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Lyrics & meaning

Jingu Jingunnu

From Pattaliyin Vetri · 1960

Lyricist
Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Rajeswara Rao
Details
Pattaliyin Vetri1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Jingu jingunnu jingu jingunnuJingu jingunnu, jingu jingunnu,
Thulliyae odungalaen oo…oo…Run leaping joyfully, oh... oh...
Senthamizh naattin selvangalaeO treasures of the glorious Tamil land,
Vaayillaatha nalla jeevangalaeO good speechless living beings!
Female
Jingu jingunnu jingu jingunnuJingu jingunnu, jingu jingunnu,
Thulliyae odungalaen oo…oo…Run leaping joyfully, oh... oh...
Female
Vellai sivappu vanna niraththilIn shades of white and red colors,
Minnum azhagiya kaalaigalaaiAs beautiful bulls that shine,
Kirukiruvendru ongi valarnthuGrowing tall rapidly with vigor,
Vayalgalai neengal uzhuvatheppoWhen will you plow the fields?
Female
Allalil sikkiya namma kudumbamWhen will our family, trapped in troubles,
Aanantha vaazhvu peruvathu eppoAttain a life of blissful happiness?
Oo…oo….oo…oo….oo…oo…oo…oo…Oo... oo... oo... oo... oo... oo... oo... oo...
Female
Allalil sikkiya namma kudumbamWhen will our family, trapped in troubles,
Aanantha vaazhvu peruvathu eppoAttain a life of blissful happiness?
Aasai kondumae valarththidum engalinWhen will you relieve the hardships of us,
Kashtaththai neengal theerppathu eppo….Who rear you with affection?
Female
Jingu jingunnuJingu jingunnu,
Thulliyae odungalaenRun leaping joyfully!
Female
Laddu jelaebiyum kettumae neengalYou do not ask for laddus and jalebis,
Naalumae thollai tharuvathillaiNor do you ever cause trouble every day.
Pattu thalaigaani meththaiyum pottuYou do not dream of sleeping on
Paduththida neengal ninaippathillaiSilk pillows and soft mattresses.
Female
Oru pidi vaikkolumJust a handful of straw,
Oru vaai thanneerumAnd a mouth full of water,
Koduththaalae thirupthiyaa uzhaippeenga neengaIf given, you work with complete satisfaction.
Nenjil eeramillaa manidar kaattilumEven compared to heartless human beings,
Ulagilae neengalae melaagumYou are superior in this world.
Female
Jingu jingunnuJingu jingunnu,
Thulliyae odungalaenRun leaping joyfully!
Female
Pagalendrummillae iravendrumillaeWithout distinguishing day or night,
Paadupettumae uzhaippeengaYou work hard tirelessly.
Nambi valarththidum ejamaanidaththilTo the master who rears you with trust,
Nandri kaattiyae nadappeengaYou remain ever loyal and dutiful.
Female
Pathavi pattamae ketkkaamalaeWithout asking for positions or titles,
Intha bharatham vaazha uzhaippavar neengaYou labor so that this land of Bharat may prosper.
Pathavi pattamae ketkkaamalaeWithout asking for positions or titles,
Intha bharatham vaazha uzhaippavar neengaYou labor so that this land of Bharat may prosper.
Mannilae ungalin uzhaippinai vittaaWithout your hard labor on this soil,
Maanidar vaazhnthida vazhiyae illaiThere is no way for human beings to survive.
Female
Jingu jingunnu jingu jingunnuJingu jingunnu, jingu jingunnu,
Thulliyae odungalaen oo…oo…Run leaping joyfully, oh... oh...
Senthamizh naattin selvangalaeO treasures of the glorious Tamil land,
Vaayillaatha nalla jeevangalaeO good speechless living beings!
Female
Jingu jingunnu jingu jingunnuJingu jingunnu, jingu jingunnu,
Thulliyae odungalaenRun leaping joyfully!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Pattaliyin Vetri (1960) is a warm and affectionate ode to farm cattle, celebrating them as the true wealth of Tamil Nadu and essential partners in rural agriculture. The singer playfully addresses young bulls, urging them to grow strong and help plow the family's fields so that their household can overcome hardship and achieve happiness. The lyrics highlight the contentment and selfless nature of the bulls, contrasting them with greedy human beings. While humans demand luxurious food, comforts, and titles, the bulls work tirelessly day and night with complete loyalty to their master, needing nothing more than straw and water. Ultimately, the song honors these speechless creatures as the foundation of human survival and agricultural prosperity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia

Jingu jingunnu jingu jingunnu

'Jingu jingunnu' uses rhythmic sound-words that evoke the chiming of bells on cattle or their lively gait.

Metaphor

Senthamizh naattin selvangalae

Addressing farm cattle as 'treasures of the Tamil land' elevates speechless animals to prized societal assets.

Contrast / Satire

Nenjil eeramillaa manidar kaattilum / Ulagilae neengalae melaagum

Contrasts the extreme simplicity of cattle with human greed, highlighting that animals are morally superior to heartless humans.

Monnai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pathavi pattamae ketkkaamalae

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Pathavi' and 'pattamae' adds poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattaliyin Vetri (1960), directed by A. Subba Rao, featured songs celebrating working-class dignity and agricultural labor. S. Rajeswara Rao composed the music, while Ka. Mu. Sheriff wrote the lyrics filled with agrarian theme and folk rhythm.

Keep listening

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Jingu Jingunnu Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi