Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Panakkaarar Thaedugira Inbam

From Paithiyakkaran · 1947

Lyricist
Ambikapathi
Singer
N. S. Krishnan
Music directors
C. R. Subbaraman, M. S. Gnanamani
Details
Paithiyakkaran1947

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Panakkaarar thaedugira inbamThe pleasure sought by the rich,
Ezhai paattaali makkal padum thunbamThe suffering endured by poor working-class people.
Male
Kaasu panam kondavarkkuFor those who possess coins and money,
Kavalaiyillaadha naeram yaedhuWhen is there ever a worry-free time?
Male
Panakkaarar thaedugira inbamThe pleasure sought by the rich,
Ezhai paattaali makkal padum thunbamThe suffering endured by poor working-class people.
Male
Gunathodu pazhagaadha koottamA crowd that does not behave with good character,
Kooli kuraithu kodukka poraattamStriving constantly to reduce wages.
Gunathodu pazhagaadha koottamA crowd that does not behave with good character,
Kooli kuraithu kodukka poraattamStriving constantly to reduce wages.
Seidhum kulam vettuvaarThey will build ponds,
Madam kattuvaarAnd construct choultries,
Kulam vettuvaar madam kattuvaarThey dig ponds and construct choultries,
Kadan koduthae pin vazhakkaadiYet they lend money and fight lawsuits later,
Aduthorai keduthagumRuining others in the process.
Panakkaarar thaedugira inbamThe pleasure sought by the rich,
Male
Kaasu panam kondavarkkuFor those who possess coins and money,
Kavalaiyillaadha naeram yaedhuWhen is there ever a worry-free time?
Vellikkaasu panam kondavarkkuFor those who possess silver coins and wealth,
Kavalaiyillaadha naeram yaedhuWhen is there ever a worry-free time?
Avar kanmoodi thoongamudiyaadhuThey cannot close their eyes and sleep,
Avar kanmoodi thoongamudiyaadhuThey cannot close their eyes and sleep.
Pagal kaalathilae kollai laabathilaeIn broad daylight, pursuing exorbitant profits,
Kaarunyam thaanindri thaedidumThey seek wealth without any compassion.
Thanga kaasu panam kondavarkkuFor those who possess gold coins and wealth,
Kavalaiyillaadha naeram yaedhuWhen is there ever a worry-free time?
Male
Koozhaiyunnum ezhaiThe poor man drinking simple porridge,
Manikkaezhu mayil nadappaanCan walk seven miles in an hour.
Konda selvan vandiyaeraWhen the wealthy man gets on a carriage,
Rendu paerai azhaippaanHe calls two people to assist him.
Vaelai seiyum kooli oru naazhiThe laborer who works hard,
Annam pusippaanEats and enjoys his simple meal.
Aaalai yaeikkum kozhai mudhalaaliWhile the cowardly, deceptive owner,
Sotrai veruppaanDespises and rejects his rich food.
Male
Kaasu panam kondavarkkuFor those who possess coins and money,
Kavalaiyillaadha naeram yaedhuWhen is there ever a worry-free time?
Male
Kaattaik kaakkum ezhaiThe poor wife guarding the fields,
Veettukkkaari udambuHer physical body,
Kattumasthum kalluIs solid and strong like stone,
Polirukkum irumbuAnd tough like iron.
Veettai kaakkum selvaninThe rich man's wife guarding the house,
Pondaatti udambuHer body is,
Adhu veliyae sollumSomething not fit to speak aloud,
Vishayamalla melindha thurumbuFrail like a thin straw.
Male
Naattai kedukkumRuining the country,
Navanaagareegam naaduvaarThey pursue modern superficial luxury.
Pootti vaitha rokkathaiThe locked-up cash they hoard,
Kaatti uravaaduvaarThey display to feign relationships.
Poottum nagaiyaadai porulaalaeThrough adorned jewelry and clothes,
Pugazh thaedumThey seek empty fame.
Male
Kaasu panam kondavarkkuFor those who possess coins and money,
Kavalaiyillaadha naeram yaedhuWhen is there ever a worry-free time?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This social commentary song from the 1947 movie Paithiyakkaran contrasts the superficial, anxiety-ridden lives of wealthy elites with the robust, honest lives of working-class laborers. It asserts that material riches bring sleepless nights, greed, and lack of peace, whereas the poor, despite their simple diet and hard physical labor, enjoy vitality, restful sleep, and genuine well-being.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Panakkaarar thaedugira inbam / Ezhai paattaali makkal padum thunbam

Rhyming end words 'inbam' and 'thunbam' emphasize the tragic contrast between rich and poor.

Upamai (Simile)

Kattumasthum kallu / Polirukkum irumbu

Compares the physical strength of the laboring woman's body to stone ('kallu') and iron ('irumbu').

Muran (Contrast/Antithesis)

Koozhaiyunnum ezhai / Manikkaezhu mayil nadappaan

Contrasts the active poor man walking seven miles effortlessly with the rich man who needs help just to board a carriage.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Vishayamalla melindha thurumbu

Refers to the frail, delicate physical condition of the pampered rich woman as a thin straw ('melindha thurumbu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Paithiyakkaran (1947) was a classic film associated with N.S. Krishnan (NSK), known for embedding strong socio-political, Marxist, and anti-feudal reformist messages into catchy music during the transitional era around India's independence.

Keep listening

More from Paithiyakkaran