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Lyrics & meaning

Engalukkum Veyiladikkum

From Onbadhu Roobai Nottu · 2007

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janani
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Onbadhu Roobai Nottu2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engalukkum veyiladikkumThe sun shines for us too
Engalukkum kaaththadikkumThe wind blows for us too
Engalukkum mazhai adikkum saamiRain falls for us too, Oh Lord
Engalukkum alli kodukkum bhoomiThe earth gives generously to us too
Male
Illaennu sollalaam saamiA human master might say no, Oh Lord
Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomiBut will Mother Earth ever say no?
Illaennu sollalaam saamiA human master might say no, Oh Lord
Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomiBut will Mother Earth ever say no?
Male
Kaaraan mul irukkumThere might be sharp thorns
Karuvelan maram irukkumThere might be babool trees
Kuththum kuraa kal irukkumThere might be piercing stones
Koththa varum paambirukkumThere might be snakes coming to strike
Chorus
Mul erukkum kaadu-nuDon't despise a place
VerukaadheengaJust calling it a thorny forest
Angae mooligaiyum molaichchirukkuHerbal medicines grow there too
MarakaadheengaDon't forget that
Male
Nambi kazhutharukkumThere might be traits like a fox
Nari pola gunam irukkumSlashing the throat of those who trust
Nandri ellaam marandhirukkumForgetting all gratitude
Nadu veettil mullavaikkumPlanting thorns right in the middle of the house
Chorus
Nanjirukkum oorunnuDon't despise a village
VerukaadheengaCalling it full of poison
Innum nallavanga irukaangaGood people still exist
MarakkaadheengaDon't forget that
Male
Vayasa marangaForget your age
Vaai vittu chireengaLaugh out loud
Paadupattu uzhaingaWork hard and strive
Paguthoondu vaazhndhu paarungaShare your food and experience life
Chorus
Oh oh oh ohohohoOh oh oh ohohoho
Hey ey ey ho ho hoooHey ey ey ho ho hooo
Male
Engalukkum veyiladikkumThe sun shines for us too
Engalukkum kaaththadikkumThe wind blows for us too
Engalukkum mazhai adikkum saamiRain falls for us too, Oh Lord
Female
………………………………
Male
Vella manasirukkuWe have pure hearts
Vaela seiya thembirukkuWe have the strength to work
Pechu thonaikkuTo keep us company in conversation
Pelaa mara thoppirukkuWe have jackfruit tree groves
Chorus
Soru thanni kaasu panamFood, water, coins, money
VenaamungaWe don't need them
Indha suththamaana kaathirukkuWe have this clean air
PodhumungaThat is enough
Male
Thazhuva chuttram unduWe have relatives to embrace
Thaai pola oorum unduWe have a village like a mother
Kadal thaandi bhoomi unduThere is land beyond the seas
Madham thaandi sondham unduThere are relations beyond religion
Chorus
Usura koduththa manna vittuDon't leave this soil
PogaadheengaThat gave you life
Indha oorai vittu engaeyum poyiDon't go anywhere else leaving this village
SaagaadheengaAnd perish
Male
Vayasa marangaForget your age
Vaai vittu chireengaLaugh out loud
Paadupattu uzhaingaWork hard and strive
Paguthoondu vaazhndhu paarungaShare your food and experience life
Chorus
Oh oh oh ohohohoOh oh oh ohohoho
Hey ey ey ho ho hoooHey ey ey ho ho hooo
Male
Engalukkum veyiladikkumThe sun shines for us too
Engalukkum kaaththadikkumThe wind blows for us too
Engalukkum mazhai adikkum saamiRain falls for us too, Oh Lord
Engallukkum alli kudukkum bhoomiThe earth gives generously to us too
Male
Illaennu sollalaam saamiA human master might say no, Oh Lord
Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomiBut will Mother Earth ever say no?
Illaennu sollalaam saamiA human master might say no, Oh Lord
Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomiBut will Mother Earth ever say no?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' is a soulful reflection on the egalitarian nature of Mother Earth, the value of hard work, and the rooted beauty of village life. It contrasts human greed and selfishness with nature's unconditional generosity. While humans may discriminate and say 'no', nature provides sun, wind, rain, and soil equally to everyone regardless of social status. The lyrics advise resilience in the face of harsh realities and deceptive people. Just as a thorny forest also harbors healing medicinal herbs, even in a world filled with betrayal, goodness still thrives. It urges people not to abandon their native land out of desperation, but to live joyfully, laugh heartily, work hard, share their food with others (Paguthoondu), and cherish human connections beyond boundaries.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Engalukkum veyiladikkum / Engalukkum kaaththadikkum

The second letter 'nga' matches in consecutive lines, establishing a rhythmic beat typical of Tamil folk poetic structure.

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

Kaaraan mul irukkum / Karuvelan maram irukkum

The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' at the beginning of adjacent lines creates a pleasant verbal flow.

Simile (Upamai Ani)

Nambi kazhutharukkum / Nari pola gunam irukkum

The deceitful nature of treacherous human beings is explicitly compared to a sly fox ('Nari pola').

Personification / Rhetorical Question

Illaennu sollalaam saami / Ada illaennu sollumaa bhoomi

Mother Earth (Bhoomi) is personified as a benevolent mother who never denies sustenance to anyone, unlike human masters (Saami).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' (2007) is a acclaimed Tamil drama film directed by Thangar Bachan, based on his own novel of the same name. The movie stars Sathyaraj and Archana in leading roles. The lyrics penned by Vairamuthu evoke traditional Tamil rural philosophy, emphasizing the ancient Sangam moral precept of sharing food with others ('Paguthoondu vaazhdhal'). The film's musical score was composed by Bharathwaj.

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