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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Purappaduvome Anne

From Kanniyin Kadhali · 1949

Lyricist: K. D. Santhanam
Singers: Trichy Loganathan, Chorus
Music director: S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name: Kanniyin Kadhali
Movie release year: 1949
Lyrics added on: 19 Dec 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Purapaduvomae annae purapaduvomae

Katuvalai eduthu kondu purapaduvomae

Perungadal kadanthu meen pidikka purapaduvomae

Purapaduvomae annae purapaduvomae

Kadal kadanthu selvadharkku thoniyum undu

Kattai pura uluvai meengal kadalilae undu

Kadavul thandha kaigalilae mulu balamum undu

Chorus : Annae muzhu balamundu

Kattu maram yaeri selvomae

Perungadal kadanthu meen pidippomae

Veen kavalaiyuttru vaazhndhiduvomae

Chorus :Purapaduvomae annae purapaduvomae

Kai madakki saevagam thaan

Seiyavum vendaam

Ejamaan kattalaikku

Kaathukittu nirkkavum vendaam

Paiyapaiya paesi panam

Vaangavum vendaam

Siramam pattadharkku palan illamal

Yengavum vendaam

Kattu maram yaeri selvomae

Perungadal kadanthu meen pidippomae

Veen kavalaiyuttru vaazhndhiduvomae

Chorus :Purapaduvomae annae purapaduvomae

Muppadhu naal uzhaithu uzhaithu

Kurai panam vaangi

Adhai moondru naalil theerthu vittu

Kadanaiyum vaangi baakki naalil

Perum pagudhi pattiniyaaghi

Mana padharalodu maar adikkum

Jenmamum vendaam

Kattu maram yaeri selvomae

Perungadal kadanthu meen pidippomae

Veen kavalaiyuttru vaazhndhiduvomae

Chorus :Purapaduvomae annae purapaduvomae

Let us set out, brother, let us set out!

Let us take our sturdy fishing nets and set out!

Let us cross the vast ocean to catch fish and set out!

Let us set out, brother, let us set out!

We have a boat to sail across the sea,

There are kattai, puraa, and uluva fish in the sea,

And we have full strength in the hands God gave us!

Chorus: Brother, we have full strength!

Let us board our catamaran and ride the waves,

Let us cross the vast ocean and catch fish!

Why should we spend our lives in useless worry?

Chorus: Let us set out, brother, let us set out!

We do not have to fold our hands in servitude

and slave away for anyone,

We do not have to stand and wait

for a master's command,

We do not have to plead meekly

just to get our wages,

Nor do we have to toil and pine away

with nothing to show for our labor!

Let us board our catamaran and ride the waves,

Let us cross the vast ocean and catch fish!

Why should we spend our lives in useless worry?

Chorus: Let us set out, brother, let us set out!

Toiling hard for thirty whole days,

only to receive meager pay,

spending it all in just three days,

falling into debt, and for the rest of the month,

going hungry for most of the time,

beating our chests in anxious despair—

we want no part of such a wretched life!

Let us board our catamaran and ride the waves,

Let us cross the vast ocean and catch fish!

Why should we spend our lives in useless worry?

Chorus: Let us set out, brother, let us set out!

Chorus

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic folk-inspired song is a anthem celebrating the dignity of labor, freedom, and self-reliance among fishermen. The lead singer calls upon his fellow fishermen to head out into the vast sea with their nets, relying on the strength given by God and the abundance of marine life rather than subjecting themselves to servitude under an oppressive boss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

“Kadal kadanthu selvadharkku thoniyum undu”

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Kadal', 'Kattai', and 'Kadavul' (d/t sounds).

Monaai (Alliteration)

“Paiyapaiya paesi panam”

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound in 'Paiyapaiya paesi panam' to create a rhythmic, conversational cadence.

Antithesis / Contrast

“Muppadhu naal uzhaithu uzhaithu... Kurai panam vaangi”

The lyrics contrast the open freedom and self-determination of fishing with the miseries of monthly wage slavery (working 30 days, exhausting wages in 3, incurring debt).

Refrain / Anaphora

“Purapaduvomae annae purapaduvomae”

The repeated line 'Purapaduvomae annae purapaduvomae' reinforces unity, momentum, and call-to-action.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1949 film 'Kanniyin Kadhali', this song is one of the earliest working-class pride songs picturized on M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The song set a precedent for MGR's iconic screen persona as a champion of laborers, fishermen, and the common working class in Tamil cinema.

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