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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomiyile

From Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi · 1959

Lyricist
Trichy Thiyagarajan
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
K. H. Reddy
Details
Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ponnuvilaiyum boomiyilaeIn this land where gold yields
Pozhuthellaam paadupattumEven after working hard all day
Pudhuvaazhvu kaanomaeWe do not see a new and prosperous life
Pongugiraan thozhilaaliThe worker seethes with anger and anguish
Annai boomi selvamellaamThough Mother Earth gives all her riches
Alli alli thandhaalumPouring out her wealth abundantly
Arai vayittru kanjiyillaeThere is not even half a stomach of gruel to drink
Aadaiyillae veedumillaeThere are no clothes to wear, nor a house to live in
Male
Kudumbha vandiThe family cart
Kudumbha vandiThe family cart
Kudu kudu endru urundu odidudhuIs rolling and running fast with a 'kudu kudu' sound
Vandi urundu odidudhuThe cart is rolling and running along
Paadhai kurukkae vandhuComing across the path
Maedu pallam koraikka pakkudhuThe ups and downs try to wear it down
Paadhai kurukkae vandhuComing across the path
Maedu pallam koraikka pakkudhuThe ups and downs try to wear it down
Vegam koraikka pakkudhuThey try to reduce its speed
Male
Kodumaiyaana vaengai puligalFerocious, cruel tigers
Kattai azhikudhuAre destroying the wooden structure
Puligal kattai azhikudhuTigers are destroying the structure
Kodumaiyaana vaengai puligalFerocious, cruel tigers
Kattai azhikudhuAre destroying the structure
Vilangu gunam padaithaPossessing the traits of wild beasts
Manidha mirugam nattai azhikkudhuThe human monster is destroying the country
Mirugam nattai azhikkudhuThe beast is destroying the country
Male
Kudumbha vandiThe family cart
Kudumbha vandiThe family cart
Kudu kudu endru urundu odidudhuIs rolling and running fast with a 'kudu kudu' sound
Vandi urundu odidudhuThe cart is rolling and running along
Paadhai kurukkae vandhuComing across the path
Maedu pallam koraikka pakkudhuThe ups and downs try to wear it down
Paadhai kurukkae vandhuComing across the path
Maedu pallam koraikka pakkudhuThe ups and downs try to wear it down
Vegam koraikka pakkudhuThey try to reduce its speed
Male
Aadi aadi namma jodi maadugalSwaying rhythmically, our pair of bullocks
Joraai poguthu..jodi joraai poguthuAre going grandly... going beautifully as a pair
Adhil aanum pennumIn that, the man and woman
Kudumbam nadathum azhagu thonudhuDisplay the beauty of running a household
Moodi vechu mosadi seiyum paediyai polaLike a deceitful coward who acts secretly
Oruthan munnae vittu pinnaalaeSomeone lets the cart go ahead and from behind
Kadaiyaaniyai kazhatturaanRemoves the linchpin from the wheel
Male
Kudumbha vandiThe family cart
Kudumbha vandiThe family cart
Kudu kudu endru urundu odidudhuIs rolling and running fast with a 'kudu kudu' sound
Vandi urundu odidudhuThe cart is rolling and running along
Paadhai kurukkae vandhuComing across the path
Maedu pallam koraikka pakkudhuThe ups and downs try to wear it down
Paadhai kurukkae vandhuComing across the path
Maedu pallam koraikka pakkudhuThe ups and downs try to wear it down
Vegam koraikka pakkudhuThey try to reduce its speed
Male
Munnae vacha kaalai neeyumThe foot you stepped forward
Pinnae vaikkadhaeDo not pull back
Undhan munnaetrathil thadaiyai paarthuSeeing obstacles in your progress
Mugan suzhikaadhaeDo not lose heart or cringe
Kangal irandin paarvaiyai pola onna odungaUnite and move together like the harmonized gaze of two eyes
Vazhi kaanum yettra thaazhvaiThe inequalities and hurdles seen on the path
Kaalal midichi podungaTrample them down under your feet
Male
Kudumbha vandiThe family cart
Kudumbha vandiThe family cart
Kudu kudu endru urundu odidudhuIs rolling and running fast with a 'kudu kudu' sound
Vandi urundu odidudhuThe cart is rolling and running along
Paadhai kurukkae vandhuComing across the path
Maedu pallam koraikka pakkudhuThe ups and downs try to wear it down
Paadhai kurukkae vandhuComing across the path
Maedu pallam koraikka pakkudhuThe ups and downs try to wear it down
Vegam koraikka pakkudhuThey try to reduce its speed

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ponnuvilaiyum Boomiyilae' uses the metaphor of a bullock-drawn family cart ('Kudumbha Vandi') to depict the struggles, hard work, and socio-economic hardships faced by working-class families in a rich land. Despite working tirelessly on fertile soil that yields gold, the laborers remain impoverished without basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter, while corrupt 'human beasts' and deceitful saboteurs destroy their progress.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Kudumbha vandi

Comparing the journey of a domestic family to a rolling cart ('Kudumbha vandi') facing rough terrain.

Onomatopoeia

Kudu kudu endru urundu odidudhu

The word 'Kudu kudu' mimics the rhythmic clatter of a rolling cart.

Uvamai (Simile)

Moodi vechu mosadi seiyum paediyai pola

Comparing a traitor who sabotages family progress to a coward pulling out the linchpin in secret ('paediyai pola').

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Aadi aadi namma jodi maadugal

Matching second consonants across lines ('Aadi' / 'Jodi').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1959 Tamil film 'Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi', composed by K. H. Reddy and rendered by C. S. Jayaraman, known for his unique emotional tone in philosophical and socially conscious cinema songs of that era.

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