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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enakkennada Sogavasi Naan

From Adutha Veedu · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Adutha Veedu1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enakkennada sogavaasi naanWhat do I care, I am a lover of comfort and ease
Yeruna enna velavaasithaanWhat does it matter to me if inflation and prices rise?
Thunda viricha soru kedaikkumIf I spread out my towel, I get food to eat
Mazhaiyadichaa thanni kedaikkumIf it rains, I get water to drink
Bharatha dhesathulaIn this great land of Bharath (India)
Male
Enakkennada sogavaasi naanWhat do I care, I am a lover of comfort and ease
Yeruna enna velavaasithaanWhat does it matter to me if inflation and prices rise?
Thunda viricha soru kedaikkumIf I spread out my towel, I get food to eat
Mazhaiyadichaa thanni kedaikkumIf it rains, I get water to drink
Bharatha dhesathulaIn this great land of Bharath (India)
Male
Enakkennada sogavaasi naanWhat do I care, I am a lover of comfort and ease
Yeruna enna velavaasithaanWhat does it matter to me if inflation and prices rise?
Male
Ozhaikka ozhaichu pozhaikkaEven if one works hard and toils to survive
Yaarum ullabadi ennuradhu illaNobody truly values or respects them properly
Ozhaikka ozhaichu pozhaikkaEven if one works hard and toils to survive
Yaarum ullabadi ennuradhu illaNobody truly values or respects them properly
Annachi naadu ennachiBrother, what has happened to our nation?
Oru munnaetram innivara varallaNo progress has come about till this day
Male
Annachi naadu ennachiBrother, what has happened to our nation?
Oru munnaetram innivara varallaNo progress has come about till this day
Male
Soru kanda edam thaan sorgamHeaven is wherever food is available
Soodu sornai illaa vargamA class of people devoid of self-respect and shame
Nattu nadappu sonna vetkamIt is shameful to even talk about the state of affairs
Moodi maraichu vecha thukkamHidden and suppressed sorrows
Sodhandhira dhesathulaIn this independent nation
Male
Enakkennada sogavaasi naanWhat do I care, I am a lover of comfort and ease
Yeruna enna velavaasithaanWhat does it matter to me if inflation and prices rise?
Male
Ottu poda kettuBegging for votes
Namma pettaiyathaan suthunaanga niththamThey roamed around our locality every single day
Ottu poda kettuBegging for votes
Namma pettaiyathaan suthunaanga niththamThey roamed around our locality every single day
Otta neeyum pottaOnce you cast your vote
Pottu ottaandi aanadhu thaan michamYou are left ruined and penniless, that is all that remains
Male
Otta naanum pottenI too cast my vote
Pottu ottaandi aanadhu thaan michamI ended up ruined and penniless, that is all that remains
Male
Naama kuduthuthaanda padhaviWe were the ones who gave them their position and power
Namakku yedhum illa udhaviYet there is no help offered to us in return
Kenathukulla irukkumMale :ThavalaLike a frog living inside a deep well
Male :Unakkum enakkum enna kavalaWhat worry do you and I have?
Podaanggg…Get lost!
Male
Enakkennada sogavaasi naanWhat do I care, I am a lover of comfort and ease
Yeruna enna velavaasithaanWhat does it matter to me if inflation and prices rise?
Male
Arivu panbu therama moonumIntelligence, character, and talent - all three
Ullavana vaazha vidamattaanThey will not let a person possessing them survive
Arivu panbu therama moonumIntelligence, character, and talent - all three
Ullavana vaazha vidamattaanThey will not let a person possessing them survive
Annaa gaandhi nehruAnna, Gandhi, and Nehru
Appa sonnadhellaam ippa evan kettaanWho listens today to what those founding figures said?
Male
Annaa gaandhi nehruAnna, Gandhi, and Nehru
Appa sonnadhellaam ippa evan kettaanWho listens today to what those founding figures said?
Male
Payira meyudhunga vaeliThe fence itself is grazing on the crops
Patta pattukku illa kooliThere is no proper wage for the hard labor endured
Nesatha pola irukku poliDuplicate items look just like genuine ones
Nermaikku enna inga joliWhat job or place is there for honesty here?
Punniya boomiyilaIn this sacred holy land
Male
Enakkennada sogavaasi naanWhat do I care, I am a lover of comfort and ease
Yeruna enna velavaasithaanWhat does it matter to me if inflation and prices rise?
Thunda viricha soru kedaikkumIf I spread out my towel, I get food to eat
Mazhaiyadichaa thanni kedaikkumIf it rains, I get water to drink
Bharatha dhesathulaIn this great land of Bharath (India)
Male
Enakkennada sogavaasi naanWhat do I care, I am a lover of comfort and ease
Yeruna enna velavaasithaanWhat does it matter to me if inflation and prices rise?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This satirical and socially conscious song from the 1989 movie 'Adutha Veedu', written by the legendary Vaali and composed by Shankar Ganesh, captures the cynical perspective of a common man living in modern India. The protagonist adopts a detached, carefree persona ('sogavaasi') who claims not to care about inflation or political corruption because basic survival needs are somehow met through begging or nature. Beneath this comedic facade lies a biting critique of post-independence Indian politics, inflation, lack of social progress, and the betrayal of foundational ideals set by leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and C. N. Annadurai. The song highlights classic social issues such as politicians making grand promises before elections only to abandon voters once in power, the prevalence of corruption ('the fence grazing the crop'), and the struggle of honest, talented, and hardworking individuals who remain unrewarded in a corrupt system. Rendered with powerful rustic vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan, the song balances humor and philosophical irony while exposing deep societal grievances.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverb / Idiom (பழமொழி)

Payira meyudhunga vaeli

'Payira meyudhunga vaeli' (The fence itself grazes the crop) is a famous Tamil proverb used metaphorically to describe corrupt guardians or politicians who destroy what they are meant to protect.

Metaphor (உவமை)

Kenathukulla irukkum Male :Thavala

'Kenathukulla irukkum thavala' (Frog inside a well) compares complacent or ignorant citizens to a frog trapped in a well who thinks its narrow surroundings are the whole world.

Ethirai (எதுகை - Second Letter Rhyme)

Soru kanda edam thaan sorgam / Soodu sornai illaa vargam

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'ru' across consecutive lines ('Soru' and 'Soodu').

Monai (மோனை - Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Payira meyudhunga vaeli / Patta pattukku illa kooli

Repetition of the initial sound 'Pa' ('Payira' and 'Patta') creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Adutha Veedu' (1989) featured music by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh and was known for incorporating socio-political satire popular in Tamil cinema during the late 1980s. Malaysia Vasudevan's distinctive energetic delivery made this song a popular radio track that resonated with working-class audiences.

Keep listening

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