Uzhaippali Illatha
From Uzhaippali · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Uzhaippaali illaadha | A country without a hard worker |
| Naadu thaan | Indeed, a country |
| Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha | One who does not survive on his labor |
| Peru thaan | A person with such a name |
| Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Male | |
| Uzhaippaali illaadha | A country without a hard worker |
| Naadu thaan | Indeed, a country |
| Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha | One who does not survive on his labor |
| Peru thaan | A person with such a name |
| Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Male | |
| Ada saami oh saami | Hey sir, oh sir |
| Appadi irundhittaa kaami | If such a person exists, show them to us |
| Kooli oh kooli | Laborers, oh laborers |
| Engala nambithaan bhoomi | The world relies on us alone |
| Pirar vaazhvadhae | Others live |
| Enga vervaiyil thaan | Only because of our sweat |
| Male | |
| Uzhaippaali illaadha | A country without a hard worker |
| Naadu thaan | Indeed, a country |
| Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Male :Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha | Male: One who does not survive on his labor |
| Peru thaan | A person with such a name |
| Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Male | |
| Thala mela saapaadu | Food served over the head |
| Kondaarum kappakkazhangae | Bringing sweet cassava roots |
| Chorus :Ammammaa ah angammaa ah | Chorus: Oh mother, hey Angamma |
| Male :Sila pola shokkaaga | Male: Stylish like a statue |
| Unna thaan peththu pottutaa | Your mother gave birth to you |
| Chorus :Ungammaa ah mangammaa ah | Chorus: Oh mother, hey Mangamma |
| Male | |
| Ada pala voottu palagaaram | Hey, delicacies from many houses |
| Onnaana koottaanjoru thaan | Combined together as a single feast |
| Chorus :Chinnaiyaa ah ponnaiya ah | Chorus: Chinnaiya, hey Ponnaiya |
| Male :Aahn pala saadhi ithu pola | Male: Ah, like this, among many castes |
| Onnaanaa sandai varumaa hoi | Will a fight ever arise? Hoi! |
| Chorus :Sellaiyaa ah sollaiyaa ah | Chorus: Sellaiya, hey Sollaiya |
| Male | |
| Niththamum paadupattu | Toiling hard every single day |
| Uzhaikkum yaavarum or inam thaan | All workers belong to one single race/class |
| Sathiya vaarthai idha | This truthful word |
| Namakku solluthu may dhinam thaan | Is taught to us by May Day |
| Naamellaam vela nirutham | If all of us go on a strike |
| Senjaa thaangaadhu naadu muzhuthum | The entire nation cannot withstand it |
| Naam indri enna nadakkum | Without us, what can ever move? |
| Namma kai dhaandaa ongi irukkum | Our hands alone stand superior! |
| Ada adichaalum pudichaalum | Hey, even if we fight or squabble |
| Annan thambi neeyum naanum daa hoi | You and I are brothers, hey hoi! |
| Male | |
| Uzhaippaali illaadha | A country without a hard worker |
| Naadu thaan | Indeed, a country |
| Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Male | |
| Panakkaaran kudi yera | For the rich man to move in |
| Paattaali veedu katturaan | The laborer builds the house |
| Chorus :Kallaalae hey | Chorus: With stones, hey! |
| Mannaalae hey | With mud, hey! |
| Male | |
| Aanaalum avanukkor | Even so, for himself |
| Veedillae yaaru kekkuraa | There is no home; who will ask about this? |
| Chorus :Dhukkam thaan ah | Chorus: It is sheer sorrow |
| Sonnaalae ah | If you speak of it! |
| Male | |
| Pala peru thaan udutha | For many people to wear |
| Nesavaali noolu neiyuraan | The weaver weaves thread |
| Chorus :Ponnaana ah | Chorus: With golden |
| Kaiyyaalae ah | Hands, ah! |
| Male | |
| Ada aanaalum | Hey, even so |
| Avanudutha vetti illa | He does not have a dhoti to wear |
| Yaaru kekkuraa hoi | Who will ask about this? Hoi! |
| Chorus :Dhukkam thaan ah | Chorus: It is sheer sorrow |
| Sonnaalae ah | If you speak of it! |
| Male | |
| Sambalam vaangiyathum | As soon as you earn your wage |
| Muzhusaa veettilae sethidunga | Hand it over completely at home |
| Mathiyil yaar parippaa | Who will snatch it in between? |
| Parichaa muttiya pethudunga | If anyone snatches it, break their knees! |
| Anjaama thozhila senjaa | If we work without fear |
| Namma yaaraachum asaippaanaa | Can anyone ever shake us? |
| Onnaaga irundhaakkaa | If we stay united |
| Inga vaalaatta nenaippaanaa | Will anyone dare to cause trouble here? |
| Ada adichaalum pudichaalum | Hey, even if we fight or squabble |
| Annan thambi neeyum naanum daa | You and I are brothers |
| Hoi hoi hoi | Hoi hoi hoi! |
| Male | |
| Uzhaippaali illaadha | A country without a hard worker |
| Naadu thaan | Indeed, a country |
| Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Male :Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha | Male: One who does not survive on his labor |
| Peru thaan | A person with such a name |
| Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Male | |
| Ada saami oh saami | Hey sir, oh sir |
| Appadi irundhittaa kaami | If such a person exists, show them to us |
| Kooli oh kooli | Laborers, oh laborers |
| Engala nambithaan bhoomi | The world relies on us alone |
| Pirar vaazhvadhae | Others live |
| Enga vervaiyil thaan | Only because of our sweat |
| Male | |
| Uzhaippaali illaadha | A country without a hard worker |
| Naadu thaan | Indeed, a country |
| Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
| Male :Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha | Male: One who does not survive on his labor |
| Peru thaan | A person with such a name |
| Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa | Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa |
உழைப்பாளி இல்லாத
நாடு தான்
எங்கும் இல்லேயா அர ஹோயா
அவன் உழைப்பாலே
பிழைக்காத பேருதான்
எங்கும் இல்லேயா அர ஹோயா
A country without a hard worker
Indeed, a country
Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
One who does not survive on his labor
A person with such a name
Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
உழைப்பாளி இல்லாத
நாடு தான்
எங்கும் இல்லேயா அர ஹோயா
அவன் உழைப்பாலே
பிழைக்காத பேருதான்
எங்கும் இல்லேயா அர ஹோயா
A country without a hard worker
Indeed, a country
Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
One who does not survive on his labor
A person with such a name
Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
அட சாமியோ சாமி
அப்படி இருந்திட்டா காமி
கூலியோ கூலி
எங்கள நம்பித்தான் பூமி
பிறர் வாழ்வதே
எங்க வேர்வையில் தான்
Hey sir, oh sir
If such a person exists, show them to us
Laborers, oh laborers
The world relies on us alone
Others live
Only because of our sweat
உழைப்பாளி இல்லாத
நாடு தான்
குழு :
எங்கும் இல்லேயா
அர ஹோயா
அவன் உழைப்பாலே
பிழைக்காத பேரு தான்
குழு :
எங்கும்இல்லேயா
அர ஹோயா
A country without a hard worker
Indeed, a country
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Male: One who does not survive on his labor
A person with such a name
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
தலை மேலே சாப்பாடு
கொண்டாரும் கப்பக்கெழங்கே
குழு :
அம்மம்மா ஹா அங்கம்மா ஹா
சில போல ஷோக்காக
உன்னை தான் பெத்து போட்டுட்டா
குழு :
உங்கம்மா ஹா மங்கம்மா ஹா
Food served over the head
Bringing sweet cassava roots
Chorus: Oh mother, hey Angamma
Male: Stylish like a statue
Your mother gave birth to you
Chorus: Oh mother, hey Mangamma
அட பலவூட்டு பலகாரம்
ஒண்ணான கூட்டாஞ்சோறு தான்
குழு :
சின்னையா ஹா
பொன்னையா ஹா
ஆ.. பல சாதி இது போல
ஒண்ணானா சண்டை வருமா ஹோய்
குழு :
செல்லையா ஹா
சொல்லையா ஹா
Hey, delicacies from many houses
Combined together as a single feast
Chorus: Chinnaiya, hey Ponnaiya
Male: Ah, like this, among many castes
Will a fight ever arise? Hoi!
Chorus: Sellaiya, hey Sollaiya
நித்தமும் பாடுபட்டு
உழைக்கும் யாவரும் ஓரினம் தான்
சத்திய வார்த்தை இதை
நமக்கு சொல்லுது மே தினம் தான்
நாமெல்லாம் வேலை நிறுத்தம்
செஞ்சா தாங்காது நாடு முழுதும்
நாம் இன்றி என்ன நடக்கும்
நம்ம கை தாண்டா ஓங்கி இருக்கும்
அட அடிச்சாலும் புடிச்சாலும்
அண்ணன் தம்பி நீயும் நானுடா ஹோய்
Toiling hard every single day
All workers belong to one single race/class
This truthful word
Is taught to us by May Day
If all of us go on a strike
The entire nation cannot withstand it
Without us, what can ever move?
Our hands alone stand superior!
Hey, even if we fight or squabble
You and I are brothers, hey hoi!
உழைப்பாளி இல்லாத
நாடு தான்
குழு :
எங்கும் இல்லேயா
அர ஹோயா
A country without a hard worker
Indeed, a country
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
பணக்காரன் குடி ஏற
பாட்டாளி வீடு கட்டுறான்
குழு :
கல்லாலே ஹே
மண்ணாலே ஹே
For the rich man to move in
The laborer builds the house
Chorus: With stones, hey!
With mud, hey!
ஆனாலும் அவனுக்கோர்
வீடில்ல யாரு கேக்குறா
குழு :
துக்கம் தான் ஹா
சொன்னாலே ஹா
Even so, for himself
There is no home; who will ask about this?
Chorus: It is sheer sorrow
If you speak of it!
பல பேரு தான் உடுத்த
நெசவாளி நூல நெய்யுறான்
குழு :
பொன்னான ஹா
கையாலே ஹா
For many people to wear
The weaver weaves thread
Chorus: With golden
Hands, ah!
அட ஆனாலும்
அவனுடுத்த வேட்டி இல்ல
யாரு கேக்குறா ஹோய்
குழு :
துக்கம் தான் ஹா
சொன்னாலே ஹா
Hey, even so
He does not have a dhoti to wear
Who will ask about this? Hoi!
Chorus: It is sheer sorrow
If you speak of it!
சம்பளம் வாங்கியதும் முழுசா
வீட்டிலே சேர்த்திடுங்க
மத்தியில் யார் பறிப்பா
பறிச்சா முட்டிய பேத்துடுங்க
அஞ்சாம தொழில செஞ்சா
நம்ம யாராச்சும் அசைப்பானா
ஒண்ணாக இருந்தாக்கா
இங்கே வாலாட்ட நெனைப்பானா
அட அடிச்சாலும் புடிச்சாலும்
அண்ணன் தம்பி நீயும் நானுடா
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
As soon as you earn your wage
Hand it over completely at home
Who will snatch it in between?
If anyone snatches it, break their knees!
If we work without fear
Can anyone ever shake us?
If we stay united
Will anyone dare to cause trouble here?
Hey, even if we fight or squabble
You and I are brothers
Hoi hoi hoi!
உழைப்பாளி இல்லாத
நாடு தான்
குழு :
எங்கும் இல்லேயா
அர ஹோயா
அவன் உழைப்பாலே
பிழைக்காத பேரு தான்
குழு :
எங்கும் இல்லேயா
அர ஹோயா..
A country without a hard worker
Indeed, a country
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Male: One who does not survive on his labor
A person with such a name
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
அட சாமியோ சாமி
அப்படி இருந்திட்டா காமி
கூலியோ கூலி
எங்கள நம்பித்தான் பூமி
பிறர் வாழ்வதே
எங்க வேர்வையில் தான்
Hey sir, oh sir
If such a person exists, show them to us
Laborers, oh laborers
The world relies on us alone
Others live
Only because of our sweat
உழைப்பாளி இல்லாத
நாடு தான்
குழு :
எங்கும் இல்லேயா
அர ஹோயா
அவன் உழைப்பாலே
பிழைக்காத பேரு தான்
குழு :
எங்கும் இல்லேயா
அர ஹோயா..
A country without a hard worker
Indeed, a country
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Male: One who does not survive on his labor
A person with such a name
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Uzhaippaali illaadha
A country without a hard worker
Naadu thaan
Indeed, a country
Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha
One who does not survive on his labor
Peru thaan
A person with such a name
Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Uzhaippaali illaadha
A country without a hard worker
Naadu thaan
Indeed, a country
Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha
One who does not survive on his labor
Peru thaan
A person with such a name
Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Ada saami oh saami
Hey sir, oh sir
Appadi irundhittaa kaami
If such a person exists, show them to us
Kooli oh kooli
Laborers, oh laborers
Engala nambithaan bhoomi
The world relies on us alone
Pirar vaazhvadhae
Others live
Enga vervaiyil thaan
Only because of our sweat
Uzhaippaali illaadha
A country without a hard worker
Naadu thaan
Indeed, a country
Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Male :Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha
Male: One who does not survive on his labor
Peru thaan
A person with such a name
Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Thala mela saapaadu
Food served over the head
Kondaarum kappakkazhangae
Bringing sweet cassava roots
Chorus :Ammammaa ah angammaa ah
Chorus: Oh mother, hey Angamma
Male :Sila pola shokkaaga
Male: Stylish like a statue
Unna thaan peththu pottutaa
Your mother gave birth to you
Chorus :Ungammaa ah mangammaa ah
Chorus: Oh mother, hey Mangamma
Ada pala voottu palagaaram
Hey, delicacies from many houses
Onnaana koottaanjoru thaan
Combined together as a single feast
Chorus :Chinnaiyaa ah ponnaiya ah
Chorus: Chinnaiya, hey Ponnaiya
Male :Aahn pala saadhi ithu pola
Male: Ah, like this, among many castes
Onnaanaa sandai varumaa hoi
Will a fight ever arise? Hoi!
Chorus :Sellaiyaa ah sollaiyaa ah
Chorus: Sellaiya, hey Sollaiya
Niththamum paadupattu
Toiling hard every single day
Uzhaikkum yaavarum or inam thaan
All workers belong to one single race/class
Sathiya vaarthai idha
This truthful word
Namakku solluthu may dhinam thaan
Is taught to us by May Day
Naamellaam vela nirutham
If all of us go on a strike
Senjaa thaangaadhu naadu muzhuthum
The entire nation cannot withstand it
Naam indri enna nadakkum
Without us, what can ever move?
Namma kai dhaandaa ongi irukkum
Our hands alone stand superior!
Ada adichaalum pudichaalum
Hey, even if we fight or squabble
Annan thambi neeyum naanum daa hoi
You and I are brothers, hey hoi!
Uzhaippaali illaadha
A country without a hard worker
Naadu thaan
Indeed, a country
Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Panakkaaran kudi yera
For the rich man to move in
Paattaali veedu katturaan
The laborer builds the house
Chorus :Kallaalae hey
Chorus: With stones, hey!
Mannaalae hey
With mud, hey!
Aanaalum avanukkor
Even so, for himself
Veedillae yaaru kekkuraa
There is no home; who will ask about this?
Chorus :Dhukkam thaan ah
Chorus: It is sheer sorrow
Sonnaalae ah
If you speak of it!
Pala peru thaan udutha
For many people to wear
Nesavaali noolu neiyuraan
The weaver weaves thread
Chorus :Ponnaana ah
Chorus: With golden
Kaiyyaalae ah
Hands, ah!
Ada aanaalum
Hey, even so
Avanudutha vetti illa
He does not have a dhoti to wear
Yaaru kekkuraa hoi
Who will ask about this? Hoi!
Chorus :Dhukkam thaan ah
Chorus: It is sheer sorrow
Sonnaalae ah
If you speak of it!
Sambalam vaangiyathum
As soon as you earn your wage
Muzhusaa veettilae sethidunga
Hand it over completely at home
Mathiyil yaar parippaa
Who will snatch it in between?
Parichaa muttiya pethudunga
If anyone snatches it, break their knees!
Anjaama thozhila senjaa
If we work without fear
Namma yaaraachum asaippaanaa
Can anyone ever shake us?
Onnaaga irundhaakkaa
If we stay united
Inga vaalaatta nenaippaanaa
Will anyone dare to cause trouble here?
Ada adichaalum pudichaalum
Hey, even if we fight or squabble
Annan thambi neeyum naanum daa
You and I are brothers
Hoi hoi hoi
Hoi hoi hoi!
Uzhaippaali illaadha
A country without a hard worker
Naadu thaan
Indeed, a country
Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Male :Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha
Male: One who does not survive on his labor
Peru thaan
A person with such a name
Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Ada saami oh saami
Hey sir, oh sir
Appadi irundhittaa kaami
If such a person exists, show them to us
Kooli oh kooli
Laborers, oh laborers
Engala nambithaan bhoomi
The world relies on us alone
Pirar vaazhvadhae
Others live
Enga vervaiyil thaan
Only because of our sweat
Uzhaippaali illaadha
A country without a hard worker
Naadu thaan
Indeed, a country
Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Male :Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha
Male: One who does not survive on his labor
Peru thaan
A person with such a name
Chorus :Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa
Chorus: Does not exist anywhere, hey ara hooyaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Uzhaippaali Illaadha' from the 1993 Tamil film Uzhaippali is a powerful anthem celebrating the dignity of labor, unity, and the indispensable role of the working class in society. Lyricist Vaali highlights how every nation thrives purely on the sweat and effort of its laborers. The lyrics poignantly point out social paradoxes—such as construction workers building mansions for the wealthy while lacking homes of their own, and weavers spinning fine garments for society while lacking basic clothing themselves. Despite these hardships, the song serves as a call for solidarity among workers regardless of caste or minor disputes, reminding everyone that May Day symbolizes working-class empowerment. It warns that if workers unite and strike, the whole country comes to a standstill, affirming that the ultimate power rests in the hands of the laboring masses.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Uzhaippaali illaadha / Avan uzhaippaalae pizhaikkaadha”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Uzhaippaali' and 'Avan', or 'Paattaali' and 'Kallaalae'.
Anaapora (Anaphora / Repetition)
“Uzhaippaali illaadha Naadu thaan”
Repetition of the refrain 'Uzhaippaali illaadha Naadu thaan / Engum illae yaa ara hooyaa' throughout the song to emphasize the central theme.
Irony (Social Paradox)
“Panakkaaran kudi yera Paattaali veedu katturaan... Aanaalum avanukkor Veedillae”
Highlighting the tragic irony of laborers who build homes for others but remain homeless, and weavers who clothe others while going without attire.
Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Ammammaa ah angammaa ah / Ungammaa ah mangammaa ah”
End-rhyming phrases created by rhythmic chorus responses like 'Ammammaa ah' and 'Mangammaa ah'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features Rajinikanth in the lead role of the film Uzhaippali (1993), directed by P. Vasu with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vaali. Sung energetically by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, this song became an iconic May Day and labor movement anthem in Tamil Nadu.
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