Kurukku Vazhiyil Vaazhvu Thedidum
From Mahadevi · 1957
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Mahadevi1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kurukku vazhiyil vaazhvu thedidum | Seeking a living through shortcuts, |
| Kuruttu ulagamadaa | this is a blind world, O brother! |
| Idhu kollai adippathil vallamai kaattum | It displays great skill in plundering, |
| Thiruttu ulagamadaa | this is a thieving world, O brother! |
| Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa | Younger brother, act with awareness and care! |
| Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa | Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts! |
| Male | |
| Irukkum arivai madamai moodiya | With ignorance obscuring wisdom, |
| Iruttu ulagamadaa | this is a dark world, O brother! |
| Vaazhvil endha neramum sandai oyaathaa | Will ceaseless conflicts in life never end? |
| Murattu ulagamadaa | This is a harsh and brutal world, O brother! |
| Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa | Younger brother, act with awareness and care! |
| Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa | Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts! |
| Male | |
| Kurukku vazhiyil vaazhvu thedidum | Seeking a living through shortcuts, |
| Kuruttu ulagamadaa | this is a blind world, O brother! |
| Idhu kollai adippathil vallamai kaattum | It displays great skill in plundering, |
| Thiruttu ulagamadaa | this is a thieving world, O brother! |
| Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa | Younger brother, act with awareness and care! |
| Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa | Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts! |
| Male | |
| Vilaiyum payirai valarum kodiyai | The yielding crops and growing vines, |
| Verudan aruththu vilaiyaadum… | it destroys from the roots for mere sport... |
| Hoo .. oo .. oo.. | Hoo .. oo .. oo.. |
| Vilaiyum payirai valarum kodiyai | The yielding crops and growing vines, |
| Verudan aruththu vilaiyaadum… | it destroys from the roots for mere sport... |
| Manam sendridum thottakkaaranidam | To the gardener who nurtured it with devotion, |
| Irattai vaarththaigal aadum | it speaks deceptive, double-faced words, |
| Pala varattu geethamum paadum | and sings empty, hollow tunes. |
| Vidha vidhamaana poigalai vaiththu | Armed with various fabrications and lies, |
| Urattum ulagamadaa | this world threatens and intimidates, O brother! |
| Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa | Younger brother, act with awareness and care! |
| Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa | Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts! |
| Male | |
| Anbu padarntha kombinilae | Upon a branch where love flourishes, |
| Oru aganthai kuranggu thaavum | an arrogant monkey leaps, |
| Adhan azhagai kulaikka maevum | intent on ruining its inherent beauty. |
| Kombu odinthu kodiyum kulainthu | When the branch snaps and the vine collapses, |
| Kurangum vizhunthu saagum | the monkey falls to its own demise. |
| Kombu odinthu kodiyum kulainthu | When the branch snaps and the vine collapses, |
| Kurangum vizhunthu saagum | the monkey falls to its own demise. |
| Silar gunamum idhupol kurugi pogum | The character of certain people similarly degrades and falls, |
| Kirukku ulagamadaa …. | this is a crazy world, O brother! |
| Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa | Younger brother, act with awareness and care! |
| Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa | Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts! |
| Male | |
| Kurukku vazhiyil vaazhvu thedidum | Seeking a living through shortcuts, |
| Kuruttu ulagamadaa | this is a blind world, O brother! |
| Idhu kollai adippathil vallamai kaattum | It displays great skill in plundering, |
| Thiruttu ulagamadaa | this is a thieving world, O brother! |
| Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa | Younger brother, act with awareness and care! |
| Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa | Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts! |
| Male | |
| Haa..aaaa..aaa…haa…aaa.. | Haa..aaaa..aaa…haa…aaa.. |
குறுக்கு வழியில் வாழ்வு தேடிடும் குருட்டு உலகமடா
இது கொள்ளையாடிப்பதில் வல்லமை காட்டும் திருட்டு உலகமடா
தம்பி தெரிந்து நடந்து கொள்ளடா
இதயம் திருந்த மருந்து சொல்லடா
Seeking a living through shortcuts,
this is a blind world, O brother!
It displays great skill in plundering,
this is a thieving world, O brother!
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
இருக்கும் அறிவை மடமை மூடிய இருட்டு உலகமடா
வாழ்வில் எந்த நேரமும் சண்டை ஓயாத முரட்டு உலகமடா
தம்பி தெரிந்து நடந்து கொள்ளடா
இதயம் திருந்த மருந்து சொல்லடா
With ignorance obscuring wisdom,
this is a dark world, O brother!
Will ceaseless conflicts in life never end?
This is a harsh and brutal world, O brother!
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
குறுக்கு வழியில் வாழ்வு தேடிடும் குருட்டு உலகமடா
இது கொள்ளையாடிப்பதில் வல்லமை காட்டும் திருட்டு உலகமடா
தம்பி தெரிந்து நடந்து கொள்ளடா
இதயம் திருந்த மருந்து சொல்லடா
Seeking a living through shortcuts,
this is a blind world, O brother!
It displays great skill in plundering,
this is a thieving world, O brother!
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
விளையும் பயிரை வளரும் கொடியை
வேருடன் அறுத்து விளையாடும்ம்ம்ம்... ஊஊஓ....
விளையும் பயிரை வளரும் கொடியை
வேருடன் அறுத்து விளையாடும்ம்ம்ம்
மனம் வெந்திடும் தோட்டக்காரனிடம்
மிரட்டல் வார்த்தைகளிலாடும்
பல வரட்டு கீதமும் பாடும்
வித விதமான பொய்களை வைத்தது
பிழைக்கும் உலகமடா
தம்பி தெரிந்து நடந்து கொள்ளடா
இதயம் திருந்த மருந்து சொல்லடா
The yielding crops and growing vines,
it destroys from the roots for mere sport...
Hoo .. oo .. oo..
The yielding crops and growing vines,
it destroys from the roots for mere sport...
To the gardener who nurtured it with devotion,
it speaks deceptive, double-faced words,
and sings empty, hollow tunes.
Armed with various fabrications and lies,
this world threatens and intimidates, O brother!
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
அன்பு படர்ந்த கொம்பினிலே
ஒரு அகந்தை குரங்கு தாவும்
அதன் அழகை குலைக்க மேவும்
கொம்பும் ஒடிந்து கொடியும் குலைந்து
குரங்கும் விழுந்து சாகும்
கொம்பும் ஒடிந்து கொடியும் குலைந்து
குரங்கும் விழுந்து சாகும்
சிலர் குணமும் இதுபோல் குறுகிப் போகும்
கிறுக்கு உலகமடா
தம்பி தெரிந்து நடந்து கொள்ளடா
இதயம் திருந்த மருந்து சொல்லடா
Upon a branch where love flourishes,
an arrogant monkey leaps,
intent on ruining its inherent beauty.
When the branch snaps and the vine collapses,
the monkey falls to its own demise.
When the branch snaps and the vine collapses,
the monkey falls to its own demise.
The character of certain people similarly degrades and falls,
this is a crazy world, O brother!
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
குறுக்கு வழியில் வாழ்வு தேடிடும் குருட்டு உலகமடா
இது கொள்ளையாடிப்பதில் வல்லமை காட்டும் திருட்டு உலகமடா
தம்பி தெரிந்து நடந்து கொள்ளடா
இதயம் திருந்த மருந்து சொல்லடா
Seeking a living through shortcuts,
this is a blind world, O brother!
It displays great skill in plundering,
this is a thieving world, O brother!
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
ஹா...ஆஅ..ஆஅ...ஹா....ஆஅ..
Haa..aaaa..aaa…haa…aaa..
Kurukku vazhiyil vaazhvu thedidum
Seeking a living through shortcuts,
Kuruttu ulagamadaa
this is a blind world, O brother!
Idhu kollai adippathil vallamai kaattum
It displays great skill in plundering,
Thiruttu ulagamadaa
this is a thieving world, O brother!
Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
Irukkum arivai madamai moodiya
With ignorance obscuring wisdom,
Iruttu ulagamadaa
this is a dark world, O brother!
Vaazhvil endha neramum sandai oyaathaa
Will ceaseless conflicts in life never end?
Murattu ulagamadaa
This is a harsh and brutal world, O brother!
Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
Kurukku vazhiyil vaazhvu thedidum
Seeking a living through shortcuts,
Kuruttu ulagamadaa
this is a blind world, O brother!
Idhu kollai adippathil vallamai kaattum
It displays great skill in plundering,
Thiruttu ulagamadaa
this is a thieving world, O brother!
Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
Vilaiyum payirai valarum kodiyai
The yielding crops and growing vines,
Verudan aruththu vilaiyaadum…
it destroys from the roots for mere sport...
Hoo .. oo .. oo..
Hoo .. oo .. oo..
Vilaiyum payirai valarum kodiyai
The yielding crops and growing vines,
Verudan aruththu vilaiyaadum…
it destroys from the roots for mere sport...
Manam sendridum thottakkaaranidam
To the gardener who nurtured it with devotion,
Irattai vaarththaigal aadum
it speaks deceptive, double-faced words,
Pala varattu geethamum paadum
and sings empty, hollow tunes.
Vidha vidhamaana poigalai vaiththu
Armed with various fabrications and lies,
Urattum ulagamadaa
this world threatens and intimidates, O brother!
Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
Anbu padarntha kombinilae
Upon a branch where love flourishes,
Oru aganthai kuranggu thaavum
an arrogant monkey leaps,
Adhan azhagai kulaikka maevum
intent on ruining its inherent beauty.
Kombu odinthu kodiyum kulainthu
When the branch snaps and the vine collapses,
Kurangum vizhunthu saagum
the monkey falls to its own demise.
Kombu odinthu kodiyum kulainthu
When the branch snaps and the vine collapses,
Kurangum vizhunthu saagum
the monkey falls to its own demise.
Silar gunamum idhupol kurugi pogum
The character of certain people similarly degrades and falls,
Kirukku ulagamadaa ….
this is a crazy world, O brother!
Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
Kurukku vazhiyil vaazhvu thedidum
Seeking a living through shortcuts,
Kuruttu ulagamadaa
this is a blind world, O brother!
Idhu kollai adippathil vallamai kaattum
It displays great skill in plundering,
Thiruttu ulagamadaa
this is a thieving world, O brother!
Thambi therinthu nadanthu kolladaa
Younger brother, act with awareness and care!
Idhayam thiruntha marunthu solladaa
Suggest a medicine to reform human hearts!
Haa..aaaa..aaa…haa…aaa..
Haa..aaaa..aaa…haa…aaa..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic philosophical song from Mahadevi (1957) serves as a stern social critique against deceit, moral corruption, and shortcut mindsets prevalent in society. The narrator addresses a younger brother figure, warning him to navigate the world wisely while lamenting the absence of moral remedy for human hearts corrupted by greed and foolishness. Kannadasan uses vivid imagery—such as uprooting crops just for fun or an arrogant monkey breaking the very branch of love it stands on—to illustrate how self-destructive human ego and dishonesty can be. The overarching message emphasizes mindfulness, moral integrity, and the inevitable downfall of those who choose treacherous paths over righteousness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kuruttu ulagamadaa / Thiruttu ulagamadaa / Iruttu ulagamadaa / Murattu ulagamadaa”
The second consonant 'ru' repeats consistently across the refrain line endings: Kuruttu, Thiruttu, Iruttu, Murattu, and Kirukku.
Allegory / Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Anbu padarntha kombinilae / Oru aganthai kuranggu thaavum”
'Aganthai kuranggu' (monkey of arrogance) serves as a metaphor for human ego jumping onto 'Anbu padarntha kombu' (the branch of love), resulting in its own destruction when the branch breaks.
Monaivazhi (Initial Letter Alliteration)
“Vilaiyum payirai valarum kodiyai / Verudan aruththu vilaiyaadum”
Alliteration of the initial letter 'v' across words in the line gives a rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the 1957 hit film 'Mahadevi' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Savitri, this song played a pivotal role in establishing MGR's screen persona as a moral guide delivering socially conscious message songs (Thathuva Paadalgal). Crafted by lyricist Kannadasan and tuned by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, T. M. Soundararajan's resonant voice made it an enduring classic in Tamil cinema.
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