- Lyricist
- T. K. Sundara Vadhyar
- Singers
- A. G. Rathnamala, G. K. Venkatesh
- Music director
- R. Govarthanam
- Movie name
- Jathagam
- Movie release year
- 1953
- Lyrics added on
- 18 Feb 2025
Lyrics & meaning
♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aandavan namakku alakkura
Alavukku mele edhuvum
Vendam vendam vendam
Vendave vendam
Aandavan namakku alakkura
Alavukku mele edhuvum
Vendam vendam vendam
Vendave vendam
Avan alakkura alavukkum
Aasaikkum veghu dhooram
Oru ambatharavathu aayiram
Aasthi irundha podhum
Avan alakkura alavukkum
Aasaikkum veghu dhooram
Oru ambatharavathu aayiram
Aasthi irundha podhum
Adache…poo ennadi konjama kekkura
Female :Aamaamaa rombha thaan
Kuduthutaappla paakura
Aasthi adhigam irundha namakku
Asandhu varuma thookkam
Aasthi adhigam irundha namakku
Asandhu varuma thookkam
Avangkodukanum ivangkodukkanum
Aahaa engira yekkam
Avangkodukanum ivangkodukkanum
Aahaa engira yekkam
Namakku vendave vendave vendam
Aandavan namakku alakkura
Alavukku mele edhuvum
Vendam vendam vendam
Vendave vendam
Panamullavan deivaminnu
Paniyadhu indha boomi
Panamullavan deivaminnu
Paniyadhu indha boomi
Panathodu perumai therinja
Badhilu solla matte saami
Venumae venumae venumae
Sothu pathu venumae venumae venumae
Panakarangha padugira tholla
Paartha theriyadhu veliyae paartha theriyadhu
Panakarangha padugira tholla
Paartha theriyadhu veliyae paartha theriyadhu
Pala vidha varigalum seluthanum adhukku
Badhil solla mudiyathu
Pagaigalum avndhu serum
Manasilae bayamae oliyaadhu
Pagaigalum avndhu serum
Manasilae bayamae oliyaadhu
Panantharavidil ivan lobiyengindra
Pattam thavaradhu …namakku pattam thavaraadhu
Thuttukaarane kettikaaran avan
Sollukku edhirillae
Thuttukaarane kettikaaran avan
Sollukku edhirillae
Thuraithanam pesida azhaippugal angae
Kuviyum kanakkillae
Thuraithanam pesida azhaippugal angae
Kuviyum kanakkillae
Thuttu ullavan sughavaasi
Thuttu vullavan sughavasi
Avanukku thunbam edhum illae
Kaiyil thuttillame kudumbam nadatharathu
Pengalukku thollae
Veetillae pengalukku thollae
Adhanaale venumae venumae venumae
Sothu pathu venumae venumae venumae
Anything more than what God
measures out for us,
we don't want, don't want, don't want,
we don't want it at all!
Anything more than what God
measures out for us,
we don't want, don't want, don't want,
we don't want it at all!
Between what He measures out
and what human desires crave, there is a wide gap.
If only we had fifty or sixty thousand,
having that much wealth would be enough!
Between what He measures out
and what human desires crave, there is a wide gap.
If only we had fifty or sixty thousand,
having that much wealth would be enough!
Oh come on! Pooh, you call that asking for a little?
Female: Oh sure,
you stare as if you've already handed over so much!
If we had too much wealth,
would peaceful sleep ever come to us?
If we had too much wealth,
would peaceful sleep ever come to us?
"He has to pay back, she has to pay back,"
nothing but constant worry and anxiety!
"He has to pay back, she has to pay back,"
nothing but constant worry and anxiety!
We don't want that, don't want it at all!
Anything more than what God
measures out for us,
we don't want, don't want, don't want,
we don't want it at all!
Doesn't this world bow down
to a man with money as if he were God?
Doesn't this world bow down
to a man with money as if he were God?
If you only understood the dignity money brings,
you wouldn't talk back to me, my dear!
We need it, we need it, we need it!
We really need wealth and property!
The troubles that rich people suffer,
you can't see from outside, you'd never know from the outside!
The troubles that rich people suffer,
you can't see from outside, you'd never know from the outside!
You have to pay all kinds of taxes,
and there's no way to answer for them all.
Enemies will surely gather around,
and fear will never leave your heart.
Enemies will surely gather around,
and fear will never leave your heart.
If you don't hand out cash, the label of a miser
will never spare you... that title won't spare us!
The man with money is considered clever,
no one ever dares to speak against him.
The man with money is considered clever,
no one ever dares to speak against him.
Invitations to preside over events
pile up beyond count!
Invitations to preside over events
pile up beyond count!
A man with money lives in comfort,
a man with money lives in comfort,
he doesn't have any troubles at all.
Running a household without money in hand
is pure trouble for women,
trouble for women at home!
That is why we need it, need it, need it!
We really need wealth and property!
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song from the 1953 film 'Jathagam' is a humorous and philosophical duet structured as a friendly debate on the value of wealth versus contentment. One voice argues that happiness lies in accepting what providence allocates, cautioning that excessive wealth brings sleeplessness, tax burdens, social envy, and persistent anxiety.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Vendam vendam vendam”
The deliberate repetition of words like 'Vendam vendam' (don't want) and 'Venumae venumae' (we need) creates rhythmic impact and highlights opposing philosophies.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Aandavan namakku alakkura”
Matching initial consonant sounds across successive words or lines, such as 'Aandavan', 'Alavukku', and 'Aasthi', enhancing the rhythmic cadence.
Antithesis (Moral Contrast)
“Aasthi adhigam irundha namakku / Asandhu varuma thookkam”
Juxtaposing the peace of mind in modest living against the hidden troubles and fears of affluent living.
Did you know?
Trivia
G. K. Venkatesh, who performed as a playback singer in this song alongside A. G. Rathnamala, went on to become one of the most prominent music directors in South Indian cinema and was a key mentor to Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
Adi Kaana Karunkuyile1988
Poonthotta KaavalkaaranSocial ClassFolk Influenced
Ennanga Goundaru1992
ThilagamPovertyDomestic Life
Akka Magaley1959
Sumangali – 1959Dialogue DrivenVillage Setting
Varavu Ettana1967
Bama VijayamPovertySocial Class
Pengalalae Ulagile1954
MalaikkallanDomestic LifePoverty
Senthazham Poovai Pol1957
Makkalai Petra MagarasiFolk InfluencedVillage Setting
From the same album
More songs from Jathagam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.