Yethamaiya Yetham Yelolangadi
From Ninaive Oru Sangeetham · 1987
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ninaive Oru Sangeetham1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Munthu munthu vinaayagarae muppaththu mukkodi devargalae | First and foremost Lord Ganesha, and thirty-three crore deities! |
| Neer koduththa neeraiyellaam | All the water that You gave, |
| Neer koduthth nilaththukkae paaichcha poraen | I am going to irrigate back into the land You gave. |
| Seeraaga yaerotti paar muzhukka sorkoduththu kaakka poraen | Ploughing properly, I will protect the whole world by fulfilling my promise. |
| Aadharikka venumaiyaa | You must support me, O Lord! |
| Male | |
| Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Oh, the water-lift! |
| Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift! |
| Engappan un paattan muppaattan soththu idhu | This is the property of my father, your grandfather, and great-grandfather! |
| Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Oh, the water-lift! |
| Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift! |
| Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift! |
| Female | |
| Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift! |
| Unakku rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | You have so much pride and attitude, sir! |
| Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Oh, the water-lift! |
| Unakku rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | You have so much pride and attitude, sir! |
| Female | |
| Kovanaththil oru kaasirunthaa | If there is a single coin in the loincloth, |
| Kozhi koova oru paattu varum | A song comes out as the rooster crows, |
| Paattu padikkira en mama | My uncle who sings songs, |
| Un kovanaththil oru kaasirunthaa | If there is a coin in your loincloth! |
| Female | |
| Kovanaththil oru kaasirunthaa | If there is a single coin in the loincloth, |
| Kozhi koova oru paattu varum | A song comes out as the rooster crows, |
| Paattu padikkira en mama | My uncle who sings songs, |
| Un kovanaththil oru kaasirunthaa | If there is a coin in your loincloth! |
| Female | |
| Kovanamumilla kaiyil kaasumilla | I have no loincloth nor money in hand, |
| Paattu varuthae ennapulla | Yet a song flows, what to do my girl? |
| Koyil silai pola unna kandathaal | Seeing you look like a temple idol, |
| Yaeththam keduthae kannipulla | My picottah pace gets ruined, young girl! |
| Female | |
| Selaiya paarththaalae sokki pogura en mama | My uncle who swoons just looking at my saree, |
| Velaiya paar mama antha vetti pechchu yaen mama | Focus on your work uncle, why this idle talk, uncle? |
| Male :Kaanja vayalula thanniya paaichchanum | Male: I must irrigate water into the parched field, |
| Panjaththa theekkanum pasi thaagam pokkanum | Eradicate poverty and quench hunger and thirst! |
| Female | |
| Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Oh, the water-lift! |
| Unakkau rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | You have so much pride and attitude, sir! |
| Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Oh, the water-lift! |
| Unakkau rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | You have so much pride and attitude, sir! |
| Female | |
| Switch onna thatti vuttuputtaa | If you just flip on the switch, |
| Pumbu setla thanni kotti pudum | Water pours out from the motor pump set! |
| Machchu vela siya vakkilaiyae | You don't even have the means for basic living, |
| Ingu vakkanapechchu yaen mama | Why all this boastful talk here, uncle? |
| Male | |
| Enthiram vachchu vela seiyyalaam | We can do work using machines, |
| Naamenna seiyya bhoomiyae | But what can that do to nurture the Earth? |
| Mannoda manushan manasu inaiyum | The divine grandeur of a human heart connecting with the soil, |
| Magaththuvam varumaa sollupulla | Will that soul ever come from a machine, tell me girl? |
| Female | |
| Mannu vilainjaalae adhu venaanguthaa mama | If the soil yields crops, does anyone refuse it, uncle? |
| Kaiyil ponnu nirainjaalae | If hands are filled with wealth, |
| Adhu pollaathathaa mama | Is that a bad thing, uncle? |
| Male | |
| Vingaana kaalaththil ellaamae mechinne-u | In this modern scientific era, everything is mechanized, |
| Manushan manasu kooda mechinne aagipochchu po pulla | Even human hearts have turned into machines, go girl! |
| Male | |
| Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Oh, the water-lift! |
| Unakkau rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | You have so much pride and attitude, sir! |
| Engappan un paattan muppaattan soththu irukku | The heritage of my father, your grandfather, and great-grandfather is here! |
| Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Oh, the water-lift! |
| Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift! |
| Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam | Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift! |
| Female | |
| Yaelolangadi yaeththam rompa yaeththam | Yaelolangadi, the water-lift is so high! |
| Unakkumkooda yaeththam rompa yaeththam | Even you have so much pride! |
| Yaeththam rompa yaeththam | The water-lift is so high! |
| Unakkumkooda yaeththam rompa yaeththam | Even you have so much pride! |
முந்தி முந்தி விநாயகரே முப்பத்து முக்கோடி தேவர்களே
நீர் கொடுத்த நீரையெல்லாம்
நீர் கொடுத்த நிலத்துக்கே பாய்ச்ச போறேன்
சீராக ஏரோட்டி பார் முழுக்க சோற்கொடுத்து காக்க போறேன்
ஆதரிக்க வேணும்மையா.........
First and foremost Lord Ganesha, and thirty-three crore deities!
All the water that You gave,
I am going to irrigate back into the land You gave.
Ploughing properly, I will protect the whole world by fulfilling my promise.
You must support me, O Lord!
ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம் ஏலோலங்கடி ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
எங்கப்பன் உன் பாட்டன் முப்பாட்டன் சொத்து இது
ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம் ஏலோலங்கடி ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
ஏலோலங்கடி ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
Oh, the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
This is the property of my father, your grandfather, and great-grandfather!
Oh, the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
ஏலோலங்கடி ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
உனக்கு ரொம்ப ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
உனக்கு ரொம்ப ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
Oh, the water-lift!
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
கோவணத்தில் ஒரு காசிருந்தா
கோழி கூவ ஒரு பாட்டு வரும்
பாட்டுபடிக்கிற என் மாமா
உன் கோவணத்தில் ஒரு காசிருக்கா
If there is a single coin in the loincloth,
A song comes out as the rooster crows,
My uncle who sings songs,
If there is a coin in your loincloth!
கோவணத்தில் ஒரு காசிருந்தா
கோழி கூவ ஒரு பாட்டு வரும்
பாட்டுபடிக்கிற என் மாமா
உன் கோவணத்தில் ஒரு காசிருக்கா
If there is a single coin in the loincloth,
A song comes out as the rooster crows,
My uncle who sings songs,
If there is a coin in your loincloth!
கோவணமுமில்ல கையில் காசுமில்ல
பாட்டு வருதே என்னபுள்ள
கோயில் சிலை போல உன்ன கண்டதால்
ஏத்தம் கேடுதே கன்னிபுள்ள
I have no loincloth nor money in hand,
Yet a song flows, what to do my girl?
Seeing you look like a temple idol,
My picottah pace gets ruined, young girl!
சேலைய பார்த்தாலே சொக்கி போகுற என் மாமா
வேலைய பார் மாமா அந்த வெட்டி பேச்சு ஏன் மாமா
காஞ்ச வயலுல தண்ணிய பாய்ச்சனும்
பஞ்சத்த தீக்கனும் பசி தாகம் போக்கணும்
My uncle who swoons just looking at my saree,
Focus on your work uncle, why this idle talk, uncle?
Male: I must irrigate water into the parched field,
Eradicate poverty and quench hunger and thirst!
ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
உனக்கு ரொம்ப ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
உனக்கு ரொம்ப ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
Oh, the water-lift!
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
Oh, the water-lift!
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
ஸ்விச் ஒன்ன தட்டி வுட்டுபுட்டா
பம்ப்பு செட்டுல தண்ணி கொட்டிபுடும்
மச்சு வேல செய்ய வக்கில்லையே
இங்கு வக்கணபேச்சு ஏன் மாமா
If you just flip on the switch,
Water pours out from the motor pump set!
You don't even have the means for basic living,
Why all this boastful talk here, uncle?
ஸ்விச் ஒன்ன தட்டி வுட்டுபுட்டா
பம்ப்பு செட்டுல தண்ணி கொட்டிபுடும்
மச்சு வேல செய்ய வக்கில்லையே
இங்கு வக்கணபேச்சு ஏன் மாமா
We can do work using machines,
But what can that do to nurture the Earth?
The divine grandeur of a human heart connecting with the soil,
Will that soul ever come from a machine, tell me girl?
எந்திரம் வச்சு வேல செய்யலாம்
நாமென்ன செய்ய பூமியிலே
மண்ணோட மனுஷன் மனசு இணையும்
மகத்துவம் வருமா சொல்லுபுள்ள
If the soil yields crops, does anyone refuse it, uncle?
If hands are filled with wealth,
Is that a bad thing, uncle?
மண்ணு விளைஞ்சாலே அது வேனாங்குதா மாமா
கையில் பொண்ணு நிறைஞ்சாலே
அது பொல்லாததா மாமா
In this modern scientific era, everything is mechanized,
Even human hearts have turned into machines, go girl!
விஞ்ஞான காலத்தில் எல்லாமே மிஷினு
மனுஷன் மனசு கூட மிஷின் ஆகிபோச்சு போ புள்ள
Oh, the water-lift!
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
The heritage of my father, your grandfather, and great-grandfather is here!
Oh, the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம் உனக்கு ரொம்ப ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம் உனக்கு ரொம்ப ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
எங்கப்பன் உன்பாட்டன் முப்பாட்டன் சொத்திருக்கு
ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம் ஏலோலங்கடி ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
ஏலோலங்கடி ஏத்தமையா ஏத்தம்
Yaelolangadi, the water-lift is so high!
Even you have so much pride!
The water-lift is so high!
Even you have so much pride!
ஏலோலங்கடி ஏத்தம் ரொம்ப ஏத்தம்
உனக்கும்கூட ஏத்தம் ரொம்ப ஏத்தம்
ஏத்தம் ரொம்ப ஏத்தம்
உனக்கும்கூட ஏத்தம் ரொம்ப ஏத்தம்
Munthu munthu vinaayagarae muppaththu mukkodi devargalae
First and foremost Lord Ganesha, and thirty-three crore deities!
Neer koduththa neeraiyellaam
All the water that You gave,
Neer koduthth nilaththukkae paaichcha poraen
I am going to irrigate back into the land You gave.
Seeraaga yaerotti paar muzhukka sorkoduththu kaakka poraen
Ploughing properly, I will protect the whole world by fulfilling my promise.
Aadharikka venumaiyaa
You must support me, O Lord!
Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Oh, the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
Engappan un paattan muppaattan soththu idhu
This is the property of my father, your grandfather, and great-grandfather!
Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Oh, the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
Unakku rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Oh, the water-lift!
Unakku rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
Kovanaththil oru kaasirunthaa
If there is a single coin in the loincloth,
Kozhi koova oru paattu varum
A song comes out as the rooster crows,
Paattu padikkira en mama
My uncle who sings songs,
Un kovanaththil oru kaasirunthaa
If there is a coin in your loincloth!
Kovanaththil oru kaasirunthaa
If there is a single coin in the loincloth,
Kozhi koova oru paattu varum
A song comes out as the rooster crows,
Paattu padikkira en mama
My uncle who sings songs,
Un kovanaththil oru kaasirunthaa
If there is a coin in your loincloth!
Kovanamumilla kaiyil kaasumilla
I have no loincloth nor money in hand,
Paattu varuthae ennapulla
Yet a song flows, what to do my girl?
Koyil silai pola unna kandathaal
Seeing you look like a temple idol,
Yaeththam keduthae kannipulla
My picottah pace gets ruined, young girl!
Selaiya paarththaalae sokki pogura en mama
My uncle who swoons just looking at my saree,
Velaiya paar mama antha vetti pechchu yaen mama
Focus on your work uncle, why this idle talk, uncle?
Male :Kaanja vayalula thanniya paaichchanum
Male: I must irrigate water into the parched field,
Panjaththa theekkanum pasi thaagam pokkanum
Eradicate poverty and quench hunger and thirst!
Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Oh, the water-lift!
Unakkau rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Oh, the water-lift!
Unakkau rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
Switch onna thatti vuttuputtaa
If you just flip on the switch,
Pumbu setla thanni kotti pudum
Water pours out from the motor pump set!
Machchu vela siya vakkilaiyae
You don't even have the means for basic living,
Ingu vakkanapechchu yaen mama
Why all this boastful talk here, uncle?
Enthiram vachchu vela seiyyalaam
We can do work using machines,
Naamenna seiyya bhoomiyae
But what can that do to nurture the Earth?
Mannoda manushan manasu inaiyum
The divine grandeur of a human heart connecting with the soil,
Magaththuvam varumaa sollupulla
Will that soul ever come from a machine, tell me girl?
Mannu vilainjaalae adhu venaanguthaa mama
If the soil yields crops, does anyone refuse it, uncle?
Kaiyil ponnu nirainjaalae
If hands are filled with wealth,
Adhu pollaathathaa mama
Is that a bad thing, uncle?
Vingaana kaalaththil ellaamae mechinne-u
In this modern scientific era, everything is mechanized,
Manushan manasu kooda mechinne aagipochchu po pulla
Even human hearts have turned into machines, go girl!
Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Oh, the water-lift!
Unakkau rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
You have so much pride and attitude, sir!
Engappan un paattan muppaattan soththu irukku
The heritage of my father, your grandfather, and great-grandfather is here!
Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Oh, the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam
Yaelolangadi, oh the water-lift!
Yaelolangadi yaeththam rompa yaeththam
Yaelolangadi, the water-lift is so high!
Unakkumkooda yaeththam rompa yaeththam
Even you have so much pride!
Yaeththam rompa yaeththam
The water-lift is so high!
Unakkumkooda yaeththam rompa yaeththam
Even you have so much pride!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic folk-style duet from 'Ninaive Oru Sangeetham' presents a playful yet deep debate between traditional farming methods and modern technology. Set in a rural agricultural backdrop, the male protagonist sings traditional folk farming chants ('Yaethappattu') while drawing water using a traditional water-lift ('Yaetham'). He praises the sacred connection between human labor, ancestral heritage, and the mother earth, arguing that mechanized farming lacks soul and human emotion. The female protagonist playfully teases him about his poverty, idle talk, and romantic distractions, advocating for modern conveniences like electric pump sets that reduce manual toil.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Wordplay / Siledai (Double Entendre)
“Yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam / Unakku rompa yaeththamaiyaa yaeththam”
'Yaetham' refers to the traditional wooden water-picottah used for field irrigation, while also colloquially meaning 'pride', 'arrogance', or 'elevation', creating a playful double meaning throughout the song.
Simile (Upamai)
“Koyil silai pola unna kandathaal”
The male lead compares the beauty of his beloved to a carved temple idol ('Koyil silai pola').
Monai (Initial Rhyme)
“Munthu munthu vinaayagarae muppaththu mukkodi devargalae”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Mu' across words ('Munthu', 'muppaththu', 'mukkodi') creates a musical rhythm.
Metaphor (Uruvakam)
“Manushan manasu kooda mechinne aagipochchu”
The lyricist metaphorically describes how modern human hearts have turned cold and unfeeling like machines ('mechinne').
Did you know?
Trivia
In traditional Tamil rural culture, 'Yaethappattu' (Water-lift folk songs) were sung by farmers to pace their rhythmic physical exertion while lifting water manually from deep wells. Ilaiyaraaja, who composed the music and wrote the lyrics himself, blended authentic folk rhythms with film music sensibilities. The song showcases the famous vocal chemistry between Malaysia Vasudevan and K. S. Chithra, capturing authentic Tamil dialect and agricultural nuances.
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