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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engalukkum Veyiladikkum Male

From Onbadhu Roobai Nottu · 2007

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Onbadhu Roobai Nottu2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engalukkum veyiladikkumSun will shine for us too
Engalukkum kaaththadikkumWind will blow for us too
Engalukkum mazhai adikkum saamiRain will pour for us too, my Lord
Engalukkum alli kodukkum bhoomiThe earth will give generously to us too
Male
Illaennu sollalaam saamiMan may say "No", my Lord
Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomiBut will the generous earth ever say "No"?
Illaennu sollalaam saamiMan may say "No", my Lord
Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomiBut will the generous earth ever say "No"?
Male
Kaaraan mul irukkumThere may be sharp thorns
Karuvelan maram irukkumThere may be black babool trees
Kuththum kuraa kal irukkumThere may be sharp stones that pierce
Koththa varum paambirukkumThere may be snakes coming to bite
Male
Mul erukkum kaadu-nuAs a forest filled with thorns
VerukaadheengaDo not despise it
Angae mooligaiyum molaichchirukkuMedicinal herbs also grow right there
MarakaadheengaDo not forget that
Male
Nambi kazhutharukkumDeceiving people who slit throats
Nari pola gunam irukkumSly, fox-like natures may exist
Nandri ellaam marandhirukkumGratitude may be totally forgotten
Nadu veettil mullavaikkumPlanting thorns right in the middle of the house
Male
Nanjirukkum oorunnuAs a village filled with poison
VerukaadheengaDo not despise it
Innum nallavanga irukaangaGood people still exist
MarakkaadheengaDo not forget that
Male
Vayasa marangaForget your age
Vaai vittu chireengaLaugh out loud heartily
Paadupattu uzhaingaWork hard with effort
Paguthoondu vaazhndhu paarungaShare your food and experience life
Male
Oh oh oh ohohohoOh oh oh ohohoho
Hey ey ey ho ho hoooHey ey ey ho ho hooo
Male
Engalukkum veyiladikkumSun will shine for us too
Engalukkum kaaththadikkumWind will blow for us too
Engalukkum mazhai adikkum saamiRain will pour for us too, my Lord
Female
……………………………..
Male
Vella manasirukkuThere is an innocent heart
Vaela seiya thembirukkuThere is strength to work hard
Pechu thonaikkuFor company to talk with
Pelaa mara thoppirukkuThere is a grove of jackfruit trees
Male
Soru thanni kaasu panamCooked rice, water, money, and wealth
VenaamungaAre not needed, sir
Indha suththamaana kaathirukkuThis pure air is here
PodhumungaThat is enough, sir
Male
Thazhuva chuttram unduRelatives are there to embrace
Thaai pola oorum unduA village that acts like a mother exists
Kadal thaandi bhoomi unduLands exist beyond the sea
Madham thaandi sondham unduKinships exist beyond religion
Male
Usura koduththa manna vittuLeaving the land that gave you life
PogaadheengaDo not go away
Indha oorai vittu engaeyum poyiGoing away somewhere from this village
SaagaadheengaDo not perish
Male
Vayasa marangaForget your age
Vaai vittu chireengaLaugh out loud heartily
Paadupattu uzhaingaWork hard with effort
Paguthoondu vaazhndhu paarungaShare your food and experience life
Male
Oh oh oh ohohohoOh oh oh ohohoho
Hey ey ey ho ho hoooHey ey ey ho ho hooo
Male
Engalukkum veyiladikkumSun will shine for us too
Engalukkum kaaththadikkumWind will blow for us too
Engalukkum mazhai adikkum saamiRain will pour for us too, my Lord
Engallukkum alli kudukkum bhoomiThe earth will give generously to us too
Male
Illaennu sollalaam saamiMan may say "No", my Lord
Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomiBut will the generous earth ever say "No"?
Illaennu sollalaam saamiMan may say "No", my Lord
Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomiBut will the generous earth ever say "No"?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting philosophical song celebrates resilience, communal harmony, and the unwavering bounty of nature. It asserts that nature's blessings—sun, wind, and rain—are available equally to everyone regardless of human greed or prejudice. While human society may contain deceit, hostility, and betrayal, the lyricist reminds us that medicinal herbs grow alongside thorns, and good human beings still exist among the bad. The song strongly urges individuals not to abandon their roots or homeland out of despair, encouraging a life filled with honest hard work, laughter, and sharing with others.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaaraan mul irukkum / Karuvelan maram irukkum

The second consonant 'raa' in Kaaraan rhymes with 'ru' in Karuvelan across consecutive lines.

Simile (Upamai)

Nari pola gunam irukkum

Compares deceitful human behavior directly to the cunning nature of a fox using 'pola'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thaai pola oorum undu

Compares the motherly warmth and protection offered by one's native village to a mother.

Muran (Contrast)

Illaennu sollalaam saami / Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomi

Contrasts human stinginess ("man saying no") with Mother Earth's boundless generosity ("earth never saying no").

Did you know?

Trivia

'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' (2007) was written and directed by legendary director Thangar Bachan based on his own acclaimed novel of the same title. The soundtrack was composed by Bharathwaj, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu capturing rural Tamil life and values.

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