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Chandhrodhayam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Buddan Yesu

From Chandhrodhayam · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Chandhrodhayam
Movie release year
1966
Lyrics added on
15 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Buthan yesu
Ganthi piranthadhu
Boomiyil etharkaaga
Thozha ezhai namakaaga } (2)
Gangai yamunai
Kaveri vaigai oduvathu
Etharkaaga naalum uzhaithu
Thaagam edutha thozhargal namakaaga
Kelvikuripol
Muthugu valainthu
Uzhaipathu etharkaaga
Maanam ondrae perithena
Enni pizhaikum namakaaga
Buthan yesu
Ganthi piranthadhu
Boomiyil etharkaaga
Thozha ezhai namakaaga
{ Nizhal vendumbothu
Maram ondru undu pagai
Vanthabothu thunai ondru undu } (2)
Irul vanthabothu
Vilakondru undu ethirkaalam
Ondru ellorkum undu
Unmai enbathu
Endrum ullathu deivathin
Mozhiyaagum nanmai enbathu
Naalai varuvathu nambikai oliyaagum
Buthan yesu
Ganthi piranthadhu
Boomiyil etharkaaga
Thozha ezhai namakaaga
{ Porulkonda
Pergal manam kondathillai
Tharum kaigal thedi
Porul vanthathillai } (2)
Manam endra
Koyil pirakindra neram
Azhaikaamal angae
Deivam vanthu serum
Azhuthavar
Siripathum sirithavar
Azhuvathum vithi
Vazhi vanthathillai
Oruvanukendrae
Ullathu ellam iraivanum
Thanthathillai
Buthan yesu
Ganthi piranthadhu
Boomiyil etharkaaga
Thozha ezhai namakaaga
Gangai yamunai
Kaveri vaigai oduvathu
Etharkaaga naalum uzhaithu
Thaagam edutha thozhargal namakaaga
Buthan yesu
Ganthi piranthadhu
Boomiyil etharkaaga
Thozha ezhai namakaaga
Buddha, Jesus,
and Gandhi were born
on this earth—for what reason?
My friend, for us, the poor!
Why do the Ganga and Yamuna,
the Kaveri and Vaigai flow?
For what reason? For us comrades
who toil every day and thirst!
Like a question mark,
bending our backs,
why do we labor hard?
Believing self-respect is everything,
for us who make our living by it!
Why were Buddha, Jesus,
and Gandhi born
on this earth?
My friend, for us, the poor!
When shade is needed,
there is a tree; when danger comes,
there is a companion to stand by us.
When darkness falls,
there is a lamp; a bright future
is waiting for everyone.
What we call truth
lasts forever; it is the voice
of God. Goodness is what
will arrive tomorrow, as the light of hope!
Why were Buddha, Jesus,
and Gandhi born
on this earth?
My friend, for us, the poor!
Those who possess
wealth have no generous heart,
and seeking out hands that give,
wealth has never arrived.
At the moment when
the heart becomes a temple,
even without being called,
God arrives and stays there.
Those who wept
learning to smile, and those who laughed
beginning to weep—this was not
brought about by fate alone.
For one person alone,
all that exists in this world
was never given by God.
Why were Buddha, Jesus,
and Gandhi born
on this earth?
My friend, for us, the poor!
Why do the Ganga and Yamuna,
the Kaveri and Vaigai flow?
For what reason? For us comrades
who toil every day and thirst!
Why were Buddha, Jesus,
and Gandhi born
on this earth?
My friend, for us, the poor!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical anthem from Chandhrodhayam (1966) offers a powerful message of dignity, justice, and hope for the labor class. The speaker asserts that great spiritual leaders like Buddha, Jesus, and Mahatma Gandhi came into the world to uplift the poor and downtrodden, just as great rivers like the Ganges and Cauvery flow to quench the thirst of hardworking laborers. It celebrates the worker who bends like a question mark in honest toil while holding self-respect above material wealth. The song further observes that wealthy individuals often lack generosity, whereas a kind and welcoming heart serves as a true temple where God chooses to dwell. Reminding listeners that nature's blessings are meant for everyone rather than a privileged few, the lyrics urge the working class to remain hopeful for a brighter, fairer tomorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

“Kelvikuripol / Muthugu valainthu”

Comparing a laborer's bent back during strenuous physical toil to a question mark ('Kelvikuri').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Manam endra / Koyil pirakindra neram”

Directly metaphorizing a pure, compassionate human heart as a holy temple ('Koyil').

Alliteration (Monai)

“Porulkonda / Pergal manam kondathillai”

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('Porulkonda', 'Pergal') for rhythmic harmony.

Antithesis (Muran)

“Azhuthavar / Siripathum sirithavar / Azhuvathum”

Contrasting crying ('Azhuthavar') and laughing ('Sirithavar') to highlight changing fortunes.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1966 Tamil film Chandhrodhayam starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, this track is a classic example of MGR's signature messianic songs that built his socio-political identity among the working class.

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