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Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vidukathai Ondru Thodarkathai Ondru

From Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
22 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aarirooo..oo..oo…
Aarirari raroo…aarirari raroo…
Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru
Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru
Yaar kadhai idhu thaan endru
Nee thaan arivaayoo en kannae
Aarambam mudivum engae
Arindhaal solvaayoo
Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru
Magan pola unnai madiyendhum ennai
Yaar endru nee kelada annaiyai
Aval solluvaal unnidam unmaiyai
Maalai ilam kaatrae madal vaazhai keetrae
Kaalam muzhudhum nalam pera kannae vaazhga
Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru
Yaar kadhai idhu thaan endru
Nee thaan arivaayoo en kannae
Aarambam mudivum engae
Arindhaal solvaayoo
Naaldhoorum endhan nalam naadum deivam
Thaalattavae vandhadhu unnaiyae
Nee sollada annaiyin nandriyai
Oru manadhil paasam oru manadhil paavam
Devan ezhudhum kadhai idhu kannae kaanga
Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru
Yaar kadhai idhu thaan endru
Nee thaan arivaayoo en kannae
Aarambam mudivum engae
Arindhaal solvaayoo
Vidhiyodu vaazhkai vilaiyaadum velai
Vidhiyallavoo endrumae velvadhu
Idhuvallavoo indru naan kandathu
Kaalodindha killai nadamaadavillai
Thevaiyarindhu thunai varum nenjae vazhga
Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru
Yaar kadhai idhu thaan endru
Nee thaan arivaayoo
Male :En kannae aarambam mudivum engae
Arindhaal solvaayoo
Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru
Aarirooo..oo..oo…
Aarirari raroo…aarirari raroo…
Aariro... oh... oh...
Aarirari raaro... Aarirari raaro...
One is a riddle, one is an ongoing story,
One is a riddle, one is an ongoing story.
Whose story is this really?
Do you know, my darling child?
Where is its beginning, and where is its end?
If you know, will you tell me?
One is a riddle, one is an ongoing story.
Holding you in my lap like my own son,
Ask your mother who I am to you;
She will tell you the truth.
O gentle evening breeze, tender banana shoot,
May you live with every blessing for all time, my darling!
One is a riddle, one is an ongoing story.
Whose story is this really?
Do you know, my darling child?
Where is its beginning, and where is its end?
If you know, will you tell me?
The living god who wishes for my well-being every day
Has come to sing a lullaby to you!
Tell him your mother's heartfelt thanks!
Love fills one heart, while guilt weighs on another;
This is a story written by God, see it, my child.
One is a riddle, one is an ongoing story.
Whose story is this really?
Do you know, my darling child?
Where is its beginning, and where is its end?
If you know, will you tell me?
When life plays a game with destiny,
Isn't it fate that always wins?
Isn't this what I have witnessed today?
A parrot with a broken leg cannot walk about;
Long live the kind heart that comes to help, sensing the need!
One is a riddle, one is an ongoing story.
Whose story is this really?
Do you know?
Male: My darling, where is its beginning, and where is its end?
If you know, will you tell me?
One is a riddle, one is an ongoing story.
Aariro... oh... oh...
Aarirari raaro... Aarirari raaro...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant lullaby frames human existence as both an intriguing riddle ('Vidukathai') and an endlessly unfolding story ('Thodarkathai'). The speaker reflects on complex family ties, secret truths, human emotions, and the mysterious origin and destiny of human life. Through gentle imagery of evening breezes and maternal affection, the song navigates painful realities of betrayal, physical limitation, and the inevitability of fate. Despite the underlying sorrow, the song celebrates maternal devotion and the compassionate souls who extend help in times of distress. It stands as a philosophical contemplation on divine orchestration, where human beings must endure the narrative written by destiny while seeking solace in love and gratitude.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru”

Life and human relationships are framed as a riddle ('Vidukathai') and a continuous serial ('Thodarkathai').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

“Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru”

Rhyming of second consonant letters in consecutive lines ('du' in Vidukathai and Thodarkathai).

Moonaiz / Alliteration

“Maalai ilam kaatrae madal vaazhai keetrae”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' creating melodic flow.

Anaphora / Refrain

“Vidukathai ondru thodarkathai ondru”

The thematic refrain is repeated at the end of each stanza to reinforce the core existential questioning.

Did you know?

Trivia

This famous song comes from the 1979 Tamil film titled 'Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai'. Penned by legendary lyricist Vaali, it deftly uses the format of a lullaby ('Lullaby / Taalaattu') to communicate deep philosophical themes about fate, family secrets, and life's unpredictable trajectory.

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