Kaalana Minjaathaiyaa
From Avan Amaran · 1958
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- T. M. Ibrahim
- Details
- Avan Amaran1958
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Chorus :Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Chorus: Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Female | |
| Aalaiyil paadupadum | Working hard in the factory |
| Yaezhaigal vaazhvinilae | In the lives of the poor |
| Chorus | |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Female | |
| Jolliyaai vaazhnthidalaam | We can live jolly lives |
| Jolliyaai vaazhnthidalaam | We can live jolly lives |
| Chorus :Ninaiththaal ulagaiyelaam | Chorus: If we think about it, the whole world |
| Panaththaal vaangidalaam | Can be bought with money |
| Jollyyaai vaazhnthidalaam | We can live jolly lives |
| Jollyyaai vaazhnthidalaam | We can live jolly lives |
| Aa….aah….aaa…..aaah…. | Ah... Aah... Aaa... Aaah... |
| Female | |
| Paattaaliyae varumai koottaaliyae | Oh laborer, companion of poverty |
| Enni paaraiyyaa | Think and reflect, sir |
| Un nilaiyai innaalilae | Upon your state in these current times |
| Chorus : Enni paaraiyyaa | Chorus: Think and reflect, sir |
| Un nilaiyai innaalilae…. | Upon your state in these current times... |
| Male | |
| Nottaagave vantha koottaaliyae | Oh companion who arrived as currency notes |
| Mana kottaiyellaam unnaalae | All the castles in the mind, because of you |
| Eederumae | Will come true |
| Chorus :Mana kottaiyellaam unnaalae | Chorus: All the castles in the mind, because of you |
| Eederumae | Will come true |
| Female | |
| Onda nizhal sonthamillae | Not even a shade to lean on is ours |
| Oivu mattum siruthumilla | There is not even a bit of rest |
| Chorus :Onda nizhal sonthamillae | Chorus: Not even a shade to lean on is ours |
| Oivu mattum siruthumilla | There is not even a bit of rest |
| Chorus | |
| Kandapadi kalippuravae | To make merry as we please |
| Kaalanthaan pothavillai | Time itself is not enough |
| Chorus | |
| Onda nizhal sonthamillae | Not even a shade to lean on is ours |
| Oivu mattum siruthumilla | There is not even a bit of rest |
| Aalaiyil paadupadum | Working hard in the factory |
| Yaezhaigal vaazhvilae | In the lives of the poor |
| Chorus | |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Male | |
| Pana naathanae unthan arutpaarvaiyaal | Oh lord of money, by your benevolent gaze |
| Intha paar meedhu uzhaikkaamal | Without working hard on this earth |
| Poruleettuvom | We shall gather wealth |
| Chorus :Pana naathanae unthan arutpaarvaiyaal | Chorus: Oh lord of money, by your benevolent gaze |
| Intha paar meedhu uzhaikkaamal | Without working hard on this earth |
| Poruleettuvom | We shall gather wealth |
| Male | |
| Pasiyaaravae yaezhmai pagai theeravae | To satisfy hunger and eliminate the enemy of poverty |
| Pagal iravendru paaraamal paniyaattruvom | We will work ceaselessly, without distinguishing day or night |
| Chorus :Pagal iravendru paaraamal paniyaattruvom | Chorus: We will work ceaselessly, without distinguishing day or night |
| Female | |
| Kaalam maaridumaa kavalai theernthidumaa | Will times change? Will worries end? |
| Chorus :Kaalam maaridumaa kavalai theernthidumaa | Chorus: Will times change? Will worries end? |
| Aalaiyil paadupadum | Working hard in the factory |
| Yaezhaigal vaazhvinilae | In the lives of the poor |
| Chorus | |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
| Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa | Not even a quarter anna remains, sir |
காலணா மிஞ்சாதய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதைய்யா
குழு :
காலணா மிஞ்சாதய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதைய்யா
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Chorus: Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
ஆலையில் பாடுபடும்
ஏழைகள் வாழ்வினிலே
Working hard in the factory
In the lives of the poor
காலணா மிஞ்சாதய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதைய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதைய்யா
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
ஜாலியாய் வாழ்ந்திடலாம்
ஜாலியாய் வாழ்ந்திடலாம்
குழு :
நினைத்தால் உலகையெல்லாம்
பணத்தால் வாங்கிடலாம்
ஜாலியாய் வாழ்ந்திடலாம்
ஜாலியாய் வாழ்ந்திடலாம்
ஆ...ஆஹ்....ஆஅ....ஆஅஹ்....
We can live jolly lives
We can live jolly lives
Chorus: If we think about it, the whole world
Can be bought with money
We can live jolly lives
We can live jolly lives
Ah... Aah... Aaa... Aaah...
பாட்டாளியே வறுமைக் கூட்டாளியே
எண்ணிப் பாரைய்யா
உன் நிலையை இந்நாளிலே.....
குழு :
எண்ணிப் பாரைய்யா
உன் நிலையை இந்நாளிலே.....
Oh laborer, companion of poverty
Think and reflect, sir
Upon your state in these current times
Chorus: Think and reflect, sir
Upon your state in these current times...
நோட்டாகவே வந்த கூட்டாளியே
மனக் கோட்டையெல்லாம் உன்னாலே
ஈடேறுமே
குழு :
மனக் கோட்டையெல்லாம் உன்னாலே
ஈடேறுமே
Oh companion who arrived as currency notes
All the castles in the mind, because of you
Will come true
Chorus: All the castles in the mind, because of you
Will come true
ஒண்ட நிழல் சொந்தமில்லே
ஓய்வு மட்டும் சிறுதுமில்ல
குழு :
ஒண்ட நிழல் சொந்தமில்லே
ஓய்வு மட்டும் சிறுதுமில்ல
Not even a shade to lean on is ours
There is not even a bit of rest
Chorus: Not even a shade to lean on is ours
There is not even a bit of rest
கண்டபடி களிப்புறவே
காலந்தான் போதவில்லை
To make merry as we please
Time itself is not enough
ஒண்ட நிழல் சொந்தமில்லே
ஓய்வு மட்டும் சிறுதுமில்ல
ஆலையில் பாடுபடும்
ஏழைகள் வாழ்விலே
Not even a shade to lean on is ours
There is not even a bit of rest
Working hard in the factory
In the lives of the poor
காலணா மிஞ்சாதய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதைய்யா
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
பணநாதனே உந்தன் அருட்பார்வையால்
இந்தப் பார் மீது உழைக்காமல்
பொருளீட்டுவோம்
குழு :
பணநாதனே உந்தன் அருட்பார்வையால்
இந்தப் பார் மீது உழைக்காமல்
பொருளீட்டுவோம்
Oh lord of money, by your benevolent gaze
Without working hard on this earth
We shall gather wealth
Chorus: Oh lord of money, by your benevolent gaze
Without working hard on this earth
We shall gather wealth
பசியாறவே ஏழ்மைப் பகைத் தீரவே
பகல் இரவென்று பாராமல் பணியாற்றுவோம்
குழு :
பகல் இரவென்று பாராமல்
பணியாற்றுவோம்
To satisfy hunger and eliminate the enemy of poverty
We will work ceaselessly, without distinguishing day or night
Chorus: We will work ceaselessly, without distinguishing day or night
காலம் மாறிடுமா கவலை தீர்ந்திடுமா
குழு :
காலம் மாறிடுமா கவலை தீர்ந்திடுமா
ஆலையில் பாடுபடும்
ஏழைகள் வாழ்வினிலே......
Will times change? Will worries end?
Chorus: Will times change? Will worries end?
Working hard in the factory
In the lives of the poor
காலணா மிஞ்சாதய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதைய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதய்யா
காலணா மிஞ்சாதைய்யா
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Chorus :Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Chorus: Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Aalaiyil paadupadum
Working hard in the factory
Yaezhaigal vaazhvinilae
In the lives of the poor
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Jolliyaai vaazhnthidalaam
We can live jolly lives
Jolliyaai vaazhnthidalaam
We can live jolly lives
Chorus :Ninaiththaal ulagaiyelaam
Chorus: If we think about it, the whole world
Panaththaal vaangidalaam
Can be bought with money
Jollyyaai vaazhnthidalaam
We can live jolly lives
Jollyyaai vaazhnthidalaam
We can live jolly lives
Aa….aah….aaa…..aaah….
Ah... Aah... Aaa... Aaah...
Paattaaliyae varumai koottaaliyae
Oh laborer, companion of poverty
Enni paaraiyyaa
Think and reflect, sir
Un nilaiyai innaalilae
Upon your state in these current times
Chorus : Enni paaraiyyaa
Chorus: Think and reflect, sir
Un nilaiyai innaalilae….
Upon your state in these current times...
Nottaagave vantha koottaaliyae
Oh companion who arrived as currency notes
Mana kottaiyellaam unnaalae
All the castles in the mind, because of you
Eederumae
Will come true
Chorus :Mana kottaiyellaam unnaalae
Chorus: All the castles in the mind, because of you
Eederumae
Will come true
Onda nizhal sonthamillae
Not even a shade to lean on is ours
Oivu mattum siruthumilla
There is not even a bit of rest
Chorus :Onda nizhal sonthamillae
Chorus: Not even a shade to lean on is ours
Oivu mattum siruthumilla
There is not even a bit of rest
Kandapadi kalippuravae
To make merry as we please
Kaalanthaan pothavillai
Time itself is not enough
Onda nizhal sonthamillae
Not even a shade to lean on is ours
Oivu mattum siruthumilla
There is not even a bit of rest
Aalaiyil paadupadum
Working hard in the factory
Yaezhaigal vaazhvilae
In the lives of the poor
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Pana naathanae unthan arutpaarvaiyaal
Oh lord of money, by your benevolent gaze
Intha paar meedhu uzhaikkaamal
Without working hard on this earth
Poruleettuvom
We shall gather wealth
Chorus :Pana naathanae unthan arutpaarvaiyaal
Chorus: Oh lord of money, by your benevolent gaze
Intha paar meedhu uzhaikkaamal
Without working hard on this earth
Poruleettuvom
We shall gather wealth
Pasiyaaravae yaezhmai pagai theeravae
To satisfy hunger and eliminate the enemy of poverty
Pagal iravendru paaraamal paniyaattruvom
We will work ceaselessly, without distinguishing day or night
Chorus :Pagal iravendru paaraamal paniyaattruvom
Chorus: We will work ceaselessly, without distinguishing day or night
Kaalam maaridumaa kavalai theernthidumaa
Will times change? Will worries end?
Chorus :Kaalam maaridumaa kavalai theernthidumaa
Chorus: Will times change? Will worries end?
Aalaiyil paadupadum
Working hard in the factory
Yaezhaigal vaazhvinilae
In the lives of the poor
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa
Not even a quarter anna remains, sir
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Avan Amaran' (1958) is a poignant social commentary highlighting the plight and financial hardships of the working class and factory laborers. The recurring motif of 'Kaalanaa minjaathaiyyaa' (not even a quarter anna is saved) underscores how despite endless toil day and night, poor laborers remain empty-handed and unable to save any portion of their wages.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Paattaaliyae varumai koottaaliyae”
Matching second consonants in consecutive words or lines, such as 'Paattaaliyae' and 'koottaaliyae', establishing a rhythmic lyrical flow.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Pasiyaaravae yaezhmai pagai theeravae”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Pasiyaaravae' and 'pagai'.
Metaphor
“Nottaagave vantha koottaaliyae”
Addressing currency/wealth as a companion ('koottaaliyae') that can fulfill 'mana kottai' (castles built in the mind).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Avan Amaran' was directed by S. Balachander and featured lyrics by famous communist-leaning lyricist A. Maruthakasi, whose songs often voiced socialist themes and the struggles of the Tamil labor movement during the 1950s.
Keep listening
More from Avan Amaran
Avan Amaran
Avan Amaran
Avan Amaran
Avan Amaran
Avan Amaran