Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Karuppu Panam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ellarum Ellamum

From Karuppu Panam · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Karuppu Panam
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
24 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ellaarum ellaamum pera vendum
Ingu illaamai illaadha nilai vendum
Male & Chorus :
Ellaarum ellaamum pera vendum
Ingu illaamai illaadha nilai vendum
Vallaan porul kuvikkum thani udamai
Vallaan porul kuvikkum thani udamai
Neengi vara vendum thirunaattil podhuvudamai
Vallaan porul kuvikkum thani udamai
Neengi vara vendum thirunaattil podhuvudamai
Iruttil maraindhu kolla
Vilakkanaippaar silar
Kinatril irundhu kondu ulagalappaar
Iruttil maraindhu kolla
Vilakkanaippaar silar
Kinatril irundhu kondu ulagalappaar
Neruppai madiyil vaithu maraithiruppaar
Andha neesarai yaar ulagil poruthiruppaar
Neruppai madiyil vaithu maraithiruppaar
Andha neesarai yaar ulagil poruthiruppaar
Paalena azhuvorkku paal tharuvom
Pasun koozhena thudipporkku soriduvom
Paalena azhuvorkku paal tharuvom
Pasun koozhena thudipporkku soriduvom
Thaayagam kaapporin thaal panivom
Yaavum thanakkena ninaipporai siraiyiduvom
Thaayagam kaapporin thaal panivom
Yaavum thanakkena ninaipporai siraiyiduvom
Vallaan porul kuvikkum thani udamai
Vallaan porul kuvikkum thani udamai
Neengi vara vendum thirunaattil podhuvudamai
Everyone should have all that they need,
A world without poverty must arise here.
Male & Chorus:
Everyone should have all that they need,
A world without poverty must arise here.
Private greed where the strong hoard all wealth,
Private greed where the strong hoard all wealth,
Must vanish, and shared equality come to our blessed land!
Private greed where the strong hoard all wealth,
Must vanish, and shared equality come to our blessed land!
Just to hide in the darkness,
Some will put out the lamp;
Sitting inside a well, they try to measure the world!
Just to hide in the darkness,
Some will put out the lamp;
Sitting inside a well, they try to measure the world!
They try to hide burning embers in their lap;
Who in this world will tolerate such wicked people?
They try to hide burning embers in their lap;
Who in this world will tolerate such wicked people?
To those crying for milk, we will give milk;
To those struggling for simple porridge, we will serve rice;
To those crying for milk, we will give milk;
To those struggling for simple porridge, we will serve rice;
We will bow at the feet of those who protect our homeland,
And imprison those who claim everything for themselves!
We will bow at the feet of those who protect our homeland,
And imprison those who claim everything for themselves!
Private greed where the strong hoard all wealth,
Private greed where the strong hoard all wealth,
Must vanish, and shared equality come to our blessed land!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from the 1964 film 'Karuppu Panam' is a powerful socialist anthem advocating for egalitarianism, social justice, and collective welfare. Written by Kannadasan, the lyrics express a vision where basic necessities like food and milk are guaranteed for all, eradicating extreme poverty and inequality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mohnai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Ellaarum ellaamum pera vendum”

Repetition of the initial 'E' sound across words in the same line.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Paalena azhuvorkku paal tharuvom / Pasun koozhena thudipporkku soriduvom”

Consistent rhyming end-suffixes (-om) in consecutive lines (tharuvom, soriduvom, panivom, siraiyiduvom).

Metaphor / Proverbial Imagery

“Kinatril irundhu kondu ulagalappaar”

Uses the classic metaphor of a frog inside a well ('Kinatril irundhu kondu') to criticize narrow-minded and corrupt individuals.

Idiomatic Metaphor

“Neruppai madiyil vaithu maraithiruppaar”

'Hiding fire in one's lap' is a metaphor for carrying out dangerous, guilt-ridden, illegal hoarding activities.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Ellaarum ellaamum pera vendum' from 'Karuppu Panam' (1964) was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and sung by T. M. Soundararajan. Its title 'Karuppu Panam' translates to 'Black Money', and the lyrics directly address the economic disparity caused by hoarding, championing socialist ideals (Podhuvudamai) during a period when left-leaning socio-political themes were prominent in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi1979
Ore Vanam Ore BoomiEqualityHopeful
Kuzhandhaigal Kanda1960
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda KudiyarasuSocial JusticeEquality
Sila Per Vazha1959
Athisaya PennEqualitySocial Justice
Naadu Sezhithida Naalum Uzhaithida1956
Thaaikkuppin ThaaramEqualityHopeful
Ore Raththamthan Oduthu1987
Ore RaththamEqualitySocial Justice
Naan Aanaiyittal1965
Enga Veettu PillaiSocial JusticeHope

From the same album

More songs from Karuppu Panam

View album
Ammamma Keladi1964
Karuppu PanamTender
Aadavarellam Aadavaralam1964
Karuppu PanamCelebratory
Kanmani Kanmani Kaniye1964
Karuppu PanamTender
Kaiyile Panam Irundhal1964
Karuppu PanamContemplative
Pattu Chiragukonda1964
Karuppu PanamPlayful
Thangachi Chinna Ponnu1964
Karuppu PanamPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.