Pogalam Pogalam
From Naam · 1985
- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Naam1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai | Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage. |
| Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai | In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep. |
| Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai | Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage. |
| Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai | In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep. |
| Female | |
| Ada bodhaiyilathaan nalla nyaanam pirakkum | Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication. |
| Antha nyaanaththilathaan sorkkavaasal thirakkum | Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open. |
| Female | |
| Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai | Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage. |
| Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai | In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep. |
| Female | |
| Kaaveri aaththodu neer vattri ponaalum | Even if the water in the Kaveri river dries up completely, |
| Kanmaaigal ellaamae thannaalae kaanjaalum | Even if all the lakes and ponds dry up on their own, |
| Panjam varum kaalaththilum pongi varum gangaiyithu | This is the Ganges that overflows even during times of severe famine. |
| Paavangalai theerkka vantha thevaloga paanam idhu | This is the celestial elixir from heaven meant to wash away sins. |
| Yaezhaigalin manam kulira namathu arasu koduththathu | Our government has provided it to bring comfort to the hearts of the poor. |
| Female | |
| Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai | Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage. |
| Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai | In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep. |
| Female | |
| Ada bodhaiyilathaan nalla nyaanam pirakkum | Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication. |
| Antha nyaanaththilathaan sorkkavaasal thirakkum | Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open. |
| Female | |
| Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai | Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage. |
| Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai | In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep. |
| Female | |
| Dhesiya bhaanaththa unnaama pogaathae | Do not leave without consuming this national beverage. |
| Unnaama ponaalae en nenjam thaangaathae | If you leave without drinking it, my heart cannot bear it. |
| Aaala vantha nallavanga anbu nenjam kondavanga | The good rulers who came to govern us possess loving hearts. |
| Aadharavil vachcha kada nee kudikka enna thada | This shop was set up under their support, so what is stopping you from drinking? |
| Yaezhagalin kudisai thozhilai | This cottage industry belonging to the poor, |
| Viruththi adaiya seiyyunga | Help it thrive and prosper! |
| Female | |
| Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai | Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage. |
| Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai | In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep. |
| Female | |
| Ada bodhaiyilathaan nalla nyaanam pirakkum | Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication. |
| Antha nyaanaththilathaan sorkkavaasal thirakkum | Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open. |
| Female | |
| Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai | Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage. |
| Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai | In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep. |
போகலாம் போகலாம் தீர்த்தயாத்திரை
அந்த போதையில் காணலாம் யோக நித்திரை
போகலாம் போகலாம் தீர்த்தயாத்திரை
அந்த போதையில் காணலாம் யோக நித்திரை
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
அட போதையிலதான் நல்ல ஞானம் பிறக்கும்
அந்த ஞானத்திலதான் சொர்க்கவாசல் திறக்கும்
Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication.
Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open.
போகலாம் போகலாம் தீர்த்தயாத்திரை
அந்த போதையில் காணலாம் யோக நித்திரை
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
காவேரி ஆத்தோடு நீர் வற்றி போனாலும்
கண்மாய்கள் எல்லாமே தன்னாலே காஞ்சாலும்
பஞ்சம் வரும் காலத்திலும் பொங்கி வரும் கங்கையிது
பாவங்களை தீர்க்க வந்த தேவலோக பாணம் இது
ஏழைகளின் மனம் குளிர நமது அரசு கொடுத்தது
Even if the water in the Kaveri river dries up completely,
Even if all the lakes and ponds dry up on their own,
This is the Ganges that overflows even during times of severe famine.
This is the celestial elixir from heaven meant to wash away sins.
Our government has provided it to bring comfort to the hearts of the poor.
போகலாம் போகலாம் தீர்த்தயாத்திரை
அந்த போதையில் காணலாம் யோக நித்திரை
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
அட போதையிலதான் நல்ல ஞானம் பிறக்கும்
அந்த ஞானத்திலதான் சொர்க்கவாசல் திறக்கும்
Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication.
Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open.
போகலாம் போகலாம் தீர்த்தயாத்திரை
அந்த போதையில் காணலாம் யோக நித்திரை
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
தேசிய பாணத்த உண்ணாம போகாதே
உண்ணாம போனாலே என் நெஞ்சம் தாங்காதே
ஆள வந்த நல்லவங்க அன்பு நெஞ்சம் கொண்டவங்க
ஆதரவில் வச்சக் கட நீ குடிக்க என்ன தட
ஏழைகளின் குடிசைத் தொழிலை
விருத்தி அடைய செய்யுங்க........
Do not leave without consuming this national beverage.
If you leave without drinking it, my heart cannot bear it.
The good rulers who came to govern us possess loving hearts.
This shop was set up under their support, so what is stopping you from drinking?
This cottage industry belonging to the poor,
Help it thrive and prosper!
போகலாம் போகலாம் தீர்த்தயாத்திரை
அந்த போதையில் காணலாம் யோக நித்திரை
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
அட போதையிலதான் நல்ல ஞானம் பிறக்கும்
அந்த ஞானத்திலதான் சொர்க்கவாசல் திறக்கும்
Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication.
Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open.
போகலாம் போகலாம் தீர்த்தயாத்திரை
அந்த போதையில் காணலாம் யோக நித்திரை
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Ada bodhaiyilathaan nalla nyaanam pirakkum
Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication.
Antha nyaanaththilathaan sorkkavaasal thirakkum
Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open.
Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Kaaveri aaththodu neer vattri ponaalum
Even if the water in the Kaveri river dries up completely,
Kanmaaigal ellaamae thannaalae kaanjaalum
Even if all the lakes and ponds dry up on their own,
Panjam varum kaalaththilum pongi varum gangaiyithu
This is the Ganges that overflows even during times of severe famine.
Paavangalai theerkka vantha thevaloga paanam idhu
This is the celestial elixir from heaven meant to wash away sins.
Yaezhaigalin manam kulira namathu arasu koduththathu
Our government has provided it to bring comfort to the hearts of the poor.
Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Ada bodhaiyilathaan nalla nyaanam pirakkum
Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication.
Antha nyaanaththilathaan sorkkavaasal thirakkum
Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open.
Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Dhesiya bhaanaththa unnaama pogaathae
Do not leave without consuming this national beverage.
Unnaama ponaalae en nenjam thaangaathae
If you leave without drinking it, my heart cannot bear it.
Aaala vantha nallavanga anbu nenjam kondavanga
The good rulers who came to govern us possess loving hearts.
Aadharavil vachcha kada nee kudikka enna thada
This shop was set up under their support, so what is stopping you from drinking?
Yaezhagalin kudisai thozhilai
This cottage industry belonging to the poor,
Viruththi adaiya seiyyunga
Help it thrive and prosper!
Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Ada bodhaiyilathaan nalla nyaanam pirakkum
Hey, true wisdom is born only in that state of intoxication.
Antha nyaanaththilathaan sorkkavaasal thirakkum
Only through that wisdom will the gates of heaven open.
Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai
Let us go, let us go on a holy pilgrimage.
Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai
In that intoxication, we can experience divine yogic sleep.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Pogalaam Pogalaam Theerththa Yaaththirai' from the 1985 Tamil film 'Naam' is a satirical, light-hearted song sung in praise of local alcohol/liquor shops. Using religious metaphor and hyperbole, the song equates going to a liquor shop with embarking on a sacred pilgrimage ('theerththa yaaththirai') and frames drunken stupor as divine yogic meditation ('yoga niththirai'). It cheekily suggests that true enlightenment and the gates of heaven are unlocked through intoxication. Furthermore, the song humorously describes alcohol as a divine elixir ('thevaloga paanam') and an overflowing Ganges ('gongai') that never dries up, even when rivers like Kaveri run dry during droughts. It slyly praises government policy and support for cottage industries and local liquor vendors, coaxing citizens not to pass by without partaking in this 'national drink'. Through clever wordplay by lyricist Muthulingam and Gangai Amaran's energetic composition, the track delivers social commentary with folk humor.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Satirical Metaphor (Sarcastic Imagery)
“Pogalaam pogalaam theerththa yaaththirai / Antha bodhaiyil kaanalaam yoga niththirai”
Equating liquor consumption to a sacred holy pilgrimage ('theerththa yaaththirai') and drunken stupor to deep spiritual yogic sleep ('yoga niththirai').
Emonai (First-letter Alliteration in Tamil)
“Ada bodhaiyilathaan nalla nyaanam pirakkum / Antha nyaanaththilathaan sorkkavaasal thirakkum”
Matching of initial consonant-vowel sounds in words across lines or within lines, such as 'Bodhaiyilathaan' and 'Nyaanaththilathaan'.
Iyaibu (Rhyme scheme)
“Kaaveri aaththodu neer vattri ponaalum / Kanmaaigal ellaamae thannaalae kaanjaalum”
End rhyming of lines to maintain musical cadence, such as 'ponaalum' and 'kaanjaalum'.
Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
“Paavangalai theerkka vantha thevaloga paanam idhu”
Comparing country liquor to celestial nectar ('thevaloga paanam') capable of washing away sins and providing relief during famines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by Gangai Amaran for the film 'Naam' (1985). Sung dynamically by S. P. Sailaja, the lyrics use political and religious satire to comment on state liquor policies and local cottage industries, wrapping serious social commentary in upbeat folk rhythms.
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