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Padagotti album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Koduthathellam Koduthaan

From Padagotti · 1964

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Padagotti
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
11 Apr 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Koduthadhellam
Koduthaan avan
Yarukaga koduthaan
Orutharuka koduthaan
Illai oorukaaga koduthaan } (2)
Orutharuka koduthaan
Illai oorukaaga koduthaan
{ Mann kudisai
Vaasal endral thendral
Vara veruthiduma } (2)
Maalai nila
Ezhai endral velicham
Thara maruthiduma
Unakaga ondru
Enakaga ondru oru
Podhum deivam koduthadhillai
Koduthadhellam
Koduthaan avan
Yarukaga koduthaan
Orutharuka koduthaan
Illai oorukaaga koduthaan
Padaithavan mel
Pazhiyum illai pasithavan
Mel paavam illai
Kidaithavargal
Pirithu kondaar uzhaithavargal
Theruvil nindrar
Palar vaada vaada
Silar vaazha vaazha oru
Podhum deivam koduthadhillai
Koduthadhellam
Koduthaan avan
Yarukaga koduthaan
Orutharuka koduthaan
Illai oorukaaga koduthaan
{ Illai enbor irukaiyilae
Irupavargal illai enbaar } (2)
Madi niraiya porul irukum
Manam niraya irul irukum
Edhu vandha
Podhum podhuvendru
Vaithu vaazhgindra
Perai vaazhthiduvom
Koduthadhellam
Koduthaan avan
Yarukaga koduthaan
Orutharuka koduthaan
Illai oorukaaga koduthaan
Orutharuka koduthaan
Illai oorukaaga koduthaan
Whatever He gave,
He gave it all!
For whom did He give it?
Did He give it for just one person?
No, He gave it for everyone!
Did He give it for just one person?
No, He gave it for everyone!
If it is the doorway
of a simple mud hut,
would the gentle breeze refuse to enter?
Just because someone is poor,
would the evening moon
refuse to shine its light?
"One for you,
and one for me"—
God has never given like that!
Whatever He gave,
He gave it all!
For whom did He give it?
Did He give it for just one person?
No, He gave it for everyone!
There is no blame on the Creator,
nor is there any fault
with the person who is hungry.
Those who grabbed it
divided it among themselves, while those who toiled
were left standing on the street!
For many to suffer and wither
while a few live in luxury—
God has never given like that!
Whatever He gave,
He gave it all!
For whom did He give it?
Did He give it for just one person?
No, He gave it for everyone!
While those who have nothing truly struggle,
those who have plenty say they have nothing!
Their laps are filled with wealth,
yet their hearts are filled with darkness.
Whatever comes their way,
treating it as belonging to all,
let us praise those
who live with such a spirit!
Whatever He gave,
He gave it all!
For whom did He give it?
Did He give it for just one person?
No, He gave it for everyone!
Did He give it for just one person?
No, He gave it for everyone!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic philosophical song from the movie 'Padagotti' delivers a strong socialist and egalitarian message. It asserts that nature's abundant gifts—such as the soothing breeze and the moonlight—are meant for all human beings equally, without discriminating between the rich and the poor. God created nature for the entire community, not for a privileged few.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinah Alangaram)

Mann kudisai vaasal endral thendral vara veruthiduma

The speaker asks whether natural elements like the breeze or moonlight would deny comfort to a poor man's hut, emphasizing nature's inherent impartiality.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Madi niraiya porul irukum / Manam niraya irul irukum

Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in words across lines, such as 'Madi' and 'Manam'.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Madi niraiya porul irukum / Manam niraya irul irukum

Contrasting the abundance of wealth ('porul') with the poverty of character/darkness of mind ('irul').

Did you know?

Trivia

Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, this song served as a major political vehicle for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), reinforcing his screen image as a champion of the working class and the downtrodden.

Keep listening

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