Yearai Pidithavanum
From Irumbu Thirai – (1960) · 1960
- Lyricist
- Kothamangalam Subbu
- Singer
- Thiruchi Loganathan
- Music director
- S. V. Venkatraman
- Details
- Irumbu Thirai – (1960)1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ho…yaera pidichchavanum english-u padichavanum | Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person |
| Yaezhai panakkaaran ippa onnunga | The poor man and the rich man are now equal |
| Male | |
| Ho…..yaera pidichchavanum english-u padichavanum | Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person |
| Yaezhai panakkaaran ippa onnunga | The poor man and the rich man are now equal |
| Chorus :Onnunga onnunga onnunga | Chorus: One and equal, one and equal, one and equal |
| Male :Naam ellorum samaththuvam endrennunga | Male: Consider that we are all equals |
| Chorus :Ennunga ennunga ennunga | Chorus: Consider it, consider it, consider it |
| Male | |
| Kovil katti vachchavanai | The one who built temples |
| Kulam vetti thanthavanai | The one who dug ponds for the community |
| Kovil katti vachchavanai | The one who built temples |
| Kulam vetti thanthavanai | The one who dug ponds for the community |
| Coolieyinnu keli senja antha naal | Mocking them as mere coolies was that bygone era |
| Chorus :Antha naal antha naal antha naal | Chorus: Those days, those days, those days |
| Male | |
| Thozhilaaliyai mathikkirathu intha naal | Respecting the worker is this modern era |
| Chorus :Intha naal intha naal intha naal | Chorus: These days, these days, these days |
| Male :Thozhilaaliyai mathikkirathu intha naal | Male: Respecting the worker is this modern era |
| Chorus :Intha naal intha naal intha naal | Chorus: These days, these days, these days |
| Male | |
| Kaalai muthal maalai varai | From morning until evening |
| Kaikadukka velai senju | Working until the arms ached |
| Kaalai muthal maalai varai | From morning until evening |
| Kaikadukka velai senju | Working until the arms ached |
| Kanjikku thindaadiyathu antha naal | Struggling even for basic rice porridge was that bygone era |
| Chorus :Antha naal antha naal antha naal | Chorus: Those days, those days, those days |
| Male | |
| Thuninju panjappadi ketkkirathu intha naal | Boldly demanding a dearness allowance is this modern era |
| Chorus :Intha naal intha naal intha naal | Chorus: These days, these days, these days |
| Male :Thuninju panjappadi ketkkirathu intha naal | Male: Boldly demanding a dearness allowance is this modern era |
| Chorus :Intha naal intha naal intha naal | Chorus: These days, these days, these days |
| Male | |
| Ulla neram dutykku mel | Beyond the designated duty hours |
| Oru nimishamaachchunnaalum | Even if it's just a single minute extra |
| Over time kodukka solli order-u | The rule mandates overtime pay to be given |
| Ulla neram dutykku mel | Beyond the designated duty hours |
| Oru nimishamaachchunnaalum | Even if it's just a single minute extra |
| Over time kodukka solli order-u | The rule mandates overtime pay to be given |
| Chorus :Order-u order-u order-u | Chorus: Order, order, order |
| Male :Intha uravu nallaa therinjavaru leader-u | Male: A leader is someone who truly understands this relationship |
| Chorus :Leader-u leader-u leader-u | Chorus: Leader, leader, leader |
| Male | |
| Aadhaayam laabamellaam | All the income and profits |
| Avangalae eduththukittu | Taking it all for themselves |
| Yaedhaachchum thanthaa undu chance-u | Giving a share only if there was a faint chance |
| Aadhaayam laabamellaam | All the income and profits |
| Avangalae eduththukittu | Taking it all for themselves |
| Yaedhaachchum thanthaa undu chance-u | Giving a share only if there was a faint chance |
| Chance-u chance-u chance-u | Chance, chance, chance |
| Male | |
| Ippa enni enni vaikka vendum bonus-u | Now bonus must be counted and paid out |
| Chorus :Bonus-u bonus-u bonus-u | Chorus: Bonus, bonus, bonus |
| Male :Ippa enni enni vaikka vendum bonus-u | Male: Now bonus must be counted and paid out |
| Chorus :Bonus-u bonus-u bonus-u | Chorus: Bonus, bonus, bonus |
| Male | |
| Yaezhai eliyavanai vaazh vaikka venuminnu | To uplift and empower the poor and weak |
| Yaezhai eliyavanai vaazh vaikka venuminnu | To uplift and empower the poor and weak |
| India government solluthu | The Indian government decrees |
| Chorus :Solluthu solluthu solluthu | Chorus: Decrees, decrees, decrees |
| Male | |
| Idhai ellorum kadai pidichchaa nallathu | It is good if everyone follows this practice |
| Chorus :Nallathu nallathu nallathu | Chorus: Good, good, good |
| Male | |
| Ho…..yaera pidichchavanum english-u padichavanum | Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person |
| Yaezhai panakkaaran ippa onnunga | The poor man and the rich man are now equal |
| Chorus :Onnunga onnunga onnunga | Chorus: One and equal, one and equal, one and equal |
| Male :Naam ellorum samaththuvam endrennunga | Male: Consider that we are all equals |
| Chorus :Ennunga ennunga ennunga | Chorus: Consider it, consider it, consider it |
ஹோ.......ஏரப் பிடிச்சவனும் இங்கிலிசு படிச்சவனும்
ஏழைப் பணக்காரன் இப்ப ஒண்ணுங்க
Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person
The poor man and the rich man are now equal
ஹோ.......ஏரப் பிடிச்சவனும் இங்கிலிசு படிச்சவனும்
ஏழைப் பணக்காரன் இப்ப ஒண்ணுங்க
குழு :
ஒண்ணுங்க ஒண்ணுங்க ஒண்ணுங்க
நாம் எல்லோரும் சமத்துவம் என்றெண்ணுங்க
குழு :
எண்ணுங்க எண்ணுங்க எண்ணுங்க
Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person
The poor man and the rich man are now equal
Chorus: One and equal, one and equal, one and equal
Male: Consider that we are all equals
Chorus: Consider it, consider it, consider it
கோவில் கட்டி வைச்சவனை
குளம் வெட்டி தந்தவனை
கோவில் கட்டி வைச்சவனை
குளம் வெட்டி தந்தவனை
கூலியின்னு கேலி செஞ்ச அந்த நாள்
குழு :
அந்த நாள் அந்த நாள் அந்த நாள்
The one who built temples
The one who dug ponds for the community
The one who built temples
The one who dug ponds for the community
Mocking them as mere coolies was that bygone era
Chorus: Those days, those days, those days
தொழிலாளியை மதிக்கிறது இந்த நாள்
குழு :
இந்த நாள் இந்த நாள் இந்த நாள்
தொழிலாளியை மதிக்கிறது இந்த நாள்
குழு :
இந்த நாள் இந்த நாள் இந்த நாள்
Respecting the worker is this modern era
Chorus: These days, these days, these days
Male: Respecting the worker is this modern era
Chorus: These days, these days, these days
காலை முதல் மாலை வரை
கைக்கடுக்க வேலை செஞ்சு
காலை முதல் மாலை வரை
கைக்கடுக்க வேலை செஞ்சு
கஞ்சிக்கு திண்டாடியது அந்த நாள்
குழு :
அந்த நாள் அந்த நாள் அந்த நாள்
From morning until evening
Working until the arms ached
From morning until evening
Working until the arms ached
Struggling even for basic rice porridge was that bygone era
Chorus: Those days, those days, those days
துணிஞ்சு பஞ்சப்படி கேக்கிறது இந்த நாள்
குழு :
இந்த நாள் இந்த நாள் இந்த நாள்
துணிஞ்சு பஞ்சப்படி கேக்கிறது இந்த நாள்
குழு :
இந்த நாள் இந்த நாள் இந்த நாள்
Boldly demanding a dearness allowance is this modern era
Chorus: These days, these days, these days
Male: Boldly demanding a dearness allowance is this modern era
Chorus: These days, these days, these days
உள்ள நேரம் டூட்டிக்கு மேல்
ஒரு நிமிஷமாச்சுன்னாலும்
ஓவர் டைம் கொடுக்கச் சொல்லி ஆடரு
உள்ள நேரம் டூட்டிக்கு மேல்
ஒரு நிமிஷமாச்சுன்னாலும்
ஓவர் டைம் கொடுக்கச் சொல்லி ஆடரு
குழு :
ஆடரு ஆடரு ஆடரு
இந்த உறவு நல்லாத் தெரிஞ்சவரு லீடரு
குழு :
லீடரு லீடரு லீடரு
Beyond the designated duty hours
Even if it's just a single minute extra
The rule mandates overtime pay to be given
Beyond the designated duty hours
Even if it's just a single minute extra
The rule mandates overtime pay to be given
Chorus: Order, order, order
Male: A leader is someone who truly understands this relationship
Chorus: Leader, leader, leader
ஆதாயம் லாபமெல்லாம்
அவங்களே எடுத்துக்கிட்டு
ஏதாச்சும் தந்தா உண்டு சான்சு
ஆதாயம் லாபமெல்லாம்
அவங்களே எடுத்துக்கிட்டு
ஏதாச்சும் தந்தா உண்டு சான்சு
குழு :
சான்சு சான்சு சான்சு
All the income and profits
Taking it all for themselves
Giving a share only if there was a faint chance
All the income and profits
Taking it all for themselves
Giving a share only if there was a faint chance
Chance, chance, chance
இப்ப எண்ணி எண்ணி வைக்க வேண்டும் போனசு
குழு :
போனசு போனசு போனசு
இப்ப எண்ணி எண்ணி வைக்க வேண்டும் போனசு
குழு :
போனசு போனசு போனசு
Now bonus must be counted and paid out
Chorus: Bonus, bonus, bonus
Male: Now bonus must be counted and paid out
Chorus: Bonus, bonus, bonus
ஏழை எளியவனை வாழ வைக்க வேணுமின்னு
ஏழை எளியவனை வாழ வைக்க வேணுமின்னு
இந்தியா கவர்மெண்டு சொல்லுது
குழு :
சொல்லுது சொல்லுது சொல்லுது
To uplift and empower the poor and weak
To uplift and empower the poor and weak
The Indian government decrees
Chorus: Decrees, decrees, decrees
இதை எல்லோரும் கடைப்பிடிச்சா நல்லது
குழு :
நல்லது நல்லது நல்லது
It is good if everyone follows this practice
Chorus: Good, good, good
ஹே.......ஏரப் பிடிச்சவனும் இங்கிலிசு படிச்சவனும்
ஏழைப் பணக்காரன் இப்ப ஒண்ணுங்க
குழு :
ஒண்ணுங்க ஒண்ணுங்க ஒண்ணுங்க
நாம் எல்லோரும் சமத்துவம் என்றெண்ணுங்க
குழு :
எண்ணுங்க எண்ணுங்க எண்ணுங்க
Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person
The poor man and the rich man are now equal
Chorus: One and equal, one and equal, one and equal
Male: Consider that we are all equals
Chorus: Consider it, consider it, consider it
Ho…yaera pidichchavanum english-u padichavanum
Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person
Yaezhai panakkaaran ippa onnunga
The poor man and the rich man are now equal
Ho…..yaera pidichchavanum english-u padichavanum
Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person
Yaezhai panakkaaran ippa onnunga
The poor man and the rich man are now equal
Chorus :Onnunga onnunga onnunga
Chorus: One and equal, one and equal, one and equal
Male :Naam ellorum samaththuvam endrennunga
Male: Consider that we are all equals
Chorus :Ennunga ennunga ennunga
Chorus: Consider it, consider it, consider it
Kovil katti vachchavanai
The one who built temples
Kulam vetti thanthavanai
The one who dug ponds for the community
Kovil katti vachchavanai
The one who built temples
Kulam vetti thanthavanai
The one who dug ponds for the community
Coolieyinnu keli senja antha naal
Mocking them as mere coolies was that bygone era
Chorus :Antha naal antha naal antha naal
Chorus: Those days, those days, those days
Thozhilaaliyai mathikkirathu intha naal
Respecting the worker is this modern era
Chorus :Intha naal intha naal intha naal
Chorus: These days, these days, these days
Male :Thozhilaaliyai mathikkirathu intha naal
Male: Respecting the worker is this modern era
Chorus :Intha naal intha naal intha naal
Chorus: These days, these days, these days
Kaalai muthal maalai varai
From morning until evening
Kaikadukka velai senju
Working until the arms ached
Kaalai muthal maalai varai
From morning until evening
Kaikadukka velai senju
Working until the arms ached
Kanjikku thindaadiyathu antha naal
Struggling even for basic rice porridge was that bygone era
Chorus :Antha naal antha naal antha naal
Chorus: Those days, those days, those days
Thuninju panjappadi ketkkirathu intha naal
Boldly demanding a dearness allowance is this modern era
Chorus :Intha naal intha naal intha naal
Chorus: These days, these days, these days
Male :Thuninju panjappadi ketkkirathu intha naal
Male: Boldly demanding a dearness allowance is this modern era
Chorus :Intha naal intha naal intha naal
Chorus: These days, these days, these days
Ulla neram dutykku mel
Beyond the designated duty hours
Oru nimishamaachchunnaalum
Even if it's just a single minute extra
Over time kodukka solli order-u
The rule mandates overtime pay to be given
Ulla neram dutykku mel
Beyond the designated duty hours
Oru nimishamaachchunnaalum
Even if it's just a single minute extra
Over time kodukka solli order-u
The rule mandates overtime pay to be given
Chorus :Order-u order-u order-u
Chorus: Order, order, order
Male :Intha uravu nallaa therinjavaru leader-u
Male: A leader is someone who truly understands this relationship
Chorus :Leader-u leader-u leader-u
Chorus: Leader, leader, leader
Aadhaayam laabamellaam
All the income and profits
Avangalae eduththukittu
Taking it all for themselves
Yaedhaachchum thanthaa undu chance-u
Giving a share only if there was a faint chance
Aadhaayam laabamellaam
All the income and profits
Avangalae eduththukittu
Taking it all for themselves
Yaedhaachchum thanthaa undu chance-u
Giving a share only if there was a faint chance
Chance-u chance-u chance-u
Chance, chance, chance
Ippa enni enni vaikka vendum bonus-u
Now bonus must be counted and paid out
Chorus :Bonus-u bonus-u bonus-u
Chorus: Bonus, bonus, bonus
Male :Ippa enni enni vaikka vendum bonus-u
Male: Now bonus must be counted and paid out
Chorus :Bonus-u bonus-u bonus-u
Chorus: Bonus, bonus, bonus
Yaezhai eliyavanai vaazh vaikka venuminnu
To uplift and empower the poor and weak
Yaezhai eliyavanai vaazh vaikka venuminnu
To uplift and empower the poor and weak
India government solluthu
The Indian government decrees
Chorus :Solluthu solluthu solluthu
Chorus: Decrees, decrees, decrees
Idhai ellorum kadai pidichchaa nallathu
It is good if everyone follows this practice
Chorus :Nallathu nallathu nallathu
Chorus: Good, good, good
Ho…..yaera pidichchavanum english-u padichavanum
Ho... the plowman and the English-educated person
Yaezhai panakkaaran ippa onnunga
The poor man and the rich man are now equal
Chorus :Onnunga onnunga onnunga
Chorus: One and equal, one and equal, one and equal
Male :Naam ellorum samaththuvam endrennunga
Male: Consider that we are all equals
Chorus :Ennunga ennunga ennunga
Chorus: Consider it, consider it, consider it
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Yaera Pidichchavanum English-u Padichavanum is a celebrated labor anthem from the 1960 Tamil film Irumbu Thirai. Penned by Kothamangalam Subbu and rendered with energetic folk flair by Thiruchi Loganathan under S. V. Venkatraman's music direction, the song captures the social awakening and industrial labor rights movement in post-independence India. It asserts that agricultural workers and formal scholars, as well as the poor and the rich, stand as social equals in a progressive democracy. The song contrasts the dark past—when physical laborers who built temples and dug reservoirs were demeaned and underpaid—with the modern era where workers assertively demand fair wages, dearness allowance, overtime compensation, and bonuses. By invoking government initiatives aimed at social welfare, the song functions as a rallying cry for labor dignity and social equality.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Yaezhai panakkaaran ippa onnunga”
Contrasts two opposing socioeconomic classes—the poor man (yaezhai) and the rich man (panakkaaran)—to highlight the social equality being championed.
Muran (Antithesis / Temporal Contrast)
“Coolieyinnu keli senja antha naal / Thozhilaaliyai mathikkirathu intha naal”
Pits 'antha naal' (that past era of exploitation) directly against 'intha naal' (this present era of labor dignity) to demonstrate societal progress.
Code-Mixing / Loanwords (Anglicism)
“Over time kodukka solli order-u”
Incorporates English workplace terminology (overtime, order) adapted into Tamil phonetic forms to reflect industrial labor reforms.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kovil katti vachchavanai / Kulam vetti thanthavanai”
The lines end with matching phonetic suffixes ('vachchavanai' and 'thanthavanai'), creating a rhythmic musical flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Irumbu Thirai (1960) was produced and directed by Gemini Studios' founder S. S. Vasan, starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala. Lyricist Kothamangalam Subbu was a key creative figure at Gemini Studios and the author of the famed novel 'Thillana Mohanambal'. The song stands out for seamlessly integrating newly adopted English industrial jargon like 'duty', 'overtime', 'leader', and 'bonus' into Tamil folk verse.
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