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Lyrics & meaning

Valaiyendhi Kollvom

From Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam · 1980

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Salil Chowdhury
Details
Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Ailasaa hoho haiyaaAilasaa hoho haiyaa (Sea chant)
Ailasaa hoho haiyaaAilasaa hoho haiyaa (Sea chant)
Male :Valai yeanthi kolvomMale: We will hold the fishing nets
Chorus :Ho haiyaaChorus: Ho haiyaa
Male :Alai neenthi selvomMale: We will swim through the waves and go forward
Chorus :Ho haiyaaChorus: Ho haiyaa
Male
Kalangaatha manam konduWith an unshakeable mind
Kadal thaandi velvomWe will cross the ocean and conquer
Naam puyal vanthu suzhandraalumEven if a storm strikes and swirls around us
Puliyaipol nirpomWe will stand tall like tigers
Male
Pei mazhai vanthu pozhinthaalumEven if heavy torrential rain pours down
Malaiyaipolae nirpomWe will stand firm like mountains
Chorus :Hoi pambaa devi arulaalaeChorus: By the divine grace of Goddess Pambaa Devi
Karai yaeri selvomWe will safely reach the shore
Ailasaa hoho haiyaaAilasaa hoho haiyaa
Ailasaa hoho haiyaaAilasaa hoho haiyaa
Female
Karaiyeri varumvaraiyilumUntil we safely reach the shore
Urangaathe manamThe heart remains restless and watchful
Chorus :Karaiyeri varumvaraiyilumChorus: Until we safely reach the shore
Urangaathe manamThe heart remains restless and watchful
Female
Varum naalai enni enniCounting the days to come
Vazhi paarpom dhinamWe await our path daily
Chorus :Varum naalai enni enniChorus: Counting the days to come
Vazhi paarpom dhinamWe await our path daily
Female
Devi perarul vendiSeeking the supreme grace of the Goddess
Varam ketkum ullamThe heart that prays for blessings
Ini perum vettri kollumWill achieve great victory hereafter
Chorus
Hoi pambaa devi arulaalaeBy the divine grace of Goddess Pambaa Devi
Karai yeri selvomWe will safely reach the shore
Male
Valai yaendhi kolvomWe will hold the fishing nets
Chorus :Ho haiyaaChorus: Ho haiyaa
Male :Alai neenthi selvomMale: We will swim through the waves and go forward
Chorus :Ho haiyaaChorus: Ho haiyaa
Male
Kalangaatha manam konduWith an unshakeable mind
Kadal thaandi velvomWe will cross the ocean and conquer
Naam puyal vanthu suzhandraalumEven if a storm strikes and swirls around us
Puliyaipol nirpomWe will stand tall like tigers
Male
Pei mazhai vanthu pozhinthaalumEven if heavy torrential rain pours down
Malaiyaipolae nirpomWe will stand firm like mountains
Chorus :Hoi pambaa devi arulaalaeChorus: By the divine grace of Goddess Pambaa Devi
Karai yaeri selvomWe will safely reach the shore
Ailasaa hoho haiyaaAilasaa hoho haiyaa
Ailasaa hoho haiyaaAilasaa hoho haiyaa
Female
Pani veesum thani kudisaiyilIn the lonely hut swept by chilly dew
Pala yaekkam varumMany longings and anxieties arise
Chorus :Pani veesum thani kudisaiyilChorus: In the lonely hut swept by chilly dew
Pala yaekkam varumMany longings and anxieties arise
Female
Varum naalai enni enniCounting the days to come
Vazhi paarpom dhinamWe await our path daily
Chorus :Varum naalai enni enniChorus: Counting the days to come
Vazhi paarpom dhinamWe await our path daily
Female
Devi perarul vendiSeeking the supreme grace of the Goddess
Varam ketkum ullamThe heart that prays for blessings
Ini perum vettri kollumWill achieve great victory hereafter
Chorus
Hoi pambaa devi arulaalaeBy the divine grace of Goddess Pambaa Devi
Karai yeri selvom…..We will safely reach the shore...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk song from Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam captures the courage, perseverance, and faith of the fishing community battling the dangerous sea. Driven by traditional rowing chants like 'Ailasaa', the fishermen vow to stay as brave as tigers and as immovable as mountains against violent storms and torrential rains. Simultaneously, the song highlights the longing and prayers of their families waiting onshore in humble huts, seeking the protection of Goddess Pambaa Devi for a safe return and a victorious future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Puliyaipol nirpom / Malaiyaipolae nirpom

Compares the bravery and resolve of the fishermen against storms and rain to tigers and mountains.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Valai yeanthi kolvom / Alai neenthi selvom

The second consonant 'la' matches in consecutive lines, adding rhythmic harmony.

Folk Refrain (Ailasaa)

Ailasaa hoho haiyaa

A rhythmic work song chant used by Tamil fishermen to synchronize physical labor while rowing and pulling nets.

Did you know?

Trivia

Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam (1980), directed by K. Vijayan, is a realism-driven art film depicting the lives of coastal Tamil fishermen. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary Salil Chowdhury, featuring lyrics written by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam that authentically incorporate traditional Tamil maritime folk chants.

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