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Lyrics & meaning

Naalai Ulagai Aala Vendum

From Uzhaikkum Karangal · 1976

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Uzhaikkum Karangal1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naalai ulagai aala vendumO working hands, you must rule the world tomorrow
uzhaikkum karangalaeO working hands!
Indha naadu muzhuthum malaravendumAcross this entire nation must bloom
puratchi malargalaeO revolutionary flowers!
Puratchi malargalae! uzhaikkum karangalae!O revolutionary flowers! O working hands!
Male
Naalai ulagai aala vendumO working hands, you must rule the world tomorrow
uzhaikkum karangalaeO working hands!
Indha naadu muzhuthum malaravendumAcross this entire nation must bloom
puratchi malargalaeO revolutionary flowers!
Puratchi malargalae! uzhaikkum karangalae!O revolutionary flowers! O working hands!
Male
Kadamai seivom kalangamalaeLet us do our duty without distress
Urimai ketppom thayangamalaeLet us demand our rights without hesitation
Vaarungal thozhargalaeCome forward, comrades
Ondraai vaarungal thozhargalaeCome together as one, comrades
Male
Naalai ulagai aala vendumO working hands, you must rule the world tomorrow
uzhaikkum karangalaeO working hands!
uzhaikkum karangalae..O working hands..
Male
…………...
Male
Yer pootti thozhil vaithuPlowing the fields and working hard
Illaamai veettil vaithuWhile keeping poverty trapped inside the home
Poraadum kaalam ellaam ponadhammaThe era of continuous struggle is gone, my friend
Ellorkkum yaavum unduEverything belongs to everyone
Endraagum kaalam indruThat era dawns today
Neraaga kannil vandhu thondrudhammaIt appears directly before our eyes, my friend
Male
Vidiyum velai varapoguthuThe dawn is about to arrive
Dharmam theerpai thara poguthuRighteousness is going to deliver its verdict
Nyaayangal saavadhillai endrumJustice never dies, ever
Nyaayangal saavadhillaiJustice never dies
Male
Naalai ulagai aala vendumO working hands, you must rule the world tomorrow
uzhaikkum karangalaeO working hands!
uzhaikkum karangalae…O working hands…
Male
Kalvikku saalai unduThere are schools for education
Noolukku aalai unduThere are mills for textile thread
Naattukku thevai ellaamEverything the nation needs
naam thedalaamWe can seek and achieve
Thozhukku veram unduThere is valor in our shoulders
Thorkaadha nyaayam unduThere is undefeated justice
Needhikku nenjam unduThere is a heart dedicated to justice
naam vaazhalaamWe can thrive and live
Male
Sirikkum ezhai mugam paarkkalaamWe can behold the smiling faces of the poor
Sindhum kanneer thanai maatralaamWe can wipe away the shedding tears
Varunghal thozhargalaeCome, comrades
Ondraai serungal thozhargalaeUnite as one, comrades
Male
Naalai ulagai aala vendumO working hands, you must rule the world tomorrow
uzhaikkum karangalaeO working hands!
Indha naadu muzhuthum malaravendumAcross this entire nation must bloom
puratchi malargalaeO revolutionary flowers!
Male
Kadamai seivom kalangamalaeLet us do our duty without distress
Urimai ketppom thayangamalaeLet us demand our rights without hesitation
Vaarungal thozhargalaeCome, comrades
Ondraai serungal thozhargalaeUnite as one, comrades
Male
Naalai ulagai aala vendumO working hands, you must rule the world tomorrow
uzhaikkum karangalaeO working hands!
Indha naadu muzhuthum malaravendumAcross this entire nation must bloom
puratchi malargalaeO revolutionary flowers!
Puratchi malargalae! uzhaikkum karangalae!O revolutionary flowers! O working hands!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Naalai Ulagai Aala Vendum' from Uzhaikkum Karangal (1976) is an iconic socialist and reformist anthem sung by K. J. Yesudas, composed by M. S. Vishwanathan, and penned by Pulamaipithan. The song serves as a rallying call to the working class, urging laborers, farmers, and common people to unite, perform their duties conscientiously, and fearlessly demand their rights to usher in a egalitarian society. Through vivid imagery of dawn, righteousness, and flourishing revolutionary flowers, the song conveys M. G. Ramachandran's political philosophy of empowerment for the underprivileged. It assures the working class that the dark days of poverty and exploitation are coming to an end, and a bright future characterized by education, industry, and social justice awaits them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

puratchi malargalae

The working class and laborers are poetically addressed as 'Uzhaikkum Karangal' (working hands) and 'Puratchi Malargal' (revolutionary flowers), metaphorically elevating their social role to agents of transformation.

Emoni / Rhyme (Ethirai and Monai)

Kadamai seivom kalangamalae / Urimai ketppom thayangamalae

Rhyming and rhythmic repetition seen in 'Kadamai' (Duty) and 'Urimai' (Right), as well as 'Kalangamalae' and 'Thayangamalae', enhancing the energetic musical quality of the political anthem.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Nyaayangal saavadhillai endrum / Nyaayangal saavadhillai

The emphatic repetition of 'Nyaayangal saavadhillai' (Justice never dies) reinforces confidence in ultimate truth and legal fairness.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Uzhaikkum Karangal' (1976) was one of the key political-message movies starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) prior to his becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977. The song 'Naalai Ulagai Aala Vendum' became an anthem for the AIADMK party cadres and working-class supporters, encapsulating MGR's screen persona as the champion of the poor.

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