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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ezhaikku Edhu

From Vaazhkkai · 1949

Lyricist
K. P. Kamatchisundaram
Singer
T. K. Shanmugam
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Vaazhkkai1949

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ezhaikku yedhu inbamWhere is happiness for a poor person?
Ezhaikku yedhu inbamWhere is happiness for a poor person?
Male
Ezhaikku yedhu inbamWhere is happiness for a poor person?
Ezhaikku yedhu inbamWhere is happiness for a poor person?
Paazhum panamillaenna ulagamae thunbamWithout wretched money, the entire world is filled with sorrow.
Ezhaikku yedhu inbamWhere is happiness for a poor person?
Ezhaikku yedhu inbamWhere is happiness for a poor person?
Paazhum panamillaenna ulagamae thunbamWithout wretched money, the entire world is filled with sorrow.
Ezhaikku yedhu inbamWhere is happiness for a poor person?
Male
Mandha buthikkaaranaiyumEven a fool or a dull-witted man...
Indhiran chandhiraninnu...as Lord Indra or the Moon...
Varnanaigal pannuvaanga...people will heap praises upon him!
Mandha buthikkaaranaiyumEven a fool or a dull-witted man...
Indhiran chandhiraninnu...as Lord Indra or the Moon...
Varnanaigal pannuvaanga...people will heap praises upon him!
Nalla sondha buthikkaranaiyumYet even a truly wise and intelligent person...
Sothukku illama ponaa...if he lacks wealth and basic sustenance...
Sondha buthikkaranaiyum...a wise and intelligent person...
Sothukku illama ponaa...if he lacks wealth and basic sustenance...
Sombaeriyinnu vaanga vaazhvil...they will dismiss him as a lazy good-for-nothing in life!
Ezhaikku yedhu inbamWhere is happiness for a poor person?
Male
Pullai kuttikaaga siruFor the sake of his wife and children, if a poor man...
Kallathanam panninaalum...commits a petty misdeed or small theft...
Mollamaariyinnuvaangha...they will immediately brand him a scoundrel!
Haa pullai kuttikaaga siruAh, for the sake of his wife and children, if he...
Kallathanam panninaalum...commits a petty misdeed or small theft...
Mollamaariyinnuvaangha...they will immediately brand him a scoundrel!
Perung kollaiyadichu panathaiYet a person who loots on a grand scale...
Kuvikkiravanai paarthu...and hoards mountains of wealth...
Perung kollaiyadichu panathaiYet a person who loots on a grand scale...
Kuvikkiravanai paarthu...and hoards mountains of wealth...
Vallalinnu solluvanga...they will praise him as a generous philanthropist!
Perum vallalinnu solluvangaThey will hail him as a great philanthropist!
Vaazhvil ezhaikku yedhu inbamIn life, where is happiness for a poor person?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1949 film 'Vaazhkkai' is a sharp sociological satire commenting on the double standards, class prejudice, and moral hypocrisy of society toward the poor. It highlights how social worth and respect are measured entirely by money rather than character or intellect.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Muran (Antithesis)

Mandha buthikkaaranaiyum ... Sondha buthikkaranaiyum

Contrasts a wealthy fool (mandha buthikkaaran) who gets glorified with a wise poor person (sondha buthikkaran) who gets dismissed as lazy.

Irony / Satire

Perung kollaiyadichu panathai kuvikkiravanai paarthu vallalinnu solluvanga

Highlights the societal irony where a small thief feeding his starving family is called a rogue, while a massive swindler who hoards wealth is honored as a philanthropist.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Pullai kuttikaaga / Kallathanam panninaalum

The second consonant 'll' (ள்/ல்) rhymes between 'Pullai' and 'Kallathanam'.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Varnanaigal pannuvaanga / Sombaeriyinnu vaanga / Mollamaariyinnuvaangha

Repetition of similar verbal suffixes ('-vaanga') at the end of lines creates a rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vaazhkkai' (1949), produced by AVM Productions and directed by A. V. Meiyappan, marked the landmark silver screen debut of legendary actress Vyjayanthimala. The soundtrack composed by R. Sudharsanam was hugely popular, leading to the film being remade in Hindi as 'Bahar' (1951), which launched Vyjayanthimala's career in Bollywood.

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