Vegu Kalam Ingu
From Oomai Janangal · 1984
- Lyricist
- Thanigai Selvan
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Poorani, Chorus
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Oomai Janangal1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | |
| Male | |
| Vegu kaalam ingu paayuthengal vervai | Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time, |
| Oru naalil kaana vendum nalla vaazhvai | We ought to see a good life someday. |
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | |
| Male | |
| Pon pookkum maamalai | On the grand mountain where gold blooms, |
| Porththirukku pasumai theyilai | It is wrapped in green tea leaves, |
| Endraalum engal aadai kanthalae | And yet, our clothes remain in rags. |
| Oru naal varumaa thirunaalae…. | Will a festive, golden day ever arrive? |
| Oru naal varumaa thirunaalae…. | Will a festive, golden day ever arrive? |
| Male | |
| Vegu kaalam ingu paayuthengal vervai | Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time, |
| Oru naalil kaana vendum nalla vaazhvai | We ought to see a good life someday. |
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | |
| Male | |
| Jaathi madha mozhiyil aayiram | Through caste, religion, and language, a thousand |
| Pedham kaanalaam | Differences can be seen. |
| Yaezhaigalin kudisai koyilae | Yet the huts of the poor are like temples, |
| Pedham yaedhadaa | What discrimination is there among us? |
| Rodhaiyilae…..veguthae thegam theeyilae | In agony... our bodies burn in the fire of suffering. |
| Male | |
| Kaadugalilae…ae…ae…ae… | In the forests... oh... |
| Kaadugalilae koodugal thedum kooligal | In the thick forests, laborers seek a nest to call home, |
| Kannaadi veettil maadi vaasigal | While high-class residents live in glass mansions. |
| Chorus | |
| Mazhaiyin kanneer oru aaraagum | The rainwater's teardrops turn into a river, |
| Thaeneer engal kanneeraagum | And the tea you drink is born of our tears. |
| Male | |
| Vegu kaalam ingu paayuthengal vervai | Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time, |
| Oru naalil kaana vendum nalla vaazhvai | We ought to see a good life someday. |
| Female | |
| Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro | Lullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro), |
| Chorus :…………….. | Chorus backdrop, |
| Female :Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro | Female Singer: Lullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro), |
| Chorus :…………….. | Chorus backdrop, |
| Male | |
| Saeriyin mazhalai thaayidam | Even when a infant from the slum, |
| Odum pothilum | Runs happily towards its mother, |
| Thaeyilaiyin pothiyai ennavae | As if weighing a sack of tea leaves, |
| Sollum melidam | The elite management measures their lives. |
| Orr uravai enniyae engum pennmanam | Thinking of love and kin, a woman's heart longs everywhere. |
| Male | |
| Maalaithanilae….ae…ae…ae… | In the evening... oh... |
| Maalaithanilae…velaigal oyum neramae | In the evening, when the day's hard labor comes to a close, |
| Vidikaalai kaanum naalai vaanamae | The morning sky promises a hopeful tomorrow. |
| Chorus | |
| Malaiyin madiyil varum senneerae | The red blood-water coming from the lap of the mountain, |
| Pala naal uzhaippaal kaanum thaeneerae | Becomes the tea earned through many days of sweat and struggle. |
| Male | |
| Vegu kaalam ingu paayuthengal vervai | Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time, |
| Oru naalil kaana vendum nalla vaazhvai | We ought to see a good life someday. |
| Male | |
| Pon pookkum maamalai | On the grand mountain where gold blooms, |
| Porththirukku pasumai theyilai | It is wrapped in green tea leaves, |
| Endraalum engal aadai kanthalae | And yet, our clothes remain in rags. |
| Oru naal varumaa thirunaalae…. | Will a festive, golden day ever arrive? |
| Oru naal varumaa thirunaalae…. | Will a festive, golden day ever arrive? |
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | |
......................
வெகு காலம் இங்கு பாயுதெங்கள் வேர்வை
ஒரு நாளில் காண வேண்டும் நல்ல வாழ்வை
Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time,
We ought to see a good life someday.
..................
பொன் பூக்கும் மாமலை
போர்த்திருக்கு பசுமை தேயிலை
என்றாலும் எங்கள் ஆடை கந்தலே
ஒரு நாள் வருமா திருநாளே.....
ஒரு நாள் வருமா திருநாளே.....
On the grand mountain where gold blooms,
It is wrapped in green tea leaves,
And yet, our clothes remain in rags.
Will a festive, golden day ever arrive?
Will a festive, golden day ever arrive?
வெகு காலம் இங்கு பாயுதெங்கள் வேர்வை
ஒரு நாளில் காண வேண்டும் நல்ல வாழ்வை
Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time,
We ought to see a good life someday.
......................
ஜாதிமத மொழியில் ஆயிரம்
பேதம் காணலாம்
ஏழைகளின் குடிசை கோயிலே
பேதம் ஏதடா
ரோதையிலே......வேகுதே தேகம் தீயிலே
Through caste, religion, and language, a thousand
Differences can be seen.
Yet the huts of the poor are like temples,
What discrimination is there among us?
In agony... our bodies burn in the fire of suffering.
காடுகளிலே.....ஏ......ஏ....ஏ.....
காடுகளிலே கூடுகள் தேடும் கூலிகள்
கண்ணாடி வீட்டில் மாடி வாசிகள்
In the forests... oh...
In the thick forests, laborers seek a nest to call home,
While high-class residents live in glass mansions.
மழையின் கண்ணீர் ஒரு ஆறாகும்
தேநீர் எங்கள் கண்ணீராகும்.....
The rainwater's teardrops turn into a river,
And the tea you drink is born of our tears.
வெகு காலம் இங்கு பாயுதெங்கள் வேர்வை
ஒரு நாளில் காண வேண்டும் நல்ல வாழ்வை
Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time,
We ought to see a good life someday.
ஆரிராரோ ஆரிராரோ ஆரிராரோ ஆரோ
குழு :
..............................
ஆரிராரோ ஆரிராரோ ஆரிராரோ ஆரோ
குழு :
..............................
Lullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro),
Chorus backdrop,
Female Singer: Lullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro),
Chorus backdrop,
சேரியின் மழலை தாயிடம்
ஓடும் போதிலும்
தேயிலையின் பொதியை எண்ணவே
சொல்லும் மேலிடம்
ஓர் உறவை எண்ணியே எங்கும் பெண்மனம்
Even when a infant from the slum,
Runs happily towards its mother,
As if weighing a sack of tea leaves,
The elite management measures their lives.
Thinking of love and kin, a woman's heart longs everywhere.
மாலைதனிலே.....ஏ....ஏ....ஏ....
மாலைதனிலே......வேலைகள் ஓயும் நேரமே
விடிகாலை காணும் நாளை வானமே
In the evening... oh...
In the evening, when the day's hard labor comes to a close,
The morning sky promises a hopeful tomorrow.
மலையின் மடியில் வரும் செந்நீரே
பல நாள் உழைப்பால் காணும் தேநீரே......
The red blood-water coming from the lap of the mountain,
Becomes the tea earned through many days of sweat and struggle.
வெகு காலம் இங்கு பாயுதெங்கள் வேர்வை
ஒரு நாளில் காண வேண்டும் நல்ல வாழ்வை
Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time,
We ought to see a good life someday.
பொன் பூக்கும் மாமலை
போர்த்திருக்கு பசுமை தேயிலை
என்றாலும் எங்கள் ஆடை கந்தலே
ஒரு நாள் வருமா திருநாளே.....
ஒரு நாள் வருமா திருநாளே.....
On the grand mountain where gold blooms,
It is wrapped in green tea leaves,
And yet, our clothes remain in rags.
Will a festive, golden day ever arrive?
Will a festive, golden day ever arrive?
..................................
……………..
Vegu kaalam ingu paayuthengal vervai
Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time,
Oru naalil kaana vendum nalla vaazhvai
We ought to see a good life someday.
……………..
Pon pookkum maamalai
On the grand mountain where gold blooms,
Porththirukku pasumai theyilai
It is wrapped in green tea leaves,
Endraalum engal aadai kanthalae
And yet, our clothes remain in rags.
Oru naal varumaa thirunaalae….
Will a festive, golden day ever arrive?
Oru naal varumaa thirunaalae….
Will a festive, golden day ever arrive?
Vegu kaalam ingu paayuthengal vervai
Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time,
Oru naalil kaana vendum nalla vaazhvai
We ought to see a good life someday.
……………..
Jaathi madha mozhiyil aayiram
Through caste, religion, and language, a thousand
Pedham kaanalaam
Differences can be seen.
Yaezhaigalin kudisai koyilae
Yet the huts of the poor are like temples,
Pedham yaedhadaa
What discrimination is there among us?
Rodhaiyilae…..veguthae thegam theeyilae
In agony... our bodies burn in the fire of suffering.
Kaadugalilae…ae…ae…ae…
In the forests... oh...
Kaadugalilae koodugal thedum kooligal
In the thick forests, laborers seek a nest to call home,
Kannaadi veettil maadi vaasigal
While high-class residents live in glass mansions.
Mazhaiyin kanneer oru aaraagum
The rainwater's teardrops turn into a river,
Thaeneer engal kanneeraagum
And the tea you drink is born of our tears.
Vegu kaalam ingu paayuthengal vervai
Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time,
Oru naalil kaana vendum nalla vaazhvai
We ought to see a good life someday.
Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro
Lullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro),
Chorus :……………..
Chorus backdrop,
Female :Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro
Female Singer: Lullaby refrain (Aariraaro aariraaro aariraaro aaro),
Chorus :……………..
Chorus backdrop,
Saeriyin mazhalai thaayidam
Even when a infant from the slum,
Odum pothilum
Runs happily towards its mother,
Thaeyilaiyin pothiyai ennavae
As if weighing a sack of tea leaves,
Sollum melidam
The elite management measures their lives.
Orr uravai enniyae engum pennmanam
Thinking of love and kin, a woman's heart longs everywhere.
Maalaithanilae….ae…ae…ae…
In the evening... oh...
Maalaithanilae…velaigal oyum neramae
In the evening, when the day's hard labor comes to a close,
Vidikaalai kaanum naalai vaanamae
The morning sky promises a hopeful tomorrow.
Malaiyin madiyil varum senneerae
The red blood-water coming from the lap of the mountain,
Pala naal uzhaippaal kaanum thaeneerae
Becomes the tea earned through many days of sweat and struggle.
Vegu kaalam ingu paayuthengal vervai
Our sweat has been flowing here for a very long time,
Oru naalil kaana vendum nalla vaazhvai
We ought to see a good life someday.
Pon pookkum maamalai
On the grand mountain where gold blooms,
Porththirukku pasumai theyilai
It is wrapped in green tea leaves,
Endraalum engal aadai kanthalae
And yet, our clothes remain in rags.
Oru naal varumaa thirunaalae….
Will a festive, golden day ever arrive?
Oru naal varumaa thirunaalae….
Will a festive, golden day ever arrive?
……………..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Vegu Kaalam Ingu Paayuthengal Vervai' from the film 'Oomai Janangal' (1984) is a poignant labor anthem highlighting the plight of tea estate workers. It portrays the sharp contrast between the luxurious wealth generated by tea plantations and the deep poverty, exploitation, and misery faced by the plantation laborers who spend their entire lives working there.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thaeneer engal kanneeraagum”
Comparing the tea beverage directly to the tears and blood-sweat of marginalized laborers ('Thaeneer engal kanneeraagum').
Imagery and Contrast (Muran)
“Pon pookkum maamalai... Endraalum engal aadai kanthalae”
Contrasts the lush, golden beauty of the tea mountain ('Pon pookkum maamalai') with the ragged clothes of the poor workers ('engal aadai kanthalae').
Alliteration (Moonaai / Etukai)
“Kaadugalilae koodugal thedum kooligal”
Rhythmic repetition of consonant sounds across words like 'Kaadugalilae', 'Koodugal', and 'Kooligal'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oomai Janangal' (Silent People) is a socially conscious film directed by Jaichander, focusing on socio-economic inequality and workers' rights. Lyricist Thanigai Selvan wrote several reformist Tamil songs during the 1980s.
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