதன் ஆத்திரப்பட்டு
அதற்குள் எடுக்கின்றான்
God will be on our side.
You do not need to shed tears.
God will be on our side.
You do not need to shed tears.
When the time arrives, doors will open.
Do not worry.
உப்பைத் தின்னவன் தண்ணிக் குடிப்பான்
தப்பைச் செய்தவன் தண்டனைக் கொள்வான்
ஒப்புக் கொண்டவன் வெட்கப்படுவான்
வெட்கப்பட்டவன் ஞானம் பெறுவான்
ஞானம் பெறுவான் ஞானம் பெறுவான்
For the egg laid by a bird, and for the frog inside a stone,
By cosmic law, He alone is the protector.
Among the children He created, even those who have flaws,
God supports them appropriately.
He is the God who supports them appropriately.
கடவுள் நமது பக்கம் இருப்பான்
நீங்கள் கண்ணீர் விட வேண்டாம்
கடவுள் நமது பக்கம் இருப்பான்
நீங்கள் கண்ணீர் விட வேண்டாம்
காலம் வந்தால் கதவுகள் திறக்கும்
கவலைப் படவேண்டாம்
Unthered calves and leaping cattle,
Will return home when evening falls.
Even a flawed human who matures into good character,
When the right time arrives, a good life will come together.
பெட்டையிடும் முட்டைக்கும் பாறையிலே
தேரைக்கும்
சட்டப்படி அவன்தானே காவல்
அவன் பெற்றெடுத்த பிள்ளைகளில் குற்றமுள்ள பேர்களை
தக்கப்படி ஆதரிக்கும் தேவன்
அவன் தக்கப்படி ஆதரிக்கும் தேவன்
God will be on our side.
You do not need to shed tears.
When the time arrives, doors will open.
Do not worry.
தும்பறுந்த கன்றுகளும் துள்ளுகின்ற மாடுகளும்
மாலை வந்தால் வீடு வந்து சேரும்
நல்ல பண்பு கெட்ட மானிடனும் பக்குவமாய் மாறுகின்ற
வேளை வந்தால் வாழ்வு வந்து கூடும்
நல்ல வேளை வந்தால் வாழ்வு வந்து கூடும்
கடவுள் நமது பக்கம் இருப்பான்
நீங்கள் கண்ணீர் விட வேண்டாம்
காலம் வந்தால் கதவுகள் திறக்கும்
கவலைப் படவேண்டாம்.....
...........................
விசில் :
........................
Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan
He who eats salt will drink water.
Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan
He who commits a mistake will face punishment.
Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan
He who admits his fault will feel ashamed.
Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan
He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom.
Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan
He who eats salt will drink water.
Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan
He who commits a mistake will face punishment.
Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan
He who admits his fault will feel ashamed.
Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan
He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom.
Oo nanbargal suttapin
Oh friends, after getting burnt once,
Nerupai thottavnillai
No one touches fire again.
Pattapin meendum kettu povathillai
After suffering once, no one goes astray again.
Vizhuntha kuzhanthai ezhunthu nadakkum
A fallen child will rise and walk.
Thelintha manithan thinthi nadappaan
A clear-minded man walks with purpose.
Karuvarai thodangi kallarai varaiyil
From the womb to the grave,
Ovvoru manithanum kaithi
Every single human being is a prisoner.
Idhu gouthama budharum padhinettu siththarum
This is the message that Gautama Buddha and the eighteen Siddhas,
Ulagukku solliya sedhi
Conveyed to the world.
Panthamum paasamum kai kaal vilangaai
With attachments and affection as handcuffs and leg shackles,
Pootti kondavan manithan
Man has locked himself up.
Idhil sinthanai seithu nyaanam vanthaal
If one reflects on this and attains wisdom,
Unmaiyil avanthaan punidhan
In truth, he alone is a holy soul.
Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan
He who eats salt will drink water.
Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan
He who commits a mistake will face punishment.
Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan
He who admits his fault will feel ashamed.
Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan
He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom.
Arisiyin melae avanavan peyarai
Upon every single grain of rice,
Aandavan ezhuthi vaippaan
God writes each person's name.
Adhai aduththavar yaarum keduppatharkkillai
No outsider can destroy or snatch that away.
Avanavan thindru theerppaan
Each person will consume what is destined for them.
Evanevanukku enenna thevai
Whatever each person needs,
Iraivan kodukkindraan
God provides it all.
Adhai avasara manithan aaththirapattu
Yet the hasty man, out of impatience,
Adharkkul edukkindraan
Tries to snatch it prematurely.
Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan
He who eats salt will drink water.
Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan
He who commits a mistake will face punishment.
Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan
He who admits his fault will feel ashamed.
Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan
He who feels ashamed will gain wisdom.
Nyaanam peruaan nyaanam peruvaan
Will gain wisdom, will gain wisdom.
Kadavul namathu pakkam irupaan
God will be on our side.
Neengal kanneer vida vendaam
You do not need to shed tears.
Kadavul namathu pakkam irupaan
God will be on our side.
Neengal kanneer vida vendaam
You do not need to shed tears.
Kaalam vanthaal kadhavugal thirakkum
When the time arrives, doors will open.
Kavalai padavendaam
Do not worry.
Pettaiyidum muttaikku paarayilae thaeraikkum
For the egg laid by a bird, and for the frog inside a stone,
Sattapadi avanthaanae kaaval
By cosmic law, He alone is the protector.
Avan petreduththa pillaigalil kuttramulla pergalai
Among the children He created, even those who have flaws,
Thakkapadi aadharikkum devan
God supports them appropriately.
Avan thakkapadi aadharikkumdevan
He is the God who supports them appropriately.
Thumparuntha kandrugalum thullugindra maadugalum
Unthered calves and leaping cattle,
Maalai vanthaal veedu vanthu serum
Will return home when evening falls.
Nalla panbu ketta maanidanum pakkuvamaai maarugindra
Even a flawed human who matures into good character,
Velai vanthaal vaazhvu vanthu koodum
When the right time arrives, a good life will come together.
Kadavul namathu pakkam irupaan
God will be on our side.
Neengal kanneer vida vendaam
You do not need to shed tears.
Kaalam vanthaal kadhavugal thirakkum
When the time arrives, doors will open.
Kavalai padavendaam
Do not worry.
………………..
Whistle :……………..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song centers on the inescapable law of Karma, moral accountability, and spiritual awakening. Opening with a popular Tamil proverb, 'Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan' (He who eats salt must drink water), lyricist Vaali highlights that every action carries a natural consequence. Mistakes lead to remorse, remorse leads to shame, and genuine shame yields true spiritual wisdom. The song observes that human life is bound by emotional attachments like a prison from birth to death, but self-reflection brings liberation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Proverb / Metaphor
“Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan”
Uses the traditional Tamil adage 'Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan' as a central metaphor for Karma and cause-and-effect.
Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Uppai thinnavan thanni kudippaan / Thappai seithavan thandanai kolvaan”
The second consonant sound 'pp' matches between 'Uppai' and 'Thappai', creating classic Tamil poetic harmony.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Oppu kondavan vetkkapaduvaan / Vetkkappattavan nyaanam peruvaan”
Matching ending verb suffixes (-ppaan, -vaan) across successive lines.
Allusion
“Idhu gouthama budharum padhinettu siththarum”
Refers to Buddha and the 18 Siddhas to ground the moral lesson in ancient spiritual tradition.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, this philosophical track features the composer's own iconic voice alongside Kovai Soundararajan. Vaali's lyrics heavily draw on folk wisdom and Tamil proverbs to convey deep philosophical truths in accessible everyday language.
Keep listening
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