Vetri Vendumaa
From Ethir Neechal (1968 Film) · 1968
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Details
- Ethir Neechal (1968 Film)1968
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Agara mudhala ezhuththellaam | As 'A' is the first of all letters, |
| Aadhi bagavan muthatrae ulagu… | so is God the primal source of the world... |
| Male | |
| Vetri vendumaa.. | Do you want victory? |
| Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal | Try swimming against the tide! |
| Ada sarthaam podaa | Oh, just let it be! |
| Thalaividhi enbathu verun koochal | Fate is merely an empty clamor. |
| Male | |
| Enni thuninthaal ingu | If you act with courage and determination here, |
| Enna nadakkaathathu | what is impossible to happen? |
| Konjam muyandraal ingu | If you put in a little effort here, |
| Ethu kidaikkaathathu | what is impossible to achieve? |
| Male | |
| Vetri vendumaa.. | Do you want victory? |
| Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal | Try swimming against the tide! |
| Male | |
| Pillaiyai perukira | For a mother giving birth to a child, |
| Ammaavukku paththu maasamum | all ten months are |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Porakkura kozhantha | For a newborn infant, |
| Nadakkura varaiyil tharaiyil poduvathu | crawling on the ground until it walks is |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Male | |
| Pallikku palli | From school to school, |
| Idaththukku alaiyum appanukkathu thaan | for a father hunting for an admission seat, that itself is |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Pillaikku eppadi idam kidaichaalum | No matter how the child gets a seat, |
| Paritchai vandhaa | when exams arrive, it is |
| Edhir neechal edhir neechal… | swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide... |
| Male | |
| Vetri vendumaa.. | Do you want victory? |
| Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal | Try swimming against the tide! |
| Male | |
| Kadarkaraiyoram nadakkura kaadhal | A romance blossoming along the seashore, |
| Kalyaanam mudippathu | leading it into a successful marriage is |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Kanakkukku melae pillaiyai peththu | Birthing more children than one can afford |
| Kaalangazhippathum | and passing the days is |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Male | |
| Kanmoodi vazhakkam | So that blind social customs |
| Manmoodi poga karuthai cholluvathu | are buried in the soil, expressing rational ideas is |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Veettukku veedu ottukkal vaangi | Going house to house securing votes |
| Padhavikku varuvathu | and attaining power is |
| Edhir neechal edhir neechal…. | swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide... |
| Male | |
| Vetri vendumaa.. | Do you want victory? |
| Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal | Try swimming against the tide! |
| Male | |
| Oru pidi sotrukku | For a handful of food, |
| Oru jaan vaiyiru poraduvathum | a nine-inch stomach struggling is |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Oru pidi mannukku | For a handful of soil, |
| Urimai kondu porkalam povadhum | claiming rights and going to the battlefield is |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Male | |
| Ettu adi mannil | In eight feet of grave earth, |
| Sikki vidaamal thappa nenaipathu | trying to escape without getting caught early is |
| Edhir neechal | swimming against the tide. |
| Kooti kazhithu pottu paarkaiyil | When you add and subtract everything, |
| Kadasiyil varaiyil | until the very end, life is |
| Edhir neechal edhir neechal | swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide. |
| Male | |
| Vetri vendumaa.. | Do you want victory? |
| Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal | Try swimming against the tide! |
| Ada sarthaam podaa | Oh, just let it be! |
| Thalaividhi enbathu verun koochal | Fate is merely an empty clamor. |
| Male | |
| Enni thuninthaal ingu | If you act with courage and determination here, |
| Enna nadakkaathathu | what is impossible to happen? |
| Konjam muyandraal ingu | If you put in a little effort here, |
| Ethu kidaikkaathathu | what is impossible to achieve? |
| Male | |
| Vetri vendumaa.. | Do you want victory? |
| Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal | Try swimming against the tide! |
அகர முதல
எழுத்தெல்லாம் ஆதி
பகவன் முதற்றே உலகு
As 'A' is the first of all letters,
so is God the primal source of the world...
வெற்றி வேண்டுமா
போட்டுப் பாரடா எதிர்நீச்சல்
அட சர்தாம் போடா தலைவிதி
என்பது வெறுங்கூச்சல்
Do you want victory?
Try swimming against the tide!
Oh, just let it be!
Fate is merely an empty clamor.
எண்ணித்
துணிந்தால் இங்கு
என்ன நடக்காதது
கொஞ்சம் முயன்றால்
இங்கு எது கிடைக்காதது
If you act with courage and determination here,
what is impossible to happen?
If you put in a little effort here,
what is impossible to achieve?
வெற்றி வேண்டுமா
போட்டுப் பாரடா எதிர்நீச்சல்
Do you want victory?
Try swimming against the tide!
பிள்ளையைப்
பெறுகிற அம்மாவுக்கு
பத்து மாசமும் எதிர்நீச்சல்
பொறக்குற கொழந்த நடக்குற
வரையில் தரையில் போடுவது
எதிர்நீச்சல்
For a mother giving birth to a child,
all ten months are
swimming against the tide.
For a newborn infant,
crawling on the ground until it walks is
swimming against the tide.
பள்ளிக்குப்
பள்ளி இடத்துக்கு
அலையும் அப்பனுக்கது
தான் எதிர்நீச்சல்
பிள்ளைக்கு எப்படி இடம்
கிடைச்சாலும் பரிட்சை
வந்தா எதிர்நீச்சல் எதிர்நீச்சல்
From school to school,
for a father hunting for an admission seat, that itself is
swimming against the tide.
No matter how the child gets a seat,
when exams arrive, it is
swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide...
வெற்றி வேண்டுமா
போட்டுப் பாரடா எதிர்நீச்சல்
Do you want victory?
Try swimming against the tide!
கடற்கரையோரம்
நடக்குற காதல் கல்யாணம்
முடிப்பது எதிர்நீச்சல்
கணக்குக்கு மேலே பிள்ளையை
பெத்து காலங்கழிப்பதும் எதிர்நீச்சல்
A romance blossoming along the seashore,
leading it into a successful marriage is
swimming against the tide.
Birthing more children than one can afford
and passing the days is
swimming against the tide.
கண்மூடி வழக்கம்
மண்மூடிப் போகக் கருத்தைச்
சொல்லுவது எதிர்நீச்சல்
வீட்டுக்கு வீடு ஓட்டுக்கள்
வாங்கி பதவிக்கு வருவது
எதிர்நீச்சல் எதிர்நீச்சல்
So that blind social customs
are buried in the soil, expressing rational ideas is
swimming against the tide.
Going house to house securing votes
and attaining power is
swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide...
வெற்றி வேண்டுமா
போட்டுப் பாரடா எதிர்நீச்சல்
Do you want victory?
Try swimming against the tide!
ஒரு பிடி சோற்றுக்கு
ஒரு ஜான் வயிறு போராடுவதும்
எதிர் நீச்சல் ஒரு பிடி மண்ணுக்கு
உரிமை கொண்டு போர்க்களம்
போவதும் எதிர் நீச்சல்
For a handful of food,
a nine-inch stomach struggling is
swimming against the tide.
For a handful of soil,
claiming rights and going to the battlefield is
swimming against the tide.
எட்டு அடி மண்ணில்
சிக்கி விடாமல் தப்ப நினைப்பது
எதிர் நீச்சல் கூட்டி கழித்து போட்டு
பார்க்கையில் கடைசியில் வரையில்
எதிர் நீச்சல் எதிர் நீச்சல்
In eight feet of grave earth,
trying to escape without getting caught early is
swimming against the tide.
When you add and subtract everything,
until the very end, life is
swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide.
வெற்றி வேண்டுமா
போட்டுப் பாரடா எதிர்நீச்சல்
அட சர்தாம் போடா தலைவிதி
என்பது வெறுங்கூச்சல்
Do you want victory?
Try swimming against the tide!
Oh, just let it be!
Fate is merely an empty clamor.
எண்ணித்
துணிந்தால் இங்கு
என்ன நடக்காதது
கொஞ்சம் முயன்றால்
இங்கு எது கிடைக்காதது
If you act with courage and determination here,
what is impossible to happen?
If you put in a little effort here,
what is impossible to achieve?
வெற்றி வேண்டுமா
போட்டுப் பாரடா எதிர்நீச்சல்
Do you want victory?
Try swimming against the tide!
Agara mudhala ezhuththellaam
As 'A' is the first of all letters,
Aadhi bagavan muthatrae ulagu…
so is God the primal source of the world...
Vetri vendumaa..
Do you want victory?
Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal
Try swimming against the tide!
Ada sarthaam podaa
Oh, just let it be!
Thalaividhi enbathu verun koochal
Fate is merely an empty clamor.
Enni thuninthaal ingu
If you act with courage and determination here,
Enna nadakkaathathu
what is impossible to happen?
Konjam muyandraal ingu
If you put in a little effort here,
Ethu kidaikkaathathu
what is impossible to achieve?
Vetri vendumaa..
Do you want victory?
Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal
Try swimming against the tide!
Pillaiyai perukira
For a mother giving birth to a child,
Ammaavukku paththu maasamum
all ten months are
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Porakkura kozhantha
For a newborn infant,
Nadakkura varaiyil tharaiyil poduvathu
crawling on the ground until it walks is
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Pallikku palli
From school to school,
Idaththukku alaiyum appanukkathu thaan
for a father hunting for an admission seat, that itself is
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Pillaikku eppadi idam kidaichaalum
No matter how the child gets a seat,
Paritchai vandhaa
when exams arrive, it is
Edhir neechal edhir neechal…
swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide...
Vetri vendumaa..
Do you want victory?
Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal
Try swimming against the tide!
Kadarkaraiyoram nadakkura kaadhal
A romance blossoming along the seashore,
Kalyaanam mudippathu
leading it into a successful marriage is
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Kanakkukku melae pillaiyai peththu
Birthing more children than one can afford
Kaalangazhippathum
and passing the days is
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Kanmoodi vazhakkam
So that blind social customs
Manmoodi poga karuthai cholluvathu
are buried in the soil, expressing rational ideas is
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Veettukku veedu ottukkal vaangi
Going house to house securing votes
Padhavikku varuvathu
and attaining power is
Edhir neechal edhir neechal….
swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide...
Vetri vendumaa..
Do you want victory?
Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal
Try swimming against the tide!
Oru pidi sotrukku
For a handful of food,
Oru jaan vaiyiru poraduvathum
a nine-inch stomach struggling is
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Oru pidi mannukku
For a handful of soil,
Urimai kondu porkalam povadhum
claiming rights and going to the battlefield is
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Ettu adi mannil
In eight feet of grave earth,
Sikki vidaamal thappa nenaipathu
trying to escape without getting caught early is
Edhir neechal
swimming against the tide.
Kooti kazhithu pottu paarkaiyil
When you add and subtract everything,
Kadasiyil varaiyil
until the very end, life is
Edhir neechal edhir neechal
swimming against the tide, swimming against the tide.
Vetri vendumaa..
Do you want victory?
Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal
Try swimming against the tide!
Ada sarthaam podaa
Oh, just let it be!
Thalaividhi enbathu verun koochal
Fate is merely an empty clamor.
Enni thuninthaal ingu
If you act with courage and determination here,
Enna nadakkaathathu
what is impossible to happen?
Konjam muyandraal ingu
If you put in a little effort here,
Ethu kidaikkaathathu
what is impossible to achieve?
Vetri vendumaa..
Do you want victory?
Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal
Try swimming against the tide!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Vetri Vendumaa' (Edhir Neechal) is a powerful motivational anthem written by Vaali for the 1968 classic film 'Ethir Neechal'. Opening with Thiruvalluvar's famous first Thirukkural, the song redefines the central metaphor of 'swimming against the current' (Edhir Neechal) as an essential, universal struggle inherent in human existence. It argues that success cannot be attained by believing in blind destiny, but through deliberate struggle and perseverance. Through vivid social commentary, Vaali compares life's various stages—from pregnancy, childhood steps, school admissions, exams, love, political campaigns, to basic survival for food and land—as distinct instances of swimming against the tide. The song asserts that life from birth until the grave is a continuous effort against hardships, encouraging listeners to dismiss 'fate' as an excuse and face challenges head-on.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Pottu paaradaa edhir neechal”
'Edhir Neechal' (swimming against the tide/current) is used throughout the song as an overarching metaphor for facing life's adversities and overcoming societal and personal struggles.
Allusion (Thirukkural Reference)
“Agara mudhala ezhuththellaam Aadhi bagavan muthatrae ulagu…”
The song begins with the opening couplet of the ancient Tamil text Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar, establishing a philosophical foundation before launching into modern philosophical commentary.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Enni thuninthaal ingu / Konjam muyandraal ingu”
Tamil poetic rhyme where the second letter of consecutive lines share harmony, such as 'Enni' and 'Konjam' / 'Enna' and 'Ethu'.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Edhir neechal edhir neechal…”
The phrase 'Edhir neechal' is systematically repeated at the end of every stanza to reinforce the central philosophy of relentless struggle.
Idiomatic Hyperbole / Synecdoche
“Oru jaan vaiyiru poraduvathum”
'Oru jaan vaiyiru' (a nine-inch stomach) and 'Ettu adi mann' (eight feet of earth) use traditional Tamil anatomical/spatial idioms to represent human hunger and mortal existence respectively.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary duo M. S. Viswanathan and V. Ramamurthy (or MSV solo post-split period in 1968) and sung by Seerkazhi Govindarajan and P. B. Sreenivas, 'Ethir Neechal' was directed by K. Balachander based on his hit stage play. The song popularized the phrase 'Edhir Neechal' in Tamil pop culture as a standard idiom for resilience.
Keep listening
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