Karna Prabhakaran performs ‘Oppari’ from the album Kalan. Lyricists Kumarivijayan and Gurumoorthi structure this Tamil folk lament with composer Gersan’s somber tones. The track centers collective grief for a departed guardian.
Oppari
Karna Prabhakaran • From “Kalan”
What is the meaning of Oppari Lyrics from Kalan?
Kumarivijayan and Gurumoorthi compare loss to physical emptiness: harming a nurtured goat removes hunger for food. Their lines ask if the leader sought immortality rather than accepting death.
Maruthu Aanda BoomiyadaaThis is the land that Maruthu ruled
Nee Manna Kaaththa SamiyadaaYou’re the god who guarded this soil
Semmannu BoomiyilaeIn this red earth land
Sevantha Raththam OduthaiyaaCrimson blood is flowing now
Valarththa Aadu AdippattaalaeIf a goat we raised gets hurt
Vayiru Kanji KetkaathuWe lose our appetite for food
Arai Usuru PogummaiyaaIt feels like losing half a life
Azhagu Muthukon VamsaththilaeIn the noble Muthukon line
Karu Megam Kanneer SinthaBlack clouds weep their tears
Kazhugu Koottam Vaanam SuththaAs a flock of eagles circles the sky
Karuvelam KaattukkullaDeep within the thorny forest
Naan Kanda Katchi KanavaagaathaaI wish the sight I saw was just a dream
Aiyaa Aiyaa AiyaaMaster, Oh Master
Panjamunnaa TheriyaathuWe never knew what famine meant
Pasumponnu BoomiyilaeOn this fertile, golden earth
Pasiyaatrum VamsaththulaIn a clan that fed the hungry
Patta Maramaai PonaayaeYou stand now as a withered tree
Pasiyaatrum VamsaththulaIn a clan that fed the hungry
Nee Patta Maramaai PonaayaeYou’ve turned into a withered tree
Patta Maramaai PonaayaeJust a barren, withered tree
Iyyanaaru Saami PolaLike the guardian god Ayyanar
Oora Kaakka Vanthavanae AiyaaYou came to guard our town
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you crossed over to?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you gone away?
Iyyanaaru Saami PolaLike the guardian god Ayyanar
Oora Kaakka Vanthavanae AiyaaYou came to guard our town
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you crossed over to?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you gone away?
Chella SirippazhagaaBeauty in your cherished smile
Seemai Thurai NadaiyazhagaaA majestic stride like a king
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you crossed over to?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you gone away?
Chella SirippazhagaaBeauty in your cherished smile
Seemai Thurai NadaiyazhagaaA majestic stride like a king
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you crossed over to?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you gone away?
Sediyil Pooppathu EllaamNot every bloom upon the vine
Saami Kitta SearvathillaiMakes it to the altar of God
Saamikitta SaeranumnnuTo sit beside the Lord divine
Poo Edhuvum PooppathillaiNo flower blooms with that design
Poo Edhuvum PooppathillaiNo flower blooms with that design
Maasillaa Malligai PooLike a spotless jasmine flower
Vaasam Pola VanthavanaeYou arrived as pure fragrance
Maasillaa Malligai PooLike a spotless jasmine flower
Vaasam Pola VanthavanaeYou arrived as pure fragrance
Aiyaa Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeMaster, where have you crossed over to?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you gone away?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you crossed over to?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you gone away?
Saamikitta PonaayoDid you go to be with God?
Saami Aagi PonaayoOr have you turned into a God?
Saamikitta PonaayoDid you go to be with God?
Saami Aagi PonaayoOr have you turned into a God?
Saagaa Varam OnnuTo seek the boon of endless life
Vaangi Vara PonayoDid you go to bring it back?
Saagaa Varam OnnuTo seek the boon of endless life
Vaangi Vara PonayoDid you go to bring it back?
Nalla Manam Thanga IngaeFor a pure heart to settle here
Boomiyila Idam IllaThere’s no room upon this earth
Saththiyaththa KaaththidaththaanJust to guard the truth you hold
Uyiraiyum KoduththavaneYou gave up your very breath
Uyiraiyum KoduththavaneYou gave up your very breath
Iyaa Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeMaster, where have you crossed over to?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you gone away?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you crossed over to?
Nee Kadanthu PonathengaeWhere have you gone away?
Oppari Music Video
Collective disbelief drives the Oppari lyrics meaning. A community questions their protector’s abrupt absence while acknowledging his sacrifice. Kalan’s lament preserves cultural mourning traditions through direct Tamil lyrics translation.