Eththanai Eththanai
From Puthiya Theerpu · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Puthiya Theerpu1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Lala lallaa… lala lallaa… | Lala lallaa… lala lallaa… |
| Lala lallaa… lala lallaa… | Lala lallaa… lala lallaa… |
| Chorus | |
| Lalala lallaa lalala lallaa | Lalala lallaa lalala lallaa |
| Lalala lalala laa | Lalala lalala laa |
| Lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala laa | Lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala laa |
| Female | |
| Eththanai eththanai | How many, how many |
| Thunbam ingae | Sorrows are here |
| Thandhaiyar sindhiya | Shed by our fathers |
| Raththam engae | Where is that blood? |
| Female | |
| Eththanai eththanai | How many, how many |
| Thunbam ingae | Sorrows are here |
| Thandhaiyar sindhiya | Shed by our fathers |
| Raththam engae | Where is that blood? |
| Female | |
| Kaasukku vikkudhu | Is sold for money |
| Sattam ingae | The law here |
| Kaasukku vikkudhu | Is sold for money |
| Sattam ingae | The law here |
| Kai katti nikkudhu | Stands with hands tied |
| Dharmam ingae | Righteousness here |
| Innum vidiyalaiyae ho | Dawn has not yet arrived, ho |
| Innum vidiyalaiyae | Dawn has not yet arrived |
| Innum vidiyalaiyae ho | Dawn has not yet arrived, ho |
| Innum vidiyalaiyae | Dawn has not yet arrived |
| Male | |
| Eththanai eththanai | How many, how many |
| Thunbam ingae | Sorrows are here |
| Thandhaiyar sindhiya | Shed by our fathers |
| Raththam engae | Where is that blood? |
| Female | |
| Dhesathil aarezhu | In this nation, six or seven |
| Thaerdhalgal vandhadhu | Elections have come and gone |
| Enna nadandhirukku | What has actually changed? |
| Ingu oru silarkku | Here, for a select few |
| Hoi thondhi peruthirukku | Hey, their bellies have grown fat |
| Male | |
| Appan thiruvodu | The father's begging bowl |
| Pillaikku vandhadhu | Has passed to the son |
| Enna thalai ezhuthu | What a tragic fate |
| Kannai konjam thudaithu | Wipe your eyes a little |
| Singa padai nadathu | Lead the army of lions |
| Female | |
| Pudhiya saridham | A new history |
| Ezhudhavae | To write |
| Ilaiya puligal ezhugavae | Let the young tigers rise |
| Male | |
| Idhayam thudikkudhu | The heart is throbbing |
| Idho idho ooo | Here, right here, ooo |
| Udhaiyam azhaikkudhu | The sunrise is calling |
| Adho adho | There, right there |
| Female | |
| Kizhakku velukkum | The east will brighten |
| Pozhudhu irukku uranguvom | There is still time, shall we rest? |
| Male | |
| Eththanai eththanai | How many, how many |
| Thunbam ingae | Sorrows are here |
| Thandhaiyar sindhiya | Shed by our fathers |
| Raththam engae | Where is that blood? |
| Chorus | |
| Laala laalaa laala laa laala laalaa laala laa | Laala laalaa laala laa laala laalaa laala laa |
| Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa | Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa |
| Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa | Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa |
| Female | |
| Oorukku vandhadhu | To this town arrived |
| Oomai chudhandhiram | A mute independence |
| Ondrum tharavillaiyae | It gave nothing at all |
| Indha thalaimuraiyae hoi | To this current generation, hey |
| Lanja parambaraiyae | A lineage of corruption |
| Male | |
| Kovanam illaadha dhesathil | In a nation lacking even basic clothing |
| Innaikku ethanai katchi kodi | How many party flags today |
| Kannai parikkiradhae hoi | Are blinding our eyes, hey |
| Vinnai maraikkiradhae | And blocking out the sky |
| Female | |
| Iniyum thadukka | Can anyone block this |
| Mudiyumaa | Any longer? |
| Kizhakkai nagartha mudiyumaa | Can anyone push the east away? |
| Male | |
| Surandum narigalae | You exploiting foxes |
| Engae engae ae | Where are you, where? |
| Thirandu varugirom | We are gathering together |
| Angae angae | There, right there |
| Female | |
| Varambu kadandhu | Crossing all boundaries |
| Narambu ezhundhu thudikkudhae | Our nerves rise up and pulse with vigor |
| Female | |
| Eththanai eththanai | How many, how many |
| Thunbam ingae | Sorrows are here |
| Thandhaiyar sindhiya | Shed by our fathers |
| Raththam engae | Where is that blood? |
| Female | |
| Eththanai eththanai | How many, how many |
| Thunbam ingae | Sorrows are here |
| Thandhaiyar sindhiya | Shed by our fathers |
| Raththam engae | Where is that blood? |
| Kaasukku vikkudhu | Is sold for money |
| Sattam ingae | The law here |
| Male | |
| Kaasukku vikkudhu | Is sold for money |
| Sattam ingae | The law here |
| Kai katti nikkudhu | Stands with hands tied |
| Dharmam ingae | Righteousness here |
| Chorus | |
| Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa | Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa |
| Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa | Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa |
லலலா லல்லலா
லலலா லல்லலா
லலலா லல்லலா
லலலா லல்லலா
லல்லலா லல்லலா லா
லல்லலா லல்லலா லா
Lala lallaa… lala lallaa…
Lala lallaa… lala lallaa…
எத்தனை எத்தனை துன்பம் இங்கே
தந்தையர் சிந்திய ரத்தம் எங்கே
எத்தனை எத்தனை துன்பம் இங்கே
தந்தையர் சிந்திய ரத்தம் எங்கே
Lalala lallaa lalala lallaa
Lalala lalala laa
Lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala laa
காசுக்கு விக்குது சட்டம் இங்கே ஏ....
காசுக்கு விக்குது சட்டம் இங்கே
கை கட்டி நிக்குது தர்மம் இங்கே
How many, how many
Sorrows are here
Shed by our fathers
Where is that blood?
இன்னும் விடியலையே ஹோ
இன்னும் விடியலையே ஹோ
இன்னும் விடியலையே
How many, how many
Sorrows are here
Shed by our fathers
Where is that blood?
எத்தனை எத்தனை துன்பம் இங்கே....ஏ
தந்தையர் சிந்திய ரத்தம் எங்கே
Is sold for money
The law here
Is sold for money
The law here
Stands with hands tied
Righteousness here
Dawn has not yet arrived, ho
Dawn has not yet arrived
Dawn has not yet arrived, ho
Dawn has not yet arrived
தேசத்தில் ஆறேழு தேர்தல்கள் வந்தது
என்ன நடந்திருக்கு இங்கு ஒரு சிலர்க்கு
ஹோய் தொந்தி பெருத்திருக்கு
How many, how many
Sorrows are here
Shed by our fathers
Where is that blood?
அப்பன் திருவோடு பிள்ளைக்கு வந்து
என்ன தலையெழுத்து
கண்ணைக் கொஞ்சம் துடைத்து
சிங்கப் படை நடத்து
In this nation, six or seven
Elections have come and gone
What has actually changed?
Here, for a select few
Hey, their bellies have grown fat
புதிய சரிதம் எழுதவே
இளைய புலிகள் எழுகவே
இதயம் துடிக்குது இதோ இதோ ஓ
குழு :
ஆஆஅ......ஆஅ...
உதயம் அழைக்குது அதோ அதோ
The father's begging bowl
Has passed to the son
What a tragic fate
Wipe your eyes a little
Lead the army of lions
கிழக்கு வெளுக்கும்
பொழுது இருக்கு
உறங்குவோம்... ஹோய்
A new history
To write
Let the young tigers rise
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
யுத்தம் பிறக்கட்டுமே
ஹோய் ரத்தம் தெறிக்கட்டுமே
யுத்தம் பிறக்கட்டுமே
ஹோய் ரத்தம் தெறிக்கட்டுமே
The heart is throbbing
Here, right here, ooo
The sunrise is calling
There, right there
எத்தனை எத்தனை துன்பம் இங்கே
தந்தையர் சிந்திய ரத்தம் எங்கே
The east will brighten
There is still time, shall we rest?
ஆஅ......லலலா லல்லலா
லலலா லல்லலா
லலலா லல்லலா
லல்லலா லல்லலா லா
லல்லலா லல்லலா லா
How many, how many
Sorrows are here
Shed by our fathers
Where is that blood?
ஊருக்குள் வந்தது ஊமைச் சுதந்திரம்
ஒன்றும் தரவில்லையே
இந்தத் தலைமுறையே ஹோய்
வஞ்சப் பரம்பரையே
Laala laalaa laala laa laala laalaa laala laa
Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa
Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa
கோவணம் இல்லாத தேசத்தில்
இன்றைக்கு எத்தனை கட்சிக் கொடி
கண்ணைப் பறிக்கிறதே
ஹோய் விண்ணை மறைக்கிறதே
To this town arrived
A mute independence
It gave nothing at all
To this current generation, hey
A lineage of corruption
இனியும் தடுக்க முடியுமா
கிழக்கை வகுக்க முடியுமா
சுரண்டும் நரிகளே எங்கே எங்கே
குழு :
ஆஆஅ......ஆஅ...
திரண்டு வருகுறோம் அங்கே அங்கே
In a nation lacking even basic clothing
How many party flags today
Are blinding our eyes, hey
And blocking out the sky
வரம்பு கடந்து நரம்பு
எழுந்து துடிக்குதே
Can anyone block this
Any longer?
Can anyone push the east away?
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
யுத்தம் பிறக்கட்டுமே
ஹோய் ரத்தம் தெறிக்கட்டுமே
யுத்தம் பிறக்கட்டுமே
ஹோய் ரத்தம் தெறிக்கட்டுமே
You exploiting foxes
Where are you, where?
We are gathering together
There, right there
எத்தனை எத்தனை துன்பம் இங்கே
தந்தையர் சிந்திய ரத்தம் எங்கே
எத்தனை எத்தனை துன்பம் இங்கே
தந்தையர் சிந்திய ரத்தம் எங்கே
Crossing all boundaries
Our nerves rise up and pulse with vigor
காசுக்கு விக்குது சட்டம் இங்கே ஏ....
காசுக்கு விக்குது சட்டம் இங்கே
கை கட்டி நிக்குது தர்மம் இங்கே
How many, how many
Sorrows are here
Shed by our fathers
Where is that blood?
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
இன்னும் விடியலையே ஹோ
இன்னும் விடியலையே ஹோ
இன்னும் விடியலையே
How many, how many
Sorrows are here
Shed by our fathers
Where is that blood?
Is sold for money
The law here
லலலா லல்லலா
லலலா லல்லலா
லலலா லல்லலா
லலலா லல்லலா
Is sold for money
The law here
Stands with hands tied
Righteousness here
Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa
Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa
Lala lallaa… lala lallaa…
Lala lallaa… lala lallaa…
Lala lallaa… lala lallaa…
Lala lallaa… lala lallaa…
Lalala lallaa lalala lallaa
Lalala lallaa lalala lallaa
Lalala lalala laa
Lalala lalala laa
Lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala laa
Lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala laa
Eththanai eththanai
How many, how many
Thunbam ingae
Sorrows are here
Thandhaiyar sindhiya
Shed by our fathers
Raththam engae
Where is that blood?
Eththanai eththanai
How many, how many
Thunbam ingae
Sorrows are here
Thandhaiyar sindhiya
Shed by our fathers
Raththam engae
Where is that blood?
Kaasukku vikkudhu
Is sold for money
Sattam ingae
The law here
Kaasukku vikkudhu
Is sold for money
Sattam ingae
The law here
Kai katti nikkudhu
Stands with hands tied
Dharmam ingae
Righteousness here
Innum vidiyalaiyae ho
Dawn has not yet arrived, ho
Innum vidiyalaiyae
Dawn has not yet arrived
Innum vidiyalaiyae ho
Dawn has not yet arrived, ho
Innum vidiyalaiyae
Dawn has not yet arrived
Eththanai eththanai
How many, how many
Thunbam ingae
Sorrows are here
Thandhaiyar sindhiya
Shed by our fathers
Raththam engae
Where is that blood?
Dhesathil aarezhu
In this nation, six or seven
Thaerdhalgal vandhadhu
Elections have come and gone
Enna nadandhirukku
What has actually changed?
Ingu oru silarkku
Here, for a select few
Hoi thondhi peruthirukku
Hey, their bellies have grown fat
Appan thiruvodu
The father's begging bowl
Pillaikku vandhadhu
Has passed to the son
Enna thalai ezhuthu
What a tragic fate
Kannai konjam thudaithu
Wipe your eyes a little
Singa padai nadathu
Lead the army of lions
Pudhiya saridham
A new history
Ezhudhavae
To write
Ilaiya puligal ezhugavae
Let the young tigers rise
Idhayam thudikkudhu
The heart is throbbing
Idho idho ooo
Here, right here, ooo
Udhaiyam azhaikkudhu
The sunrise is calling
Adho adho
There, right there
Kizhakku velukkum
The east will brighten
Pozhudhu irukku uranguvom
There is still time, shall we rest?
Eththanai eththanai
How many, how many
Thunbam ingae
Sorrows are here
Thandhaiyar sindhiya
Shed by our fathers
Raththam engae
Where is that blood?
Laala laalaa laala laa laala laalaa laala laa
Laala laalaa laala laa laala laalaa laala laa
Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa
Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa
Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa
Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa
Oorukku vandhadhu
To this town arrived
Oomai chudhandhiram
A mute independence
Ondrum tharavillaiyae
It gave nothing at all
Indha thalaimuraiyae hoi
To this current generation, hey
Lanja parambaraiyae
A lineage of corruption
Kovanam illaadha dhesathil
In a nation lacking even basic clothing
Innaikku ethanai katchi kodi
How many party flags today
Kannai parikkiradhae hoi
Are blinding our eyes, hey
Vinnai maraikkiradhae
And blocking out the sky
Iniyum thadukka
Can anyone block this
Mudiyumaa
Any longer?
Kizhakkai nagartha mudiyumaa
Can anyone push the east away?
Surandum narigalae
You exploiting foxes
Engae engae ae
Where are you, where?
Thirandu varugirom
We are gathering together
Angae angae
There, right there
Varambu kadandhu
Crossing all boundaries
Narambu ezhundhu thudikkudhae
Our nerves rise up and pulse with vigor
Eththanai eththanai
How many, how many
Thunbam ingae
Sorrows are here
Thandhaiyar sindhiya
Shed by our fathers
Raththam engae
Where is that blood?
Eththanai eththanai
How many, how many
Thunbam ingae
Sorrows are here
Thandhaiyar sindhiya
Shed by our fathers
Raththam engae
Where is that blood?
Kaasukku vikkudhu
Is sold for money
Sattam ingae
The law here
Kaasukku vikkudhu
Is sold for money
Sattam ingae
The law here
Kai katti nikkudhu
Stands with hands tied
Dharmam ingae
Righteousness here
Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa
Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa
Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa
Lala lalalala laalaa lala lalalala laa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This revolutionary song from 'Puthiya Theerpu' (1985), written by lyricist Vairamuthu, is a fiery socio-political critique of corruption, systemic injustice, and unfulfilled democratic promises. It questions the sacrifices made by previous generations of freedom fighters, highlighting how money corrupts the legal system while righteousness stands helpless. Despite decades of independence and numerous elections, common people remain impoverished while politicians grow wealthy. The lyricist calls upon the youth—metaphorically addressed as 'young tigers' and 'lions'—to wake up from their slumber, unite, and challenge the corrupt leaders whom he describes as 'exploiting foxes.' The song serves as an invigorating anthem urging social awakening and a quest for true dawn and justice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Repetition for emphasis)
“Eththanai eththanai”
The word 'Eththanai' is repeated twice consecutively to emphasize the overwhelming extent of suffering experienced by the people.
Personification (Uruvagapaduthuthal)
“Kai katti nikkudhu Dharmam ingae”
Dharmam (righteousness) is personified as a human standing with tied hands, visually conveying helplessness against corruption.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Surandum narigalae”
The corrupt, greedy politicians and middlemen are metaphorically referred to as 'surandum narigalae' (exploiting foxes).
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ilaiya puligal ezhugavae”
The energetic youth of the nation are metaphorically described as 'ilaiya puligal' (young tigers) to evoke courage and revolution.
Oxymoron / Metaphor
“Oomai chudhandhiram”
'Oomai chudhandhiram' (mute independence) is used as a poetic contradiction to highlight freedom that lacks a voice or power for the common man.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Puthiya Theerpu' (1985) is a Tamil action-drama film directed by M. R. Bharathi, starring Vijayakanth in the lead role. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with powerful lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song serves as a central thematic piece highlighting the protagonist's fight for systemic reform.
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