Theeradha Varumaiyudan
From Gumastha · 1953
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- B. Jayamma
- Music director
- C. N. Pandurangan
- Details
- Gumastha1953
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Theeraatha varumaiyudan | O girl who came with endless poverty, |
| Poraada vanthavalae | To fight and struggle! |
| Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum | As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow, |
| Marunthe nee kanvalaraai | O medicine, sleep gently! |
| Female | |
| Kaanaatha kaatcheyellaam | Did you come to witness sights |
| Kaanavae vanthaayo | Never seen before? |
| Kanivaaga avvaipol | Did you come to sing sweet poetry |
| Kavi paada vanthaayo | Tenderly like the ancient sage Avvai? |
| Female | |
| Theeraatha varumaiyudan | O girl who came with endless poverty, |
| Poraada vanthavalae | To fight and struggle! |
| Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum | As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow, |
| Marunthe nee kanvalaraai | O medicine, sleep gently! |
| Female | |
| Thavam seiyyum thanavaangal | Without being born as a daughter |
| Magalaai nee piravaathu | To the rich who perform penance, |
| Thaalaatha thollaikkae | You were born to become a subject |
| Aaalaaga piranthayae | To unbearable hardships! |
| Female | |
| Puvi meethu kavalai yaethum | O precious darling who knows no worries |
| Ariyaatha kanmaniyae | Upon this Earth! |
| Suvaiyoorum sengarumbae | O sweet red sugarcane dripping with taste, |
| Sugavaazhvin nallarumbae | O fine bud of a blissful life! |
| Female | |
| Theeraatha varumaiyudan | O girl who came with endless poverty, |
| Poraada vanthavalae | To fight and struggle! |
| Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum | As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow, |
| Marunthe nee kanvalaraai | O medicine, sleep gently! |
தீராத வறுமையுடன்
போராட வந்தவளே
மாறாத துயர் தீர்க்கும்
மருந்தே நீ கண்வளராய்
O girl who came with endless poverty,
To fight and struggle!
As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow,
O medicine, sleep gently!
காணாத காட்சியெல்லாம்
காணவே வந்தாயோ
கனிவாக அவ்வைப் போல்
கவி பாட வந்தாயோ...
Did you come to witness sights
Never seen before?
Did you come to sing sweet poetry
Tenderly like the ancient sage Avvai?
தீராத வறுமையுடன்
போராட வந்தவளே
மாறாத துயர் தீர்க்கும்
மருந்தே நீ கண்வளராய்
O girl who came with endless poverty,
To fight and struggle!
As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow,
O medicine, sleep gently!
தவம் செய்யும் தனவான்கள்
மகளாய் நீ பிறவாது
தாளாத தொல்லைக்கே
ஆளாகப் பிறந்தாயே
Without being born as a daughter
To the rich who perform penance,
You were born to become a subject
To unbearable hardships!
புவி மீது கவலை ஏதும்
அறியாத கண்மணியே
சுவையூறும் செங்கரும்பே
சுகவாழ்வின் நல்லரும்பே..
O precious darling who knows no worries
Upon this Earth!
O sweet red sugarcane dripping with taste,
O fine bud of a blissful life!
தீராத வறுமையுடன்
போராட வந்தவளே
மாறாத துயர் தீர்க்கும்
மருந்தே நீ கண்வளராய்
O girl who came with endless poverty,
To fight and struggle!
As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow,
O medicine, sleep gently!
Theeraatha varumaiyudan
O girl who came with endless poverty,
Poraada vanthavalae
To fight and struggle!
Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum
As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow,
Marunthe nee kanvalaraai
O medicine, sleep gently!
Kaanaatha kaatcheyellaam
Did you come to witness sights
Kaanavae vanthaayo
Never seen before?
Kanivaaga avvaipol
Did you come to sing sweet poetry
Kavi paada vanthaayo
Tenderly like the ancient sage Avvai?
Theeraatha varumaiyudan
O girl who came with endless poverty,
Poraada vanthavalae
To fight and struggle!
Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum
As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow,
Marunthe nee kanvalaraai
O medicine, sleep gently!
Thavam seiyyum thanavaangal
Without being born as a daughter
Magalaai nee piravaathu
To the rich who perform penance,
Thaalaatha thollaikkae
You were born to become a subject
Aaalaaga piranthayae
To unbearable hardships!
Puvi meethu kavalai yaethum
O precious darling who knows no worries
Ariyaatha kanmaniyae
Upon this Earth!
Suvaiyoorum sengarumbae
O sweet red sugarcane dripping with taste,
Sugavaazhvin nallarumbae
O fine bud of a blissful life!
Theeraatha varumaiyudan
O girl who came with endless poverty,
Poraada vanthavalae
To fight and struggle!
Maaraatha thuyar theerkkum
As the medicine that cures unceasing sorrow,
Marunthe nee kanvalaraai
O medicine, sleep gently!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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').
Keep listening
More from Gumastha
Gumastha
Gumastha
Gumastha
Gumastha
Gumastha