Yemalogathil Indru
From Yemanukku Yeman · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
- Music director
- K. Chakravarthy
- Details
- Yemanukku Yeman1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yemalogathil indrae porattam | A protest begins today in the world of Yama. |
| Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam | A trade union has been started here as well. |
| Chorus :Yemalogathil indrae porattam | Chorus: A protest begins today in the world of Yama. |
| Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam | A trade union has been started here as well. |
| Male | |
| Naragalogam enum thozhirsaalai | The underworld (Hell) is a factory, |
| Ini gnyaayittru kizhamai kidaiyadhu | From now on, there are no Sundays (holidays). |
| Chorus | |
| Ingulab jindubad….(3) | Inquilab Zindabad! (Long live the revolution!) |
| Puratchi oonguga..(2) | Let the revolution prevail! |
| Male | |
| Avasar sattam inimel raththu | Emergency law is hereby revoked from now on, |
| Engal thittathil amsangal pathu | Our charter contains ten demands. |
| Chorus :Avasar sattam inimel raththu | Chorus: Emergency law is hereby revoked from now on, |
| Engal thittathil amsangal pathu | Our charter contains ten demands. |
| Male :Maasam moondru murai bonasum venum | Male: We need bonuses three times a month, |
| Varushathil paadhi velai nirutham | And work strikes for half of the year! |
| Chorus :Nirutham nirutham nirutham nirutham | Chorus: Strike, strike, strike, strike! |
| Male | |
| Boologam enum punniya logathukku | To the holy realm known as Earth, |
| Chorus :Boologam enum punniya logathukku | Chorus: To the holy realm known as Earth, |
| Male :Inaiyaai naamum por seivom | Male: We too shall wage a war as equals. |
| Male | |
| Yemalogathukku ananchi | Hey elder brother of Yamaloka, |
| Engal kelvi ennachi | What happened to our demands? |
| Chorus :Yemalogathukku ananchi | Chorus: Hey elder brother of Yamaloka, |
| Engal kelvi ennachi | What happened to our demands? |
| Male | |
| Yemalogathil indrae porattam | A protest begins today in the world of Yama. |
| Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam | A trade union has been started here as well. |
| Male | |
| Yemanukku yeman vandhaachu | A nemesis for Yama has arrived! |
| Male | |
| Kombum meesaiyum idhu enna koram | What is this hideous look with horns and a mustache? |
| Kingarurukellaam ini uniforam | All the minions of Yama must wear uniforms from now on! |
| Chorus :Kombum meesaiyum idhu enna koram | Chorus: What is this hideous look with horns and a mustache? |
| Kingarurukellaam ini uniforam | All the minions of Yama must wear uniforms from now on! |
| Male | |
| Iruppadhu vayasinil ottum venum | We demand voting rights at twenty years of age! |
| Chorus :Ottu ottu | Chorus: Vote, vote! |
| Male :Jana naayagam indru malarndhadhu ingae | Male: Democracy has blossomed here today! |
| Chorus :Jana naayagam indru malarndhadhu ingae | Chorus: Democracy has blossomed here today! |
| Male :Varusham oru yeman vara vendum | Male: A new Yama should be elected every year! |
| Chorus | |
| Yemalogathil indrae porattam | A protest begins today in the world of Yama. |
| Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam | A trade union has been started here as well. |
| Yemalogathil indrae porattam | A protest begins today in the world of Yama. |
| Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam | A trade union has been started here as well. |
| Naragalogam enum thozhirsaalai | The underworld (Hell) is a factory, |
| Ini gnyaayittru kizhamai kidaiyadhu | From now on, there are no Sundays. |
| Male | |
| Erumai maattu annaachi | Hey big brother who rides the buffalo (Yama), |
| Therdhal vishyam ennachi | What happened to the election matter? |
| Chorus :Erumai maattu annaachi | Chorus: Hey big brother who rides the buffalo (Yama), |
| Therdhal vishyam ennachi | What happened to the election matter? |
| Male :Erumai maattu annaachi | Male: Hey big brother who rides the buffalo, |
| Yemanukku yeman vandhaachu | A nemesis for Yama has arrived! |
எமலோகத்தில் இன்றே போராட்டம்
இங்கும் ஆரம்பமானது தொழிற்சங்கம்
குழு :
எமலோகத்தில் இன்றே போராட்டம்
இங்கும் ஆரம்பமானது தொழிற்சங்கம்
நரகலோகம் எனும் தொழிற்சாலை
இனி ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை கிடையாது
குழு :
இன்குலாப்..! ஜிந்தாபாத்......! (3)
புரட்சி..! ஓங்குக..!..(2)
A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
A trade union has been started here as well.
Chorus: A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
A trade union has been started here as well.
அவசரச் சட்டம் இனிமேல் ரத்து
எங்கள் திட்டத்தில் அம்சங்கள் பத்து
குழு :
அவசரச் சட்டம் இனிமேல் ரத்து
எங்கள் திட்டத்தில் அம்சங்கள் பத்து
மாசம் மூன்று முறை போனசும் வேணும்
வருஷத்தில் பாதி வேலை நிறுத்தம்
குழு :
நிறுத்தம் நிறுத்தம் நிறுத்தம் நிறுத்தம்
The underworld (Hell) is a factory,
From now on, there are no Sundays (holidays).
பூலோகம் எனும் புண்ணிய லோகத்துக்கு
குழு :
பூலோகம் எனும் புண்ணிய லோகத்துக்கு
இணையாய் நாமும் போர் செய்வோம்...!
Inquilab Zindabad! (Long live the revolution!)
Let the revolution prevail!
எமலோகத்துக்கு அண்ணாச்சி
எங்கள் கேள்வி என்னாச்சி
குழு :
எமலோகத்துக்கு அண்ணாச்சி
எங்கள் கேள்வி என்னாச்சி
Emergency law is hereby revoked from now on,
Our charter contains ten demands.
Chorus: Emergency law is hereby revoked from now on,
Our charter contains ten demands.
Male: We need bonuses three times a month,
And work strikes for half of the year!
Chorus: Strike, strike, strike, strike!
எமலோகத்தில் இன்றே போராட்டம்
இங்கும் ஆரம்பமானது தொழிற்சங்கம்
To the holy realm known as Earth,
Chorus: To the holy realm known as Earth,
Male: We too shall wage a war as equals.
எமனுக்கு எமன் வந்தாச்சு
Hey elder brother of Yamaloka,
What happened to our demands?
Chorus: Hey elder brother of Yamaloka,
What happened to our demands?
கொம்பும் மீசையும் இது என்ன கோரம்
கிங்கருக்கெல்லாம் இனி யூனிபாரம்
குழு :
கொம்பும் மீசையும் இது என்ன கோரம்
கிங்கருக்கெல்லாம் இனி யூனிபாரம்
A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
A trade union has been started here as well.
இருபது வயசினில் ஓட்டும் வேணும்
குழு :
ஓட்டு ஓட்டு
ஜனநாயகம் இன்று மலர்ந்தது இங்கே
குழு :
ஜனநாயகம் இன்று மலர்ந்தது இங்கே
வருஷம் ஒரு எமன் வரவேண்டும்.....!
A nemesis for Yama has arrived!
எமலோகத்தில் இன்றே போராட்டம்
இங்கும் ஆரம்பமானது தொழிற்சங்கம்
எமலோகத்தில் இன்றே போராட்டம்
இங்கும் ஆரம்பமானது தொழிற்சங்கம்
நரகலோகம் எனும் தொழிற்சாலை
இனி ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை கிடையாது
What is this hideous look with horns and a mustache?
All the minions of Yama must wear uniforms from now on!
Chorus: What is this hideous look with horns and a mustache?
All the minions of Yama must wear uniforms from now on!
எருமை மாட்டு அண்ணாச்சி......!
தேர்தல் விஷயம் என்னாச்சி.....!
குழு :
எருமை மாட்டு அண்ணாச்சி......!
தேர்தல் விஷயம் என்னாச்சி.....!
எருமை மாட்டு அண்ணாச்சி......!
எமனுக்கு எமன் வந்தாச்சு..........!
We demand voting rights at twenty years of age!
Chorus: Vote, vote!
Male: Democracy has blossomed here today!
Chorus: Democracy has blossomed here today!
Male: A new Yama should be elected every year!
A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
A trade union has been started here as well.
A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
A trade union has been started here as well.
The underworld (Hell) is a factory,
From now on, there are no Sundays.
Hey big brother who rides the buffalo (Yama),
What happened to the election matter?
Chorus: Hey big brother who rides the buffalo (Yama),
What happened to the election matter?
Male: Hey big brother who rides the buffalo,
A nemesis for Yama has arrived!
Yemalogathil indrae porattam
A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam
A trade union has been started here as well.
Chorus :Yemalogathil indrae porattam
Chorus: A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam
A trade union has been started here as well.
Naragalogam enum thozhirsaalai
The underworld (Hell) is a factory,
Ini gnyaayittru kizhamai kidaiyadhu
From now on, there are no Sundays (holidays).
Ingulab jindubad….(3)
Inquilab Zindabad! (Long live the revolution!)
Puratchi oonguga..(2)
Let the revolution prevail!
Avasar sattam inimel raththu
Emergency law is hereby revoked from now on,
Engal thittathil amsangal pathu
Our charter contains ten demands.
Chorus :Avasar sattam inimel raththu
Chorus: Emergency law is hereby revoked from now on,
Engal thittathil amsangal pathu
Our charter contains ten demands.
Male :Maasam moondru murai bonasum venum
Male: We need bonuses three times a month,
Varushathil paadhi velai nirutham
And work strikes for half of the year!
Chorus :Nirutham nirutham nirutham nirutham
Chorus: Strike, strike, strike, strike!
Boologam enum punniya logathukku
To the holy realm known as Earth,
Chorus :Boologam enum punniya logathukku
Chorus: To the holy realm known as Earth,
Male :Inaiyaai naamum por seivom
Male: We too shall wage a war as equals.
Yemalogathukku ananchi
Hey elder brother of Yamaloka,
Engal kelvi ennachi
What happened to our demands?
Chorus :Yemalogathukku ananchi
Chorus: Hey elder brother of Yamaloka,
Engal kelvi ennachi
What happened to our demands?
Yemalogathil indrae porattam
A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam
A trade union has been started here as well.
Yemanukku yeman vandhaachu
A nemesis for Yama has arrived!
Kombum meesaiyum idhu enna koram
What is this hideous look with horns and a mustache?
Kingarurukellaam ini uniforam
All the minions of Yama must wear uniforms from now on!
Chorus :Kombum meesaiyum idhu enna koram
Chorus: What is this hideous look with horns and a mustache?
Kingarurukellaam ini uniforam
All the minions of Yama must wear uniforms from now on!
Iruppadhu vayasinil ottum venum
We demand voting rights at twenty years of age!
Chorus :Ottu ottu
Chorus: Vote, vote!
Male :Jana naayagam indru malarndhadhu ingae
Male: Democracy has blossomed here today!
Chorus :Jana naayagam indru malarndhadhu ingae
Chorus: Democracy has blossomed here today!
Male :Varusham oru yeman vara vendum
Male: A new Yama should be elected every year!
Yemalogathil indrae porattam
A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam
A trade union has been started here as well.
Yemalogathil indrae porattam
A protest begins today in the world of Yama.
Ingum aarambamanathu thozhir sangam
A trade union has been started here as well.
Naragalogam enum thozhirsaalai
The underworld (Hell) is a factory,
Ini gnyaayittru kizhamai kidaiyadhu
From now on, there are no Sundays.
Erumai maattu annaachi
Hey big brother who rides the buffalo (Yama),
Therdhal vishyam ennachi
What happened to the election matter?
Chorus :Erumai maattu annaachi
Chorus: Hey big brother who rides the buffalo (Yama),
Therdhal vishyam ennachi
What happened to the election matter?
Male :Erumai maattu annaachi
Male: Hey big brother who rides the buffalo,
Yemanukku yeman vandhaachu
A nemesis for Yama has arrived!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a satirical political anthem set in the mythological underworld of Yamaloka (Hell). The protagonist incites Yama's workforce—the demons and Kinkara minions—to organize a labor union strike against Lord Yama. They demand excessive bonuses, work stoppages, uniform codes, democratic elections, and the revocation of emergency measures, turning the tyrannical hellscape into a trade union battleground. Through this comic premise, lyricist Kannadasan brilliantly parodies the trade union culture, communist political slogans ('Inquilab Zindabad'), and democratic electoral promises prevalent in contemporary Indian politics during the late 1970s and 80s.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Extended Metaphor (Allegory)
“Naragalogam enum thozhirsaalai”
Hell ('Naragalogam') is metaphorically framed as an industrial workplace or factory ('Thozhirsaalai') where workers unionize.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kombum meesaiyum idhu enna koram / Kingarurukellaam ini uniforam”
The second consonant sound matches between adjacent lines ('Kombum' and 'Kingarurukellaam').
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Erumai maattu annaachi / Therdhal vishyam ennachi”
End-rhyming Tamilized English and Tamil words used for comedic effect ('Koram' / 'Uniforam', 'Annaachi' / 'Ennachi').
Repetition / Anaphora
“Chorus :Nirutham nirutham nirutham nirutham”
Rhythmic chant-like repetition of political protest slogans and demands to mimic a union rally.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Yemanukku Yeman' (1980) starred Sivaji Ganesan in dual roles (including Lord Yama and the mortal hero) and was a fantasy-comedy remake of the 1977 Telugu blockbuster 'Yamagola' starring N. T. Rama Rao. Lyricist Kannadasan drew heavily on post-Emergency Indian political rhetoric, blending labor union slogans like 'Inquilab Zindabad' into a mythological fantasy context.
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