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Yaarukkum Vetkamillai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Melum Keezhum

From Yaarukkum Vetkamillai · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Jesudas
Music director
G. K. Venkatesh
Movie name
Yaarukkum Vetkamillai
Movie release year
1975
Lyrics added on
13 Jul 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oorukku vetkam illai
Indha ulagukkum vetkam illai
Yaarukkum vetkam illai
Idhilae avalukku vetkamenna
Hae samudhayamae
Melum keelum kodugal podu
Adhu thaan oviym
Nee sonnaal kaaviyam
Oviyam endraal ennvendru
Therindhavar illaiyada
Kurudargal ulagil kangal irundhaal
Adhuthaan tholliyadaa
Melum keelum kodugal podu
Adhu thaan oviym
Nee sonnaal kaaviyam
Athanai pazhamum sothaigalai thaanae
Aandavan padaipinilae
Athi pazhathai kuttram koora
Yaarukkum vetkam illai
Moodargal yettriya kuttrathai marandhu
Mudhugai paarungal
Mudhuginil irukku aayiram azhukku
Adhanai kazhuvungal
Melum keelum kodugal podu
Adhu thaan oviym
Nee sonnaal kaaviyam
Suttum viralaal edhiriyai katti
Kuttram koorugaiyil
Mattrum mondru viralgal ungal
Maarbinai kaatudhadaa
Engaeyavadhu manidhan oruvan
Irundhaal solungal
Irukkum avanum punidhan endraal
Ennidam kattungal
Melum keelum kodugal podu
Adhu thaan oviym
Nee sonnaal kaaviyam
Appan thavaru pillaikku therindhaal
Avanukku vetkam illai
Athanai peraiyum padaithaanae andha
Sivanukku vetkam illai
Ippodhu indha ulagam muzhuvadhum
Evanukkum vetkam illai
Ellaar kadhaiyum ondraai mudikkum
Emanukkum vetkam illai
The town has no shame,
this world has no shame,
no one has any shame.
In such a world, why should she feel ashamed?
Hey, society!
Just draw lines up and down,
and that becomes a painting!
If you say so, it becomes an epic!
What art truly is,
there is no one who knows, my friend!
In a world of the blind, having eyes
is nothing but trouble, my friend!
Just draw lines up and down,
and that becomes a painting!
If you say so, it becomes an epic!
Every fruit has its flaws
in God's creation,
yet to point fingers and blame the fig,
no one has any shame!
Forget the blame cast by fools,
and look at your own back!
There are a thousand stains on your back,
go and wash them clean!
Just draw lines up and down,
and that becomes a painting!
If you say so, it becomes an epic!
When you point a finger at your enemy
and accuse them of wrong,
three other fingers
point right back at your own chest, my friend!
If a true human being
exists anywhere, tell me!
And if that person is truly pure,
show them to me!
Just draw lines up and down,
and that becomes a painting!
If you say so, it becomes an epic!
Even when a son knows his father's sins,
he feels no shame!
Even that Shiva who created everyone,
has no shame!
Today, in this whole wide world,
not a single person has any shame!
Even Yama (god of death), who ends everyone's story the same way,
has no shame!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Yaarukkum Vetkamillai' is a powerful philosophical critique of societal hypocrisy composed by G. K. Venkatesh with lyrics by Kannadasan. The narrator challenges a judgmental society that single-mindedly shames an individual while ignoring its own deep-seated corruptions, double standards, and moral flaws. Kannadasan uses poignant analogies to emphasize that no one in society is without fault.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Oorukku vetkam illai / Indha ulagukkum vetkam illai / Yaarukkum vetkam illai”

The repetition of the phrase 'vetkam illai' at the end of multiple lines creates a rhythmic emphasis on the core theme of shamelessness.

Visual Imagery & Metaphor

“Suttum viralaal edhiriyai katti... Mattrum mondru viralgal ungal Maarbinai kaatudhadaa”

Kannadasan utilizes the physical gesture of pointing a finger to illustrate how accusing others naturally turns three fingers of self-judgment back onto oneself.

Paradox

“Kurudargal ulagil kangal irundhaal Adhuthaan tholliyadaa”

The line highlights the irony that possessing vision in a blind society is treated as a flaw rather than a strength.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Yaarukkum Vetkamillai' (1975) was directed by Cho Ramaswamy, based on his popular stage play of the same title, known for its sharp political and social satire. K. J. Yesudas delivered the powerful vocal rendition for this timeless Kannadasan track.

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