Pazhum Vayiruthan
From Cooliekkaran · 1987
- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- T. Rajender
- Details
- Cooliekkaran1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paazhum vayiruthaan paadaapaduththuthu | This wretched stomach causes so much trouble |
| Ennaadaa olagamithu ada pollaatha olagamithu | What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world! |
| Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom | We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down |
| Vaazhkkai oyaraleenga yaezhai vaattam neegaleenga | Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded |
| Koolikkaaran…..koolikkaaran | The laborer... the laborer |
| Male | |
| Neththi vervaiyai | Sweat from his forehead |
| Nelaththil sinthuraan koolikkaaran | He spills onto the ground, the laborer |
| Niththam sumaigalai | Heavy burdens every single day |
| Thaangi kolgiraan koolikkaaran | He bears them all, the laborer |
| Male | |
| Paazhum vayiruthaan paadaapaduththuthu | This wretched stomach causes so much trouble |
| Ennaadaa olagamithu ada pollaatha olagamithu | What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world! |
| Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom | We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down |
| Vaazhkkai oyaraleenga yaezhai vaattam neegaleenga | Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded |
| Male | |
| Maadigalin osaram mattum | Only the height of multi-story mansions |
| Osanthu kittae poguthadaa | Keeps going higher and higher, my friend |
| Kudisaigalin olai mattum | Only the palm thatch of huts |
| Azhuthu kittae vaaduthadaa | Weeps and wilts continuously, my friend |
| Male | |
| Medaiyum poduraanga oo….oo… | They set up political stages, oo... oo... |
| Yaedhedho pesuraanga oo….oo… | They give all sorts of grand speeches, oo... oo... |
| Suvarezhuththu kaayaleenga | The paint on wall slogans hasn't even dried |
| Thalaiyezhuththu maaraleenga | Yet our fate and destiny haven't changed |
| Suvarezhuththu kaayaleenga | The paint on wall slogans hasn't even dried |
| Thalaiyezhuththu maaraleenga | Yet our fate and destiny haven't changed |
| Male | |
| Paazhum vayiruthaan paadaapaduththuthu | This wretched stomach causes so much trouble |
| Ennaadaa olagamithu ada pollaatha olagamithu | What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world! |
| Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom | We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down |
| Vaazhkkai oyaraleenga yaezhai vaattam neegaleenga | Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded |
| Male | |
| Aadumaadaa poranthirunthaa | If we had been born as goats or cattle |
| Thazhaiyai kooda thinnudalaam | We could have eaten leaves and grass to survive |
| Manithargalaa poranthuvittom | Having been born as human beings |
| Koozhukkuththaan vaadugirom | We wither away just struggling for a bowl of porridge |
| Male | |
| Vayiththathaan kazhuvidavae oo…oo… | Just to feed and fill their stomachs, oo... oo... |
| Kayiththulathaan nadakkuraanga oo…oo… | They walk on dangerous tightropes, oo... oo... |
| Padaichchavano velaiyaaduraan | The Almighty Creator plays cruel games |
| Pasichchavano paliyaaguraan | While the hungry person becomes the victim |
| Padaichchavano velaiyaaduraan | The Almighty Creator plays cruel games |
| Pasichchavano paliyaaguraan | While the hungry person becomes the victim |
| Male | |
| Paazhum vayiruthaan paadaapaduththuthu | This wretched stomach causes so much trouble |
| Ennaadaa olagamithu ada pollaatha olagamithu | What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world! |
| Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom | We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down |
| Vaazhkkai oyaraleenga yaezhai vaattam neegaleenga | Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded |
| Male | |
| Koolikkaaran……koolikkaaran…. | The laborer... the laborer... |
| Koolikkaaran……koolikkaaran…. | The laborer... the laborer... |
பாழும் வயிறுதான் பாடாப்படுத்துது
என்னாடா ஒலகமிது அட பொல்லாத ஒலகமிது
மாடா ஒழைக்கிறோம் ஓடாத் தேயுறோம்
வாழ்க்கை ஒயரலீங்க ஏழை வாட்டம் நீங்கலீங்க
கூலிக்காரன்.........கூலிக்காரன்.......
This wretched stomach causes so much trouble
What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world!
We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down
Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded
The laborer... the laborer
நெத்தி வேர்வையை
நெலத்தில் சிந்துறான் கூலிக்காரன்
நித்தம் சுமைகளைத்
தாங்கிக் கொள்கிறான் கூலிக்காரன்
Sweat from his forehead
He spills onto the ground, the laborer
Heavy burdens every single day
He bears them all, the laborer
பாழும் வயிறுதான் பாடாப்படுத்துது
என்னாடா ஒலகமிது அட பொல்லாத ஒலகமிது
மாடா ஒழைக்கிறோம் ஓடாத் தேயுறோம்
வாழ்க்கை ஒயரலீங்க ஏழை வாட்டம் நீங்கலீங்க
This wretched stomach causes so much trouble
What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world!
We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down
Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded
மாடிகளின் ஒசரம் மட்டும்
ஒசந்து கிட்டே போகுதடா
குடிசைகளின் ஓலை மட்டும்
அழுது கிட்டே வாடுதடா
Only the height of multi-story mansions
Keeps going higher and higher, my friend
Only the palm thatch of huts
Weeps and wilts continuously, my friend
மேடையும் போடுறாங்க ஓ....ஓ....
ஏதேதோ பேசுறாங்க ஓ....ஓ....
சுவரெழுத்து காயலீங்க
தலையெழுத்து மாறலீங்க
சுவரெழுத்து காயலீங்க
தலையெழுத்து மாறலீங்க
They set up political stages, oo... oo...
They give all sorts of grand speeches, oo... oo...
The paint on wall slogans hasn't even dried
Yet our fate and destiny haven't changed
The paint on wall slogans hasn't even dried
Yet our fate and destiny haven't changed
பாழும் வயிறுதான் பாடாப்படுத்துது
என்னாடா ஒலகமிது அட பொல்லாத ஒலகமிது
மாடா ஒழைக்கிறோம் ஓடாத் தேயுறோம்
வாழ்க்கை ஒயரலீங்க ஏழை வாட்டம் நீங்கலீங்க
This wretched stomach causes so much trouble
What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world!
We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down
Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded
ஆடுமாடாப் பொறந்திருந்தா
தழையைக்கூடத் தின்னுடலாம்
மனிதர்களாப் பொறந்துவிட்டோம்
கூழுக்குத்தான் வாடுகிறோம்
If we had been born as goats or cattle
We could have eaten leaves and grass to survive
Having been born as human beings
We wither away just struggling for a bowl of porridge
வயித்ததான் கழுவிடவே ஓ....ஓ....
கயித்துலதான் நடக்குறாங்க ஓ....ஓ....
படைச்சவனோ வெளையாடுறான்
பசிச்சவனோ பலியாகுறான்
படைச்சவனோ வெளையாடுறான்
பசிச்சவனோ பலியாகுறான்
Just to feed and fill their stomachs, oo... oo...
They walk on dangerous tightropes, oo... oo...
The Almighty Creator plays cruel games
While the hungry person becomes the victim
The Almighty Creator plays cruel games
While the hungry person becomes the victim
பாழும் வயிறுதான் பாடாப்படுத்துது
என்னாடா ஒலகமிது அட பொல்லாத ஒலகமிது
மாடா ஒழைக்கிறோம் ஓடாத் தேயுறோம்
வாழ்க்கை ஒயரலீங்க ஏழை வாட்டம் நீங்கலீங்க
This wretched stomach causes so much trouble
What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world!
We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down
Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded
கூலிக்காரன்.....கூலிக்காரன்...
கூலிக்காரன்.....கூலிக்காரன்...
The laborer... the laborer...
The laborer... the laborer...
Paazhum vayiruthaan paadaapaduththuthu
This wretched stomach causes so much trouble
Ennaadaa olagamithu ada pollaatha olagamithu
What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world!
Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom
We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down
Vaazhkkai oyaraleenga yaezhai vaattam neegaleenga
Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded
Koolikkaaran…..koolikkaaran
The laborer... the laborer
Neththi vervaiyai
Sweat from his forehead
Nelaththil sinthuraan koolikkaaran
He spills onto the ground, the laborer
Niththam sumaigalai
Heavy burdens every single day
Thaangi kolgiraan koolikkaaran
He bears them all, the laborer
Paazhum vayiruthaan paadaapaduththuthu
This wretched stomach causes so much trouble
Ennaadaa olagamithu ada pollaatha olagamithu
What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world!
Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom
We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down
Vaazhkkai oyaraleenga yaezhai vaattam neegaleenga
Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded
Maadigalin osaram mattum
Only the height of multi-story mansions
Osanthu kittae poguthadaa
Keeps going higher and higher, my friend
Kudisaigalin olai mattum
Only the palm thatch of huts
Azhuthu kittae vaaduthadaa
Weeps and wilts continuously, my friend
Medaiyum poduraanga oo….oo…
They set up political stages, oo... oo...
Yaedhedho pesuraanga oo….oo…
They give all sorts of grand speeches, oo... oo...
Suvarezhuththu kaayaleenga
The paint on wall slogans hasn't even dried
Thalaiyezhuththu maaraleenga
Yet our fate and destiny haven't changed
Suvarezhuththu kaayaleenga
The paint on wall slogans hasn't even dried
Thalaiyezhuththu maaraleenga
Yet our fate and destiny haven't changed
Paazhum vayiruthaan paadaapaduththuthu
This wretched stomach causes so much trouble
Ennaadaa olagamithu ada pollaatha olagamithu
What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world!
Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom
We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down
Vaazhkkai oyaraleenga yaezhai vaattam neegaleenga
Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded
Aadumaadaa poranthirunthaa
If we had been born as goats or cattle
Thazhaiyai kooda thinnudalaam
We could have eaten leaves and grass to survive
Manithargalaa poranthuvittom
Having been born as human beings
Koozhukkuththaan vaadugirom
We wither away just struggling for a bowl of porridge
Vayiththathaan kazhuvidavae oo…oo…
Just to feed and fill their stomachs, oo... oo...
Kayiththulathaan nadakkuraanga oo…oo…
They walk on dangerous tightropes, oo... oo...
Padaichchavano velaiyaaduraan
The Almighty Creator plays cruel games
Pasichchavano paliyaaguraan
While the hungry person becomes the victim
Padaichchavano velaiyaaduraan
The Almighty Creator plays cruel games
Pasichchavano paliyaaguraan
While the hungry person becomes the victim
Paazhum vayiruthaan paadaapaduththuthu
This wretched stomach causes so much trouble
Ennaadaa olagamithu ada pollaatha olagamithu
What kind of world is this, oh what a cruel world!
Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom
We work like cattle, grinding our bodies down
Vaazhkkai oyaraleenga yaezhai vaattam neegaleenga
Life hasn't improved, the poor person's sorrow hasn't faded
Koolikkaaran……koolikkaaran….
The laborer... the laborer...
Koolikkaaran……koolikkaaran….
The laborer... the laborer...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Cooliekkaran' is a powerful social critique depicting the raw anguish and daily hardship experienced by working-class laborers. It highlights how poor workers toil relentlessly like cattle, pouring their sweat onto the earth, yet their basic quality of life never elevates. The lyrics contrast the ever-rising tall buildings of the rich with the weeping, rotting thatched roofs of poor huts, emphasizing the widening socio-economic divide.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Maadaa ozhaikkirom oodaa thaeiyurom”
Compares human labor to cattle ('Maadaa ozhaikkirom'), signifying backbreaking, unappreciated toil.
Contrast / Anthesis
“Maadigalin osaram mattum / Kudisaigalin olai mattum”
Contrasts the rising heights of rich mansions ('Maadigalin osaram') against the wilting huts of the poor ('Kudisaigalin olai').
Irony & Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Suvarezhuththu kaayaleenga / Thalaiyezhuththu maaraleenga”
Rhymes 'Suvarezhuththu' (wall slogans) with 'Thalaiyezhuththu' (destiny) to deliver a sharp political irony—political campaign promises dry on walls while the fate of workers remains untouched.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Padaichchavano velaiyaaduraan / Pasichchavano paliyaaguraan”
Uses matching initial consonants 'Pa' ('Padaichchavano' / 'Pasichchavano') combined with end rhymes to emphasize existential inequality between God/destiny and the hungry worker.
Did you know?
Trivia
The movie 'Cooliekkaran' (1987) stars Vijayakanth in the lead role, portraying a working-class protagonist. T. Rajendar authored lyrics for several tracks in this period that strongly championed working-class issues, social injustice, and philosophical reflections on poverty.
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