Vijay Antony and Arivu collaborate on ‘Oru Naal’ from the album Raththam. Arivu’s raw vocal delivery matches the track’s confrontational tone about social prejudice. The hard-hitting composition addresses identity-based judgment.
Released: September 15, 2023
Oru Naal
Arivu | Vijay Antony • From “Raththam”
Oru Naal Lyrics Translation (from “Raththam”)
Arivu writes lines like ‘Naan Yaarunnu Sonnaen’ showing disbelief at instant rejection after sharing identity. The lyrics expose division as artificial through ‘Pirivu Ingu Yaaro Vithaiththathu,’ questioning who planted these barriers.
Oru Naal Theruvil IrangiOne day, I walked down the street.
Naan NadanthaenI was walking along.
En Edhiril Angu Oru ManidhanA man appeared right in front of me.
Iru Kaigal Iru KaalgalWith two hands and two legs like me,
Oru Paraspara Punnagaiyoduwearing a friendly, mutual smile,
Uraiyaadida Vanthaan Ennoduhe came over to talk with me.
Mudhalaai Un PerennaFirst, he asked, “What’s your name?”
Pirakaar Un OorennaThen, “Where’s your hometown?”
Nee Yaar Yaar Ena KettaalAs he kept asking who I was,
Naan Solli Mudiththidum Munbaebefore I could even finish speaking,
Avan Anbai Muriththaanae Angaehe cut off our connection right then and there.
Naan Sonna Vivaraththai Ketta NodiThe moment he heard the details I shared,
Avan Ennai Veruththaan Andraehe started hating me instantly.
Naan Enna SonnaenWhat did I say?
Naan Yaarunnu SonnaenI just told him who I was.
Verenna SonnaenWhat else did I say?
En Unmaiya SonnaenI only told him my truth.
Naan Enna SonnaenWhat did I say?
Naan Yaarunnu SonnaenI just told him who I was.
Verenna SonnaenWhat else did I say?
En Unmaiya SonnaenI only told him my truth.
Edhu Nammai Veraakki VaiththathuWhat was it that kept us apart?
Pirivu Ingu Yaaro VithaiththathuSomeone has sowed the seeds of division here.
Edhu Nammai Veraakki VaiththathuWhat was it that kept us apart?
Pirivu Ingu Yaaro VithaiththathuSomeone has sowed the seeds of division here.
PidikkalaYou don’t like me.
Enna Yaen Unakku PidikkalaWhy don’t you like me?
VerukkuraYou’re full of hate.
Antha Karanaththa Solli TholaiyaenJust tell me the reason and get it over with!
PidikkalaYou don’t like me.
Enna Yaen Unakku PidikkalaWhy don’t you like me?
VerukkuraYou’re full of hate.
Antha Karanaththa Solli TholaiyaenJust tell me the reason and get it over with!
Raayagaththin Veethiyengum Raththa AaruThere are rivers of blood throughout the streets of Raayagam.
Un Aanavaththai Thookki Pottu SuttrippaaruThrow away your ego and take a look around.
Raththa Aaru UttruppaaruLook closely at those rivers of blood.
En KadhiyaiI came here
Naan Solla Vanthaento tell my story.
Iru KannilI came here
Kanavodu Vanthaenwith dreams in my eyes.
Thattu ThadumaariAfter stumbling and struggling,
Naan Mela Vanthu YaeriI finally made my way up.
Naan Patta AnupavamNow I’m going to tell the story
Ippa Sollaporaen Storyof everything I’ve experienced.
Orunaal En TheruvilOne day, I walked out onto my street.
Naan Irangi NadanthaenI was walking along.
En Edhiril Angu Oru ManithanA man appeared right in front of me.
Nerungi Vanthaan Uranga SonnaanHe came close and told me to stay silent.
Nee Manushanae Illa“You aren’t even a human being!”
Veyilil OdiBy running in the sun
Dhinam Velai Seithuthaanand working hard every single day,
Thol Karuththavan Naanmy skin has turned dark.
Thozhugai SeithuI offer my prayers
Pin Thozhilum Seithuand then I do my work.
Antha Iraivan Paalagan NaanI’m a child of the Almighty.
PaalinangalI don’t see any divisions
Kadhalukkul Paarpathillai Naanwhen it comes to love.
Neengal KuththumI won’t accept
Muththirai Yaerpathillai Naanthe labels you try to stamp on me.
Ava Pidikkala Iva PidikkalaYou don’t like her, you don’t like him.
Mugam Pidikkala Madham PidikkalaYou don’t like the face, you don’t like the religion.
Mozhi PidikkalaYou don’t like the language.
Pirappu Irappu Padippu Valarppu Thinnum SoruBirth, death, education, upbringing, and the food we eat;
Vaadaatha Ooru Unavu Kanavu Uravu Ilavuthe eternal town, food, dreams, relationships, and mourning;
Desam Mosam Kadhal Paasam Sonna Vaarththa Pidikkalathe nation, its flaws, love, and affection—you don’t like anything I’ve said.
Mannukkulla PogumpothumEven when we’re buried in the ground,
Konda Veruppu PidikkalaI don’t like the hatred you hold onto.
Evanum Marakkala Evanum Marakkala Evanum MarakkalaNo one’s forgotten, no one’s forgotten, no one’s forgotten.
Raayagaththin Veethiyengum Raththa AaruThere are rivers of blood throughout the streets of Raayagam.
Un Aanavaththai Thookki Pottu SuttrippaaruThrow away your ego and take a look around.
Oru Naal Music Video
Raththam’s ‘Oru Naal’ lyrics translation examines how simple truths trigger irrational hatred. Arivu frames prejudice as systemic poison separating people over inherent traits like caste or language.