Ilayaraja’s ‘Odam Ondru Kattril’ from the album ‘Tripura Sundari’ features his composition and vocals with Kannadasan’s Tamil lyrics. The track presents a philosophical meditation on life’s unpredictability through nautical imagery.
Odam Ondru Kattril
Ilayaraja • From “Tripura Sundari”
Odam Ondru Kattril Lyrics Translation – Tripura Sundari Soundtrack
Kannadasan’s verses describe drifting without direction like a boat on wind-driven waters. One line states people cast fishing hooks but became hooked fish themselves, reversing expected roles between seekers and fate’s subjects.
Odam Ondru Kaattril Pona VazhiA lone boat drifts along the path the wind takes,
Naamum PogindromAnd we’re drifting along with it too.
Yaetho Ondru Naalai EndruHolding onto the hope of “something tomorrow,”
Innum VaazhgindromWe’re still finding a way to live.
Odam Ondru Kaattril Pona VazhiA lone boat drifts along the path the wind takes,
Naamum PogindromAnd we’re drifting along with it too.
Paathai Endru Yaedhum IllaiThere’s no such thing as a defined path,
Kaalam Ellaam Naangal PogindromSo we just keep moving through all of time.
Thaagam Vanthaal Neerum IllaiThere’s no water to drink when thirst strikes,
Neeril Ingae Naalum VaazhgindromEven though we’re living on the water every day.
Intha Neeril Sendrae Kaanal NeeraanomBy wandering this water, we’ve turned into a mirage.
Odam Ondru Kaattril Pona VazhiA lone boat drifts along the path the wind takes,
Naamum PogindromAnd we’re drifting along with it too.
Thoondil Ittom Meengal IllaiWe cast our lines, but caught no fish,
Naangal Ingae Thoondil MeenaanomInstead, we’ve become the fish caught on the hook.
Odam Vittom Dheepam IllaiWe set the boat adrift without a guiding lamp,
Naangal Ingae Odam PolaanomAnd now, we’ve become just like that drifting boat.
Entha Neram Engae Povom EndraanomWe’re constantly asking where we’ll go or when.
Megam Endraal Minnal UnduWhere there are clouds, there’s bound to be lightning,
Thondrum Minnalthaanae MaaraathaaBut won’t that flash of lightning eventually change?
Vaazhkkai Endraal Innal UnduIf there’s life, there’s bound to be hardship,
Kaanum Innal Thaanae TheeraathaaBut won’t the suffering we see finally end?
Nalla Kaalam Ondru Naalai VaaraathaaWon’t a better time arrive tomorrow?
Odam Ondru Kaattril Pona VazhiA lone boat drifts along the path the wind takes,
Naamum PogindromAnd we’re drifting along with it too.
Odam Ondru Kattril Music Video
The Tripura Sundari album includes this track’s Tamil lyrics translation about enduring uncertainty while clinging to hope. Listeners find parallels between the rudderless boat and human struggles against uncontrollable forces.