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Sumathi En Sundari album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ellorukkum Kaalam Varum

From Sumathi En Sundari · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
L. R. Eswari, A. L. Raghavan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Sumathi En Sundari
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
23 Jan 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ellorukkum kaalam varum
Sambaadhikka neram varum
Varuvadhu endha vazhiyo
Ellorukkum kaalam varum
Sambaadhikka neram varum
Varuvadhu endha vazhiyo
Alli thara dheivam undu
Pootti vaikka petti undu
Adhu varai enna kadhaiyo
Adhu varai enna kadhaiyo
……………………………
{Thiramaiyilae edhuvum illai
Neram adhu thaanae vara vendum
Thiruppathiyin undiyal pol
Selvam adhu veettil unai thaedum} (2)
Undaana pin kodi sondham varum
Illaadhadhai cholli vattam idum
Thaalangal melangal jaalraakkal koojaakkal
Pin paattu paadi pinnae varum
Moochondru vittaalum
Paechendru kai thatti
Kondaadum koottangal thaanae varum
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Ellorukkum kaalam varum
Sambaadhikka neram varum
Varuvadhu endha vazhiyo
……………………………..
Vaazhvadharkku irandu vazhi
Neramai adhu thaevai sila kaalam
Nermaiyilae palanillaiyae
Thaevai niraivaerum vazhi maarum
Appaavigal vaazhvu thappaanadhu
Anjaadhavan vaazhvu thappaadhadhu
Eppodhu vandhaalum thappaamal kai pattru
Sandharppam thaan endrum ponnaanadhu
Appodhu thoongaadhae
Pinnaalae yaengaadhae
Adhirshtathil pangundu endraavadhu
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Everyone's time will come
The moment to earn will come
Through which path it will arrive, who knows?
Everyone's time will come
The moment to earn will come
Through which path it will arrive, who knows?
There is God to give generously
There is a chest to lock it away
Until then, what will the story be?
Until then, what will the story be?
...
Skill alone decides nothing
The right time must arrive on its own
Just like the offering box at Tirupati temple
Wealth will seek you out right at your home
Once you have wealth, millions of relatives will arrive
Making up flattering tales, they will circle around you
With drums and cymbals, flatterers and yes-men
Singing chorus to your words, they will follow behind
Even if you merely let out a breath
Applauding it as a grand speech
Crowds will flock on their own to celebrate you
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Everyone's time will come
The moment to earn will come
Through which path it will arrive, who knows?
...
There are two ways to live in this world
Honesty is needed for a while
If honesty yields no reward
The path changes to fulfill one's needs
The lives of the innocent end up ruined
The life of a fearless man never fails
Whenever it comes, seize it without fail
For opportunity is always golden
Do not sleep at that moment
Do not yearn with regret later
For you too have a share in good fortune someday
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Ellorukkum Kaalam Varum is a philosophical and satirical song about fate, fortune, timing, and human behavior. It reflects on how luck and favorable timing often override raw talent in determining material success, observing that once wealth arrives, flatterers and fair-weather companions inevitably flock to celebrate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile

“Thiruppathiyin undiyal pol / Selvam adhu veettil unai thaedum”

Compares wealth automatically flowing to a person at home to coins endlessly falling into the sacred donation box at Tirupati.

Metaphor

“Thaalangal melangal jaalraakkal koojaakkal / Pin paattu paadi pinnae varum”

Uses musical instruments and sycophants (cymbals, drums, jaalraas, koojaas) as metaphors for parasitical flatterers following rich people.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sumathi En Sundari (1971) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa, featuring music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and lyrics by Kannadasan.

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