Nalla Kaalam Poranthachu
From Oru Indhiya Kanavu · 1983
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, B. Sasirekha
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Oru Indhiya Kanavu1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vervaikku kooli ingae | The wage for sweat here, |
| Chorus :Aaa aa aa aa | Chorus: Aaa aa aa aa |
| Male :Kaneeraai ponadhadaa | Male: Has turned into tears, my friend! |
| Chorus :Aa aa aa aa | Chorus: Aa aa aa aa |
| Male :Ezhyelumbhu yeri ingae orrelumbhaai aanadhadaa | Male: The ribs of the poor gathered here, reducing them to mere bones! |
| Chorus :Aa aa aa aa | Chorus: Aa aa aa aa |
| Male :Kooli senja makkalukku kaalam ini maarumada | Male: Times are going to change now for the working class! |
| Kaai kaaicha meniyilae kaayam ini aarumada | The wounds on our hard-worked, calloused bodies will heal now! |
| Female | |
| Nalla kaalam porandhaachu | Good times are born! |
| Namma koottam nimirndhachu | Our community has stood tall with pride! |
| Kelvi ketka oruthi vandhaa bayam thelinju pochu | A woman arrived to ask questions, and all fear vanished! |
| Male | |
| Ezhai sonna pechu ingu ambalam yeralaachu | The words spoken by the poor have now reached the assembly! |
| Oorai ellaam yeichu silar pozhacha kaalam pochu | The time when a few lived by deceiving the entire village is gone! |
| Female | |
| Kolava izhunga kummiya kottunga | Ululate merrily, clap and dance the Kummi! |
| Vayasu ponnungaa vaanga | Come, young women! |
| Paadam padichava naalum therinjava | She who is educated and wise in all four directions... |
| Oorukkul vandhutta vaanga | ...has entered our village, come! |
| Chorus | |
| Kolava izhunga kummiya kottunga | Ululate merrily, clap and dance the Kummi! |
| Vayasu ponnungaa vaanga | Come, young women! |
| Paadam padichava naalum therinjava | She who is educated and wise in all four directions... |
| Oorukkul vandhutta vaanga | ...has entered our village, come! |
| Female | |
| Namma aadhi sanatha kaaval kaakka illaiyae vaeli | There is no fence to protect our ancient people; |
| Ingae michaamaaga ullathu ellaam kattina thaali | All that remains left here is the sacred thread tied around women's necks. |
| Chorus :Namma aadhi sanatha kaaval kaakka illaiyae vaeli | Chorus: There is no fence to protect our ancient people; |
| Ingae michaamaaga ullathu ellaam kattina thaali | All that remains left here is the sacred thread tied around women's necks. |
| Male | |
| Oorukkullae vandhu serntha uthama seeli | A righteous woman has entered the village; |
| Ini pathirama paadhukaappa badhrakaali | Now, like Goddess Bhadrakali, she will protect us safely! |
| Oorukkullae vandhu serntha uthama seeli | A righteous woman has entered the village; |
| Ini pathirama paadhukaappa badhrakaali | Now, like Goddess Bhadrakali, she will protect us safely! |
| Uzhudha nilathil azhudhu porandu vidiyalaiyae kaalam | The dawn did not break while rolling and crying in the plowed fields; |
| Uzhaichu kalaichu kaaicha kaigal naalai ulagai aazhum | The hands calloused from hard labor will rule the world tomorrow! |
| Chorus | |
| Uzhudha nilathil azhudhu porandu vidiyalaiyae kaalam | The dawn did not break while rolling and crying in the plowed fields; |
| Uzhaichu kalaichu kaaicha kaigal naalai ulagai aazhum | The hands calloused from hard labor will rule the world tomorrow! |
| Male | |
| Kaalakaalamaaga naama pattadhu podhum | What we have suffered for generations is enough; |
| Inga veroruthan nilathil verva vittadhu podhum | Sweating on someone else's land is enough! |
| Chorus :Kaalakaalamaaga naama pattadhu podhum | Chorus: What we have suffered for generations is enough; |
| Inga veroruthan nilathil verva vittadhu podhum | Inga veroruthan nilathil verva vittadhu podhum |
| Female | |
| Devi sollum vaarthai ingae kattalai aagum | The words spoken by Devi will become our command here; |
| Adhai kettu onnu seravenum kettadhu maarum | Hearing her, we must unite, and bad times will change! |
| Devi sollum vaarthai ingae kattalai aagum | The words spoken by Devi will become our command here; |
| Adhai kettu onnu seravenum kettadhu maarum | Hearing her, we must unite, and bad times will change! |
| Male | |
| Kodhichu kedakkum kobam thirandu | The boiling rage will gather strength, |
| Pazhaiya kadhava odaikkum | And break down the old doors! |
| Ilaiya nerappu eriyum bodhu pudhiya velicham kedaikkum | When the youthful fire burns, a new light will be found! |
| Chorus | |
| Kodhichu kedakkum kobam thirandu | The boiling rage will gather strength, |
| Pazhaiya kadhava odaikkum | And break down the old doors! |
| Ilaiya nerappu eriyum bodhu pudhiya velicham kedaikkum | When the youthful fire burns, a new light will be found! |
வேர்வைக்கு கூலி இங்கே..
குழு :
ஆஆஆஆ
கண்ணீராய் போனதடா...
குழு :
ஆஆஆஆ..
ஏழெலும்பு ஏறி இங்கே ஒரெலும்பாய் ஆனதடா
குழு :
ஆஆஆஆ..
கூலி செஞ்ச மக்களுக்கு காலம் இனி மாறுமடா
காய் காய்ச்ச மேனியிலே காயம் இனி ஆறுமடா..
The wage for sweat here,
Chorus: Aaa aa aa aa
Male: Has turned into tears, my friend!
Chorus: Aa aa aa aa
Male: The ribs of the poor gathered here, reducing them to mere bones!
Chorus: Aa aa aa aa
Male: Times are going to change now for the working class!
The wounds on our hard-worked, calloused bodies will heal now!
நல்ல காலம் பொறந்தாச்சு நம்ம கூட்டம் நிமிர்ந்தாச்சு
கேள்வி கேட்க ஒருத்தி வந்தா பயம் தெளிஞ்சு போச்சு
Good times are born!
Our community has stood tall with pride!
A woman arrived to ask questions, and all fear vanished!
ஏழை சொன்ன பேச்சு இங்கு அம்பலம் ஏறலாச்சு
ஊரையெல்லாம் ஏய்ச்சு சிலர் பொழைச்ச காலம் போச்சு
The words spoken by the poor have now reached the assembly!
The time when a few lived by deceiving the entire village is gone!
கொலவ இழுங்க கும்மிய கொட்டுங்க
வயசுப் பொண்ணுங்க வாங்க
பாடம் படிச்சவ நாலும் தெரிஞ்சவ
ஊருக்குள் வந்துட்டா வாங்க...
Ululate merrily, clap and dance the Kummi!
Come, young women!
She who is educated and wise in all four directions...
...has entered our village, come!
கொலவ இழுங்க கும்மிய கொட்டுங்க
வயசுப் பொண்ணுங்க வாங்க
பாடம் படிச்சவ நாலும் தெரிஞ்சவ
ஊருக்குள் வந்துட்டா வாங்க...
Ululate merrily, clap and dance the Kummi!
Come, young women!
She who is educated and wise in all four directions...
...has entered our village, come!
நல்ல காலம் பொறந்தாச்சு நம்ம கூட்டம் நிமிர்ந்தாச்சு
கேள்வி கேட்க ஒருத்தி வந்தா பயம் தெளிஞ்சு போச்சு
கேள்வி கேட்க ஒருத்தி வந்தா பயம் தெளிஞ்சு போச்சு
There is no fence to protect our ancient people;
All that remains left here is the sacred thread tied around women's necks.
Chorus: There is no fence to protect our ancient people;
All that remains left here is the sacred thread tied around women's necks.
நம்ம ஆதி சனத்த காவல் காக்க இல்லையே வேலி
இங்கே மிச்சமாக உள்ளதெல்லாம் கட்டின தாலி
குழு :
நம்ம ஆதி சனத்த காவல் காக்க இல்லையே வேலி
இங்கே மிச்சமாக உள்ளதெல்லாம் கட்டின தாலி
A righteous woman has entered the village;
Now, like Goddess Bhadrakali, she will protect us safely!
A righteous woman has entered the village;
Now, like Goddess Bhadrakali, she will protect us safely!
The dawn did not break while rolling and crying in the plowed fields;
The hands calloused from hard labor will rule the world tomorrow!
ஊருக்குள்ளே வந்து சேர்ந்தா உத்தம சீலி
இனி பத்திரமா பாதுகாப்பா பத்ரகாளி...
ஊருக்குள்ளே வந்து சேர்ந்தா உத்தம சீலி
இனி பத்திரமா பாதுகாப்பா பத்ரகாளி...
உழுத நிலத்தில் அழுது புரண்டு விடியலையே காலம்
உழைச்சு களைச்சு காய்ச்ச கைகள் நாளை உலகை ஆளும்
The dawn did not break while rolling and crying in the plowed fields;
The hands calloused from hard labor will rule the world tomorrow!
உழுத நிலத்தில் அழுது புரண்டு விடியலையே காலம்
உழைச்சு களைச்சு காய்ச்ச கைகள் நாளை உலகை ஆளும்
What we have suffered for generations is enough;
Sweating on someone else's land is enough!
Chorus: What we have suffered for generations is enough;
Inga veroruthan nilathil verva vittadhu podhum
நல்ல காலம் பொறந்தாச்சு நம்ம கூட்டம் நிமிர்ந்தாச்சு
கேள்வி கேட்க ஒருத்தி வந்தா பயம் தெளிஞ்சு போச்சு
கேள்வி கேட்க ஒருத்தி வந்தா பயம் தெளிஞ்சு போச்சு
The words spoken by Devi will become our command here;
Hearing her, we must unite, and bad times will change!
The words spoken by Devi will become our command here;
Hearing her, we must unite, and bad times will change!
காலகாலமாக நாம பட்டது போதும் இங்க
வேறொருத்தன் நிலத்தில் வேர்வ விட்டது போதும்
குழு :
காலகாலமாக நாம பட்டது போதும் இங்க
வேறொருத்தன் நிலத்தில் வேர்வ விட்டது போதும்
The boiling rage will gather strength,
And break down the old doors!
When the youthful fire burns, a new light will be found!
தேவி சொல்லும் வார்த்தை இங்கே கட்டளை ஆகும்
அதைக் கேட்டு ஒண்ணு சேரவேணும் கெட்டது மாறும்
தேவி சொல்லும் வார்த்தை இங்கே கட்டளை ஆகும்
அதைக் கேட்டு ஒண்ணு சேரவேணும் கெட்டது மாறும்
The boiling rage will gather strength,
And break down the old doors!
When the youthful fire burns, a new light will be found!
கொதிச்சு கெடக்கும் கோபம் திரண்டு பழைய கதவ ஒடைக்கும்
இளைய நெருப்பு எரியும்போது புதிய வெளிச்சம் கெடைக்கும்......
குழு :
கொதிச்சு கெடக்கும் கோபம் திரண்டு பழைய கதவ ஒடைக்கும்
இளைய நெருப்பு எரியும்போது புதிய வெளிச்சம் கெடைக்கும்......
நல்ல காலம் பொறந்தாச்சு நம்ம கூட்டம் நிமிர்ந்தாச்சு
கேள்வி கேட்க ஒருத்தி வந்தா பயம் தெளிஞ்சு போச்சு
கேள்வி கேட்க ஒருத்தி வந்தா பயம் தெளிஞ்சு போச்சு
Vervaikku kooli ingae
The wage for sweat here,
Chorus :Aaa aa aa aa
Chorus: Aaa aa aa aa
Male :Kaneeraai ponadhadaa
Male: Has turned into tears, my friend!
Chorus :Aa aa aa aa
Chorus: Aa aa aa aa
Male :Ezhyelumbhu yeri ingae orrelumbhaai aanadhadaa
Male: The ribs of the poor gathered here, reducing them to mere bones!
Chorus :Aa aa aa aa
Chorus: Aa aa aa aa
Male :Kooli senja makkalukku kaalam ini maarumada
Male: Times are going to change now for the working class!
Kaai kaaicha meniyilae kaayam ini aarumada
The wounds on our hard-worked, calloused bodies will heal now!
Nalla kaalam porandhaachu
Good times are born!
Namma koottam nimirndhachu
Our community has stood tall with pride!
Kelvi ketka oruthi vandhaa bayam thelinju pochu
A woman arrived to ask questions, and all fear vanished!
Ezhai sonna pechu ingu ambalam yeralaachu
The words spoken by the poor have now reached the assembly!
Oorai ellaam yeichu silar pozhacha kaalam pochu
The time when a few lived by deceiving the entire village is gone!
Kolava izhunga kummiya kottunga
Ululate merrily, clap and dance the Kummi!
Vayasu ponnungaa vaanga
Come, young women!
Paadam padichava naalum therinjava
She who is educated and wise in all four directions...
Oorukkul vandhutta vaanga
...has entered our village, come!
Kolava izhunga kummiya kottunga
Ululate merrily, clap and dance the Kummi!
Vayasu ponnungaa vaanga
Come, young women!
Paadam padichava naalum therinjava
She who is educated and wise in all four directions...
Oorukkul vandhutta vaanga
...has entered our village, come!
Namma aadhi sanatha kaaval kaakka illaiyae vaeli
There is no fence to protect our ancient people;
Ingae michaamaaga ullathu ellaam kattina thaali
All that remains left here is the sacred thread tied around women's necks.
Chorus :Namma aadhi sanatha kaaval kaakka illaiyae vaeli
Chorus: There is no fence to protect our ancient people;
Ingae michaamaaga ullathu ellaam kattina thaali
All that remains left here is the sacred thread tied around women's necks.
Oorukkullae vandhu serntha uthama seeli
A righteous woman has entered the village;
Ini pathirama paadhukaappa badhrakaali
Now, like Goddess Bhadrakali, she will protect us safely!
Oorukkullae vandhu serntha uthama seeli
A righteous woman has entered the village;
Ini pathirama paadhukaappa badhrakaali
Now, like Goddess Bhadrakali, she will protect us safely!
Uzhudha nilathil azhudhu porandu vidiyalaiyae kaalam
The dawn did not break while rolling and crying in the plowed fields;
Uzhaichu kalaichu kaaicha kaigal naalai ulagai aazhum
The hands calloused from hard labor will rule the world tomorrow!
Uzhudha nilathil azhudhu porandu vidiyalaiyae kaalam
The dawn did not break while rolling and crying in the plowed fields;
Uzhaichu kalaichu kaaicha kaigal naalai ulagai aazhum
The hands calloused from hard labor will rule the world tomorrow!
Kaalakaalamaaga naama pattadhu podhum
What we have suffered for generations is enough;
Inga veroruthan nilathil verva vittadhu podhum
Sweating on someone else's land is enough!
Chorus :Kaalakaalamaaga naama pattadhu podhum
Chorus: What we have suffered for generations is enough;
Inga veroruthan nilathil verva vittadhu podhum
Inga veroruthan nilathil verva vittadhu podhum
Devi sollum vaarthai ingae kattalai aagum
The words spoken by Devi will become our command here;
Adhai kettu onnu seravenum kettadhu maarum
Hearing her, we must unite, and bad times will change!
Devi sollum vaarthai ingae kattalai aagum
The words spoken by Devi will become our command here;
Adhai kettu onnu seravenum kettadhu maarum
Hearing her, we must unite, and bad times will change!
Kodhichu kedakkum kobam thirandu
The boiling rage will gather strength,
Pazhaiya kadhava odaikkum
And break down the old doors!
Ilaiya nerappu eriyum bodhu pudhiya velicham kedaikkum
When the youthful fire burns, a new light will be found!
Kodhichu kedakkum kobam thirandu
The boiling rage will gather strength,
Pazhaiya kadhava odaikkum
And break down the old doors!
Ilaiya nerappu eriyum bodhu pudhiya velicham kedaikkum
When the youthful fire burns, a new light will be found!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Vervaikku kooli ingae is a fiery revolutionary folk song depicting the awakening and empowerment of oppressed rural laborers. The song outlines the long history of exploitation where hard work yielded only tears and poverty, but celebrates a turning point marked by the arrival of an educated, bold female protagonist (Devi). She inspires the villagers to overcome fear, unite, and dismantle systemic injustice. Expressing hope and solidarity, the lyrics celebrate the rise of the working class and foretell a bright future built on unity and youthful revolutionary zeal.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Ilaiya nerappu eriyum bodhu pudhiya velicham kedaikkum”
Comparing youthful enthusiasm and uprising to a fire ('Ilaiya nerappu') that brings a new light of freedom.
Simile / Divine Imagery
“Ini pathirama paadhukaappa badhrakaali”
Comparing the educated woman Devi to Goddess Bhadrakali who arrives to shield and protect the vulnerable village folk.
Monai (Alliteration)
“Kaai kaaicha meniyilae kaayam ini aarumada”
Repetition of the initial sound 'ka' creating a rhythmic emphasis on suffering and healing.
Ethirai (Second letter rhyme)
“Uzhudha nilathil azhudhu porandu vidiyalaiyae kaalam”
Matching second consonants in 'Uzhudha' and 'azhudhu' to establish poetic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Oru Indhiya Kanavu (1983) was directed by Komal Swaminathan, adapted from his acclaimed stage play of the same name. The movie stars Suhasini Maniratnam as Devi, an educated reformer who rallies tribal villagers against local exploiters. Music for the film was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, featuring lyrics penned by Vaali.
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