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Lyrics & meaning

Ezhaikkum Vazhvukkum Vegu

From Thilakam · 1960

Lyricist
Kavi Rajagopal
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Thilakam1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ezhaikkum vaazhvukkum veguthooraamaIs there a great distance between the poor and a good life?
Ezhaikkum vaazhvukkum veguthooraamaIs there a great distance between the poor and a good life?
Panam illaar endraalae ilakaaramaIs it a matter of contempt if someone has no money?
Panam illaar endraalae ilakaaramaIs it a matter of contempt if someone has no money?
Male
Soozhum vaazhvin karaiyoramaaOn the shores of this enveloping life,
Emmai thookki erivadhu muraiyaagumaIs it fair to just toss us away?
Emmai thookki erivadhu muraiyaagumaIs it fair to just toss us away?
Ezhaikkum vaazhvukkum veguthooraamaIs there a great distance between the poor and a good life?
Female
Panam iruppavarkkae inbam sondhamaaDoes happiness belong only to those who possess wealth?
Panam iruppavarkkae inbam sondhamaaDoes happiness belong only to those who possess wealth?
Namm ilangkaadhal valarlaamal pogumaaaWill our young love be prevented from growing?
Male
Iruvarai pirithadhu needhiyooIs it justice to separate the two of us?
Iruvarai pirithadhu needhiyooIs it justice to separate the two of us?
Paaril eliyorgal vazhvadhendha thedhiyooOn what date will the poor and simple be allowed to live in this world?
Female
Ezhaikkum vaazhvukkum veguthooraamaIs there a great distance between the poor and a good life?
Panam illaar endraalae ilakaaramaIs it a matter of contempt if someone has no money?
Panam illaar endraalae ilakaaramaIs it a matter of contempt if someone has no money?
Female
Kulaiyodu pazhuthaRipened together in a full stalk,
Malai vaazhai pondraLike a rich hill-banana tree,
Kudumbam alai modhi sidhariyadhaeOur family was shattered and scattered by crashing waves!
Male :Malai paambum pollaa valloorumMale: Like a python and a vicious vulture,
Ennai vaazhamudiyaamal virattiyadhaeThey chased me away, preventing me from living!
Ezhaikkum vaazhvukkum veguthooraamaIs there a great distance between the poor and a good life?
Female
Ezhamaiyai iraivaa neekividuO God, eradicate our poverty,
Illai engalin uyirai pokkividuOr else, take away our very lives!
Male :Yeikkum valiyorai thookiliduMale: Hang the powerful who deceive and oppress us,
Indrae inbamaai engalai vaazhaviduLet us live happily starting today!
Indrae inbamaai engalai vaazhaviduLet us live happily starting today!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ezhaikkum Vaazhvukkum' from the 1960 movie 'Thilakam' is a poignant commentary on social inequality and the plight of the poor. The protagonists express their deep despair over how monetary status dictates respect and happiness in society. They mourn how poverty destroys relationships, tears families apart like waves shattering a tree, and allows ruthless, powerful figures to prey on the weak.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Kulaiyodu pazhutha / Malai vaazhai pondra / Kudumbam alai modhi sidhariyadhae

Compares a happy, thriving family to a fully ripened stalk of mountain bananas that gets ruined and scattered by relentless ocean waves.

Metaphor / Simile

Male :Malai paambum pollaa valloorum / Ennai vaazhamudiyaamal virattiyadhae

Compares oppressive rich men to dangerous pythons and cruel vultures that hunt and hound the protagonist.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Ezhamaiyai iraivaa neekividu / Illai engalin uyirai pokkividu / Yeikkum valiyorai thookilidu / Indrae inbamaai engalai vaazhavidu

The line endings 'neekividu', 'pokkividu', 'thookilidu', and 'vaazhavidu' share the same suffix and rhyming pattern, creating a strong emotional rhythm.

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Trivia

The song features vocals by Carnatic classical titan M. L. Vasanthakumari alongside iconic playback singer Seerkazhi Govindarajan. Composed by R. Sudharsanam, a long-time resident composer for AVM Productions, the lyrics by Kavi Rajagopal highlight the socio-economic drama central to 'Thilakam' (1960).

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