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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaeriyil Oru

From Jallikattu · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Jallikattu1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaelaelo hea yaelaelo heaYaelaelo, oh, yaelaelo!
Yaelo yaelo yaelo ailasaa….Yaelo, yaelo, yaelo, ailasa!
Male
Yaeriyil oru oodam oodamA boat upon the lake, a boat,
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….A lesson inside the boat, a lesson...
Oodaththin maela neeyum paadaththai kelu rajaListen to the lesson while on the boat, my king,
Kettuttu paadu yaelo ailasaa….Listen and sing along, yaelo ailasa!
Male
Yaeriyil oru oodam oodamA boat upon the lake, a boat,
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….A lesson inside the boat, a lesson...
Male
Ellaththaiyum aandavan padaichchaaGod created everything,
Ellaarukkum nirangala koduththaanAnd gave distinct colors to everyone.
Vendaathatha jeyilula adaichchaanHe locked up evil in prison,
Aagaathatha azhuththiyum pudichchaanAnd firmly suppressed what was bad.
Male
Thappu sanja podhu thandanai thappaathuWhen a wrong is done, punishment cannot be escaped,
Theerppu onna thedi vanthathu ippothuA verdict has now come seeking you out.
Aattu kutti aaththai thaandiA little lamb cannot cross a river,
Oodi poga mudiyaathuAnd run away to freedom.
Veettu kozhi paattu paadiJust because a domestic rooster sings,
Kaala neram vidiyaathuDawn will not arrive before its time.
Male
Chinnappaa yaei ennappaaOh Chinnappa, hey my friend,
Nee ullatha sollappaa sollappaaTell the truth, speak what is real!
Male
Haei….yaeriyil oru oodam oodamHey, a boat upon the lake, a boat,
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….A lesson inside the boat, a lesson...
Oodaththin maela neeyum paadaththai kelu rajaListen to the lesson while on the boat, my king,
Kettuttu paadu yaelo ailasaa….Listen and sing along, yaelo ailasa!
Male
Yaeriyil oru oodam oodamA boat upon the lake, a boat,
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….A lesson inside the boat, a lesson...
Male
Vellaamaikku velaiyum irukkuThere is work meant for agriculture,
Vellaattukku vedhanai edhukkuWhy should a goat suffer unnecessarily?
Ellaam antha aandavan poruppuEverything is under God's control,
Yaemaanthathum yaen intha veruppuHaving been deceived, why hold this hatred?
Male
Kettu pogum pothu kattuppaadu poduWhen going astray, practice self-control,
Buththi solli paaththen naanum romba naaluI tried giving advice for many days.
Paadhai maarum kaalgal ellaamFeet that stray off the right path,
Ooru poyi saerathuWill never reach their destination.
Paavam parithaabam paaththaalIf you show pity and compassion to the wicked,
Onna maaththa mudiyaathuNothing can ever be rectified.
Male
Chinnappaa yaei ennappaaOh Chinnappa, hey my friend,
Nee ullatha sollappaa sollappaa aa….Tell the truth, speak what is real!
Male
Haei….yaeriyil oru oodam oodamHey, a boat upon the lake, a boat,
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….A lesson inside the boat, a lesson...
Oodaththin maela neeyum paadaththai kelu rajaListen to the lesson while on the boat, my king,
Kettuttu paadu yaelo ailasaa….Listen and sing along, yaelo ailasa!
Male
Yaeriyil oru oodam oodamA boat upon the lake, a boat,
Oodaththil oru paadam paadam….A lesson inside the boat, a lesson...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Yaeriyil Oru Oodam' is a folk-infused philosophical song from the film Jallikattu (1987), structured around a traditional boatman's rhythmic chant ('Ailasa'). Set on a lake, the boat ride serves as a metaphor for life's journey, delivering moral lessons on truth, cosmic justice, and personal accountability. The lyrics emphasize that no evil act goes unpunished and that divine justice eventually catches up with everyone.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ellaththaiyum aandavan padaichchaa / Ellaarukkum nirangala koduththaan

The second consonant sound 'll' (ல்) rhymes in consecutive lines (Ellaththaiyum / Ellaarukkum).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paavam parithaabam paaththaal

Repetition of the initial letter 'P' (ப்) sound creates a rhythmic sound play.

Metaphor / Folk Proverb

Veettu kozhi paattu paadi kaala neram vidiyaathu

A rural proverb/metaphor stating that a rooster's crow doesn't force the sun to rise; reality and divine timing are independent of human pretense.

Did you know?

Trivia

Jallikattu (1987) was directed by Manivannan and starred Sivaji Ganesan, Sathyaraj, and Radha. Although listed as unknown in some song credits, the film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyricist Gangai Amaran weaving popular Tamil folk proverbs into the songs.

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