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Lyrics & meaning

Bullattu Vandiyila

From Pogumidam Vegu Thooramillai · 2024

Lyricist
Ekadasi
Singers
Mathichiyam Bala, Mahalingam, Guru Ayyadurai, Latha, Shivani
Music director
N. R. Raghunanthan
Details
Pogumidam Vegu Thooramillai2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Idhayathil vaazhumLiving in the heart
Nee em mannaneYou are our king
Thennatu makkalin kodai vallaleThe generous patron of the southern people
Female :Aiya kodai vallaleFemale: Oh sir, generous patron
Male
Bullatu vandiyilaOn the Bullet motorcycle
Nee vantha pakanumeOne must watch you riding
Pakanume pakanumeMust watch, must watch
Kan kondu pakanumeMust witness with one's own eyes
Female :Pakanume pakanumeFemale: Must watch, must watch
Aiyyava pakanumeMust watch our dear sir
Male
Thekku mara thegam konduHaving a body built like sturdy teakwood
Ther pola povegaleYou used to move majestically like a temple chariot
Thekku maram karugidaAs the teak tree gets scorched
Theengu nernthatheHarm and tragedy have struck
Female :AamaFemale: Yes
Male
Seemaiyellam unpechaThe entire region listened to your words
Kekum aiyyaWould listen, oh sir
Female :Kekum aiyyaFemale: Would listen, oh sir
Male
Nee nadakum alagaThe grace of your stride
Paakum ayyaEveryone would admire, sir
Female :Anga aadum maadumFemale: Over there, even the cattle and livestock
Aluthu kedakuthuAre lying down in tears
Male
Enthuruchu vaa raasaWake up and come back, my king
Ada thanga thatulaOh, on a golden plate
Soru thinna enga singameOur lion who ate his meal
Ippo engaiyum kaanameIs now nowhere to be seen
Ippo engaum kaanameIs now nowhere to be seen
Male
Silukku satta rasaveKing clad in a silk shirt
Nee vaaCome back
Female :Nee vaaFemale: Come back
Male :Enga seema mechaMale: Praised by our entire region
Seemane nee vaaNoble lord, come back
Arisi kodutha aakanumunnuIf raw rice is given, it must be cooked to eat
Nee annam thanthaYou gave direct cooked food
Aagasam aiyyaA benefactor as vast as the sky, sir
Male
Yaanai kattum kal thoonLike a strong stone pillar meant to tie an elephant
Esakki muthuEsakki Muthu
Kalangi poga yarum kandathu illaiNo one has ever seen him falter or break down
Kundu kuzhi otha mavaluga thaanOnly the precious daughters
Aluthu aluthu onji kedakaavoAre lying exhausted from continuous crying
Kurai solla mudiya un purapuYour birth and life are beyond any fault
Female :Un purapuFemale: Your birth
Male
Nera marakka alavuMemories remain deep enough
Nenappu irukuTo make us forget time itself
Female :IrukuFemale: It remains
Alagu raasa unna pakanumeHandsome king, we wish to see you
Alagu raasa unna pakanumeHandsome king, we wish to see you
Chorus
……………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant folk funeral lament (Oppari) sung in memory of a revered, generous village benefactor named Esakki Muthu. The lyricist portrays him as a majestic, kingly figure who rode a Bullet motorcycle, wore silk shirts, and possessed a physique as sturdy as teakwood. He was known for his unyielding strength and boundless charity, feeding the hungry openly like the vast sky. His sudden death leaves the entire community in profound grief. The song expresses the deep pain felt by the villagers, noting that even the farm animals are weeping over his demise. The villagers plead for their beloved leader to return, lamenting that a man of such faultless character and immense stature is no longer among them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Thekku mara thegam kondu / Ther pola povegale

Compares the deceased leader's sturdy physique to teakwood ('Thekku maram') and his grand walk to a temple chariot ('Ther').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thekku maram karugida / Theengu nernthathe

Repetition of the initial 'Th' sound across consecutive lines ('Thekku', 'Theengu') enhancing the rhythmic mourning tone.

Uyarvu Navitchi Ani (Hyperbole / Grand Metaphor)

Nee annam thantha / Aagasam aiyya

Describing the person's boundless charity in providing cooked meals directly as vast as the sky ('Aagasam').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pogumidam Vegu Thooramillai' (2024) revolves around the journey of a funeral hearse van driver and a traditional mourning folk singer (Oppari artist). Composed by N. R. Raghunanthan with lyrics by Ekadasi, this song authentically captures the rustic Oppari tradition of Southern Tamil Nadu, where eulogies are sung live to celebrate the life and virtues of the deceased.

Keep listening

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