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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Pongi Varugindra

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
Pudhu vellam….pudhu vellam…pudhu vellam…New flood... new flood... new flood...
Female
Idhu pongi varugindra pudhu vellamThis is a fresh flood that flows gushing forth
Male
Idhu pongi varugindra pudhu vellamThis is a fresh flood that flows gushing forth
Oru thangu thadaiyindri idhu sellumIt will flow without any hindrance or barrier
Idhi thadukka ninaiththaalum odukka ninaiththaalumEven if one tries to stop it or suppress it
Edhirththu nindru idhu vellumIt will stand up, fight back, and win
Male
Idhu pongi varugindra pudhu vellamThis is a fresh flood that flows gushing forth
Oru thangu thadaiyindri idhu sellumIt will flow without any hindrance or barrier
Male
Pudhu vellam…..idhu vellum….New flood... this will win...
Male
Perum kaattu marangalai perththuUprooting giant trees in the forest
Neer maettu nilangalil vaarththuPouring water onto elevated lands
Ungal vaazhuvukku valangalai saerththuAdding prosperity to your lives
Naangal veedhiyil nindrom verththuWe stood on the streets drenched in sweat
Male
Ungal kaigalil kanaththidum panappaiThe heavy money bag in your hands
Vantha kaaranam uzhavanin kalappaiCame into existence because of the farmer's plough
Ungal kaigalil kanaththidum panappaiThe heavy money bag in your hands
Vantha kaaranam uzhavanin kalappaiCame into existence because of the farmer's plough
Engal thozhargal vazhangiya uzhaippaiThe labor provided by our comrades
Undu kozhuththathu ungal iraippaiFattened your gullet as you devoured it
Male
Idhu pongi varugindra pudhu vellamThis is a fresh flood that flows gushing forth
Oru thangu thadaiyindri idhu sellumIt will flow without any hindrance or barrier
Male
Pudhu vellam…..idhu vellum…..New flood... this will win...
Male
Ungal varuvaai perukkiya koottamThe crowd that multiplied your income
Ingu oru vaai soththukku vaattamIs suffering here for a single morsel of food
Ungal varuvaai perukkiya koottamThe crowd that multiplied your income
Ingu oru vaai soththukku vaattamIs suffering here for a single morsel of food
Idhai arivaal unarnthida vendumOne must realize this with wisdom
Illai oru naal erimalai thondrumOtherwise, one day a volcano will erupt
Male
Veen pazhisolli thoduppaar vazhakkuSlanderers will file false cases against us
Antha paavigal naavinai adakkuSubdue the tongues of those sinners
Veen pazhisolli thoduppaar vazhakkuSlanderers will file false cases against us
Antha paavigal naavinai adakkuSubdue the tongues of those sinners
Ner vazhiyinuil nadappavar thamakkuFor those who walk along the righteous path
Vettri nichchayam kaalaththin kanakkuVictory is certain according to the ledger of time
Male
Idhu pongi varugindra pudhu vellamThis is a fresh flood that flows gushing forth
Oru thangu thadaiyindri idhu sellumIt will flow without any hindrance or barrier
Male
Pudhu vellam…..idhu vellum…..New flood... this will win...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Pudhu Vellam' is a powerful socio-political anthem representing the surge of working-class solidarity and social justice. Metaphorically comparing the rising movement of laborers and farmers to an unstoppable 'new flood', the lyrics convey that no amount of suppression or opposition can halt the eventual victory of the oppressed masses. The song contrasts the sweat and toil of workers—whose hard labor fills the coffers of the wealthy—with the harsh reality of their own starvation. It issues a stern warning to exploiters that failing to recognize this inequality will result in a volcanic eruption of popular revolt, assuring that justice and righteousness will triumph in due time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Idhu pongi varugindra pudhu vellam

The term 'Pudhu vellam' (fresh flood) is used as an extended metaphor for the unstoppable rise of working-class revolution and social change.

Ethiray (Second Letter Rhyme)

Idhi thadukka ninaiththaalum odukka ninaiththaalum

The second letters in 'thadukka' and 'odukka' match ('du'), establishing rhythmic cadence in Tamil lyricism.

Hyperbole / Violent Imagery

Illai oru naal erimalai thondrum

Comparing accumulated social unrest to an erupting volcano ('erimalai') creates dramatic urgency and warns of revolutionary upheaval.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by veteran music director M. B. Sreenivas with lyrics by Vaali and sung with characteristic vigor by T. M. Soundararajan, 'Pudhu Vellam' reflects the left-leaning, socio-political themes prominent in mid-1970s Tamil cinema focusing on agrarian and labor rights.

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