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Lyrics & meaning

Aandavan Boomiyil Aayiram

From Nadagame Ulagam · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Nadagame Ulagam1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aandavan boomiyilIn God's world,
Aayiram baedhangal yenWhy are there a thousand differences?
Naan ennum ennam kondaDesirous hearts possessed
Aasai ullangalBy egoistic thoughts,
Illadha ezhai ullangalAnd the poor hearts who have nothing—
Ellorum needhi sollungalEveryone, please deliver justice!
Female
Aandavan boomiyilIn God's world,
Aayiram baedhangal yenWhy are there a thousand differences?
Naan ennum ennam kondaDesirous hearts possessed
Aasai ullangalBy egoistic thoughts,
Illadha ezhai ullangalAnd the poor hearts who have nothing—
Ellorum needhi sollungalEveryone, please deliver justice!
Female
Panathukkum vayasukkumBetween money and age,
Naduvinil perum pallamThere is a deep chasm.
Pasiyendru kadharudhu ezhaigal illamCrying 'hunger', the homes of the poor weep.
Yen ingu erandu vargangalWhy are there two classes here?
Ellorum ondru serungalEveryone, come together as one!
Chorus :Yen ingu erandu vargangalChorus: Why are there two classes here?
Ellorum ondru serungalEveryone, come together as one!
Female
Thaaimaiyin maenmaiyaiA land that praises
Parattum naaduThe greatness of motherhood,
Dharmathil ooriyaSoaked in righteousness,
Thamizh kaakkum veeduA Tamil home that protects virtue,
Thaaimaiyin maenmaiyaiA land that praises
Parattum naaduThe greatness of motherhood,
Dharmathil ooriyaSoaked in righteousness,
Thamizh kaakkum veeduA Tamil home that protects virtue,
Vaaimaiyae vellum ..aa..aa..aa..aaa..Truth alone triumphs... aa... aa... aa... aaa...
Vaaimaiyae vellumTruth alone triumphs—
Endru vazhikattum yeduSo says the guiding scripture.
Vaazhkaikku udhavaadhuWhen it does not help in real life,
Engindra podhuAt such a time...
Female
Panathukkum manidhaninBetween money and a human's
Nadathaikum thodarpillaiBehavior, there is no connection.
Madhiyenum peyarinaalIn the name of intelligence,
Manidhargal thollaiHumans cause distress.
Yen ingu erandu vargangalWhy are there two classes here?
Ellorum ondru serungalEveryone, come together as one!
Chorus :Yen ingu erandu vargangalChorus: Why are there two classes here?
Ellorum ondru serungalEveryone, come together as one!
Female
Haaa…andavan boomiyilAh... in God's world,
Aayiram baedhangal yenWhy are there a thousand differences?
Naan ennum ennam kondaDesirous hearts possessed
Aasai ullangalBy egoistic thoughts,
Illadha ezhai ullangalAnd the poor hearts who have nothing—
Ellorum needhi sollungalEveryone, please deliver justice!
Female
Aanavam peridhendruThinking arrogance is supreme,
Mudhalaali ninaikkaAs the capitalist thinks,
Adakkuven adhai endruSaying 'I will subdue it',
Thozhilaali thudikkaAs the worker yearns/struggles,
Haan aanavam peridhendruAh, thinking arrogance is supreme,
Mudhalaali ninaikkaAs the capitalist thinks,
Adakkuven adhai endruSaying 'I will subdue it',
Thozhilaali thudikkaAs the worker yearns/struggles,
Kaanumae ulagathilOne sees in this world
Kankaathi modhaBlind conflicts clashing,
Kaasulla manidharkkuFor men who possess money,
ManamenbadedhuWhere is a heart or conscience?
Female
Iruppadhum panathukkumExisting only for money,
Parapathum panathukkumFlying and chasing only after money,
Idhilenna gauravam moodargal ivarkkuWhat pride is there in this for these fools?
Iruppadhum panathukkumExisting only for money,
Parapathum panathukkumFlying and chasing only after money,
Idhilenna gauravam moodargal ivarkkuWhat pride is there in this for these fools?
Yen ingu erandu vargangalWhy are there two classes here?
Ellorum ondru serungalEveryone, come together as one!
Chorus :{Yen ingu erandu vargangalChorus: {Why are there two classes here?
Ellorum ondru serungal} (3)Everyone, come together as one!} (3)
Female
Haaa…Haaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Nadagame Ulagam' (1979) is a powerful social commentary written by Kannadasan, questioning societal inequalities, class conflicts, and greed. It asks why there are deep divisions and two distinct classes—the wealthy capitalist and the struggling worker—in a world created by God. The song points out the paradox of a society that prides itself on righteous values, motherhood, and scriptures preaching 'Truth Alone Triumphs', yet fails to address the real-world hunger and plight of the poor. It criticizes how money drives human behavior and causes moral corruption, stripping men of their hearts and conscience. Calling out the foolishness of living solely for material wealth, the song ends with a passionate call for social justice, unity, and equality among all human beings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Aandavan boomiyil / Aayiram baedhangal yen

Matching initial vowel sound 'Aa' in consecutive words in the line for rhythmic harmony.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Yen ingu erandu vargangal

Asking a philosophical question to provoke moral reflection about class divide rather than expecting a literal answer.

Parallelism / Yugmam

Iruppadhum panathukkum / Parapathum panathukkum

Symmetrical structure contrasting 'Iruppadhum' (living/existing) and 'Parapathum' (flying/racing) to emphasize life's obsession with money.

Irony / Antithesis

Vaaimaiyae vellum / Endru vazhikattum yedu / Vaazhkaikku udhavaadhu / Engindra podhu

Contrasting lofty ideological values ('Vaaimaiyae vellum') with the harsh practical reality where scriptures fail to aid practical living.

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Trivia

'Nadagame Ulagam' (1979) features music composed by V. Kumar, a maestro known for his subtle melodies and collaboration with director K. Balachander. Sung by the veteran playback singer P. Susheela, this track showcases Kannadasan's signature socialist philosophy, echoing themes of social reform and economic equality frequently present in Tamil cinema during the late 1970s.

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