Yele Tamizha Endhirida
From Poruthathu Podhum · 1989
- Lyricist
- Valampuri John
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Poruthathu Podhum1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| ……………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa | Hey Tamilian, wake up! |
| Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa | Ponder deeply on what I say! |
| Kanjikku thindaadinaa kaaranam kandaaaganum | If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause. |
| Kaaranam kandaanadhum kariyam senjaaganum | Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken! |
| Male | |
| Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa | Hey Tamilian, wake up! |
| Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa | Ponder deeply on what I say! |
| Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa | Hey Tamilian, wake up! |
| Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa | Ponder deeply on what I say! |
| Male | |
| Aazha nenaikkum maadinga vargam | The ruling class trying to dominate us... |
| Namma kutti thaan valanchiduchu mudhugu | Has bent our backs due to our docility. |
| Female :Aana varaikkum aatti asaippom | Female: We will shake and rattle as much as we can, |
| Ada appa thaan adangi niram thimiru | Only then will their arrogance subside! |
| Male | |
| Arusiya padhukkura perusaali | The big rat that hoards grain and rice, |
| Avanukku peyar thaan mudhaalli | Is given the respectable name of a capitalist! |
| Female :Kalapadam purigira padupaavi | Female: The villain who engages in adulteration, |
| Avanukku illai oru manasaatchi | He does not possess even a shred of conscience! |
| Male | |
| Theemai ingu thalaiedukka | When evil rears its head in this place... |
| Chorus :Vidlaama vidalaama | Chorus: Shall we let it pass? Shall we let it pass? |
| Male :Tharumam ingae kaal thadukki | Male: When righteousness stumbles here... |
| Chorus :Vizhalaama vizhalaama | Chorus: Should it fall down? Should it fall down? |
| Male :Vaada naama thozh koduppom | Male: Come on, let us lend a helping shoulder! |
| Male | |
| Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa | Hey Tamilian, wake up! |
| Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa | Ponder deeply on what I say! |
| Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa | Hey Tamilian, wake up! |
| Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa | Ponder deeply on what I say! |
| Kanjikku thindaadinaa kaaranam kandaaaganum | If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause. |
| Kaaranam kandaanadhum kariyam senjaaganum hoi | Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken, hoi! |
| Female | |
| Ezha manasu kozha manasu | A poor heart is often a timid heart, |
| Ada ippavae kai kazhuvi viduvom | Hey, let us wash our hands of that weakness right now! |
| Male :Yekkam edhukku acham ethukku | Male: Why yearn? Why fear? |
| Ada ippavae kann sivakka ezhuvom | Hey, let us rise right now with fury in our eyes! |
| Female | |
| Otha kaiyum namakkoru thunaiyaachu | A single hand became our support, |
| Matha kaiyum adhanudam inaiyaachu | And the other hand joined along with it! |
| Male :Sathiyatha saaithida mudiyaathu | Male: Truth and justice cannot be overthrown, |
| Kaathadichu naanalum odiyathu | Even when strong winds blow, reeds bend but do not break! |
| Female | |
| Kaataruvi ottamidhu | This movement flows like a wild mountain stream, |
| Chorus :Adangadhu adangaadhu | Chorus: It cannot be subdued, it cannot be contained! |
| Female :Veerargalin kootamidhu | Female: This is a gathering of brave warriors, |
| Chorus :Urangaadhu urangaadhu | Chorus: It will not sleep, it will not rest! |
| Female :Vetri namm pakkam | Female: Victory is on our side! |
| Male | |
| Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa | Hey Tamilian, wake up! |
| Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa | Ponder deeply on what I say! |
| Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa | Hey Tamilian, wake up! |
| Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa | Ponder deeply on what I say! |
| Kanjikku thindaadinaa kaaranam kandaaaganum | If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause. |
| Kaaranam kandaanadhum kariyam senjaaganum hoi | Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken, hoi! |
ஏலே தமிழா எந்திரிடா
நான்தான் சொன்னா நீ சிந்திடா
கஞ்சிக்கு திண்டாடினா காரணம் கண்டாகணும்
காரணம் கண்டானதும் காரியம் செஞ்சாகணும்
...
ஏலே தமிழா எந்திரிடா
நான்தான் சொன்னா நீ சிந்திடா
ஏலே தமிழா எந்திரிடா
நான்தான் சொன்னா நீ சிந்திடா....
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Ponder deeply on what I say!
If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause.
Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken!
ஆள நினைக்கும் மாடிங்க வர்க்கம்
நம்ம குட்டித்தான் வளைஞ்சிடுச்சு முதுகு
ஆன வரைக்கும் ஆட்டி அசைப்போம்
அட அப்பத்தான் அடங்கி நிற்கும் திமிரு
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Ponder deeply on what I say!
அரிசிய பதுக்குற பெருச்சாளி
அவனுக்கு பெயர் இங்கு முதலாளி
கலப்படம் புரிகிற படுபாவி
அவனுக்கு இல்லை ஒரு மனசாட்சி
The ruling class trying to dominate us...
Has bent our backs due to our docility.
Female: We will shake and rattle as much as we can,
Only then will their arrogance subside!
தீமை இங்கு தலையெடுக்க.....
குழு :
விடலாமா விடலாமா
தருமம் இங்கே கால் தடுக்கி..
குழு :
விழலாமா விழலாமா
வாடா நாம தோள் கொடுப்போம்
The big rat that hoards grain and rice,
Is given the respectable name of a capitalist!
Female: The villain who engages in adulteration,
He does not possess even a shred of conscience!
ஏலே தமிழா எந்திரிடா
நான்தான் சொன்னா நீ சிந்திடா
ஏலே தமிழா எந்திரிடா
நான்தான் சொன்னா நீ சிந்திடா..
கஞ்சிக்கு திண்டாடினா காரணம் கண்டாகணும்
காரணம் கண்டானதும் காரியம் செஞ்சாகணும்
When evil rears its head in this place...
Chorus: Shall we let it pass? Shall we let it pass?
Male: When righteousness stumbles here...
Chorus: Should it fall down? Should it fall down?
Male: Come on, let us lend a helping shoulder!
ஏழ மனச கோழ மனச
அட இப்பவே கை கழுவி விடுவோம்
ஏக்கம் எதுக்கு அச்சம் எதுக்கு
அட இப்பவே கண் சிவக்க எழுவோம்
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Ponder deeply on what I say!
If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause.
Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken, hoi!
ஒத்தக் கையும் நமக்கொரு துணையாச்சு
மத்த கையும் அதனுடன் இணையாச்சு
சத்தியத்த சாய்த்திட முடியாது
காத்தடிச்சு நாணலும் ஒடியாது
A poor heart is often a timid heart,
Hey, let us wash our hands of that weakness right now!
Male: Why yearn? Why fear?
Hey, let us rise right now with fury in our eyes!
காட்டருவி ஓட்டமிது..
குழு :
அடங்காது அடங்காது
வீரர்களின் கூட்டமிது..
குழு :
உறங்காது உறங்காது
வெற்றி இனி நம்ம பக்கம்
A single hand became our support,
And the other hand joined along with it!
Male: Truth and justice cannot be overthrown,
Even when strong winds blow, reeds bend but do not break!
ஏலே தமிழா எந்திரிடா
நான்தான் சொன்னா நீ சிந்திடா
ஏலே தமிழா எந்திரிடா
நான்தான் சொன்னா நீ சிந்திடா..
கஞ்சிக்கு திண்டாடினா காரணம் கண்டாகணும்
காரணம் கண்டானதும் காரியம் செஞ்சாகணும்
This movement flows like a wild mountain stream,
Chorus: It cannot be subdued, it cannot be contained!
Female: This is a gathering of brave warriors,
Chorus: It will not sleep, it will not rest!
Female: Victory is on our side!
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Ponder deeply on what I say!
If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause.
Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken, hoi!
………………..
...
Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Kanjikku thindaadinaa kaaranam kandaaaganum
If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause.
Kaaranam kandaanadhum kariyam senjaaganum
Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken!
Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Aazha nenaikkum maadinga vargam
The ruling class trying to dominate us...
Namma kutti thaan valanchiduchu mudhugu
Has bent our backs due to our docility.
Female :Aana varaikkum aatti asaippom
Female: We will shake and rattle as much as we can,
Ada appa thaan adangi niram thimiru
Only then will their arrogance subside!
Arusiya padhukkura perusaali
The big rat that hoards grain and rice,
Avanukku peyar thaan mudhaalli
Is given the respectable name of a capitalist!
Female :Kalapadam purigira padupaavi
Female: The villain who engages in adulteration,
Avanukku illai oru manasaatchi
He does not possess even a shred of conscience!
Theemai ingu thalaiedukka
When evil rears its head in this place...
Chorus :Vidlaama vidalaama
Chorus: Shall we let it pass? Shall we let it pass?
Male :Tharumam ingae kaal thadukki
Male: When righteousness stumbles here...
Chorus :Vizhalaama vizhalaama
Chorus: Should it fall down? Should it fall down?
Male :Vaada naama thozh koduppom
Male: Come on, let us lend a helping shoulder!
Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Kanjikku thindaadinaa kaaranam kandaaaganum
If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause.
Kaaranam kandaanadhum kariyam senjaaganum hoi
Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken, hoi!
Ezha manasu kozha manasu
A poor heart is often a timid heart,
Ada ippavae kai kazhuvi viduvom
Hey, let us wash our hands of that weakness right now!
Male :Yekkam edhukku acham ethukku
Male: Why yearn? Why fear?
Ada ippavae kann sivakka ezhuvom
Hey, let us rise right now with fury in our eyes!
Otha kaiyum namakkoru thunaiyaachu
A single hand became our support,
Matha kaiyum adhanudam inaiyaachu
And the other hand joined along with it!
Male :Sathiyatha saaithida mudiyaathu
Male: Truth and justice cannot be overthrown,
Kaathadichu naanalum odiyathu
Even when strong winds blow, reeds bend but do not break!
Kaataruvi ottamidhu
This movement flows like a wild mountain stream,
Chorus :Adangadhu adangaadhu
Chorus: It cannot be subdued, it cannot be contained!
Female :Veerargalin kootamidhu
Female: This is a gathering of brave warriors,
Chorus :Urangaadhu urangaadhu
Chorus: It will not sleep, it will not rest!
Female :Vetri namm pakkam
Female: Victory is on our side!
Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Yelae tamilaa ezhunthiridaa
Hey Tamilian, wake up!
Naan thaan sonnaa nee sindhidaa
Ponder deeply on what I say!
Kanjikku thindaadinaa kaaranam kandaaaganum
If you struggle for basic food, you must investigate the root cause.
Kaaranam kandaanadhum kariyam senjaaganum hoi
Once the cause is found, prompt action must be taken, hoi!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Poruthathu Podhum' is a rousing revolutionary anthem directed at the Tamil populace, urging them to break free from oppression, ignorance, and socio-economic exploitation. Written by Valampuri John, the lyrics critique corrupt capitalists, hoarders, and oppressors who exploit the working class while highlighting the need for collective action, unity, and courage to stand up against social injustice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Arusiya padhukkura perusaali / Avanukku peyar thaan mudhaalli”
The second consonant character 'li' matches across 'perusaali' and 'mudhaalli', establishing rhythmic consistency.
Metaphor
“Arusiya padhukkura perusaali / Avanukku peyar thaan mudhaalli”
The exploitative capitalist hoarding food grains is compared to a 'perusaali' (a large bandicoot rat).
Monaai (Alliteration / First letter matching)
“Kanjikku thindaadinaa kaaranam kandaaaganum”
Repetition of the sound 'ka' in 'Kanjikku', 'kaaranam', and 'kandaaganum'.
Rhetorical Question
“Vidlaama vidalaama / Vizhalaama vizhalaama”
The chorus poses dramatic questions ('Vidlaama vidalaama', 'Vizhalaama vizhalaama') to provoke reflection and action among listeners.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by former Member of Parliament, orator, and writer Valampuri John, this song reflects his political and social reform ideology through film lyrics, embodying classic Dravidian social reformist poetry.
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