Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pudhiyadhor Ulagam Seivom

From Chandhrodhayam · 1966

Lyricist
Bharathidasan
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Chorus
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Chandhrodhayam1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivom…Let us create a new world...
Chorus
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa... aa... aa... aa...
Male
Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivomLet us create a new world
Ketta poridum ulagathaiThe evil, warring world
Vaerodu saaippomWe shall uproot completely
Male
Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivomLet us create a new world
Ketta poridum ulagathaiThe evil, warring world
Vaerodu saaippomWe shall uproot completely
Male
Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivomLet us create a new world
Male
Arinjar tham idhaya odaiFrom the stream of scholars' hearts
Aazha neer thannai monduDrawing deep waters
Chorus
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa... aa... aa... aa...
Male
Arinjar tham idhaya odaiFrom the stream of scholars' hearts
Aazha neer thannai monduDrawing deep waters
Seritharum makkal ennamThe dense thoughts of the people
Sezhithida oottri oottriPouring and pouring to make them flourish
Kurugiya seyalgal theerthuEradicating narrow actions
Kuvalayam onga cheivaaiMake the whole world elevate and thrive
Narumana idhazh pennaeOh woman with fragrant petals for lips
Un nalam kaanaar njaalam kaanaarThose who do not care for your welfare do not care for the world's welfare
Male
Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivomLet us create a new world
Ketta poridum ulagathaiThe evil, warring world
Vaerodu saaippomWe shall uproot completely
Male
Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivomLet us create a new world
Male
Podhu makkal nalam naadiSeeking the welfare of the general public
Pudhu karuthai cholgaSpeak forth new, progressive ideas
Un karuthai solluvadhilIn expressing your thoughts
Aayiram vandhaalumEven if a thousand obstacles confront you
Adharkkoppa vendaamaeDo not yield or compromise
Andhamizhar maenmaiThe glory of the finest Tamils
Azhippaarai pottrudharkkumTo praise those who attempt to destroy it
Yaedu pala vaazhndhaal…Even if many texts are written...
Edhirppadhandro thamizhargalinIs it not to oppose such injustice
Ezhudhukol vaelai…That the pen of Tamils operates?
Yaettra seyal seidharkkumTo perform noble and fitting actions
Yen anja vendum…Why should anyone feel afraid?
Male
Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivomLet us create a new world
Ketta poridum ulagathaiThe evil, warring world
Vaerodu saaippomWe shall uproot completely
Male
Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivomLet us create a new world

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Pudhiyadhor Ulagam Seivom' is a iconic revolutionary poem written by 'Puratchi Kavingnar' Bharathidasan, adapted into the 1966 MGR-starrer film 'Chandhrodhayam'. The anthem is a passionate call to build a new, progressive, and peaceful society free from war, oppression, narrow-mindedness, and social injustice. It urges drawing wisdom from scholars and thinkers to nourish public thought and drive social progress. The song strongly highlights women's rights, asserting that a society that ignores the well-being of women cannot achieve true progress. It further encourages bold self-expression, fearless journalism, and using the power of the written word as a force to oppose tyranny and uphold human dignity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Podhu makkal nalam naadi / Pudhu karuthai cholga

Matching of initial consonant sounds across words, such as 'Pudhiyadhor' and 'Podhu' or 'Kurugiya' and 'Kuvalayam'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Arinjar tham idhaya odai

Describing the wisdom and empathy of scholars as a deep stream of water ('idhaya odai').

Anaphora / Repetition

Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivom

Repeated use of the refrain 'Pudhiyadhor ulagam seivom' to reinforce the core message of revolutionary change.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the acclaimed Tamil poet Bharathidasan, this poem is one of the most famous egalitarian anthems in modern Tamil literature. In the 1966 movie 'Chandhrodhayam', music director M. S. Viswanathan set it to music, and it was sung by T. M. Soundararajan, perfectly fitting MGR's screen persona as a champion of the working class.

Keep listening

More from Chandhrodhayam