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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engae Poividum Kaalam

From Thazhampoo · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thazhampoo1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engae poividum kaalamWhere can time flee away?
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will surely sustain me too.
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaalIf you keep your heart open,
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will sustain you as well.
Male
Engae poividum kaalamWhere can time flee away?
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will surely sustain me too.
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaalIf you keep your heart open,
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will sustain you as well.
Male
Ulladhai cholli nalladhai seidhuSpeaking the truth and doing good deeds,
Varuvadhu varattum endriruppomLet us be unfazed, saying 'Let whatever happens, happen.'
Ulladhai cholli nalladhai seidhuSpeaking the truth and doing good deeds,
Varuvadhu varattum endriruppomLet us be unfazed, saying 'Let whatever happens, happen.'
Kanneer ellaam punnagaiyaagumAll tears will transform into smiles,
Kanneer ellaam punnagaiyaagumAll tears will transform into smiles,
Kadamaiyin vazhiyae nindriruppomIf we stand steadfastly on the path of duty.
Kadamaiyin vazhiyae nindriruppomIf we stand steadfastly on the path of duty.
Male
Engae poividum kaalamWhere can time flee away?
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will surely sustain me too.
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaalIf you keep your heart open,
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will sustain you as well.
Male
Oru sila pergal oru sila naatkalA few people, for a few days,
Unmaiyin kangalai maraithu vaippaarMay blindfold the eyes of truth.
Oru sila pergal oru sila naatkalA few people, for a few days,
Unmaiyin kangalai maraithu vaippaarMay blindfold the eyes of truth.
Poruthavar ellaam pongi ezhundhaeThose who suffered in patience will rise up in revolt,
Moodiya kangalai thirandhu vaippaarAnd open those closed eyes.
Poruthavar ellaam pongi ezhundhaeThose who suffered in patience will rise up in revolt,
Moodiya kangalai thirandhu vaippaarAnd open those closed eyes.
Male
Engae poividum kaalamWhere can time flee away?
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will surely sustain me too.
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaalIf you keep your heart open,
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will sustain you as well.
Male
Kaalgal irukka kaigal irukkaWhen we have legs to walk and hands to work,
Kavalaigal nammai enna seiyumWhat harm can worries ever do to us?
Kaalgal irukka kaigal irukkaWhen we have legs to walk and hands to work,
Kavalaigal nammai enna seiyumWhat harm can worries ever do to us?
Uzhaippadhu ondrae seyal ena kaodaalIf we consider hard work as our sole duty,
Uzhaippadhu ondrae seyal ena kaodaalIf we consider hard work as our sole duty,
Nadappadhu nalamaai nadandhu vidumWhatever happens will turn out for the best.
Nadappadhu nalamaai nadandhu vidumWhatever happens will turn out for the best.
Male
Engae poividum kaalamWhere can time flee away?
Adhu ennaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will surely sustain me too.
Nee idhayathai thirandhu vaithaalIf you keep your heart open,
Adhu unnaiyum vaazha vaikkumIt will sustain you as well.
Male
Engae poividum kaalamWhere can time flee away?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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