Veppamaram Noyile
From Poruthathu Podhum · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Poruthathu Podhum1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaa…aaa….aaa… | Aaa…aaa….aaa… |
| Aaaa….aaa….aaa… | Aaaa….aaa….aaa… |
| Haaa….aaa…aaa…haaa…aa….haaa…aa… | Haaa….aaa…aaa…haaa…aa….haaa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae | The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden. |
| Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae | The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen. |
| Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae | The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden. |
| Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae | The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen. |
| Sattam pesum vakkeelum sattathula matti kittaan | The lawyer who speaks the law got caught in the law itself. |
| Ethana sandhu pondhu eppadi needhi vazhumada | With so many back-alleys and loopholes, how can justice survive, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae | The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden. |
| Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae | The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen. |
| Male | |
| Ola kudisaiyila oru uthami chella kannu | In a thatched hut lives a virtuous, precious soul. |
| Maaligai manjathilae oru maanida pei onnu | On a palace bed resides a human monster. |
| Pathini thaayin mel paavi pazhiya pottutaan | The sinner cast false blame upon a virtuous mother. |
| Uthami vaazhkaiyai oodhi oliya anaichuttaan | He blew out and extinguished the light of a good woman's life. |
| Male | |
| Unmaiyai thedi ponnen thappenakku purinjudhu | I went searching for the truth, only to realize my mistake. |
| Kettavan kaiyi pattu sattamum valanjudhu | Touched by evil hands, even the law bent. |
| Sadhi thaan vasama ennai pooti pottadhu | Treachery has seized control and locked me away. |
| Male | |
| Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae | The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden. |
| Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae | The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen. |
| Male | |
| Pulluga mathiyilae nalla nellu velanjaalum | Even if good paddy grows amidst weeds, |
| Nellum kalaiyaagum endru sollum ulagamada | The world will claim that the paddy itself is just a weed, my friend. |
| Enna pullaakki adiyodu arukka paakuren | They try to reduce me to grass and cut me from the roots. |
| Maattu kottathula madakki pootta paakuren | They try to corner and lock me inside a cattle shed. |
| Male | |
| Pullaa pulikuttiya konja poru annaachi | Wait a moment, brother, treating a tiger cub as mere grass. |
| Pootta konjam thiranthu vittu | Unlock the lock just a little, |
| Ninnu paaru annaachi | And stand and watch, brother! |
| Poruthida maatten pazhi mudichi kaatuven | I will tolerate this no longer; I will exact revenge and settle the score! |
| Male | |
| Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae | The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden. |
| Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae | The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen. |
| Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae | The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden. |
| Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae | The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen. |
| Sattam pesum vakkeelum sattathula matti kittaan | The lawyer who speaks the law got caught in the law itself. |
| Ethana sandhu pondhu eppadi needhi vazhumada | With so many back-alleys and loopholes, how can justice survive, my friend? |
| Male | |
| Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae | The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden. |
| Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae | The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen. |
ஆஅ ...ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....
Aaa…aaa….aaa…
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…
Haaa….aaa…aaa…haaa…aa….haaa…aa…
வேப்பமரம் நோயிலே வைத்தியரும் பாயிலே
காவல் காக்கும் அய்யனாரும் களவு போனாரே
வேப்பமரம் நோயிலே வைத்தியரும் பாயிலே
காவல் காக்கும் அய்யனாரும் களவு போனாரே
சட்டம் பேசும் வக்கீலும் சட்டத்துல மாட்டிக்கிட்டான்
எத்தன சந்து பொந்து எப்படி நீதி வாழுமடா
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
The lawyer who speaks the law got caught in the law itself.
With so many back-alleys and loopholes, how can justice survive, my friend?
வேப்பமரம் நோயிலே வைத்தியரும் பாயிலே
காவல் காக்கும் அய்யனாரும் களவு போனாரே..
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
ஓலக் குடிசையிலே ஒரு உத்தமி செல்லக்கண்ணு
மாளிகை மஞ்சத்திலே ஒரு மானிட பேய் ஒண்ணு
பத்தினி தாயின் மேல் பாவி பழிய போட்டுட்டான்
உத்தமி வாழ்க்கைய ஊதி ஒளிய அணச்சுட்டான்
In a thatched hut lives a virtuous, precious soul.
On a palace bed resides a human monster.
The sinner cast false blame upon a virtuous mother.
He blew out and extinguished the light of a good woman's life.
உண்மையை தேடிப் போனேன் தப்பெனக்கு புரிஞ்சுது
கெட்டவன் கையிப்பட்டு சட்டமும் வளைஞ்சுது
சதிதான் வசமா என்னை பூட்டி போட்டது
I went searching for the truth, only to realize my mistake.
Touched by evil hands, even the law bent.
Treachery has seized control and locked me away.
வேப்பமரம் நோயிலே வைத்தியரும் பாயிலே
காவல் காக்கும் அய்யனாரும் களவு போனாரே...
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
புல்லுக்கு மத்தியிலே நல்ல நெல்லு வெளஞ்சாலும்
நெல்லும் களையாகும் என்று சொல்லும் உலகமடா
என்ன புல்லாக்கி அடியோடறுக்க பாக்குறான்
மாட்டு கொட்டத்துல மடக்கி பூட்டப் பாக்குறான்
Even if good paddy grows amidst weeds,
The world will claim that the paddy itself is just a weed, my friend.
They try to reduce me to grass and cut me from the roots.
They try to corner and lock me inside a cattle shed.
புல்லா புலிக்குட்டியா கொஞ்சம் பொறு அண்ணாச்சி
பூட்ட கொஞ்சம் தெறந்து விட்டு
நின்னு பாரு அண்ணாச்சி
பொறுத்திட மாட்டேன் பழி முடிச்சு காட்டுவேன்
Wait a moment, brother, treating a tiger cub as mere grass.
Unlock the lock just a little,
And stand and watch, brother!
I will tolerate this no longer; I will exact revenge and settle the score!
வேப்பமரம் நோயிலே வைத்தியரும் பாயிலே
காவல் காக்கும் அய்யனாரும் களவு போனாரே
வேப்பமரம் நோயிலே வைத்தியரும் பாயிலே
காவல் காக்கும் அய்யனாரும் களவு போனாரே
சட்டம் பேசும் வக்கீலும் சட்டத்துல மாட்டிக்கிட்டான்
எத்தன சந்து பொந்து எப்படி நீதி வாழுமடா
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
The lawyer who speaks the law got caught in the law itself.
With so many back-alleys and loopholes, how can justice survive, my friend?
வேப்பமரம் நோயிலே வைத்தியரும் பாயிலே
காவல் காக்கும் அய்யனாரும் களவு போனாரே....
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
Aaa…aaa….aaa…
Aaa…aaa….aaa…
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…
Haaa….aaa…aaa…haaa…aa….haaa…aa…
Haaa….aaa…aaa…haaa…aa….haaa…aa…
Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
Sattam pesum vakkeelum sattathula matti kittaan
The lawyer who speaks the law got caught in the law itself.
Ethana sandhu pondhu eppadi needhi vazhumada
With so many back-alleys and loopholes, how can justice survive, my friend?
Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
Ola kudisaiyila oru uthami chella kannu
In a thatched hut lives a virtuous, precious soul.
Maaligai manjathilae oru maanida pei onnu
On a palace bed resides a human monster.
Pathini thaayin mel paavi pazhiya pottutaan
The sinner cast false blame upon a virtuous mother.
Uthami vaazhkaiyai oodhi oliya anaichuttaan
He blew out and extinguished the light of a good woman's life.
Unmaiyai thedi ponnen thappenakku purinjudhu
I went searching for the truth, only to realize my mistake.
Kettavan kaiyi pattu sattamum valanjudhu
Touched by evil hands, even the law bent.
Sadhi thaan vasama ennai pooti pottadhu
Treachery has seized control and locked me away.
Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
Pulluga mathiyilae nalla nellu velanjaalum
Even if good paddy grows amidst weeds,
Nellum kalaiyaagum endru sollum ulagamada
The world will claim that the paddy itself is just a weed, my friend.
Enna pullaakki adiyodu arukka paakuren
They try to reduce me to grass and cut me from the roots.
Maattu kottathula madakki pootta paakuren
They try to corner and lock me inside a cattle shed.
Pullaa pulikuttiya konja poru annaachi
Wait a moment, brother, treating a tiger cub as mere grass.
Pootta konjam thiranthu vittu
Unlock the lock just a little,
Ninnu paaru annaachi
And stand and watch, brother!
Poruthida maatten pazhi mudichi kaatuven
I will tolerate this no longer; I will exact revenge and settle the score!
Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
Sattam pesum vakkeelum sattathula matti kittaan
The lawyer who speaks the law got caught in the law itself.
Ethana sandhu pondhu eppadi needhi vazhumada
With so many back-alleys and loopholes, how can justice survive, my friend?
Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae
The neem tree itself is diseased, and the doctor is bedridden.
Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae
The protecting deity Ayyanar himself has been stolen.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a passionate social critique and cry against corruption, moral decay, and systemic injustice. Through vivid rural Tamil metaphors, the narrator laments a world where protectors fail, medicine cannot cure, and even the village guardian deity is stolen—symbolizing complete societal breakdown. The song contrasts the plight of innocent, virtuous folk suffering in poverty with wealthy, wicked oppressors who manipulate the law to suit themselves.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor & Irony
“Veppamaram noyilae vaithiyarum paaiyilae / Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae”
Comparing remedies and protectors (neem tree, doctor, Ayyanar deity) to broken, diseased, or stolen entities highlights complete systemic breakdown.
Mona (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kaaval kaakum ayyanarum kalavu ponaarae”
Repetition of the 'Ka' consonant sound across lines creates rhythmic urgency.
Contrast (Antithesis)
“Ola kudisaiyila oru uthami chella kannu / Maaligai manjathilae oru maanida pei onnu”
Juxtaposes the humble, virtuous woman in a thatched hut with the evil wealthy man on a palace bed.
Metaphor of Resilience
“Pullaa pulikuttiya konja poru annaachi”
Compares the protagonist to a tiger cub ('pulikutti') mistaken for weak grass, signifying impending retaliation.
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist Vaali frequently used vivid village allegories (like Ayyanar, neem trees, and cattle sheds) to convey sharp political and legal ironies, making deep philosophical commentary easily accessible through folk-style rhythm.
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