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Lyrics & meaning

Irukkum Pozhuthai

From Kann Thiranthadhu · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, K. Jamunarani
Music director
T. R. Rajagopal
Details
Kann Thiranthadhu1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ho ho o hoHo ho o ho
Oru kuraiyum seiyamaeWithout committing any fault or flaw
Olagathil yaarumillaeThere is no one in this world
Appadi uthamanaaai vaazhndhavanaiA person who lived as such a righteous man
Indha ulagam odhaikkaama vittathillaiThis world has never spared without kicking down
Male
Irukkum poludhai rasikkanumEnjoy the present moment you have
Ada inbamaai kazhikkanumHey, spend it in joy and delight
Irukkum poludhai rasikkanumEnjoy the present moment you have
Ada inbamaai kazhikkanumHey, spend it in joy and delight
Edhilum thuninju iranganumPlunge boldly into anything you do
Nee yenghi edhukku thudikkanumWhy should you yearn and suffer in pain?
Male
Naalai naalai endruSaying tomorrow, tomorrow
Ponnaana naalai keduppavan kurudanHe who ruins today's golden day is a blind man
Nadanthu ponadhai nenachuThinking about what has already passed
Odambu nalinju poravan madaiyanHe whose body wears out is a fool
Sutha madaiyanAn absolute fool
Nammai pola ahaaLike us, aha
Nammai pola kedachadhai thinnuEating whatever is obtained like us
Nenaithathai seiyiravan manushanHe who does whatever he desires is a true human
Ho o hoHo o ho
Male
Aadi oodi porulai thediRunning around chasing after wealth
Avanum thingaama padhukki veippaanHe hoards it away without even eating it himself
Adhilae idhilae panathai serthuAccumulating money here and there
Veliyida bayandhu maraichuveippaanFearing to reveal it, he keeps it hidden
Male
Annan thambhi pondatti pillaiElder brother, younger brother, wife, or child
Aarukkum sollaama podhachu veipaanWithout telling anyone, he buries it away
Ho o hoHo o ho
AamaYes
Annan thambhi pondatti pillaiElder brother, younger brother, wife, or child
Aarukkum sollaama podhachu veipaanWithout telling anyone, he buries it away
Aaga kadaisiyil kuzhiyai thondiAt long last, digging a pit
Avanaiyum oruthan podhachu veipaanSomeone will bury him as well
Aama podhachu veipaanYes, someone will bury him
AdachaeOh gosh
Male
Nalla vazhiyilae vaazha nenachuHoping to live through purely righteous paths
Naaya alaiyaadheDo not wander around suffering like a stray dog
Adhu indha naalilae mudiyaadhaeThat is simply impossible in present times
Nariyai polae..eliyai polaeLike a fox... like a mouse
Nariyai polae eliyai polaeLike a fox, like a mouse
Nadakka therinjikkanumYou must learn how to navigate and walk
Thambhi pozhaikka therinjikkanumBrother, you must learn how to survive
Female
Haa..aa..aaa…aa..Haa..aa..aaa…aa..
Udambhu azhukku udaiyum azhukkuThe body is dirty, clothes are dirty
Ullam azhukkunghaThe heart and mind are dirty as well
Adhulethaan ulagam kidakkunghaThe world revolves within this filth
Idhu umakkum emakkum kazhuthaikkum theriyumThis is known to you, to me, and even to a donkey
Onnum suthamillaiNothing here is pure or clean
Ulladhai sonnaa kuthamillaiThere is no crime in speaking the plain truth
Male
Haa..aa..aaa…aa..Haa..aa..aaa…aa..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a cynical yet realistic social commentary on human nature, survival, and worldly hypocrisy penned by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram. It urges the listener to live in the present and enjoy life rather than worrying endlessly about the past or future. It criticizes those who hoard wealth secretly without enjoying it or sharing it with family, pointing out the ultimate irony that death claims everyone in the end. The song further advises practical street-smartness over naive idealism, noting that moral purity is rare in a flawed world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Ponnaana naalai keduppavan kurudan

Compares someone who wastes the present day by constantly postponing to 'tomorrow' as a blind person ('kurudan').

Simile (Uvamai)

Nariyai polae eliyai polae

Uses animals (dog, fox, mouse) to represent different modes of living and survival tactics in a harsh society.

Monai / Anaphora

Udambhu azhukku udaiyum azhukku Ullam azhukkungha

Repetition of initial consonant and vocalic sounds across consecutive phrases ('Udambhu', 'Udaiyum', 'Ullam') for rhythmic effect.

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Odambu nalinju poravan madaiyan

End rhymes using '-an' ending words (madaiyan, manushan, kurudan) to maintain lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was famous for embedding sharp socialist philosophy and practical worldly advice into simple, colloquial Tamil folk-style lyrics. 'Kann Thiranthadhu' (1959) features music by T. R. Rajagopal and vocal renditions by Seerkazhi Govindarajan and K. Jamunarani.

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