- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Ezhai Jaathi
- Movie release year
- 1993
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Jan 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
"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.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Ezhai Jaathi
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.