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Lyrics & meaning

Yaezhaikku Ettatha

From Aalai Kandu Mayangathe · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Aalai Kandu Mayangathe1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaezhaikku ettaatha ulagamA world unreachable for the poor man
Male
Yaezhaikku ettaatha ulagamA world unreachable for the poor man
Yaezhaikku ettaatha ulagamA world unreachable for the poor man
Idhu yaezhaikku ettaatha ulagamThis is a world unreachable for the poor man
Idhu yaezhaikku ettaatha ulagamThis is a world unreachable for the poor man
Male
Eliyaar manathai uliyaal udhaiththuStriking the hearts of the weak with a chisel
Yaemaattri vaazhgira anjaatha ulagamA fearless world that survives by deceiving others
Male
Yaezhaikku ettaatha ulagamA world unreachable for the poor man
Male
Thikkattra yaezhaikku deivamumFor the helpless poor person, even God
Thunai seiyyaTo extend a helping hand
Maruththathum vidhithaan ammaRefused due to fate, oh mother
Deivam maruththathumEven God refusing to help
Vidhithaan ammaIs due to fate, oh mother
Male
DeivamaanaA noble, god-like man
Un kanavanai siraiyilYour husband in prison
Pottathum sathithaan ammaWas locked away by conspiracy, oh mother
Male
Yaezhaikku ettaatha ulagamA world unreachable for the poor man
Male
Thirudanum thiyaagiyumWith a thief and a selfless martyr
Ooridam iruppathaalCoexisting in the exact same place
Sirikkuuthamma intha ulagamThis world makes one laugh in mockery, oh mother
Sirikkuuthamma intha ulagamThis world makes one laugh in mockery, oh mother
Male
Arivillaa maanthar anji saeiyidamFoolish people to a fearful child
Kodukkuthammaa intha ulagamSurrender, this world makes them do so, oh mother
Nammai kedukkuthammaa intha ulagamThis world ruins us, oh mother
Male
Idhu yaezhaikku ettaatha ulagamThis is a world unreachable for the poor man
Male
Inbamum thunbamumPleasure and pain
Oru thaai kuzhanthaigalAre children born of the same mother
Endrae unarnthidu neeyaeRealize this within yourself
Indru unarnthidu neeyaeRealize this today within yourself
Male
Inbamum thunbamumPleasure and pain
Oru thaai kuzhanthaigalAre children born of the same mother
Endrae unarnthidu neeyaeRealize this within yourself
Indru unarnthidu neeyaeRealize this today within yourself
Male
Iraivanin kangalilOver the eyes of the Almighty God
Thirai pottaalumEven if a veil is drawn temporarily
Saththiyam nilaiththidum thaayaeTruth will ultimate prevail, oh mother
Saththiyam nilaiththidum thaayaeTruth will ultimate prevail, oh mother
Male
Padhi sakthiyai ninaiththidum thaayaeOh mother who contemplates the divine virtue of her husband
Saththiyam nilaiththidum thaayaeTruth will ultimate prevail, oh mother

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Yaezhaikku Ettaatha Ulagam' is a poignant philosophical lament about social inequality, hypocrisy, and the harsh realities faced by the poor. It expresses deep sorrow over how the vulnerable are exploited by cruel, deceitful people and how even justice seems blinded when a virtuous, god-like man is unjustly framed and imprisoned through conspiracy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Inbamum thunbamum / Oru thaai kuzhanthaigal

Joy and sorrow are metaphorically compared to twin siblings born of the same mother, emphasizing their inseparable nature in human existence.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Sirikkuuthamma intha ulagam ... Kodukkuthammaa intha ulagam ... Nammai kedukkuthammaa intha ulagam

The repeating phrase ending with 'intha ulagam' creates a rhythmic cadence and reinforces the central critique of society.

Muran (Antithesis)

Thirudanum thiyaagiyum

Contrasting two polar opposites—a thief ('thirudan') and a selfless martyr ('thiyaagi')—living in the same society to highlight societal absurdity.

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Trivia

Featured in the 1958 film 'Aalai Kandu Mayangathe', this song features lyrics by legendary songwriter Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and music by S. M. Subbaih Naidu. Rendered in the majestic, classical voice of Seerkazhi Govindarajan, the song exemplifies the era's dramatic moralist cinema, using rich high-flown Tamil to critique corruption and offer solace to the oppressed.

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