Yeru Perusa Intha
From Vilaiyattu Pillai · 1970
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vilaiyattu Pillai1970
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa – | Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? – |
| Solladi | Tell me, my girl! |
| Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa | Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater? |
| Male | |
| Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa – | Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? – |
| Solladi | Tell me, my girl! |
| Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa | Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater? |
| Male | |
| Thuninju nirkum vairamulla | I possess a resolute, diamond-strong |
| Nenju irukku edhukkum | Heart ready for anything! |
| Paninju poga thaevaiyillae | There is no need to bow down or yield; |
| Balam Irukku | I have the strength! |
| Male | |
| Maadirukku veedirukku mannirukku | I have cattle, I have a house, I have land, |
| En manasarinju udhavi seiya ponnirukku | And I have gold to help generously by reading people's minds! |
| Maadirukku veedirukku mannirukku | I have cattle, I have a house, I have land, |
| En manasarinju udhavi seiya ponnirukku | And I have gold to help generously by reading people's minds! |
| Male | |
| Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa – | Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? – |
| Solladi | Tell me, my girl! |
| Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa | Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater? |
| Female | |
| Ponnukkum bhoomikkum | Between gold and the Earth, |
| Poruththamundu | There is a deep match and harmony. |
| Mannai ponnaaga | In regarding the soil as gold, |
| Ninaikkiradhil arththamundu | There is true wisdom and meaning. |
| Female | |
| Oru nellaith thoovinaa | If you sow a single grain of paddy, |
| Nooru nellai kaattuvaa | She will yield a hundred grains in return! |
| Oru nellaith thoovinaa | If you sow a single grain of paddy, |
| Nooru nellai kaattuvaa | She will yield a hundred grains in return! |
| Uyirulla bhoomi maadha.. | Living Mother Earth... |
| Avadhaan ulagaththin mudhal maadhaa | She is indeed the foremost mother of the entire world! |
| Male | |
| Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa – | Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? – |
| Solladi | Tell me, my girl! |
| Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa | Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater? |
| Male | |
| Neerottam illaiyinaa | If there is no flow of water, |
| Aaerottam nindruvidum | The movement of the plough will grind to a halt. |
| Haaaaa…. | Haaaaa…. |
| Neerottam illaiyinaa | If there is no flow of water, |
| Aaerottam nindruvidum | The movement of the plough will grind to a halt. |
| Male | |
| Aerottam ninnuponnaa | If ploughing comes to a stop, |
| Vayaththukku sorottam | What will happen to the flow of food... |
| Ennavaagum.. | ...for the hungry stomach? |
| Solladi | Tell me, my girl! |
| Aerottam ninnuponnaa | If ploughing comes to a stop, |
| Vayaththukku sorottam ennavaagum.. | What will happen to the flow of food for the hungry stomach? |
| Female | |
| Pooththodukkum kaiyaalae | With hands that weave flowers into garlands, |
| Naaththu nattu vachchaakka | When young saplings are planted in the field, |
| Kaaththu vandhu thaalaattum | The breeze arrives to sing a gentle lullaby, |
| Mudivil kadhiru vandhu seeraattum | And ultimately, the ripe ears of grain pamper the field. |
| Male | |
| Aruvadaikku kaaththirukkum | Waiting patiently for the harvest, |
| Nellammaa | O dear Paddy Mother, |
| Nee yaarukkaaga thalai kuninjae | For whom have you bowed your head down? |
| Sollammaa | Tell me, Mother! |
| Male | |
| Paruvam vandha ponnu pola | Like a young girl who has come of age, |
| Achchama | Is it out of fear, |
| Veetta paakka pora | Or out of shy maidenly bashfulness as she longs |
| Aasaiyilae vekkamaa | To go and look at her groom's home? |
| Female | |
| Nanjaiyammaa petheduththa | O Paddy Mother, born of the fertile wetland, |
| Nellammaa | O dear Paddy Mother! |
| Seerunaalu kalam konduvandha | Bringing four measures of auspicious blessings, |
| Ponnammaa | O Golden Mother! |
| Ooru pagai vandhaalum ennammaa | Even if the hostility of the entire village comes against us, so what? |
| Naanga unnaalae | We have thrived and prospered... |
| Vaazhndhu vittom ponnammaa | ...solely because of you, O Golden Mother! |
| Male | |
| Ooru paakka osandhu vittaen | I have risen high for the village to see, |
| Ulagam paakka osandhu vittaen | I have risen high for the entire world to see! |
| Yaar dhayavu thaevai ini sollammaa – | Whose favor do I ever need anymore? Tell me – |
| Un aadharavae podhumadi nellammaa | Your support alone is enough, O Paddy Mother! |
| Female | |
| Saavi poga padharu poga | Leaving behind empty husks and useless chaff, |
| Saththu nellu mothamaaga | To gather the solid, wholesome grains of paddy together, |
| Saeththu vaikka naeram vandhaachu – | The time has finally arrived – |
| Ooru paakka | For the whole village to witness, |
| Osandhirukkum kaalam vandhaachu.. | The elevated era of prosperity has arrived.. |
| Sollunga.. | Tell me.. |
| Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa – | Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? – |
| Male :Solladi | Male: Tell me, my girl! |
| Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa | Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater? |
| Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa aaaa | Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? Aaaa... |
ஏரு பெரிசா இந்த ஊரு பெரிசா
சொல்லடி நெல்லு பெரிசா பயக சொல்லு பெரிசா
ஏரு பெரிசா இந்த ஊரு பெரிசா
சொல்லடி நெல்லு பெரிசா பயக சொல்லு பெரிசா
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Tell me, my girl!
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
துணிஞ்சு நிக்கும் வைரமுள்ள நெஞ்சிருக்கு
எதுக்கும் பணிஞ்சு போகத் தேவையில்லே பலமிருக்கு
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Tell me, my girl!
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
மாடுருக்கு வீடிருக்கு மண்ணுருக்கு என்
மனசறிஞ்சு உதவி செய்ய பொண்ணுருக்கு
மாடுருக்கு வீடிருக்கு மண்ணுருக்கு என்
மனசறிஞ்சு உதவி செய்ய பொண்ணுருக்கு
I possess a resolute, diamond-strong
Heart ready for anything!
There is no need to bow down or yield;
I have the strength!
ஏரு பெரிசா இந்த ஊரு பெரிசா
சொல்லடி நெல்லு பெரிசா பயக சொல்லு பெரிசா
ஏரு பெரிசா இந்த ஊரு பெரிசா
சொல்லடி நெல்லு பெரிசா பயக சொல்லு பெரிசா
I have cattle, I have a house, I have land,
And I have gold to help generously by reading people's minds!
I have cattle, I have a house, I have land,
And I have gold to help generously by reading people's minds!
பொண்ணுக்கும் பூமிக்கும்
பொருத்தமுண்டு மண்ணே
பொண்ணாக நினைக்கிறதில் அர்த்தமுண்டு
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Tell me, my girl!
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
ஒரு நெல்லைத் தூவினா
நூறு நெல்லைக் காட்டுவா
ஒரு நெல்லைத் தூவினா
நூறு நெல்லைக் காட்டுவா
உயிருள்ள பூமி மாதா அவதான்
உலகத்தின் முதல் மாதா
Between gold and the Earth,
There is a deep match and harmony.
In regarding the soil as gold,
There is true wisdom and meaning.
ஏரு பெரிசா இந்த ஊரு பெரிசா
சொல்லடி நெல்லு பெரிசா பயக சொல்லு பெரிசா
ஏரு பெரிசா இந்த ஊரு பெரிசா
சொல்லடி நெல்லு பெரிசா பயக சொல்லு பெரிசா
If you sow a single grain of paddy,
She will yield a hundred grains in return!
If you sow a single grain of paddy,
She will yield a hundred grains in return!
Living Mother Earth...
She is indeed the foremost mother of the entire world!
நீரோட்டம் இல்லையின்னா
ஏரோட்டம் நின்னுவிடும்
ஹா ...ஆஆ
நீரோட்டம் இல்லையின்னா
ஏரோட்டம் நின்னுவிடும்
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Tell me, my girl!
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
ஏரோட்டம் நின்னுப்போனா வயித்துக்கு
சோறோட்டம் என்னவாகும் சொல்லடி
ஏரோட்டம் நின்னுப்போனே வயித்துக்கு
சோறோட்டம் என்னவாகும்
If there is no flow of water,
The movement of the plough will grind to a halt.
Haaaaa….
If there is no flow of water,
The movement of the plough will grind to a halt.
பூத்தொடுக்கும் கையாலே
நாத்து நட்டு வச்சாச்சு
காத்து வந்து தாலாட்டும்
முடிவில் கதிரு வந்து சீராட்டும்
If ploughing comes to a stop,
What will happen to the flow of food...
...for the hungry stomach?
Tell me, my girl!
If ploughing comes to a stop,
What will happen to the flow of food for the hungry stomach?
அறுவடைக்குக் காத்திருக்கும் நெல்லம்மா
நீ யாருக்காக தலை குனிஞ்சே சொல்லம்மா
With hands that weave flowers into garlands,
When young saplings are planted in the field,
The breeze arrives to sing a gentle lullaby,
And ultimately, the ripe ears of grain pamper the field.
பருவம் வந்த பொண்ணுப்போலே அச்சம்மா
வீட்டை பாக்கப்போற ஆசையிலே வெக்கமா
Waiting patiently for the harvest,
O dear Paddy Mother,
For whom have you bowed your head down?
Tell me, Mother!
நஞ்சையம்மா பெத்தெடுத்த நெல்லம்மா சீரு
நாலு கலம் கொண்டு வந்த பொன்னம்மா
ஊரு பகை வந்தாலும் என்னம்மா நாங்க
உன்னாலே வாழ்ந்து விட்டோம் பொன்னம்மா
Like a young girl who has come of age,
Is it out of fear,
Or out of shy maidenly bashfulness as she longs
To go and look at her groom's home?
ஊரு பாக்க ஒசந்து விட்டேன்
உலகம் பாக்க ஒசந்து விட்டேன்
யார் தயவு தேவை இனி சொல்லம்மா உன்
ஆதரவே போதுமடி நெல்லம்மா
O Paddy Mother, born of the fertile wetland,
O dear Paddy Mother!
Bringing four measures of auspicious blessings,
O Golden Mother!
Even if the hostility of the entire village comes against us, so what?
We have thrived and prospered...
...solely because of you, O Golden Mother!
சாலிப்போக பதருபோக சத்து நெல்லு
மொத்தமாக சேர்த்து வைக்க நேரம் வந்தாச்சு
ஊரு பாக்க ஒசந்து நிக்க
காலம் வந்தாச்சு சொல்லுங்க
I have risen high for the village to see,
I have risen high for the entire world to see!
Whose favor do I ever need anymore? Tell me –
Your support alone is enough, O Paddy Mother!
ஏரு பெரிசா இந்த ஊரு பெரிசா
சொல்லடி நெல்லு பெரிசா பயக சொல்லு பெரிசா
ஏரு பெரிசா...ஆஆஆ.....
Leaving behind empty husks and useless chaff,
To gather the solid, wholesome grains of paddy together,
The time has finally arrived –
For the whole village to witness,
The elevated era of prosperity has arrived..
Tell me..
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Male: Tell me, my girl!
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? Aaaa...
Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa –
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Solladi
Tell me, my girl!
Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa –
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Solladi
Tell me, my girl!
Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
Thuninju nirkum vairamulla
I possess a resolute, diamond-strong
Nenju irukku edhukkum
Heart ready for anything!
Paninju poga thaevaiyillae
There is no need to bow down or yield;
Balam Irukku
I have the strength!
Maadirukku veedirukku mannirukku
I have cattle, I have a house, I have land,
En manasarinju udhavi seiya ponnirukku
And I have gold to help generously by reading people's minds!
Maadirukku veedirukku mannirukku
I have cattle, I have a house, I have land,
En manasarinju udhavi seiya ponnirukku
And I have gold to help generously by reading people's minds!
Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa –
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Solladi
Tell me, my girl!
Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
Ponnukkum bhoomikkum
Between gold and the Earth,
Poruththamundu
There is a deep match and harmony.
Mannai ponnaaga
In regarding the soil as gold,
Ninaikkiradhil arththamundu
There is true wisdom and meaning.
Oru nellaith thoovinaa
If you sow a single grain of paddy,
Nooru nellai kaattuvaa
She will yield a hundred grains in return!
Oru nellaith thoovinaa
If you sow a single grain of paddy,
Nooru nellai kaattuvaa
She will yield a hundred grains in return!
Uyirulla bhoomi maadha..
Living Mother Earth...
Avadhaan ulagaththin mudhal maadhaa
She is indeed the foremost mother of the entire world!
Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa –
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Solladi
Tell me, my girl!
Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
Neerottam illaiyinaa
If there is no flow of water,
Aaerottam nindruvidum
The movement of the plough will grind to a halt.
Haaaaa….
Haaaaa….
Neerottam illaiyinaa
If there is no flow of water,
Aaerottam nindruvidum
The movement of the plough will grind to a halt.
Aerottam ninnuponnaa
If ploughing comes to a stop,
Vayaththukku sorottam
What will happen to the flow of food...
Ennavaagum..
...for the hungry stomach?
Solladi
Tell me, my girl!
Aerottam ninnuponnaa
If ploughing comes to a stop,
Vayaththukku sorottam ennavaagum..
What will happen to the flow of food for the hungry stomach?
Pooththodukkum kaiyaalae
With hands that weave flowers into garlands,
Naaththu nattu vachchaakka
When young saplings are planted in the field,
Kaaththu vandhu thaalaattum
The breeze arrives to sing a gentle lullaby,
Mudivil kadhiru vandhu seeraattum
And ultimately, the ripe ears of grain pamper the field.
Aruvadaikku kaaththirukkum
Waiting patiently for the harvest,
Nellammaa
O dear Paddy Mother,
Nee yaarukkaaga thalai kuninjae
For whom have you bowed your head down?
Sollammaa
Tell me, Mother!
Paruvam vandha ponnu pola
Like a young girl who has come of age,
Achchama
Is it out of fear,
Veetta paakka pora
Or out of shy maidenly bashfulness as she longs
Aasaiyilae vekkamaa
To go and look at her groom's home?
Nanjaiyammaa petheduththa
O Paddy Mother, born of the fertile wetland,
Nellammaa
O dear Paddy Mother!
Seerunaalu kalam konduvandha
Bringing four measures of auspicious blessings,
Ponnammaa
O Golden Mother!
Ooru pagai vandhaalum ennammaa
Even if the hostility of the entire village comes against us, so what?
Naanga unnaalae
We have thrived and prospered...
Vaazhndhu vittom ponnammaa
...solely because of you, O Golden Mother!
Ooru paakka osandhu vittaen
I have risen high for the village to see,
Ulagam paakka osandhu vittaen
I have risen high for the entire world to see!
Yaar dhayavu thaevai ini sollammaa –
Whose favor do I ever need anymore? Tell me –
Un aadharavae podhumadi nellammaa
Your support alone is enough, O Paddy Mother!
Saavi poga padharu poga
Leaving behind empty husks and useless chaff,
Saththu nellu mothamaaga
To gather the solid, wholesome grains of paddy together,
Saeththu vaikka naeram vandhaachu –
The time has finally arrived –
Ooru paakka
For the whole village to witness,
Osandhirukkum kaalam vandhaachu..
The elevated era of prosperity has arrived..
Sollunga..
Tell me..
Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa –
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? –
Male :Solladi
Male: Tell me, my girl!
Nellu perisaa payaga sollu perisaa
Is the paddy crop greater, or is the word of the youth greater?
Yaeru perisaa indha ooru perisaa aaaa
Is the plough greater, or is this village greater? Aaaa...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a grand rural anthem praising agriculture, the dignity of labor, and the bounty of Mother Earth. Sung primarily from the perspective of a proud farmer, the protagonist asserts the ultimate importance of farming ('Yaeru') and paddy ('Nellu') over village politics and societal arrogance. He highlights how Mother Earth generously transforms a single seed into a hundredfold yield, emphasizing that agriculture is the backbone of all human sustenance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Mannai ponnaaga ninaikkiradhil arththamundu”
Comparing the fertile soil/earth directly to gold ('ponnaaga'), emphasizing its immense value and productivity.
Personification (Tharkurippaetragani / Metaphor)
“Paruvam vandha ponnu pola achchama... veetta paakka pora aasaiyilae vekkamaa”
Personifying the ripe, bending ear of paddy as a shy young bride bowing her head in bashfulness.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Maadirukku veedirukku mannirukku”
Repetition of the 'Ma' sound at the beginning/key positions of words creating rhythmic harmony.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Neerottam illaiyinaa / Aaerottam nindruvidum”
Matching end sounds ('Neerottam' and 'Aaerottam') to establish a poetic rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Vilaiyattu Pillai' (1970), directed by A. P. Nagarajan, stars Shivaji Ganesan in the lead role. The soundtrack composed by 'Mellisai Mannar' K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan features legendary agrarian and philosophical songs celebrating Tamil rural life. T. M. Soundararajan's powerful vocals perfectly matched Shivaji Ganesan's screen presence in bringing out the pride and resilience of a farmer.
Keep listening
More from Vilaiyattu Pillai
Vilaiyattu Pillai
Vilaiyattu Pillai
Vilaiyattu Pillai
Vilaiyattu Pillai
Vilaiyattu Pillai