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Thazhampoo album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Engae Poividum Kaalam

From Thazhampoo · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Thazhampoo
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
23 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Engae poividum kaalam
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaal
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Engae poividum kaalam
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaal
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Ulladhai cholli nalladhai seidhu
Varuvadhu varattum endriruppom
Ulladhai cholli nalladhai seidhu
Varuvadhu varattum endriruppom
Kanneer ellaam punnagaiyaagum
Kanneer ellaam punnagaiyaagum
Kadamaiyin vazhiyae nindriruppom
Kadamaiyin vazhiyae nindriruppom
Engae poividum kaalam
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaal
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Oru sila pergal oru sila naatkal
Unmaiyin kangalai maraithu vaippaar
Oru sila pergal oru sila naatkal
Unmaiyin kangalai maraithu vaippaar
Poruthavar ellaam pongi ezhundhae
Moodiya kangalai thirandhu vaippaar
Poruthavar ellaam pongi ezhundhae
Moodiya kangalai thirandhu vaippaar
Engae poividum kaalam
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaal
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Kaalgal irukka kaigal irukka
Kavalaigal nammai enna seiyum
Kaalgal irukka kaigal irukka
Kavalaigal nammai enna seiyum
Uzhaippadhu ondrae seyal ena kaodaal
Uzhaippadhu ondrae seyal ena kaodaal
Nadappadhu nalamaai nadandhu vidum
Nadappadhu nalamaai nadandhu vidum
Engae poividum kaalam
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaal
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkum
Engae poividum kaalam
Where can time go?
It will let me live well too.
If you open up your heart,
It will let you live well too.
Where can time go?
It will let me live well too.
If you open up your heart,
It will let you live well too.
Speaking the truth and doing good deeds,
Let us accept whatever comes our way.
Speaking the truth and doing good deeds,
Let us accept whatever comes our way.
Every tear will turn into a smile,
Every tear will turn into a smile,
If we stand firm on the path of duty.
If we stand firm on the path of duty.
Where can time go?
It will let me live well too.
If you open up your heart,
It will let you live well too.
A few people, for a few days,
May blindfold the eyes of truth.
A few people, for a few days,
May blindfold the eyes of truth.
Those who were patient will rise up,
And open those closed eyes.
Those who were patient will rise up,
And open those closed eyes.
Where can time go?
It will let me live well too.
If you open up your heart,
It will let you live well too.
When we have our own hands and legs,
What can worries ever do to us?
When we have our own hands and legs,
What can worries ever do to us?
If we believe that hard work is our only duty,
If we believe that hard work is our only duty,
Everything will turn out for the best.
Everything will turn out for the best.
Where can time go?
It will let me live well too.
If you open up your heart,
It will let you live well too.
Where can time go?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This uplifting philosophical song from the 1965 film 'Thazhampoo' reflects classic MGR-esque ideals of optimism, resilience, and moral rectitude. The song assures the listener that time heals and provides for everyone who remains open-hearted and faithful to their moral duties. It emphasizes that hardship and deception are only temporary; deceitful forces may blindfold truth for a short while, but those who endure will eventually rise up and restore justice. Through simple yet powerful lyrics, Vaali highlights the value of hard work, self-reliance, and perseverance. Having hands to labor and legs to stand on is portrayed as the ultimate armor against life's worries. As long as one speaks the truth, performs good deeds, and remains committed to hard work, all sorrows will turn into happiness, and whatever happens will ultimately lead to a good outcome.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Unmaiyin kangalai maraithu vaippaar”

'Truth' (Unmai) is personified as having eyes ('kangal') that can be covered or blindfolded by deceitful people.

Repetition / Anaphora

“Oru sila pergal oru sila naatkal”

The phrase 'Oru sila' (A few) is repeated consecutively to emphasize the limited scope and temporary nature of deceptive people and bad times.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Kaalgal irukka kaigal irukka”

Matching initial sounds ('Kaalgal' and 'Kaigal') creating a pleasant rhythm that stresses physical capabilities.

Antithesis / Contrast

“Kanneer ellaam punnagaiyaagum”

Contrasting 'Kanneer' (tears/sorrow) with 'Punnagai' (smiles/joy) to highlight the optimistic transformation brought by duty.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features lyrics by the legendary Vaali and was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) in the 1965 drama film 'Thazhampoo', which was directed by N. S. Ramarma. The soundtrack was composed by the famous duo K. V. Mahadevan. Like many iconic MGR tracks penned by Vaali, this song functioned as a philosophical anthem promoting self-confidence, social justice, and hard work among the masses.

Keep listening

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