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Aayirathil Oruvan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Yean Endra Kelvi

From Aayirathil Oruvan · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Aayirathil Oruvan
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
17 Apr 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Yen endra kelvi
Ingu ketkaamal vaazhkai
Illai naan endra ennam
Konda manidhan vaazhnthathillai } (2)
{ Pagutharivu
Piranthathellam
Kelvigal ketathanaalae } (2)
{ Urimaigalai
Peruvathellam
Unarchigal ullathanaalae } (2)
Yen endra kelvi
Ingu ketkaamal vaazhkai
Illai naan endra ennam
Konda manidhan vaazhnthathillai
…………………….
{ Oaraayiram aandugal
Aagatumae nam porumaiyin
Porul matum vilankatumae } (2)
Varunkaalathilae
Nam parambaraigal naam
Adimai illai endru
Muzhankatumae
Yen endra kelvi
Ingu ketkaamal vaazhkai
Illai naan endra ennam
Konda manidhan vaazhnthathillai
{ Neerodaigal kodaiyil
Kaainthirukum mazhai kaalathil
Vellankal paainthirukum } (2)
Nam thol valiyaal
Andha naal varalaam
Andru ezhai eliyavargal
Nalam peralaam
Munnetram
Enbathellam uzhaipavar
Uzhaipathanaalae
Kadamaigalai
Purivathellam viduthalai
Venduvathaalae
{ Yen endra kelvi
Ingu ketkaamal vaazhkai
Illai naan endra ennam
Konda manidhan vaazhnthathillai } (2)
{ Without asking the question "Why?",
there is no life here;
a person filled with ego
has never truly lived. } (2)
{ Reason and wisdom
were born only
because questions were asked. } (2)
{ Rights are won
and gained only
because deep feelings exist. } (2)
Without asking the question "Why?",
there is no life here;
a person filled with ego
has never truly lived.
...
{ Even if a thousand years
must pass, let it be; as long as
the true purpose of our patience is understood. } (2)
In the future to come,
let our generations
roar with pride that we
are slaves no more!
Without asking the question "Why?",
there is no life here;
a person filled with ego
has never truly lived.
{ Streams may dry up
in the summer heat, but in the rainy season,
rushing floods will flow again. } (2)
Through the strength of our shoulders,
that day can surely arrive,
when the poor and humble
can thrive in peace and well-being.
All progress
happens only because
the working people toil.
We fulfill all our duties
only because we long
for our freedom!
{ Without asking the question "Why?",
there is no life here;
a person filled with ego
has never truly lived. } (2)
Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic philosophical song from 'Aayirathil Oruvan' serves as a call for critical thinking, rational inquiry, and human emancipation. Written by Vaali, the lyrics stress that human progress and rationalism originate from questioning the status quo ('Yen endra kelvi'). It warns against arrogance ('Naan endra ennam') while highlighting that patience in hardship is not weakness but a prelude to eventual liberation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Neerodaigal kodaiyil / Kaainthirukum mazhai kaalathil”

The initial sound harmony created by repeating similar consonant/vowel combinations across lines.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Pagutharivu / Peruvathellam”

Matching second letter patterns in Tamil poetry that enhance rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor

“Neerodaigal kodaiyil kaainthirukum mazhai kaalathil vellankal paainthirukum”

The drying up of streams in summer and flooding in rains is used as a metaphor for the temporary suffering of oppressed people before their eventual triumph.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aayirathil Oruvan' (1965), starring M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, was a landmark blockbuster directed by B. R. Panthulu. The song 'Yen Endra Kelvi', sung by T. M. Soundararajan and composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, carried strong political and ideological overtones that resonated deeply with MGR's public persona and Dravidian rationalist ideology.

Keep listening

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Nenjirukkum Engalukku1967
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