Uzhavan Munnaale
From Pattaliyin Vetri · 1960
- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singers
- P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- S. Rajeswara Rao
- Details
- Pattaliyin Vetri1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| ………………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Oh oo oo oo | Oh oo oo oo |
| Female :Oh oo oo oo | Female: Oh oo oo oo |
| Male | |
| Hae uzhavan munnaalaethaan | Hey, the farmer must lead the way ahead |
| Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan | This world must revolve behind him |
| Chorus :Uzhavan munnaalaethaan | Chorus: The farmer must lead the way ahead |
| Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan | This world must revolve behind him |
| Female | |
| Mazhaiyai nambi vaazhvaanunga | They rely on the rain to live |
| Intha manithargalai edhirpaarkka maattaanunga | They do not expect favors from fellow humans |
| Chorus :Mazhaiyai nambi vaazhvaanunga | Chorus: They rely on the rain to live |
| Intha manithargalai edhirpaarkka maattaanunga | They do not expect favors from fellow humans |
| Male | |
| Payaru pachai thaaniyaththai | Green crops and grains |
| Pakkuvamaakki veettilae | Carefully prepared at home |
| Chorus :Pakkuvamaakki veettilae | Chorus: Carefully prepared at home |
| Male | |
| Paathukaaththu vedhachchiduvaan | Safely stored and sown as seeds |
| Paruvam kandu kaattilae | In the field when the right season arrives |
| Chorus :Paruvam kandu kaattilae | Chorus: In the field when the right season arrives |
| Female | |
| Uyir vaazhum engalukku | For us who live as living beings |
| Unavu porulai naattilae | Providing food grain items in the country |
| Chorus :Unavu porulai naattilae | Chorus: Providing food grain items in the country |
| Female | |
| Onnukku nooraagaththaan | Multiplying one to a hundredfold |
| Undaakkuvaan kaattilae | He creates yield in the fields |
| Undaakkuvaan kaattilae | He creates yield in the fields |
| Chorus | |
| Uzhavan munnaalaethaan | The farmer must lead the way ahead |
| Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan | This world must revolve behind him |
| Male | |
| Vayalukkulae kalaiyirunthaa | If there are weeds inside the farm field |
| Payirukku valamirukkaathu | The crop will not have prosperity and strength |
| Chorus :Nalla payirukku valamirukkaathu | Chorus: Good crops will not have strength |
| Female | |
| Nalla manitharkullae pathar migunthaa | If good people harbor chaff and wickedness within |
| Naattukku nalam valaraathu | The prosperity of the nation will not grow |
| Chorus :Intha naattukku nalam valaraathu | Chorus: The prosperity of this nation will not grow |
| Female | |
| Manasukkullae bayamirunthaa | If fear resides inside one's heart |
| Vaazhvathuthaan uyaraathu | Their quality of life will not elevate |
| Chorus :Bhuvi vaazhvathuthaan uyaraathu | Chorus: Earthly life will not elevate |
| Male | |
| Sellum maarkkaththilae thavarirunthaa | If there are flaws in the path one walks |
| Mathippidum pugazh uyaraathu | The esteemed fame will not rise higher |
| Mathippidum pugazh uyaraathu | The esteemed fame will not rise higher |
| Chorus | |
| Uzhavan munnaalaethaan | The farmer must lead the way ahead |
| Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan | This world must revolve behind him |
| Chorus | |
| Paadupattu payir valarththu palan | Working hard to raise crops and harvest |
| Edukkonum | Yield must be harvested |
| Nalla palan edukkonum | Good yield must be harvested |
| Adhai pala perkku pagirnthu koduththu | Sharing that harvest with many people |
| Panjam neekkanum | Eradicate famine |
| Unavu panjam neekkanum | Eradicate food shortage and famine |
| Chorus | |
| Paadupattu payir valarththu palan | Working hard to raise crops and harvest |
| Edukkonum | Yield must be harvested |
| Nalla palan edukkonum | Good yield must be harvested |
| Adhai pala perkku pagirnthu koduththu | Sharing that harvest with many people |
| Panjam neekkanum | Eradicate famine |
| Unavu panjam neekkanum | Eradicate food shortage and famine |
| Male | |
| Aaa….aaa…..aa….aa….. | Aaa... aaa... aa... aa... |
............................
...
ஓஹ் ஓ....ஓ....ஓ.....
ஓஹ் ஓ....ஓ....ஓ.....
Oh oo oo oo
Female: Oh oo oo oo
ஹே உழவன் முன்னாலேதான்
இந்த உலகம் சுத்தணும் அவன் பின்னாலேதான்
குழு :
உழவன் முன்னாலேதான்
இந்த உலகம் சுத்தணும் அவன் பின்னாலேதான்
Hey, the farmer must lead the way ahead
This world must revolve behind him
Chorus: The farmer must lead the way ahead
This world must revolve behind him
மழையை நம்பி வாழ்வானுங்க
இந்த மனிதர்களை எதிர்பார்க்க மாட்டானுங்க..
குழு :
மழையை நம்பி வாழ்வானுங்க
இந்த மனிதர்களை எதிர்பார்க்க மாட்டானுங்க..
They rely on the rain to live
They do not expect favors from fellow humans
Chorus: They rely on the rain to live
They do not expect favors from fellow humans
பயரு பச்சை தானியத்தை
பக்குவமாக்கி வீட்டிலே
குழு :
பக்குவமாக்கி வீட்டிலே
Green crops and grains
Carefully prepared at home
Chorus: Carefully prepared at home
பாதுகாத்து வெதச்சிடுவான்
பருவம் கண்டு காட்டிலே
குழு :
பருவம் கண்டு காட்டிலே.....
Safely stored and sown as seeds
In the field when the right season arrives
Chorus: In the field when the right season arrives
உயிர் வாழும் எங்களுக்கு
உணவுப் பொருளை நாட்டிலே
குழு :
உணவுப் பொருளை நாட்டிலே
For us who live as living beings
Providing food grain items in the country
Chorus: Providing food grain items in the country
ஒண்ணுக்கு நூறாகத்தான்
உண்டாக்குவான் காட்டிலே
உண்டாக்குவான் காட்டிலே......
Multiplying one to a hundredfold
He creates yield in the fields
He creates yield in the fields
உழவன் முன்னாலேதான்
இந்த உலகம் சுத்தணும் அவன் பின்னாலேதான்
The farmer must lead the way ahead
This world must revolve behind him
வயலுக்குள்ளே களையிருந்தா
பயிருக்கு வளமிருக்காது
குழு :
நல்ல பயிருக்கு வளமிருக்காது
If there are weeds inside the farm field
The crop will not have prosperity and strength
Chorus: Good crops will not have strength
நல்ல மனிதற்குள்ளே பதர் மிகுந்தா
நாட்டுக்கு நலம் வளராது
குழு :
இந்த நாட்டுக்கு நலம் வளராது
If good people harbor chaff and wickedness within
The prosperity of the nation will not grow
Chorus: The prosperity of this nation will not grow
மனசுக்குள்ளே பயமிருந்தா
வாழ்வதுதான் உயராது
குழு :
புவி வாழ்வதுதான் உயராது
If fear resides inside one's heart
Their quality of life will not elevate
Chorus: Earthly life will not elevate
செல்லும் மார்க்கத்திலே தவறிருந்தா
மதிப்பிடும் புகழ் உயராது
மதிப்பிடும் புகழ் உயராது......
If there are flaws in the path one walks
The esteemed fame will not rise higher
The esteemed fame will not rise higher
உழவன் முன்னாலேதான்
இந்த உலகம் சுத்தணும் அவன் பின்னாலேதான்
The farmer must lead the way ahead
This world must revolve behind him
பாடுபட்டு பயிர் வளர்த்து பலன் எடுக்கோணும்
நல்ல பலன் எடுக்கோணும்
அதை பல பேர்க்கு பகிர்ந்து கொடுத்து
பஞ்சம் நீக்கணும்
உணவு பஞ்சம் நீக்கணும்....
Working hard to raise crops and harvest
Yield must be harvested
Good yield must be harvested
Sharing that harvest with many people
Eradicate famine
Eradicate food shortage and famine
பாடுபட்டு பயிர் வளர்த்து பலன் எடுக்கோணும்
நல்ல பலன் எடுக்கோணும்
அதை பல பேர்க்கு பகிர்ந்து கொடுத்து
பஞ்சம் நீக்கணும்
உணவு பஞ்சம் நீக்கணும்....
Working hard to raise crops and harvest
Yield must be harvested
Good yield must be harvested
Sharing that harvest with many people
Eradicate famine
Eradicate food shortage and famine
பாடுபட்டு பயிர் வளர்த்து பலன் எடுக்கோணும்
நல்ல பலன் எடுக்கோணும்
அதை பல பேர்க்கு பகிர்ந்து கொடுத்து
பஞ்சம் நீக்கணும்
உணவு பஞ்சம் நீக்கணும்....
Aaa... aaa... aa... aa...
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ.....ஆ....
…………………..
...
Oh oo oo oo
Oh oo oo oo
Female :Oh oo oo oo
Female: Oh oo oo oo
Hae uzhavan munnaalaethaan
Hey, the farmer must lead the way ahead
Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan
This world must revolve behind him
Chorus :Uzhavan munnaalaethaan
Chorus: The farmer must lead the way ahead
Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan
This world must revolve behind him
Mazhaiyai nambi vaazhvaanunga
They rely on the rain to live
Intha manithargalai edhirpaarkka maattaanunga
They do not expect favors from fellow humans
Chorus :Mazhaiyai nambi vaazhvaanunga
Chorus: They rely on the rain to live
Intha manithargalai edhirpaarkka maattaanunga
They do not expect favors from fellow humans
Payaru pachai thaaniyaththai
Green crops and grains
Pakkuvamaakki veettilae
Carefully prepared at home
Chorus :Pakkuvamaakki veettilae
Chorus: Carefully prepared at home
Paathukaaththu vedhachchiduvaan
Safely stored and sown as seeds
Paruvam kandu kaattilae
In the field when the right season arrives
Chorus :Paruvam kandu kaattilae
Chorus: In the field when the right season arrives
Uyir vaazhum engalukku
For us who live as living beings
Unavu porulai naattilae
Providing food grain items in the country
Chorus :Unavu porulai naattilae
Chorus: Providing food grain items in the country
Onnukku nooraagaththaan
Multiplying one to a hundredfold
Undaakkuvaan kaattilae
He creates yield in the fields
Undaakkuvaan kaattilae
He creates yield in the fields
Uzhavan munnaalaethaan
The farmer must lead the way ahead
Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan
This world must revolve behind him
Vayalukkulae kalaiyirunthaa
If there are weeds inside the farm field
Payirukku valamirukkaathu
The crop will not have prosperity and strength
Chorus :Nalla payirukku valamirukkaathu
Chorus: Good crops will not have strength
Nalla manitharkullae pathar migunthaa
If good people harbor chaff and wickedness within
Naattukku nalam valaraathu
The prosperity of the nation will not grow
Chorus :Intha naattukku nalam valaraathu
Chorus: The prosperity of this nation will not grow
Manasukkullae bayamirunthaa
If fear resides inside one's heart
Vaazhvathuthaan uyaraathu
Their quality of life will not elevate
Chorus :Bhuvi vaazhvathuthaan uyaraathu
Chorus: Earthly life will not elevate
Sellum maarkkaththilae thavarirunthaa
If there are flaws in the path one walks
Mathippidum pugazh uyaraathu
The esteemed fame will not rise higher
Mathippidum pugazh uyaraathu
The esteemed fame will not rise higher
Uzhavan munnaalaethaan
The farmer must lead the way ahead
Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan
This world must revolve behind him
Paadupattu payir valarththu palan
Working hard to raise crops and harvest
Edukkonum
Yield must be harvested
Nalla palan edukkonum
Good yield must be harvested
Adhai pala perkku pagirnthu koduththu
Sharing that harvest with many people
Panjam neekkanum
Eradicate famine
Unavu panjam neekkanum
Eradicate food shortage and famine
Paadupattu payir valarththu palan
Working hard to raise crops and harvest
Edukkonum
Yield must be harvested
Nalla palan edukkonum
Good yield must be harvested
Adhai pala perkku pagirnthu koduththu
Sharing that harvest with many people
Panjam neekkanum
Eradicate famine
Unavu panjam neekkanum
Eradicate food shortage and famine
Aaa….aaa…..aa….aa…..
Aaa... aaa... aa... aa...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from Pattaliyin Vetri (1960) glorifies the paramount importance of the farmer in society, echoing Thiruvalluvar's ancient wisdom that the world rotates behind the plow. The lyrics emphasize the selflessness and independence of farmers who depend solely on nature and rain rather than expecting hand-outs from others. It describes their dedication in meticulously nurturing seeds and yielding a hundredfold to feed the populace. Beyond agriculture, Udumalai Narayanakavi weaves moral lessons into the farming metaphor, explaining that just as weeds destroy a crop's health, inner corruption and fear ruin human potential and national welfare. Ultimately, the song serves as a passionate call to labor diligently, share the fruits of hard work, and end poverty and food insecurity across the nation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Uzhavan munnaalaethaan / Intha ulagam suththanum avan pinnaalaethaan”
Matching initial sounds across lines, such as 'Uzhavan' and 'Ulagam', highlighting the relationship between the farmer and the world.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Paadupattu payir valarththu palan / Edukkonum”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines ('da' in 'Paadupattu' and 'Edukkonum'), creating rhythmic cohesion.
Extended Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uruvagam)
“Nalla manitharkullae pathar migunthaa / Naattukku nalam valaraathu”
Compares agricultural weeds ('kalai') and chaff ('pathar') to moral flaws and fear inside human minds.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pattaliyin Vetri (1960), directed by A. Subbarao, featured powerful social reformist songs penned by Udumalai Narayanakavi, famously known as 'Kavirayar'. The song directly draws philosophical inspiration from Thirukkural's 'Uzhavu' chapter (Couplet 1031: 'Suzhandrum Aerpinnathu Ulagam'), establishing the agricultural worker as the pillar of human civilization.
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