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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Kaatrulla Podhey

From Mahalakshmi · 1960

Lyricist: A. Maruthakasi
Singers: L. R. Eswari, Udutha Sarojini
Music director: K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name: Mahalakshmi
Movie release year: 1960
Lyrics added on: 7 Oct 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Oothu neera pola vervai

Peruga uzhaikkanum

Andha uzhaippinalae namadhu veedum

Naadum sezhikkanum

Oothu neera pola vervai

Peruga uzhaikkanum

Andha uzhaippinalae namadhu veedum

Naadum sezhikkanum

Naethirunthathu pola innikku

Ulagamum illae

Naethirunthathu pola innikku

Ulagamum illae

Naalai nichiyamaai enna nadakkumminnum

Theriyallae aadhlae

Nellil kalandha padharu neenga thoothanum

Adhu pola ullathilae maasiruntha maathanum

Nellil kalandha padharu neenga thoothanum

Adhu pola ullathilae maasiruntha maathanum

Nallavanga uravai mattum naadanum

Nallavanga uravai mattum naadanum

Theeyor natpirundha adhaiyum vilakki podanum

Sethu vechu kuruvi pola vaazha theriyanum

Sethu vechu kuruvi pola vaazha theriyanum

Edhirpaarthu varum ezhaikkellam

Udhavi puriyanum

Kaadhulla podhey naam

Thoothi kollanum

Karuthai kaalathukku yettrapadi

Maathi kollanum

Kaadhulla podhey naam

Thoothi kollanum

Karuthai kaalathukku yettrapadi

Maathi kollanum

With sweat pouring like water from a spring,

we must work hard,

and through that labor, our home

and nation must prosper.

With sweat pouring like water from a spring,

we must work hard,

and through that labor, our home

and nation must prosper.

The world today is not

as it was yesterday.

The world today is not

as it was yesterday.

And what will surely happen tomorrow,

no one knows; therefore,

We must winnow the grain to remove the chaff,

and likewise, clear away any flaws in our heart.

We must winnow the grain to remove the chaff,

and likewise, clear away any flaws in our heart.

We should seek only the friendship of good people,

we should seek only the friendship of good people,

and cast aside any bond with the wicked.

Like birds that gather and save, we must learn to live,

like birds that gather and save, we must learn to live,

and to all the poor who come in hope,

we must offer our help.

While the wind blows,

we must winnow our grain,

and we must change our thinking

to suit the times.

While the wind blows,

we must winnow our grain,

and we must change our thinking

to suit the times.

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This uplifting folk-style song emphasizes the dignity of hard labor, moral integrity, saving for the future, and adaptability. The lyricist Maruthakasi uses vivid agrarian metaphors to encourage people to work so intensely that sweat flows like spring water, bringing prosperity to both their households and the nation at large. The lyrics urge listeners to purge bad thoughts from their minds just as chaff is winnowed from grain, keep company only with good people, help the needy, save prudently like birds, and strike while the iron is hot. It underscores the impermanence of time, reminding us to constantly evolve and adapt our thoughts as the world changes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

“Oothu neera pola vervai”

Compares sweating from hard work to the natural flow of spring water ('Oothu neera pola vervai').

Uvamai (Simile)

“Sethu vechu kuruvi pola vaazha theriyanum”

Compares prudent saving and modest living to the habits of a bird collecting grains ('kuruvi pola vaazha').

Pazhamozhi (Proverb / Allusion)

“Kaadhulla podhey naam / Thoothi kollanum”

Refers directly to the popular Tamil proverb 'Kaatru ullapothu thoothikol' ('Winnow while the wind blows' or 'Make hay while the sun shines').

Muran (Antithesis)

“Nallavanga uravai mattum naadanum / Theeyor natpirundha adhaiyum vilakki podanum”

Contrasts good relationships ('Nallavanga uravai') with bad friendships ('Theeyor natpirundha') to stress moral discernment.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was celebrated for weaving traditional Tamil proverbs and simple rural philosophy into catchy film songs. The phrase 'Kaatru ullapothu thoothikol' is repurposed here in everyday spoken dialect as 'Kaadhulla podhey naam thoothi kollanum', making deep moral lessons easily accessible to working-class film audiences.

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