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Gumastha album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Theeradha Varumaiyudan

From Gumastha · 1953

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
B. Jayamma
Music director
C. N. Pandurangan
Movie name
Gumastha
Movie release year
1953
Lyrics added on
23 Jun 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Theeraatha varumaiyudan
Poraada vanthavalae
Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum
Marunthe nee kanvalaraai
Kaanaatha kaatcheyellaam
Kaanavae vanthaayo
Kanivaaga avvaipol
Kavi paada vanthaayo
Theeraatha varumaiyudan
Poraada vanthavalae
Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum
Marunthe nee kanvalaraai
Thavam seiyyum thanavaangal
Magalaai nee piravaathu
Thaalaatha thollaikkae
Aaalaaga piranthayae
Puvi meethu kavalai yaethum
Ariyaatha kanmaniyae
Suvaiyoorum sengarumbae
Sugavaazhvin nallarumbae
Theeraatha varumaiyudan
Poraada vanthavalae
Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum
Marunthe nee kanvalaraai
With never-ending poverty,
O little girl who came to struggle,
O cure for our constant sorrows,
my soothing medicine, close your eyes and sleep.
Sights that were never seen before—
did you come to see them all?
Gently, like Avvai (revered Tamil poetess),
did you come to sing poetry?
With never-ending poverty,
O little girl who came to struggle,
O cure for our constant sorrows,
my soothing medicine, close your eyes and sleep.
Instead of being born the daughter
of the wealthy who did penance,
to unbearable misery and pain,
you were born to endure it all.
Unaware of any sorrows
in this world, O apple of my eye,
O sweet, juicy sugarcane,
O lovely bud of a happy life...
With never-ending poverty,
O little girl who came to struggle,
O cure for our constant sorrows,
my soothing medicine, close your eyes and sleep.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the 1953 film 'Gumastha' is a poignant lullaby sung to a infant child born into severe poverty. Unlike traditional cheerful lullabies, lyricist A. Maruthakasi imbues the song with socio-economic realism, addressing the infant girl as one destined to struggle against hardship. The lyrics lament that she was not born into a wealthy family, yet adore her as an innocent soul who brings relief like healing medicine to her family's endless grief. Throughout the song, the child is affectionately likened to a sweet red sugarcane and a budding promise of a joyful future, blending maternal affection with the harsh truths of life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Marunthe nee kanvalaraai”

Addressing the child directly as 'Marunthe' (medicine) and 'Sengarumbae' (sweet red sugarcane) to signify her soothing presence and sweet innocence.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Kanivaaga avvaipol kavi paada vanthaayo”

Comparing the young girl's potential wisdom and speech to the famed ancient Tamil poetess Avvaiyar ('Avvaipol').

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

“Kaanaatha kaatcheyellaam kaanavae vanthaayo”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('K') across adjacent lines ('Kaanaatha' / 'Kaanavae').

Second Letter Rhyme (Ethirhai)

“Thavam seiyyum thanavaangal / Thaalaatha thollaikkae”

Repetition of second letter sound ('va') in 'Thavam' and 'Thaalaatha'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Gumastha' (1953) was a drama focusing on the tragic economic struggles of a low-income clerk. Sung by veteran actress-singer B. Jayamma, this song stands out among Tamil cinema lullabies for addressing socio-economic hardship directly within a traditional lullaby format ('Kanvalaraai').

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