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Irumbu Pookkal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ezhai Unakku

From Irumbu Pookkal · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
A. R. Sheik Mohammed
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Irumbu Pookkal
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
7 Jun 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ezhai unakkoru kaalam irukkudhu
Soozhnilai kaidhiyae
Kodum aasai manidhargal
Aadum kayavargal
Vaazhndhidum boomiyae
Ezhai unakkoru kaalam irukkudhu
Soozhnilai kaidhiyae
Kodum aasai manidhargal
Aadum kayavargal
Vaazhndhidum boomiyae
Anbu thangaiyum thunba thangaiyaai
Odugiraal pinnae
Ezhai annanum kozhai allavae
Kaathiruppaai kannae
Paasa poigaiyai naasam seidhavan
Vesham poduraanae
Vesham enbadhai vaazhkkai endru thaan
Moodan namburaanae
Nalladhedhu kettadhedhu
Nallavarkku solli kodu
Katradhai nee kaiyil edu
Vaa vaa thozhanae
Ezhai unakkoru kaalam irukkudhu
Soozhnilai kaidhiyae
Kodum aasai manidhargal
Aadum kayavargal
Vaazhndhidum boomiyae
Sattam enbadhu gettikkaaranin
Kaiyil bommalaattam
Dharumam enbadhu jeevan ulladhu
Ariyum andha koottam
Kaayam pattavan nyaayam ketpavan
Vaazha vendum thaayae
Kaala dhevan vaazha vaikkanum
Vaazhthu kooru thaayae
Buthi undu sakthi undu
Sathiyathil bakthi undu
Vetri perum neram indru
Vaa vaa thozhanae
Ezhai unakkoru kaalam irukkudhu
Soozhnilai kaidhiyae
Kodum aasai manidhargal
Aadum kayavargal
Vaazhndhidum boomiyae
Poor man, your time will come,
O prisoner of circumstance!
In this world where cruel, greedy men
And wicked scoundrels
Live and thrive!
Poor man, your time will come,
O prisoner of circumstance!
In this world where cruel, greedy men
And wicked scoundrels
Live and thrive!
Your loving sister
Now runs behind you in deep sorrow.
Your poor brother is no coward,
Hold on with hope, my dear.
The one who destroyed the lake of affection
Now puts on a deceitful mask.
And that this mask is real life,
The fool truly believes!
What is good and what is bad,
Teach it to good people.
Take up what you have learned,
Come forward, my friend!
Poor man, your time will come,
O prisoner of circumstance!
In this world where cruel, greedy men
And wicked scoundrels
Live and thrive!
The law is just a puppet show
In the hands of the cunning.
Yet justice has a living soul,
Which that crowd will come to realize.
The one who is hurt and demands justice
Must live on, O Mother!
The God of Time must protect his life,
Give your blessing, O Mother!
You have the wisdom, you have the strength,
And faith in the truth.
Today is the time for victory,
Come forward, my friend!
Poor man, your time will come,
O prisoner of circumstance!
In this world where cruel, greedy men
And wicked scoundrels
Live and thrive!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a deeply emotional and motivational anthem addressing a destitute protagonist who feels trapped by harsh circumstances ('Soozhnilai kaidhi'). It critiques the societal corruption where evil, greedy men manipulate systems, turning justice and law into a mere puppet show. Despite the suffering inflicted on his family, the song encourages patience, resilience, and faith in ultimate justice. The lyrics call upon the protagonist to wake up to his inner strength, intelligence, and devotion to righteousness. It reassures him that the wheel of time will turn, bad deeds will unravel, and the oppressed will eventually claim victory over corrupt forces.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Soozhnilai kaidhiyae

Compares a person trapped by life's difficult conditions directly to a prisoner.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sattam enbadhu gettikkaaranin Kaiyil bommalaattam

Compares the legal system in corrupt hands to a puppet show maneuvered by a trickster.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings / Internal Rhyme)

Buthi undu sakthi undu / Sathiyathil bakthi undu

The repetition of the 'undu' ending creates a rhythmic internal rhyme scheme highlighting strength, intellect, and devotion.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nalladhedhu kettadhedhu / Nallavarkku solli kodu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Na' across lines creates melodic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Irumbu Pookkal' (1991) is a Tamil crime drama film starring Karthik and Radha Ravi. A rare highlight of the soundtrack is the joint musical collaboration between legendary composers M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran.

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