Meghame O Meghame
From Madrasapattinam · 2010
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singers
- M. S. Vishwanathan, Vikram, Nassar
- Music director
- G. V. Prakash Kumar
- Details
- Madrasapattinam2010
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Megamae o megamae | Oh cloud, o cloud |
| Un mazhaiya konjam thoovaathae | Please do not sprinkle your rain right now |
| Maalaiyil anthi maalaiyil | In the evening, dusk's evening |
| Unna marupadi azhaippom pogaathae | We will call you again then, don't go away |
| Male | |
| Buckingham kaalvaaiyil | In the Buckingham Canal |
| Thaneerthaan nam koyil | Water itself is our temple |
| Annaadam veluthu katti vaazhvom | We live every day washing and drying clothes |
| Male | |
| Ada hoiyaa | Hey hoiyaa |
| Thalli poiyaa | Move away |
| Veiyil pogum munnae | Before the sunlight fades |
| Velaiya seivvom vaayaa | Come, let us do our work |
| Male | |
| Megamae o megamae | Oh cloud, o cloud |
| Un mazhaiya konjam thoovaathae | Please do not sprinkle your rain right now |
| Hey hey hey hey | Hey hey hey hey |
| Maalaiyil anthi maalaiyil | In the evening, dusk's evening |
| Unna marupadi azhaippom pogaathae | We will call you again then, don't go away |
| Hey hey hey | Hey hey hey |
| Chorus | |
| Sooriyan uthikkum pothu | When the sun rises |
| Saayam poda povom | We go to dye clothes |
| Sattunu mazhathuli vantha | If a raindrop falls suddenly |
| Naanga thaayam aadaththaan povom | We go to play the dice game |
| Male | |
| Vaada vaada vaada vaada | Come on, come on, come on, come on |
| Oru thaayam | One roll of dice |
| Male :Aaru | Male: Six |
| Male :Vaada vaada vaada | Male: Come on, come on, come on |
| Orae oru thaayam | Just one roll of dice |
| Male :Eeraaru | Male: Twelve |
| Male :Vaada vaada vaada | Male: Come on, come on, come on |
| Orae oru pulli | Just one dot |
| Cha | Tsk! |
| Chorus | |
| Aaah nondi kazhutha mela | Ah, like a hundred sacks |
| Nooru mootta pola | On a lame donkey |
| Vaazhkkai varuthum bothu | When life tortures and burdens us |
| Naanga vaanam thedithaan povom | We reach out looking towards the sky |
| Male | |
| Salavakkaaran vaazhkka kooda | The life of a washerman is also |
| Saamiya polaththaan | Just like God's |
| Ungaloda paava mootta sumappom | We carry the burden of your sins |
| Chorus | |
| Azhukkoda vaazhnthaalum | Though we live amidst dirt |
| Nenjilthaan azhukkilla | There is no stain in our hearts |
| Aagaayam pola manasum vella | Like the sky, our mind is pure white |
| Male | |
| Ada hoiyaa | Hey hoiyaa |
| Thalli poiyaa | Move away |
| Veiyil pogum munnae | Before the sunlight fades |
| Velaiya seivvom vaayaa | Come, let us do our work |
| Aaa vaayaaa | Ah, come on |
| Chorus | |
| Kaiyila kaasu illa | No money in hand |
| Manasula vesham illa | No guise in heart |
| Poiyila vaazhkka illa | No life built on lies |
| Athanaal kashtam nasthamthaan illa | Therefore, there is no sense of loss or misery |
| Chorus | |
| Hello sir dora | Hello sir, white master |
| Un satta kara | The stain on your shirt |
| En kitta vara | Came near me |
| Uttaen paar ara | Look, I slapped it away |
| Chorus | |
| Pallikkoodam pakkam | Even for rain, we never seek shelter |
| Mazhikkum othungunathilla | Near the school grounds |
| Male | |
| Anubhava paadam padichchom | We learned life's lessons through experience |
| Athanaal vaazhvil tholvi illai | Thus, there is no defeat in our lives |
| Male | |
| Oru maa kaani maa kaani | One maa kaani, maa kaani |
| Chorus :Oru maa kaani maa kaani | Chorus: One maa kaani, maa kaani |
| Male :Iru maa kaani araikkaa | Male: Two maa kaani, half-kaani |
| Chorus :Iru maa kaani araikkaa | Chorus: Two maa kaani, half-kaani |
| Male :Mum maa kaani mundaani | Male: Three maa kaani, three-quarters |
| Chorus :mum maa kaani mundaani | Chorus: Three maa kaani, three-quarters |
| Male :Naa maa kaani kaa | Male: Four maa kaani, quarter |
| Chorus :Naa maa kaani kaa | Chorus: Four maa kaani, quarter |
| Male | |
| Emtan potta gunda pola | Like a bomb thrown by Emden |
| Varuma sila neram | Troubles may come at times |
| Pathungi paanju | Ducking and leaping forward |
| Adikkum pothum bayam illa | Even when struck, we feel no fear |
| Male | |
| Thala saanju ponaalum | Even if our head bows in death |
| Thanmaanam saayaathu | Our self-respect will never bend |
| Mannoda eeram polae vaazhvom | We will live like the moisture in the soil |
| Male | |
| Ada pooyaa | Oh go away |
| Thalli poiyaa | Move away |
| Veiyil pogum munnae | Before the sunlight fades |
| Velaiya seivvom vaayaa | Come, let us do our work |
| Vaa vaayaa.. aaaaah… | Come, come on... ah... |
| Aahh ahhh ho ho ho…. | Aahh ahhh ho ho ho.... |
| Aaahaaa..aahaaa…aaa…aaa…hoo hoo | Aaahaaa..aahaaa…aaa…aaa…hoo hoo |
| ……………………………………………….. | ........................................ |
| Male | |
| Megamae o megamae | Oh cloud, o cloud |
| Un mazhaiyil konjam nanaivomae | Let us drench a bit in your rain |
| Maalaiyil anthi maalaiyil | In the evening, dusk's evening |
| Enga manasa unakku thanthomae | We gave our heart to you |
மேகமே ஓ மேகமே
உன் மழையை கொஞ்சம் தூவாதே
மாலையில் அந்தி மாலையில்
உன்னை மறுபடி அழைப்போம் போகாதே
Oh cloud, o cloud
Please do not sprinkle your rain right now
In the evening, dusk's evening
We will call you again then, don't go away
பக்கின்காம் கால்வாயில்
தண்ணீர்தான் நாம் கோயில்
அந்நாளும் வெளுத்துக்கட்டி
வாழுவோம்
In the Buckingham Canal
Water itself is our temple
We live every day washing and drying clothes
அட ஹோய்யா தள்ளிப்போயா
வெயில் போகும் முன்னே
வேலைய செய்வோம் வாயா
Hey hoiyaa
Move away
Before the sunlight fades
Come, let us do our work
மேகமே ஓ மேகமே
உன் மழையை கொஞ்சம் தூவாதே
ஹேய் ஹேய்.....
மாலையில் அந்தி மாலையில்
உன்னை மறுபடி அழைப்போம் போகாதே
ஹேய் ஹேய்
Oh cloud, o cloud
Please do not sprinkle your rain right now
Hey hey hey hey
In the evening, dusk's evening
We will call you again then, don't go away
Hey hey hey
சூரியன் உதிக்கும்போதே
சாயம் போட போவம்
சட்டுன்னு மழைத்துளி வந்தா
நாங்க தாயம் ஆடத்தான் போவோம்
When the sun rises
We go to dye clothes
If a raindrop falls suddenly
We go to play the dice game
வாடா வாடா வாடா
ஒரு தாயம்
ஆறு
வாடா வாடா வாடா
ஒரே ஒரு தாயம்
ஈராறு
வாடா வாடா வாடா
ஒரே ஒரு புள்ளி சே
Come on, come on, come on, come on
One roll of dice
Male: Six
Male: Come on, come on, come on
Just one roll of dice
Male: Twelve
Male: Come on, come on, come on
Just one dot
Tsk!
நாங்க நொண்டி கழுதைமேல
நூறு மூட்டைப்போல
வாழ்க்கை வரும்போது நாங்க
வானம் தேடித்தான் போவோம்
Ah, like a hundred sacks
On a lame donkey
When life tortures and burdens us
We reach out looking towards the sky
சலவைக்காரன் வாழ்க்கை கூட
சாமிபோலதான்
உங்களோட பாவம்மூட்டை சுமப்போம்
அழுக்கோட வாழ்ந்தாலும்
நெஞ்சில்தான் அழுக்கில்லை
ஆகாயம் போல மனசு வெள்ளை
The life of a washerman is also
Just like God's
We carry the burden of your sins
அட ஹோய்யா தள்ளிபோயா
வெயில் போகும் முன்னே வேலைய
செய்வோம் வாயா ஆ வாயா
Though we live amidst dirt
There is no stain in our hearts
Like the sky, our mind is pure white
கையில காசு இல்ல
மனசுல வேஷம் இல்ல
பொயில வாழ்க்க இல்ல
அதனால் கஷ்ட நஷ்டம்தான் இல்ல
Hey hoiyaa
Move away
Before the sunlight fades
Come, let us do our work
Ah, come on
ஹெலோ சார் டோரா
உன் சட்ட கர
என் கிட்ட வர
உட்டான் பார் அர
No money in hand
No guise in heart
No life built on lies
Therefore, there is no sense of loss or misery
பள்ளிக்கூடம் பக்கம்
மழைக்கும் ஒதுங்கினது இல்ல
ஆண் : அனுபவ பாடம் படிச்சோம்
அதனால் வாழ்வீர் தோல்வி இல்லை
Hello sir, white master
The stain on your shirt
Came near me
Look, I slapped it away
ஒரு மா கானி மா கானி
குழு :
ஒரு மா கானி மா கானி
இரு மா கானி அரைக்கா
குழு :
இரு மா கானி அரைக்கா
மும் மா கானி முண்டாணி
குழு :
மும் மா கானி முண்டாணி
நா மா கானி கா
குழு :
நா மா கானி கா
Even for rain, we never seek shelter
Near the school grounds
எம்டன் போட்ட குண்ட போல
வருமா சில நேரம்
பதுங்கி பாஞ்சி அடிக்கும்போதும்
பயமில்ல ஹே
We learned life's lessons through experience
Thus, there is no defeat in our lives
தலை சாஞ்சு போனாலும்
தன்மானம் சாயாது
மண்ணோடு ஈரம் போல வாழ்வோம்
One maa kaani, maa kaani
Chorus: One maa kaani, maa kaani
Male: Two maa kaani, half-kaani
Chorus: Two maa kaani, half-kaani
Male: Three maa kaani, three-quarters
Chorus: Three maa kaani, three-quarters
Male: Four maa kaani, quarter
Chorus: Four maa kaani, quarter
அட போய்யா தள்ளிபோயா
வெயில் போகும் முன்னே வேலைய
செய்வோம் வாயா
Like a bomb thrown by Emden
Troubles may come at times
Ducking and leaping forward
Even when struck, we feel no fear
வாயா வாயா ஆ ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ.......
Even if our head bows in death
Our self-respect will never bend
We will live like the moisture in the soil
.......................
Oh go away
Move away
Before the sunlight fades
Come, let us do our work
Come, come on... ah...
Aahh ahhh ho ho ho....
Aaahaaa..aahaaa…aaa…aaa…hoo hoo
........................................
மேகமே ஓ மேகமே
உன் மழையில் கொஞ்சம் நனைவோமே
மாலையில் அந்தி மாலையில்
எங்க மனச உனக்கு தந்தோமே
Oh cloud, o cloud
Let us drench a bit in your rain
In the evening, dusk's evening
We gave our heart to you
Megamae o megamae
Oh cloud, o cloud
Un mazhaiya konjam thoovaathae
Please do not sprinkle your rain right now
Maalaiyil anthi maalaiyil
In the evening, dusk's evening
Unna marupadi azhaippom pogaathae
We will call you again then, don't go away
Buckingham kaalvaaiyil
In the Buckingham Canal
Thaneerthaan nam koyil
Water itself is our temple
Annaadam veluthu katti vaazhvom
We live every day washing and drying clothes
Ada hoiyaa
Hey hoiyaa
Thalli poiyaa
Move away
Veiyil pogum munnae
Before the sunlight fades
Velaiya seivvom vaayaa
Come, let us do our work
Megamae o megamae
Oh cloud, o cloud
Un mazhaiya konjam thoovaathae
Please do not sprinkle your rain right now
Hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey
Maalaiyil anthi maalaiyil
In the evening, dusk's evening
Unna marupadi azhaippom pogaathae
We will call you again then, don't go away
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Sooriyan uthikkum pothu
When the sun rises
Saayam poda povom
We go to dye clothes
Sattunu mazhathuli vantha
If a raindrop falls suddenly
Naanga thaayam aadaththaan povom
We go to play the dice game
Vaada vaada vaada vaada
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Oru thaayam
One roll of dice
Male :Aaru
Male: Six
Male :Vaada vaada vaada
Male: Come on, come on, come on
Orae oru thaayam
Just one roll of dice
Male :Eeraaru
Male: Twelve
Male :Vaada vaada vaada
Male: Come on, come on, come on
Orae oru pulli
Just one dot
Cha
Tsk!
Aaah nondi kazhutha mela
Ah, like a hundred sacks
Nooru mootta pola
On a lame donkey
Vaazhkkai varuthum bothu
When life tortures and burdens us
Naanga vaanam thedithaan povom
We reach out looking towards the sky
Salavakkaaran vaazhkka kooda
The life of a washerman is also
Saamiya polaththaan
Just like God's
Ungaloda paava mootta sumappom
We carry the burden of your sins
Azhukkoda vaazhnthaalum
Though we live amidst dirt
Nenjilthaan azhukkilla
There is no stain in our hearts
Aagaayam pola manasum vella
Like the sky, our mind is pure white
Ada hoiyaa
Hey hoiyaa
Thalli poiyaa
Move away
Veiyil pogum munnae
Before the sunlight fades
Velaiya seivvom vaayaa
Come, let us do our work
Aaa vaayaaa
Ah, come on
Kaiyila kaasu illa
No money in hand
Manasula vesham illa
No guise in heart
Poiyila vaazhkka illa
No life built on lies
Athanaal kashtam nasthamthaan illa
Therefore, there is no sense of loss or misery
Hello sir dora
Hello sir, white master
Un satta kara
The stain on your shirt
En kitta vara
Came near me
Uttaen paar ara
Look, I slapped it away
Pallikkoodam pakkam
Even for rain, we never seek shelter
Mazhikkum othungunathilla
Near the school grounds
Anubhava paadam padichchom
We learned life's lessons through experience
Athanaal vaazhvil tholvi illai
Thus, there is no defeat in our lives
Oru maa kaani maa kaani
One maa kaani, maa kaani
Chorus :Oru maa kaani maa kaani
Chorus: One maa kaani, maa kaani
Male :Iru maa kaani araikkaa
Male: Two maa kaani, half-kaani
Chorus :Iru maa kaani araikkaa
Chorus: Two maa kaani, half-kaani
Male :Mum maa kaani mundaani
Male: Three maa kaani, three-quarters
Chorus :mum maa kaani mundaani
Chorus: Three maa kaani, three-quarters
Male :Naa maa kaani kaa
Male: Four maa kaani, quarter
Chorus :Naa maa kaani kaa
Chorus: Four maa kaani, quarter
Emtan potta gunda pola
Like a bomb thrown by Emden
Varuma sila neram
Troubles may come at times
Pathungi paanju
Ducking and leaping forward
Adikkum pothum bayam illa
Even when struck, we feel no fear
Thala saanju ponaalum
Even if our head bows in death
Thanmaanam saayaathu
Our self-respect will never bend
Mannoda eeram polae vaazhvom
We will live like the moisture in the soil
Ada pooyaa
Oh go away
Thalli poiyaa
Move away
Veiyil pogum munnae
Before the sunlight fades
Velaiya seivvom vaayaa
Come, let us do our work
Vaa vaayaa.. aaaaah…
Come, come on... ah...
Aahh ahhh ho ho ho….
Aahh ahhh ho ho ho....
Aaahaaa..aahaaa…aaa…aaa…hoo hoo
Aaahaaa..aahaaa…aaa…aaa…hoo hoo
………………………………………………..
........................................
Megamae o megamae
Oh cloud, o cloud
Un mazhaiyil konjam nanaivomae
Let us drench a bit in your rain
Maalaiyil anthi maalaiyil
In the evening, dusk's evening
Enga manasa unakku thanthomae
We gave our heart to you
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Madrasapattinam' captures the spirit, resilience, and unyielding dignity of the working-class washermen (dhobis) living along the Buckingham Canal in pre-independence Madras. They plead with the rain clouds to hold back so they can finish drying their clothes while the sun shines, reflecting their work ethics and dependency on nature.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Aagaayam pola manasum vella”
Compares the purity of their untainted heart to the open white sky ('Aagaayam pola manasum vella').
Historical Allusion
“Emtan potta gunda pola”
Refers to the WWI bombardment of Madras port by SMS Emden ('Emtan potta gunda pola') to describe sudden calamities.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Ungaloda paava mootta sumappom”
Compares carrying soiled laundry to carrying the sins of society, equating the washerman's job to a divine service.
Did you know?
Trivia
The line 'Emtan potta gunda pola' refers to SMS Emden, a German light cruiser that shelled Madras oil tanks in September 1914 during World War I. The incident created such panic in the city that the word 'Emtan' entered the Tamil vocabulary to describe anyone powerful, ruthless, or formidable.
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