Maadu Izhutha
From Krishnan Vandhaan · 1987
- Lyricist
- Lyricist Not Known
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Krishnan Vandhaan1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maadilutha vandi ellaam | All the carts pulled by oxen, |
| Naan iluthu paarthen | I tried pulling them myself. |
| Naan manushanaa mirugamaa | Whether as a human or an animal, |
| Ozhachi paarthen | I tried working hard. |
| Male | |
| Kastapatta podhilum | Even though I worked hard, |
| Kaasu vanthu serala | Money did not come to reach me. |
| Kaasa vandha podhilum | Even when money came, |
| Meedham ethum aagala | Nothing was left saved. |
| Male | |
| Maadilutha vandi ellaam | All the carts pulled by oxen, |
| Naan iluthu paarthen | I tried pulling them myself. |
| Naan manushanaa mirugamaa | Whether as a human or an animal, |
| Ozhachi paarthen | I tried working hard. |
| Male | |
| Kastapatta podhilum | Even though I worked hard, |
| Kaasu vanthu serala | Money did not come to reach me. |
| Kaasa vandha podhilum | Even when money came, |
| Meedham ethum aagala | Nothing was left saved. |
| Male | |
| {Adi maariamma | {Oh Mother Mariamma, |
| Enna ithu kaaliyamma | What is this, Mother Kaali? |
| Enga vaazhkkaiyellaam | All of our lives, |
| Konaloo konalammaa} (2) | Have become totally crooked, O Mother} (2) |
| Male | |
| Maadilutha vandi ellaam | All the carts pulled by oxen, |
| Naan iluthu paarthen | I tried pulling them myself. |
| Naan manushanaa mirugamaa | Whether as a human or an animal, |
| Ozhachi paarthen | I tried working hard. |
| Male | |
| {Malligaiyum alli katti | {Tying jasmine flowers in bundles, |
| Meenatchi kumkumamum | And Meenakshi kumkum, |
| Mangalamaa solli vikka | Selling them auspiciously, |
| Pogaadha veedhi illa} (2) | There is no street I haven't gone to} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kaasu vantha kanakka paartha | When looking at the money earned, |
| Sarakku vanga pothaathu | It is not enough to buy supplies. |
| Kai sarakku meedham vandhaa | If stock remains unsold in hand, |
| Maththa naalu vikkathu | It won't sell on other days. |
| Male | |
| Ezhaingha polappu | The livelihood of the poor, |
| Kasthathula thaan | Is full of hardships only. |
| Neeyum naanum ingu enna seiya | What can you and I do here? |
| Iraivan ezhuthu ippadi thaanunnaa | If God's writing (destiny) is like this, |
| Indhiya arasum enna seiyum | What can even the Government of India do? |
| Male | |
| Ethana kaasu kedachaalum | No matter how much money is received, |
| Paththalapaa | It is never enough, my friend. |
| En nenjamum kaikalum | My heart and my hands, |
| Eppothum suththamappa..hoi | Are always pure, my friend.. hoi! |
| Male | |
| Maadilutha vandi ellaam | All the carts pulled by oxen, |
| Naan iluthu paarthen | I tried pulling them myself. |
| Naan manushanaa mirugamaa | Whether as a human or an animal, |
| Ozhachi paarthen | I tried working hard. |
| Male | |
| Kastapatta podhilum | Even though I worked hard, |
| Kaasu vanthu serala | Money did not come to reach me. |
| Kaasa vandha podhilum | Even when money came, |
| Meedham ethum aagala | Nothing was left saved. |
| Male | |
| Adi maariamma | Oh Mother Mariamma, |
| Enna ithu kaaliyamma | What is this, Mother Kaali? |
| Enga vaazhkkaiyellaam | All of our lives, |
| Konaloo konalammaa | Have become totally crooked, O Mother |
| Male | |
| Suvaril oru posterathaan | A poster on the wall, |
| Suthamaaga otti paathen | I tried pasting neatly. |
| Boring pottu kai kadukka | Boring wells till my hands ached, |
| Pumpu settum pottu paathen | I tried setting up pump sets too. |
| Male | |
| Kavaring nagai senju paathen | I tried making imitation jewelry, |
| Thavari kuda vikka villa | It didn't sell even by mistake. |
| Kadala viththum kaasum valla | Even selling peanuts brought no money, |
| Odala vikka vazhiyum illa | And there's no way to sell my body either. |
| Male | |
| {Pattiyila thottiyila | {In pens and fields, |
| Yereduthu naan uzhuthen | I took the plow and plowed. |
| Vatti katti maalavilla | Paying interest never ended, |
| Neera vittu naan azhudhen} (2) | Shedding tears, I wept} (2) |
| Male | |
| Palliyila enga padichen | Where did I study in school? |
| Naadagathil naan nadichen | I acted in street plays. |
| Veedhiyila thoongi mulichen | I slept and woke up on the streets, |
| Vaazhvatharkku naan thudichen | I struggled desperately to live. |
| Male | |
| Beechula sundala | Selling chickpea salad at the beach, |
| Vithu vithu paathu | Trying to sell bit by bit, |
| Valanthu ponadhu en odambu | My body grew up. |
| Roatula kaatula | On the roads and in the wild, |
| Vaazhva thedi thedi | Searching and searching for a livelihood, |
| Koodi ponathaiyaa en vayasu | My age has advanced, sir. |
| Male | |
| Ethana kaasu kedachaalum | No matter how much money is received, |
| Paththalapaa | It is never enough, my friend. |
| En nenjamum kaikalum | My heart and my hands, |
| Eppothum suththamappa..hoi | Are always pure, my friend.. hoi! |
| Male | |
| Maadilutha vandi ellaam | All the carts pulled by oxen, |
| Naan iluthu paarthen | I tried pulling them myself. |
| Naan manushanaa mirugamaa | Whether as a human or an animal, |
| Ozhachi paarthen | I tried working hard. |
| Male | |
| Kastapatta podhilum | Even though I worked hard, |
| Kaasu vanthu serala | Money did not come to reach me. |
| Kaasa vandha podhilum | Even when money came, |
| Meedham ethum aagala | Nothing was left saved. |
| Male | |
| {Adi maariamma | {Oh Mother Mariamma, |
| Enna ithu kaaliyamma | What is this, Mother Kaali? |
| Enga vaazhkkaiyellaam | All of our lives, |
| Konaloo konalammaa} (2) | Have become totally crooked, O Mother} (2) |
இ
சையமை
ப்பாளர் :
இளையராஜா
All the carts pulled by oxen,
I tried pulling them myself.
Whether as a human or an animal,
I tried working hard.
மாடுழுத்த வண்டி எல்லாம்
இழுத்துப் பாத்தேன்
நான் மனுஷனா மிருகமா
ஒழச்சிப் பாத்தேன்
கஷ்டப்பட்ட போதிலும்
காசு வந்து சேரல
காசு வந்த போதிலும்
மீதம் ஏதும் ஆகல
Even though I worked hard,
Money did not come to reach me.
Even when money came,
Nothing was left saved.
மாடுழுத்த வண்டி எல்லாம்
இழுத்துப் பாத்தேன்
நான் மனுஷனா மிருகமா
ஒழச்சிப் பாத்தேன்
கஷ்டப்பட்ட போதிலும்
காசு வந்து சேரல
காசு வந்த போதிலும்
மீதம் ஏதும் ஆகல
All the carts pulled by oxen,
I tried pulling them myself.
Whether as a human or an animal,
I tried working hard.
{அடி மாரியம்மா
என்ன இது காளியம்மா
எங்க வாழ்க்கை எல்லாம்
கோணலோ கோணலம்மா} (2)
Even though I worked hard,
Money did not come to reach me.
Even when money came,
Nothing was left saved.
மாடுழுத்த வண்டி எல்லாம்
இழுத்துப் பாத்தேன்
நான் மனுஷனா மிருகமா
ஒழச்சிப் பாத்தேன்
{Oh Mother Mariamma,
What is this, Mother Kaali?
All of our lives,
Have become totally crooked, O Mother} (2)
{மல்லிகையும் அள்ளிக் கட்டி
மீனாட்சி குங்குமமும்
மங்கலமாச் சொல்லி விக்க
போகாத வீதி இல்ல} (2)
All the carts pulled by oxen,
I tried pulling them myself.
Whether as a human or an animal,
I tried working hard.
காசு வந்த கணக்கப் பாத்தா
சரக்கு வாங்கப் போதாது
கைச் சரக்கு மீதம் வந்தா
மத்த நாளு விக்காது
{Tying jasmine flowers in bundles,
And Meenakshi kumkum,
Selling them auspiciously,
There is no street I haven't gone to} (2)
ஏழைங்க பொழப்பு
கஷ்டத்துலதான்
நீயும் நானும்
இங்கு என்ன செய்ய
இறைவன் எழுத்து
இப்படித் தானுன்னா
இந்திய அரசும்
என்ன செய்யும்
When looking at the money earned,
It is not enough to buy supplies.
If stock remains unsold in hand,
It won't sell on other days.
எத்தன காசு கெடச்சாலும்
பத்தலப்பா
என் நெஞ்சமும் கைகளும்
எப்போதும் சுத்தமப்பா ஹோய்.....
The livelihood of the poor,
Is full of hardships only.
What can you and I do here?
If God's writing (destiny) is like this,
What can even the Government of India do?
மாடுழுத்த வண்டி எல்லாம்
இழுத்துப் பாத்தேன்
நான் மனுஷனா மிருகமா
ஒழச்சிப் பாத்தேன்
கஷ்டப்பட்ட போதிலும்
காசு வந்து சேரல
காசு வந்த போதிலும்
மீதம் ஏதும் ஆகல
No matter how much money is received,
It is never enough, my friend.
My heart and my hands,
Are always pure, my friend.. hoi!
அடி மாரியம்மா
என்ன இது காளியம்மா
எங்க வாழ்க்கை எல்லாம்
கோணலோ கோணலம்மா
All the carts pulled by oxen,
I tried pulling them myself.
Whether as a human or an animal,
I tried working hard.
சுவரில் ஒரு
போஸ்டரத்தான்
சுத்தமாக ஒட்டிப் பாத்தேன்
போரிங் போட்டு கை கடுக்க
பம்பு செட்டும் போட்டுப் பாத்தேன்
Even though I worked hard,
Money did not come to reach me.
Even when money came,
Nothing was left saved.
கவரிங் நகை
செஞ்சு பாத்தேன்
தவறிக் கூட விக்கவில்ல
கடல வித்தும் காசும் வல்ல
ஒடல விக்க வழியும் இல்ல
Oh Mother Mariamma,
What is this, Mother Kaali?
All of our lives,
Have become totally crooked, O Mother
{பட்டியில தொட்டியில
ஏரெடுத்து நான் உழுதேன்
வட்டி கட்டி மாளவில்ல
நீர விட்டு நான் அழுதேன்} (2)
A poster on the wall,
I tried pasting neatly.
Boring wells till my hands ached,
I tried setting up pump sets too.
பள்ளியில எங்க படிச்சேன்
நாடகத்தில் நான் நடிச்சேன்
வீதியில தூங்கி முழிச்சேன்
வாழ்வதற்கு நான் துடிச்சேன்
I tried making imitation jewelry,
It didn't sell even by mistake.
Even selling peanuts brought no money,
And there's no way to sell my body either.
பீச்சுல சுண்டல
வித்து வித்துப் பாத்து
வளந்து போனது என் உடம்பு
ரோட்டுல காட்டுல
வாழ்வ தேடித் தேடி
கூடிப் போனதையா என் வயசு
{In pens and fields,
I took the plow and plowed.
Paying interest never ended,
Shedding tears, I wept} (2)
எத்தன காசு கெடச்சாலும்
பத்தலப்பா
என் நெஞ்சமும் கைகளும்
எப்போதும் சுத்தமப்பா ஹோய்......
Where did I study in school?
I acted in street plays.
I slept and woke up on the streets,
I struggled desperately to live.
மாடுழுத்த வண்டி எல்லாம்
இழுத்துப் பாத்தேன்
நான் மனுஷனா மிருகமா
ஒழச்சிப் பாத்தேன்
கஷ்டப்பட்ட போதிலும்
காசு வந்து சேரல
காசு வந்த போதிலும்
மீதம் ஏதும் ஆகல
Selling chickpea salad at the beach,
Trying to sell bit by bit,
My body grew up.
On the roads and in the wild,
Searching and searching for a livelihood,
My age has advanced, sir.
{அடி மாரியம்மா
என்ன இது காளியம்மா
எங்க வாழ்க்கை எல்லாம்
கோணலோ கோணலம்மா} (2)
No matter how much money is received,
It is never enough, my friend.
My heart and my hands,
Are always pure, my friend.. hoi!
All the carts pulled by oxen,
I tried pulling them myself.
Whether as a human or an animal,
I tried working hard.
Even though I worked hard,
Money did not come to reach me.
Even when money came,
Nothing was left saved.
{Oh Mother Mariamma,
What is this, Mother Kaali?
All of our lives,
Have become totally crooked, O Mother} (2)
Maadilutha vandi ellaam
All the carts pulled by oxen,
Naan iluthu paarthen
I tried pulling them myself.
Naan manushanaa mirugamaa
Whether as a human or an animal,
Ozhachi paarthen
I tried working hard.
Kastapatta podhilum
Even though I worked hard,
Kaasu vanthu serala
Money did not come to reach me.
Kaasa vandha podhilum
Even when money came,
Meedham ethum aagala
Nothing was left saved.
Maadilutha vandi ellaam
All the carts pulled by oxen,
Naan iluthu paarthen
I tried pulling them myself.
Naan manushanaa mirugamaa
Whether as a human or an animal,
Ozhachi paarthen
I tried working hard.
Kastapatta podhilum
Even though I worked hard,
Kaasu vanthu serala
Money did not come to reach me.
Kaasa vandha podhilum
Even when money came,
Meedham ethum aagala
Nothing was left saved.
{Adi maariamma
{Oh Mother Mariamma,
Enna ithu kaaliyamma
What is this, Mother Kaali?
Enga vaazhkkaiyellaam
All of our lives,
Konaloo konalammaa} (2)
Have become totally crooked, O Mother} (2)
Maadilutha vandi ellaam
All the carts pulled by oxen,
Naan iluthu paarthen
I tried pulling them myself.
Naan manushanaa mirugamaa
Whether as a human or an animal,
Ozhachi paarthen
I tried working hard.
{Malligaiyum alli katti
{Tying jasmine flowers in bundles,
Meenatchi kumkumamum
And Meenakshi kumkum,
Mangalamaa solli vikka
Selling them auspiciously,
Pogaadha veedhi illa} (2)
There is no street I haven't gone to} (2)
Kaasu vantha kanakka paartha
When looking at the money earned,
Sarakku vanga pothaathu
It is not enough to buy supplies.
Kai sarakku meedham vandhaa
If stock remains unsold in hand,
Maththa naalu vikkathu
It won't sell on other days.
Ezhaingha polappu
The livelihood of the poor,
Kasthathula thaan
Is full of hardships only.
Neeyum naanum ingu enna seiya
What can you and I do here?
Iraivan ezhuthu ippadi thaanunnaa
If God's writing (destiny) is like this,
Indhiya arasum enna seiyum
What can even the Government of India do?
Ethana kaasu kedachaalum
No matter how much money is received,
Paththalapaa
It is never enough, my friend.
En nenjamum kaikalum
My heart and my hands,
Eppothum suththamappa..hoi
Are always pure, my friend.. hoi!
Maadilutha vandi ellaam
All the carts pulled by oxen,
Naan iluthu paarthen
I tried pulling them myself.
Naan manushanaa mirugamaa
Whether as a human or an animal,
Ozhachi paarthen
I tried working hard.
Kastapatta podhilum
Even though I worked hard,
Kaasu vanthu serala
Money did not come to reach me.
Kaasa vandha podhilum
Even when money came,
Meedham ethum aagala
Nothing was left saved.
Adi maariamma
Oh Mother Mariamma,
Enna ithu kaaliyamma
What is this, Mother Kaali?
Enga vaazhkkaiyellaam
All of our lives,
Konaloo konalammaa
Have become totally crooked, O Mother
Suvaril oru posterathaan
A poster on the wall,
Suthamaaga otti paathen
I tried pasting neatly.
Boring pottu kai kadukka
Boring wells till my hands ached,
Pumpu settum pottu paathen
I tried setting up pump sets too.
Kavaring nagai senju paathen
I tried making imitation jewelry,
Thavari kuda vikka villa
It didn't sell even by mistake.
Kadala viththum kaasum valla
Even selling peanuts brought no money,
Odala vikka vazhiyum illa
And there's no way to sell my body either.
{Pattiyila thottiyila
{In pens and fields,
Yereduthu naan uzhuthen
I took the plow and plowed.
Vatti katti maalavilla
Paying interest never ended,
Neera vittu naan azhudhen} (2)
Shedding tears, I wept} (2)
Palliyila enga padichen
Where did I study in school?
Naadagathil naan nadichen
I acted in street plays.
Veedhiyila thoongi mulichen
I slept and woke up on the streets,
Vaazhvatharkku naan thudichen
I struggled desperately to live.
Beechula sundala
Selling chickpea salad at the beach,
Vithu vithu paathu
Trying to sell bit by bit,
Valanthu ponadhu en odambu
My body grew up.
Roatula kaatula
On the roads and in the wild,
Vaazhva thedi thedi
Searching and searching for a livelihood,
Koodi ponathaiyaa en vayasu
My age has advanced, sir.
Ethana kaasu kedachaalum
No matter how much money is received,
Paththalapaa
It is never enough, my friend.
En nenjamum kaikalum
My heart and my hands,
Eppothum suththamappa..hoi
Are always pure, my friend.. hoi!
Maadilutha vandi ellaam
All the carts pulled by oxen,
Naan iluthu paarthen
I tried pulling them myself.
Naan manushanaa mirugamaa
Whether as a human or an animal,
Ozhachi paarthen
I tried working hard.
Kastapatta podhilum
Even though I worked hard,
Kaasu vanthu serala
Money did not come to reach me.
Kaasa vandha podhilum
Even when money came,
Meedham ethum aagala
Nothing was left saved.
{Adi maariamma
{Oh Mother Mariamma,
Enna ithu kaaliyamma
What is this, Mother Kaali?
Enga vaazhkkaiyellaam
All of our lives,
Konaloo konalammaa} (2)
Have become totally crooked, O Mother} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Krishnan Vandhaan' (1987) is a poignant reflection on the unending struggles of daily wage laborers and the working poor. The protagonist recounts trying countless odd jobs—from pulling heavy carts and farming to selling flowers, kumkum, peanuts, and street food, as well as doing construction work and craftwork—yet remaining caught in perpetual poverty. Despite endless toil and hardship, mounting expenses and debts leave him with no savings. Addressing the village deities Mariamma and Kaali, as well as questioning fate and government efficacy, the song portrays the working class's struggle against poverty while celebrating moral integrity: even if poor, the narrator's heart and hands remain completely honest and pure.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Naan manushanaa mirugamaa / Ozhachi paarthen”
Compares human labor directly to draught animals pulling heavy carts to depict extreme physical hardship.
Antithesis (Contrast)
“Kastapatta podhilum / Kaasu vanthu serala / Kaasa vandha podhilum / Meedham ethum aagala”
Juxtaposes working hard without getting money against earning money but still having nothing saved, emphasizing systemic poverty.
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Adi maariamma / Enna ithu kaaliyamma / Enga vaazhkkaiyellaam / Konaloo konalammaa”
Repeated invocation of village goddesses Mariamma and Kaali to emphasize despair and questioning of divine justice.
Moral Self-Assertion
“En nenjamum kaikalum / Eppothum suththamappa..hoi”
Employs symbolic purity of heart and hands to assert moral dignity despite material poverty.
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Trivia
'Krishnan Vandhaan' (1987) stars Sivaji Ganesan, Mohan, and K. R. Vijaya, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song serves as a social commentary track highlighting the plight of unskilled laborers in Tamil Nadu.
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