Intha Veedu
From Ezhai Jaathi · 1993
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ezhai Jaathi1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| {Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai | This house does not belong to us, |
| Paaduda chinnathambi | Sing, my little brother! |
| Athanaala namakku thunbamillai | Therefore, we have no sorrow, |
| Aadudaa chinnathambi} (2) | Dance, my little brother! |
| Male | |
| Ullavanga Ethanaiyo | So many wealthy people, |
| Vanthu vanthu ponaanga | Came and passed away, |
| Santhaiyila vellaattu | Like a herd of white goats, |
| Mandhaiyai pol aanaanga | In the market, they became. |
| Male | |
| Intha veedu namakku | This house to us, |
| Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai | This house does not belong to us, |
| Paaduda chinnathambi | Sing, my little brother! |
| Athanaala namakku thunbamillai | Therefore, we have no sorrow, |
| Aadudaa chinnathambi | Dance, my little brother! |
| Male | |
| Nam naattil jaathi illai | That there is no caste in our country, |
| Enbathellaam poi sethi | Is all false news. |
| Man veettil oru jaathi | One caste lives in mud houses, |
| Machi veettil maru jaaathi | Another caste lives in multi-storey houses. |
| Male | |
| Dhesiya kodiyinile | In the national flag, |
| Moonu vagai varnandhaan | There are three colors; |
| Dhesathil irukirathu | In this nation too, |
| Moonu vagai varnam thaan | There are three classes. |
| Male | |
| Yezhainga sirippinile | In the smile of the poor, |
| Iraivanaithaan kaanalam | One can see God; |
| Appadithaan nenaichirunthen | That is how I thought, |
| Naanum inge naalum thaan | Every day here. |
| Male | |
| Ennaala iraivanaithaan | I could not see, |
| Paarthidave mudiyala | God at all; |
| Naan paarthu ithu varaiyil | Because until now, |
| Yezhai inge sirikkalai | The poor person here has not smiled. |
| Male | |
| Ellorumthaan sernthu | When everyone joins together, |
| Inge yezhaigalai amukka | To oppress the poor here, |
| Avan eppadi sirikka mudiyum | How can he smile? |
| Athu seppadi vithaiyaa pogum | Is that going to be a magic trick? |
| Male | |
| Nenjam undu nermai undu | We have courage, we have honesty, |
| Nammoda thaan raja | Our king is with us! |
| Male | |
| {Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai | This house does not belong to us, |
| Paaduda chinnathambi | Sing, my little brother! |
| Athanaala namakku thunbamillai | Therefore, we have no sorrow, |
| Aadudaa chinnathambi} (2) | Dance, my little brother! |
| Male | |
| Kuppaiyil kandedutha | Found in the trash, |
| Gundumani neethaanda | You are a precious red seed, my friend! |
| Eppothum sirichikittu | Always smiling, |
| Thullugira maan thaanda | You are a leaping deer, my friend! |
| Male | |
| Appa yaaru theriyavillai | Don't know who your father is, |
| Amma yaaru puriyavillai | Don't understand who your mother is, |
| Aanaalum unnudaiya | Even so, your, |
| Sondhaminge naan thaanda | Kinsman here is me, my friend! |
| Male | |
| Ellaarkkum thagappan endru | As a father to everyone, |
| Irukirathu sami thaan | There is God; |
| Ellorkkum veedu antha | The home for everyone, |
| Sami thantha boomi thaan | Is the earth given by God. |
| Male | |
| Illaatha yezhai ellaam | All the deprived poor, |
| Naama konda uravu thaan | Are the relatives we have; |
| Nallorgal vaazhnthu ellaam | The life lived by good people, |
| Nammoda varavu thaan | Is our true income. |
| Male | |
| Raja pola vaazhum | Living like kings, |
| Namma rajangam thaan ooru | Our kingdom is this village! |
| Raja pola vaazhum | Living like kings, |
| Namma rajangam thaan ooru | Our kingdom is this village! |
| Male | |
| Pallam enna medu enna | What is low, what is high? |
| Sellum namma theru | Our street moves along. |
| Male | |
| {Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai | This house does not belong to us, |
| Paaduda chinnathambi | Sing, my little brother! |
| Athanaala namakku thunbamillai | Therefore, we have no sorrow, |
| Aadudaa chinnathambi} (2) | Dance, my little brother! |
| Male | |
| Ullavanga Ethanaiyo | So many wealthy people, |
| Vanthu vanthu ponaanga | Came and passed away, |
| Santhaiyila vellaattu | Like a herd of white goats, |
| Mandhaiyai pol aanaanga | In the market, they became. |
| Male | |
| Intha veedu namakku | This house to us, |
| Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai | This house does not belong to us, |
| Paaduda chinnathambi | Sing, my little brother! |
| Athanaala namakku thunbamillai | Therefore, we have no sorrow, |
| Aadudaa chinnathambi | Dance, my little brother! |
{இந்த வீடு நமக்கு சொந்தமில்லை
பாடுடா சின்னதம்பி
அதனால நமக்கு துன்பமில்லை
ஆடுடா சின்னதம்பி} (2)
This house does not belong to us,
Sing, my little brother!
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Dance, my little brother!
உள்ளவங்க எத்தனையோ
வந்து வந்து போனாங்க
சந்தையில வெள்ளாட்டு
மந்தையைப் போல் ஆனாங்க
So many wealthy people,
Came and passed away,
Like a herd of white goats,
In the market, they became.
இந்த வீடு நமக்கு
இந்த வீடு நமக்கு சொந்தமில்லை
பாடுடா சின்னதம்பி
அதனால நமக்கு துன்பமில்லை
ஆடுடா சின்னதம்பி
This house to us,
This house does not belong to us,
Sing, my little brother!
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Dance, my little brother!
நம் நாட்டில் ஜாதில்லை
என்பதெல்லாம் பொய் சேதி
மண் வீட்டில் ஒரு ஜாதி
மச்சி வீட்டில் மறு ஜாதி
That there is no caste in our country,
Is all false news.
One caste lives in mud houses,
Another caste lives in multi-storey houses.
தேசிய கொடியினிலே
மூணுவகை வர்ணந்தான்
தேசத்தில் இருக்கிறது
மூணுவகை வர்ணம் தான்
In the national flag,
There are three colors;
In this nation too,
There are three classes.
ஏழைங்க சிரிப்பினிலே
இறைவனைத்தான் காணலாம்
அப்படித்தான் நினைச்சிருந்தேன்
நானும் இங்கே நாளும்தான்
In the smile of the poor,
One can see God;
That is how I thought,
Every day here.
என்னால இறைவனைத்தான்
பார்த்திடவே முடியல
நான் பார்த்து இதுவரையில்
ஏழை இங்கே சிரிக்கலை
I could not see,
God at all;
Because until now,
The poor person here has not smiled.
எல்லோரும்தான் சேர்ந்து
இங்கே ஏழைகளை அமுக்க
அவன் எப்படி சிரிக்க முடியும்
அது செப்படி வித்தையா போகும்
When everyone joins together,
To oppress the poor here,
How can he smile?
Is that going to be a magic trick?
நெஞ்சம் உண்டு நேர்மை உண்டு
நம்மோடதான் ராஜா
We have courage, we have honesty,
Our king is with us!
{இந்த வீடு நமக்கு சொந்தமில்லை
பாடுடா சின்னதம்பி
அதனால நமக்கு துன்பமில்லை
ஆடுடா சின்னதம்பி} (2)
This house does not belong to us,
Sing, my little brother!
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Dance, my little brother!
குப்பையில் கண்டெடுத்த
குண்டுமணி நீதாண்டா
எப்போதும் சிரிச்சிக்கிட்டு
துள்ளுகிற மான்தாண்டா
Found in the trash,
You are a precious red seed, my friend!
Always smiling,
You are a leaping deer, my friend!
அப்பா யாரு தெரியவில்லை
அம்மா யாரு புரியவில்லை
ஆனாலும் உன்னுடைய
சொந்தமிங்கே நான்தாண்டா
Don't know who your father is,
Don't understand who your mother is,
Even so, your,
Kinsman here is me, my friend!
எல்லோர்க்கும் தகப்பன் என்று
இருக்கிறது சாமிதான்
எல்லோர்க்கும் வீடு அந்த
சாமி தந்த பூமிதான்
As a father to everyone,
There is God;
The home for everyone,
Is the earth given by God.
இல்லாத ஏழை எல்லாம்
நாம் கொண்ட உறவுதான்
நல்லோர்கள் வாழ்ந்து எல்லாம்
நம்மோட வரவுதான்
All the deprived poor,
Are the relatives we have;
The life lived by good people,
Is our true income.
ராஜா போல வாழு
நம்ம ராஜாங்கம் தான் ஊரு.......
ராஜா போல வாழு
நம்ம ராஜாங்கம் தான் ஊரு.......
Living like kings,
Our kingdom is this village!
Living like kings,
Our kingdom is this village!
பள்ளம் என்ன மேடு என்ன
செல்லும் நம்ம தேரு
What is low, what is high?
Our street moves along.
{இந்த வீடு நமக்கு சொந்தமில்லை
பாடுடா சின்னதம்பி
அதனால நமக்கு துன்பமில்லை
ஆடுடா சின்னதம்பி} (2)
This house does not belong to us,
Sing, my little brother!
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Dance, my little brother!
உள்ளவங்க எத்தனையோ
வந்து வந்து போனாங்க
சந்தையில வெள்ளாட்டு
மந்தையைப் போல் ஆனாங்க
So many wealthy people,
Came and passed away,
Like a herd of white goats,
In the market, they became.
இந்த வீடு நமக்கு
இந்த வீடு நமக்கு சொந்தமில்லை
பாடுடா சின்னதம்பி
அதனால நமக்கு துன்பமில்லை
ஆடுடா சின்னதம்பி
This house to us,
This house does not belong to us,
Sing, my little brother!
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Dance, my little brother!
{Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai
This house does not belong to us,
Paaduda chinnathambi
Sing, my little brother!
Athanaala namakku thunbamillai
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Aadudaa chinnathambi} (2)
Dance, my little brother!
Ullavanga Ethanaiyo
So many wealthy people,
Vanthu vanthu ponaanga
Came and passed away,
Santhaiyila vellaattu
Like a herd of white goats,
Mandhaiyai pol aanaanga
In the market, they became.
Intha veedu namakku
This house to us,
Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai
This house does not belong to us,
Paaduda chinnathambi
Sing, my little brother!
Athanaala namakku thunbamillai
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Aadudaa chinnathambi
Dance, my little brother!
Nam naattil jaathi illai
That there is no caste in our country,
Enbathellaam poi sethi
Is all false news.
Man veettil oru jaathi
One caste lives in mud houses,
Machi veettil maru jaaathi
Another caste lives in multi-storey houses.
Dhesiya kodiyinile
In the national flag,
Moonu vagai varnandhaan
There are three colors;
Dhesathil irukirathu
In this nation too,
Moonu vagai varnam thaan
There are three classes.
Yezhainga sirippinile
In the smile of the poor,
Iraivanaithaan kaanalam
One can see God;
Appadithaan nenaichirunthen
That is how I thought,
Naanum inge naalum thaan
Every day here.
Ennaala iraivanaithaan
I could not see,
Paarthidave mudiyala
God at all;
Naan paarthu ithu varaiyil
Because until now,
Yezhai inge sirikkalai
The poor person here has not smiled.
Ellorumthaan sernthu
When everyone joins together,
Inge yezhaigalai amukka
To oppress the poor here,
Avan eppadi sirikka mudiyum
How can he smile?
Athu seppadi vithaiyaa pogum
Is that going to be a magic trick?
Nenjam undu nermai undu
We have courage, we have honesty,
Nammoda thaan raja
Our king is with us!
{Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai
This house does not belong to us,
Paaduda chinnathambi
Sing, my little brother!
Athanaala namakku thunbamillai
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Aadudaa chinnathambi} (2)
Dance, my little brother!
Kuppaiyil kandedutha
Found in the trash,
Gundumani neethaanda
You are a precious red seed, my friend!
Eppothum sirichikittu
Always smiling,
Thullugira maan thaanda
You are a leaping deer, my friend!
Appa yaaru theriyavillai
Don't know who your father is,
Amma yaaru puriyavillai
Don't understand who your mother is,
Aanaalum unnudaiya
Even so, your,
Sondhaminge naan thaanda
Kinsman here is me, my friend!
Ellaarkkum thagappan endru
As a father to everyone,
Irukirathu sami thaan
There is God;
Ellorkkum veedu antha
The home for everyone,
Sami thantha boomi thaan
Is the earth given by God.
Illaatha yezhai ellaam
All the deprived poor,
Naama konda uravu thaan
Are the relatives we have;
Nallorgal vaazhnthu ellaam
The life lived by good people,
Nammoda varavu thaan
Is our true income.
Raja pola vaazhum
Living like kings,
Namma rajangam thaan ooru
Our kingdom is this village!
Raja pola vaazhum
Living like kings,
Namma rajangam thaan ooru
Our kingdom is this village!
Pallam enna medu enna
What is low, what is high?
Sellum namma theru
Our street moves along.
{Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai
This house does not belong to us,
Paaduda chinnathambi
Sing, my little brother!
Athanaala namakku thunbamillai
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Aadudaa chinnathambi} (2)
Dance, my little brother!
Ullavanga Ethanaiyo
So many wealthy people,
Vanthu vanthu ponaanga
Came and passed away,
Santhaiyila vellaattu
Like a herd of white goats,
Mandhaiyai pol aanaanga
In the market, they became.
Intha veedu namakku
This house to us,
Intha veedu namakku sonthamillai
This house does not belong to us,
Paaduda chinnathambi
Sing, my little brother!
Athanaala namakku thunbamillai
Therefore, we have no sorrow,
Aadudaa chinnathambi
Dance, my little brother!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
"Intha Veedu Namakku Sonthamillai" from Ezhai Jaathi (1993) is a philosophical and socially conscious song composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali. It explores themes of social inequality, material detachment, and true human connection. The song critically deconstructs the popular saying "God resides in the smile of the poor" by pointing out that oppressed people cannot smile freely when systemic inequality divides society between mud huts and high-rises. It emphasizes that physical wealth is fleeting, comparing rich people who pass away to livestock traded in a market. Despite highlighting societal harshness, the song delivers an inspiring message of hope, dignity, and brotherhood. The protagonist reassures an orphaned boy that love, integrity, and mutual support outweigh worldly riches or unknown lineage. By viewing the entire earth as a shared home and finding joy in community, the characters live with kingly pride regardless of their material circumstances.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Santhaiyila vellaattu Mandhaiyai pol aanaanga”
Compares wealthy people who pass away without lasting legacy to a herd of white goats sold in a cattle market.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Kuppaiyil kandedutha Gundumani neethaanda”
Metaphorically addresses an orphaned child as a precious 'gundumani' (red seed) found in garbage, emphasizing intrinsic human worth over circumstances.
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme) & Monnai (Alliteration)
“Man veettil oru jaathi / Machi veettil maru jaaathi”
Uses matching second consonant sounds ('n' in Man / Machi) and rhythmic structural symmetry across lines to contrast class divisions.
Irony / Subversion of Adage
“Yezhainga sirippinile Iraivanaithaan kaanalam ... Naan paarthu ithu varaiyil Yezhai inge sirikkalai”
Vaali takes the proverb 'Ezhaiyin sirippil Iraivanai kaanalam' (God is in the smile of the poor) and subverts it by pointing out that social oppression prevents the poor from smiling in the first place.
Did you know?
Trivia
The phrase 'Nenjam undu nermai undu' used in line 38 pays homage to the iconic 1970 song from MGR's movie En Annan, also written by lyricist Vaali. In Ezhai Jaathi (1993) starring Vijayakanth, Ilaiyaraaja uses upbeat folk rhythms combined with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's energetic vocals to deliver heavy socio-political lyrics in an accessible, folk-pop format.
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