Erumai Annachi
From Puthu Vellam · 1975
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. B. Sreenivas
- Details
- Puthu Vellam1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ooraar porul thirudi | Stealing other people's belongings, |
| Unnugindra kaakkai ellaam | all the crows that eat, |
| Utkkaara idam kodukkum | are given a place to sit, |
| Erumai annaachchi | by you, Oh Brother Buffalo! |
| Ungalai pol naangalumthaan | Just like you, we too... |
| Namma porumai ennaachchu | whatever happened to our patience? |
| Male | |
| Erumai annaachchi | Oh Brother Buffalo! |
| Namma porumai ennaachu | Whatever happened to our patience? |
| Erumai annaachchi | Oh Brother Buffalo! |
| Namma porumai ennaachu | Whatever happened to our patience? |
| Male | |
| Edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum | If given a little room, they climb onto our back, |
| Ulagam endraachu | such has become the way of this world. |
| Konjam edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum | If given a little room, they climb onto our back, |
| Ulagam endraachu | such has become the way of this world. |
| Intha unmaiyai kandaachu | We have realized this truth. |
| Male | |
| Erumai annaachchi | Oh Brother Buffalo! |
| Namma porumai ennaachu | Whatever happened to our patience? |
| Konjam edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum | If given a little room, they climb onto our back, |
| Ulagam endraachu | such has become the way of this world. |
| Intha unmaiyai kandaachu | We have realized this truth. |
| Male | |
| Vaikkala thinnuputtu | Eating humble straw, |
| Maadu paala kodukkuthu | the cow gives us milk. |
| Namma echchila thinnuputtu | Eating our leftover scraps, |
| Naayi vaala aattuthu | the dog wags its tail. |
| Male | |
| Ozhaicha ozhaippukku | For all the effort put in, |
| Ellaam nandriya kaattuthu…oo…oo…hoi | everything shows its gratitude... oo... oo... hoi! |
| Ozhaicha ozhaippukku | For all the effort put in, |
| Ellaam nandriya kaattuthu… | everything shows its gratitude... |
| Manusha jaathi onnuthaan | Only mankind alone |
| Eena puthiyai kaattuthu | exhibits a mean-spirited mind. |
| Eena puthiyai kaattuthu | Exhibits a mean-spirited mind. |
| Male | |
| Erumai annaachchi | Oh Brother Buffalo! |
| Namma porumai ennaachu | Whatever happened to our patience? |
| Konjam edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum | If given a little room, they climb onto our back, |
| Ulagam endraachu | such has become the way of this world. |
| Intha unmaiyai kandaachu | We have realized this truth. |
| Male | |
| Erumai annaachchi | Oh Brother Buffalo! |
| Namma porumai ennaachu | Whatever happened to our patience? |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaikalai kandaal | When it sees the poor, |
| Thendral etti nadakkuthaa | does the gentle breeze keep its distance? |
| Pazham koorai kudisai endraal | Just because it is an old thatched roof, |
| Mazhai kotta marukkuthaa | does the rain refuse to pour? |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaikalai kandaal | When it sees the poor, |
| Thendral etti nadakkuthaa | does the gentle breeze keep its distance? |
| Pazham koorai kudisai endraal | Just because it is an old thatched roof, |
| Mazhai kotta marukkuthaa | does the rain refuse to pour? |
| Male | |
| Irandu varkkam endru | Into two distinct classes, |
| Iyarkkai piriththu vaikkuthaa…aa…aa…hoi | does Nature segregate people? ...aa...aa...hoi! |
| Irandu varkkam endru | Into two distinct classes, |
| Iyarkkai piriththu vaikkuthaa… | does Nature segregate people? |
| Naama eththanai solli enna | No matter how much wisdom we preach, |
| Manushan nenjil oraikkuthaa | does it ever sink into man's heart? |
| Manushan nenjil oraikkuthaa | Does it ever sink into man's heart? |
| Male | |
| Erumai annaachchi | Oh Brother Buffalo! |
| Namma porumai ennaachu | Whatever happened to our patience? |
| Konjam edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum | If given a little room, they climb onto our back, |
| Ulagam endraachu | such has become the way of this world. |
| Intha unmaiyai kandaachu | We have realized this truth. |
| Male | |
| Erumai annaachchi | Oh Brother Buffalo! |
| Namma porumai ennaachu | Whatever happened to our patience? |
ஊரார் பொருள் திருடி
உண்ணுகின்ற காக்கை எல்லாம்
உட்கார இடம் கொடுக்கும்
எருமை அண்ணாச்சி
உங்களைப் போல் நாங்களும்தான்......
நம்ம பொறுமை என்னாச்சு........
Stealing other people's belongings,
all the crows that eat,
are given a place to sit,
by you, Oh Brother Buffalo!
Just like you, we too...
whatever happened to our patience?
எருமை அண்ணாச்சி
நம்ம பொறுமை என்னாச்சு
எருமை அண்ணாச்சி
நம்ம பொறுமை என்னாச்சு
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Whatever happened to our patience?
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Whatever happened to our patience?
எடம் கொடுத்தா முதுகில் ஏறும்
உலகம் என்றாச்சு
கொஞ்சம் எடம் கொடுத்தா முதுகில் ஏறும்
உலகம் என்றாச்சு
இந்த உண்மையை கண்டாச்சு.....
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
such has become the way of this world.
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
such has become the way of this world.
We have realized this truth.
எருமை அண்ணாச்சி
நம்ம பொறுமை என்னாச்சு
கொஞ்சம் எடம் கொடுத்தா முதுகில் ஏறும்
உலகம் என்றாச்சு
இந்த உண்மையை கண்டாச்சு.....
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Whatever happened to our patience?
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
such has become the way of this world.
We have realized this truth.
வைக்கல தின்னுப்புட்டு
மாடு பால கொடுக்குது
நம்ம எச்சில தின்னுப்புட்டு
நாயி வால ஆட்டுது
Eating humble straw,
the cow gives us milk.
Eating our leftover scraps,
the dog wags its tail.
ஒழைச்ச ஒழைப்புக்கு
எல்லாம் நன்றிய காட்டுது.....ஊ.....ஊ...ஹோய்
ஒழைச்ச ஒழைப்புக்கு
எல்லாம் நன்றிய காட்டுது...
மனுஷ ஜாதி ஒண்ணுதான்
ஈன புத்தியைக் காட்டுது
ஈன புத்தியைக் காட்டுது
For all the effort put in,
everything shows its gratitude... oo... oo... hoi!
For all the effort put in,
everything shows its gratitude...
Only mankind alone
exhibits a mean-spirited mind.
Exhibits a mean-spirited mind.
எருமை அண்ணாச்சி
நம்ம பொறுமை என்னாச்சு
கொஞ்சம் எடம் கொடுத்தா முதுகில் ஏறும்
உலகம் என்றாச்சு
இந்த உண்மையை கண்டாச்சு.....
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Whatever happened to our patience?
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
such has become the way of this world.
We have realized this truth.
எருமை அண்ணாச்சி....
நம்ம பொறுமை என்னாச்சு
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Whatever happened to our patience?
ஏழைகளை கண்டால்
தென்றல் எட்டி நடக்குதா
பழம் கூரை குடிசை என்றால்
மழை கொட்ட மறுக்குதா
When it sees the poor,
does the gentle breeze keep its distance?
Just because it is an old thatched roof,
does the rain refuse to pour?
ஏழைகளை கண்டால்
தென்றல் எட்டி நடக்குதா
பழம் கூரை குடிசை என்றால்
மழை கொட்ட மறுக்குதா
When it sees the poor,
does the gentle breeze keep its distance?
Just because it is an old thatched roof,
does the rain refuse to pour?
இரண்டு வர்க்கம் என்று
இயற்கை பிரித்து வைக்குதா....ஆ....ஆ...ஹேய்
இரண்டு வர்க்கம் என்று
இயற்கை பிரித்து வைக்குதா....
நாம எத்தனை சொல்லி என்ன
மனுஷன் நெஞ்சில் ஒறைக்குதா....
மனுஷன் நெஞ்சில் ஒறைக்குதா....
Into two distinct classes,
does Nature segregate people? ...aa...aa...hoi!
Into two distinct classes,
does Nature segregate people?
No matter how much wisdom we preach,
does it ever sink into man's heart?
Does it ever sink into man's heart?
எருமை அண்ணாச்சி
நம்ம பொறுமை என்னாச்சு
கொஞ்சம் எடம் கொடுத்தா முதுகில் ஏறும்
உலகம் என்றாச்சு
இந்த உண்மையை கண்டாச்சு.....
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Whatever happened to our patience?
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
such has become the way of this world.
We have realized this truth.
எருமை அண்ணாச்சி....ஈ......
நம்ம பொறுமை என்னாச்சு
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Whatever happened to our patience?
Ooraar porul thirudi
Stealing other people's belongings,
Unnugindra kaakkai ellaam
all the crows that eat,
Utkkaara idam kodukkum
are given a place to sit,
Erumai annaachchi
by you, Oh Brother Buffalo!
Ungalai pol naangalumthaan
Just like you, we too...
Namma porumai ennaachchu
whatever happened to our patience?
Erumai annaachchi
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Namma porumai ennaachu
Whatever happened to our patience?
Erumai annaachchi
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Namma porumai ennaachu
Whatever happened to our patience?
Edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
Ulagam endraachu
such has become the way of this world.
Konjam edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
Ulagam endraachu
such has become the way of this world.
Intha unmaiyai kandaachu
We have realized this truth.
Erumai annaachchi
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Namma porumai ennaachu
Whatever happened to our patience?
Konjam edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
Ulagam endraachu
such has become the way of this world.
Intha unmaiyai kandaachu
We have realized this truth.
Vaikkala thinnuputtu
Eating humble straw,
Maadu paala kodukkuthu
the cow gives us milk.
Namma echchila thinnuputtu
Eating our leftover scraps,
Naayi vaala aattuthu
the dog wags its tail.
Ozhaicha ozhaippukku
For all the effort put in,
Ellaam nandriya kaattuthu…oo…oo…hoi
everything shows its gratitude... oo... oo... hoi!
Ozhaicha ozhaippukku
For all the effort put in,
Ellaam nandriya kaattuthu…
everything shows its gratitude...
Manusha jaathi onnuthaan
Only mankind alone
Eena puthiyai kaattuthu
exhibits a mean-spirited mind.
Eena puthiyai kaattuthu
Exhibits a mean-spirited mind.
Erumai annaachchi
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Namma porumai ennaachu
Whatever happened to our patience?
Konjam edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
Ulagam endraachu
such has become the way of this world.
Intha unmaiyai kandaachu
We have realized this truth.
Erumai annaachchi
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Namma porumai ennaachu
Whatever happened to our patience?
Yaezhaikalai kandaal
When it sees the poor,
Thendral etti nadakkuthaa
does the gentle breeze keep its distance?
Pazham koorai kudisai endraal
Just because it is an old thatched roof,
Mazhai kotta marukkuthaa
does the rain refuse to pour?
Yaezhaikalai kandaal
When it sees the poor,
Thendral etti nadakkuthaa
does the gentle breeze keep its distance?
Pazham koorai kudisai endraal
Just because it is an old thatched roof,
Mazhai kotta marukkuthaa
does the rain refuse to pour?
Irandu varkkam endru
Into two distinct classes,
Iyarkkai piriththu vaikkuthaa…aa…aa…hoi
does Nature segregate people? ...aa...aa...hoi!
Irandu varkkam endru
Into two distinct classes,
Iyarkkai piriththu vaikkuthaa…
does Nature segregate people?
Naama eththanai solli enna
No matter how much wisdom we preach,
Manushan nenjil oraikkuthaa
does it ever sink into man's heart?
Manushan nenjil oraikkuthaa
Does it ever sink into man's heart?
Erumai annaachchi
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Namma porumai ennaachu
Whatever happened to our patience?
Konjam edam koduththaa mudhugil yaerum
If given a little room, they climb onto our back,
Ulagam endraachu
such has become the way of this world.
Intha unmaiyai kandaachu
We have realized this truth.
Erumai annaachchi
Oh Brother Buffalo!
Namma porumai ennaachu
Whatever happened to our patience?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Erumai Annaachchi' is a sharp social commentary and philosophical satire framed as a conversation between a working-class protagonist and a buffalo, whom he affectionately addresses as 'Brother Buffalo'. The lyrics highlight the exploitation faced by the patient and humble working class in a society where kindness is often taken for granted and exploited ('if given a little room, people climb on your back'). Through vivid rural allegories, the lyricist contrasts human selfishness with the harmony of nature and animals. Animals like cows and dogs show loyalty and gratitude for the little they receive, and natural elements like wind and rain bestow their gifts equally without discriminating against the poor. Humans, on the other hand, invent class divides and harbor malice despite receiving endless toil from others. The protagonist questions where patience gets the oppressed, delivering a poignant reflection on social inequality.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Erumai annaachchi / Namma porumai ennaachu”
Addressing the buffalo as 'Annaachchi' (Brother/Elder) and conversing with it about human nature personifies the animal into a sympathetic confidant.
Rhetorical Question
“Yaezhaikalai kandaal / Thendral etti nadakkuthaa”
Asking if the breeze avoids the poor is a rhetorical question used to emphasize that nature makes no discrimination, unlike humans.
Contrast (Muran)
“Manusha jaathi onnuthaan / Eena puthiyai kaattuthu”
Contrasts the inherent gratitude of animals (cows giving milk, dogs wagging tails) with the ungrateful and mean-spirited nature of human beings.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Ozhaicha ozhaippukku / Ellaam nandriya kaattuthu”
The second letters 'zha' in 'Ozhaicha' and 'lla' (ll/zha sound equivalence in folk rhythm) maintain harmonic meter across lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by veteran music director M. B. Sreenivas—a prominent figure known for his socialist themes and choral music in South India—the song utilizes a folk-infused rhythm to deliver socio-political commentary. Lyricist Vaali adeptly uses colloquial Tamil folk idioms to criticize class discrimination and human greed, rendered powerfully by legendary singer T. M. Soundararajan.
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