Yaarai Enge Vaipadhendru
From Bale Pandiya · 1962
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Bale Pandiya1962
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae | Whom to place where, |
| Yaarukkum theriyallae | Nobody seems to know. |
| Male | |
| Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae | Whom to place where, |
| Yaarukkum theriyallae | Nobody seems to know. |
| Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum | Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos, |
| Baedham puriyallae | No one understands the difference. |
| Male | |
| Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae | Whom to place where, |
| Yaarukkum theriyallae | Nobody seems to know. |
| Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum | Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos, |
| Baedham puriyallae baedham puriyallae | No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference. |
| Male | |
| Pereduthu unmaiyai cholli | By earning a good name and speaking the truth, |
| Pizhaikka mudiyallae | It is impossible to make a living. |
| Ippo beedigalukkum oodhubaththikkum | Now between cheap beedis and fragrant incense sticks, |
| Baedham theriyallae | No one knows the difference. |
| Male | |
| Pereduthu unmaiyai cholli | By earning a good name and speaking the truth, |
| Pizhaikka mudiyallae | It is impossible to make a living. |
| Ippo beedigalukkum oodhubaththikkum | Now between cheap beedis and fragrant incense sticks, |
| Baedham theriyallae baedham theriyallae | No one knows the difference, no one understands the difference. |
| Male | |
| Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae | Whom to place where, |
| Yaarukkum theriyallae | Nobody seems to know. |
| Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum | Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos, |
| Baedham puriyallae baedham puriyallae | No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference. |
| Male | |
| Naan irukkum idathinilae | In the place where I am supposed to be, |
| Avan irukkindraan | He is standing. |
| Avan irukkum idathinilae | In the place where he is supposed to be, |
| Naan irukkindren | I am standing. |
| Naalai engae yaar iruppaar | Tomorrow, who will be where? |
| Adhuvum theriyallae | Even that is not known. |
| Ippo nallavanukkum kettavanukkum | Now between a good person and a bad person, |
| Baedham theriyallae | No one knows the difference. |
| Ada ennatha cholvendaa | Oh, what can I say, my brother? |
| Thambi ennatha cholvendaa | Brother, what can I say? |
| Male | |
| Thambi oruvan veliyil nindru | One brother stands outside, |
| Kaasai ennugindraan | Counting money. |
| Nambi oruvan siraiyil vandhu | Trusting blindly, another comes to prison, |
| Kambi ennugindraan | And counts the iron bars. |
| Unmai ingae koottukkullae | Truth stands here inside a cage, |
| Kalangi nikkudhadaa | Standing troubled and confused. |
| Ada uruttum purattum surutti kondu | Oh, deceit and trickery wrap everything up |
| Veliyil nirkkudhadaa | And stand proudly outside! |
| Ada ennatha cholvendaa | Oh, what can I say, my brother? |
| Thambi ennatha cholvendaa | Brother, what can I say? |
| Male | |
| Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae | Whom to place where, |
| Yaarukkum theriyallae | Nobody seems to know. |
| Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum | Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos, |
| Baedham puriyallae baedham puriyallae | No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference. |
| Male | |
| Moodarukkum manidhar pola | Fools also have a face, |
| Mugam irukkudhadaa | Just like any human being. |
| Mosam naasam veshamellaam | Deceit, destruction, and disguises |
| Niraindhirukkudhadaa | Are filled everywhere! |
| Kaalam maarum vesham kalaiyum | Time will change, disguises will fall away, |
| Unmai vellumadaa | And truth shall triumph! |
| Kadhavu thirandhu paravai parandhu | The cage doors will open, the bird will fly, |
| Paadi chellumadaa | And go away singing! |
| Ada ennatha cholvendaa | Oh, what can I say, my brother? |
| Thambiyoo ennatha cholvendaa | Oh brother, what can I say? |
| Male | |
| Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae | Whom to place where, |
| Yaarukkum theriyallae | Nobody seems to know. |
| Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum | Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos, |
| Baedham puriyallae baedham puriyallae | No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference. |
யாரை எங்கே வைப்பது
என்று யாருக்கும் தெரியல்லே
Whom to place where,
Nobody seems to know.
யாரை எங்கே வைப்பது
என்று யாருக்கும் தெரியல்லே
அட அண்டங்காக்கைக்கும் குயில்களுக்கும்
பேதம் புரியல்லே
Whom to place where,
Nobody seems to know.
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
No one understands the difference.
யாரை எங்கே வைப்பது
என்று யாருக்கும் தெரியல்லே
அட அண்டங்காக்கைக்கும் குயில்களுக்கும்
பேதம் புரியல்லே பேதம் புரியல்லே
Whom to place where,
Nobody seems to know.
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference.
பேரெடுத்து உண்மையைச் சொல்லி
பிழைக்க முடியல்லே
இப்போ பீடிகளுக்கும் ஊதுபத்திக்கும்
பேதம் தெரியல்லே
By earning a good name and speaking the truth,
It is impossible to make a living.
Now between cheap beedis and fragrant incense sticks,
No one knows the difference.
பேரெடுத்து உண்மையைச் சொல்லி
பிழைக்க முடியல்லே
இப்போ பீடிகளுக்கும் ஊதுபத்திக்கும்
பேதம் தெரியல்லே பேதம் தெரியல்லே
By earning a good name and speaking the truth,
It is impossible to make a living.
Now between cheap beedis and fragrant incense sticks,
No one knows the difference, no one understands the difference.
யாரை எங்கே வைப்பது
என்று யாருக்கும் தெரியல்லே
அட அண்டங்காக்கைக்கும் குயில்களுக்கும்
பேதம் புரியல்லே பேதம் புரியல்லே
Whom to place where,
Nobody seems to know.
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference.
நான் இருக்கும் இடத்தினிலே
அவன் இருக்கின்றான்
அவன் இருக்கும் இடத்தினிலே
நான் இருக்கின்றேன்
நாளை எங்கே யாரிருப்பார்
அதுவும் தெரியல்லே
இப்போ நல்லவனுக்கும் கெட்டவனுக்கும்
பேதம் தெரியல்லே
அட என்னத்த சொல்வேன்டா
தம்பி என்னத்த சொல்வேன்டா
In the place where I am supposed to be,
He is standing.
In the place where he is supposed to be,
I am standing.
Tomorrow, who will be where?
Even that is not known.
Now between a good person and a bad person,
No one knows the difference.
Oh, what can I say, my brother?
Brother, what can I say?
தம்பி ஒருவன் வெளியில் நின்று
காசை எண்ணுகிறான்
நம்பி ஒருவன் சிறையில் வந்து
கம்பி எண்ணுகிறான்
உண்மை இன்று கூட்டுக்குள்ளே
கலங்கி நிக்குதடா
அட உருட்டும் புரட்டும் சுருட்டிக்கொண்டு
வெளியில் நிற்குதடா
அட என்னத்த சொல்வேன்டா
தம்பி என்னத்த சொல்வேன்டா
One brother stands outside,
Counting money.
Trusting blindly, another comes to prison,
And counts the iron bars.
Truth stands here inside a cage,
Standing troubled and confused.
Oh, deceit and trickery wrap everything up
And stand proudly outside!
Oh, what can I say, my brother?
Brother, what can I say?
யாரை எங்கே வைப்பது
என்று யாருக்கும் தெரியல்லே
அட அண்டங்காக்கைக்கும் குயில்களுக்கும்
பேதம் புரியல்லே பேதம் புரியல்லே
Whom to place where,
Nobody seems to know.
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference.
மூடருக்கும் மனிதர் போல
முகம் இருக்குதடா
மோசம் நாசம் வேஷமெல்லாம்
நிறைந்திருக்குதடா
காலம் மாறும் வேஷம் கலையும்
உண்மை வெல்லுமடா
கதவு திறந்து பறவை பறந்து
பாடிச் செல்லுமடா
அட என்னத்த சொல்வேன்டா
தம்பி என்னத்த சொல்வேன்டா
Fools also have a face,
Just like any human being.
Deceit, destruction, and disguises
Are filled everywhere!
Time will change, disguises will fall away,
And truth shall triumph!
The cage doors will open, the bird will fly,
And go away singing!
Oh, what can I say, my brother?
Oh brother, what can I say?
யாரை எங்கே வைப்பது
என்று யாருக்கும் தெரியல்லே
அட அண்டங்காக்கைக்கும் குயில்களுக்கும்
பேதம் புரியல்லே பேதம் புரியல்லே
Whom to place where,
Nobody seems to know.
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference.
Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae
Whom to place where,
Yaarukkum theriyallae
Nobody seems to know.
Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae
Whom to place where,
Yaarukkum theriyallae
Nobody seems to know.
Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
Baedham puriyallae
No one understands the difference.
Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae
Whom to place where,
Yaarukkum theriyallae
Nobody seems to know.
Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
Baedham puriyallae baedham puriyallae
No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference.
Pereduthu unmaiyai cholli
By earning a good name and speaking the truth,
Pizhaikka mudiyallae
It is impossible to make a living.
Ippo beedigalukkum oodhubaththikkum
Now between cheap beedis and fragrant incense sticks,
Baedham theriyallae
No one knows the difference.
Pereduthu unmaiyai cholli
By earning a good name and speaking the truth,
Pizhaikka mudiyallae
It is impossible to make a living.
Ippo beedigalukkum oodhubaththikkum
Now between cheap beedis and fragrant incense sticks,
Baedham theriyallae baedham theriyallae
No one knows the difference, no one understands the difference.
Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae
Whom to place where,
Yaarukkum theriyallae
Nobody seems to know.
Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
Baedham puriyallae baedham puriyallae
No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference.
Naan irukkum idathinilae
In the place where I am supposed to be,
Avan irukkindraan
He is standing.
Avan irukkum idathinilae
In the place where he is supposed to be,
Naan irukkindren
I am standing.
Naalai engae yaar iruppaar
Tomorrow, who will be where?
Adhuvum theriyallae
Even that is not known.
Ippo nallavanukkum kettavanukkum
Now between a good person and a bad person,
Baedham theriyallae
No one knows the difference.
Ada ennatha cholvendaa
Oh, what can I say, my brother?
Thambi ennatha cholvendaa
Brother, what can I say?
Thambi oruvan veliyil nindru
One brother stands outside,
Kaasai ennugindraan
Counting money.
Nambi oruvan siraiyil vandhu
Trusting blindly, another comes to prison,
Kambi ennugindraan
And counts the iron bars.
Unmai ingae koottukkullae
Truth stands here inside a cage,
Kalangi nikkudhadaa
Standing troubled and confused.
Ada uruttum purattum surutti kondu
Oh, deceit and trickery wrap everything up
Veliyil nirkkudhadaa
And stand proudly outside!
Ada ennatha cholvendaa
Oh, what can I say, my brother?
Thambi ennatha cholvendaa
Brother, what can I say?
Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae
Whom to place where,
Yaarukkum theriyallae
Nobody seems to know.
Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
Baedham puriyallae baedham puriyallae
No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference.
Moodarukkum manidhar pola
Fools also have a face,
Mugam irukkudhadaa
Just like any human being.
Mosam naasam veshamellaam
Deceit, destruction, and disguises
Niraindhirukkudhadaa
Are filled everywhere!
Kaalam maarum vesham kalaiyum
Time will change, disguises will fall away,
Unmai vellumadaa
And truth shall triumph!
Kadhavu thirandhu paravai parandhu
The cage doors will open, the bird will fly,
Paadi chellumadaa
And go away singing!
Ada ennatha cholvendaa
Oh, what can I say, my brother?
Thambiyoo ennatha cholvendaa
Oh brother, what can I say?
Yaarai engae vaippadhu endrae
Whom to place where,
Yaarukkum theriyallae
Nobody seems to know.
Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum
Oh, between the raven and the cuckoos,
Baedham puriyallae baedham puriyallae
No one understands the difference, no one understands the difference.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
"Yaarai Engae Vaippadhu Endrae" is a iconic philosophical and satirical song from the 1962 Tamil film 'Bale Pandiya'. Lyricist Kannadasan uses everyday metaphors to highlight society's inability or unwillingness to distinguish between moral integrity and deceit, virtue and vice. The song laments how corrupt individuals thrive outside counting money while honest people suffer or end up falsely imprisoned counting iron bars. Despite its sharp critique of moral confusion—where ravens are mistaken for cuckoos and cheap beedis are treated like incense sticks—the song offers a message of ultimate hope. Kannadasan reassures that false disguises will eventually vanish, time will bring justice, and truth will soar freely like a bird released from its cage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Ada andangaakkaikkum kuyilgalukkum / Baedham puriyallae”
Comparing bad/uncouth people to wild ravens (andangaakkai) and righteous/sweet-spoken people to cuckoos (kuyilgal).
Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Kaasai ennugindraan / Kambi ennugindraan”
Contrasts the corrupt brother outside counting money with the innocent brother inside jail counting prison bars.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thambi oruvan veliyil nindru / Nambi oruvan siraiyil vandhu”
The second letters of 'Thambi' and 'Nambi' rhyme (the '-m-' sound).
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kaasai ennugindraan / Kambi ennugindraan”
Both lines end with the identical verb phrase 'ennugindraan' (is counting).
Personification
“Unmai ingae koottukkullae kalangi nikkudhadaa”
Truth (Unmai) is personified as a trapped, anxious creature standing confused inside a cage.
Did you know?
Trivia
This famous song from 'Bale Pandiya' (1962) features music composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS). The movie stars Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan in a triple role. Kannadasan's lyrics in this track became immensely popular for using witty wordplay like 'Kaasai ennugindraan' (counting money) vs 'Kambi ennugindraan' (counting prison bars) to comment on societal injustice.
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