Yethi Vacha Kuthuvilakku
From Vellaiya Thevan · 1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku | The lit oil lamp |
| Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum | Will give light to all of us. |
| Iruttai nee viratti vittaal | If you chase away the darkness, |
| Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum | Life will bloom for all of us. |
| Oru yaezha paala yaedhu nalla velai varumpothu | What does a poor person lack when a good time arrives? |
| Male | |
| Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku | The lit oil lamp |
| Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum | Will give light to all of us. |
| Iruttai nee viratti vittaal | If you chase away the darkness, |
| Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum | Life will bloom for all of us. |
| Male | |
| Melidaththil nee irunthaal | If you are in a high position, |
| Un aanavaththai pokki vidu | Get rid of your arrogance. |
| Keezh irukkum manithargalai | The people who are down below, |
| Konjam kai koduththu thookki vidu | Give them a hand and lift them up. |
| Male | |
| Bhoomi undu pooppatharkku | The earth exists to bloom flowers, |
| Saami undu kaappatharkku | God exists to protect us. |
| Nooru vazhi naattil undu | There are a hundred ways in this land |
| Neeyum naanum vaazhvathrkku….oo….oo…oo… | For both you and me to live... oo... oo... oo... |
| Male | |
| Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku | The lit oil lamp |
| Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum | Will give light to all of us. |
| Iruttai nee viratti vittaal | If you chase away the darkness, |
| Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum | Life will bloom for all of us. |
| Male | |
| Uchchi mala mettulathaan | Right on the peak of the high mountain, |
| Antha kaaviriyum porakkuthappaa | That river Cauvery is born. |
| Odi vanthu oorukkellaam | Running down to all the villages, |
| Konda thaagangalai theerkkuthappaa | It quenches everyone's thirst. |
| Male | |
| Nallapadi nee irunthaa | If you are living well, |
| Naalu perkku udhavidanum | You should help a few people. |
| Ooru sanam un perumai | The town's people should speak of your greatness |
| Pesi pesi urugidanum oo…oo…oo… | And melt with emotion as they talk... oo... oo... oo... |
| Male | |
| Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku | The lit oil lamp |
| Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum | Will give light to all of us. |
| Iruttai nee viratti vittaal | If you chase away the darkness, |
| Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum | Life will bloom for all of us. |
| Oru yaezha paala yaedhu nalla velai varumpothu | What does a poor person lack when a good time arrives? |
| Male | |
| Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku | The lit oil lamp |
| Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum | Will give light to all of us. |
| Iruttai nee viratti vittaal | If you chase away the darkness, |
| Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum | Life will bloom for all of us. |
ஏத்தி வெச்ச குத்துவிளக்கு
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வெளிச்சம் தரும்
இருட்டை நீ விரட்டி விட்டால்
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வாழ்க்கை வரும்
ஒரு ஏழ பாழ ஏது நல்ல வேளை வரும்போது
The lit oil lamp
Will give light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
Life will bloom for all of us.
What does a poor person lack when a good time arrives?
ஏத்தி வெச்ச குத்துவிளக்கு
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வெளிச்சம் தரும்
இருட்டை நீ விரட்டி விட்டால்
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வாழ்க்கை வரும்
The lit oil lamp
Will give light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
Life will bloom for all of us.
மேலிடத்தில் நீ இருந்தால்
உன் ஆணவத்தைப் போக்கி விடு
கீழ் இருக்கும் மனிதர்களை
கொஞ்சம் கை கொடுத்து தூக்கி விடு
If you are in a high position,
Get rid of your arrogance.
The people who are down below,
Give them a hand and lift them up.
பூமி உண்டு பூப்பதற்கு
சாமி உண்டு காப்பதற்கு
நூறு வழி நாட்டில் உண்டு
நீயும் நானும் வாழ்வதற்கு ஓ... ஓ... ஓ....
The earth exists to bloom flowers,
God exists to protect us.
There are a hundred ways in this land
For both you and me to live... oo... oo... oo...
ஏத்தி வெச்ச குத்துவிளக்கு
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வெளிச்சம் தரும்
இருட்டை நீ விரட்டி விட்டால்
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வாழ்க்கை வரும்
The lit oil lamp
Will give light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
Life will bloom for all of us.
உச்சி மல மேட்டுல தான்
அந்தக் காவிரியும் பொறக்குதப்பா
ஓடி வந்து ஊருக்கெல்லாம்
கொண்ட தாகங்களை தீர்க்குதப்பா
Right on the peak of the high mountain,
That river Cauvery is born.
Running down to all the villages,
It quenches everyone's thirst.
நல்லபடி நீ இருந்தா
நாலு பேர்க்கு உதவிடணும்
ஊரு சனம் உன் பெருமை
பேசிப் பேசி உருகிடணும் ஓ... ஓ... ஓ...
If you are living well,
You should help a few people.
The town's people should speak of your greatness
And melt with emotion as they talk... oo... oo... oo...
ஏத்தி வெச்ச குத்துவிளக்கு
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வெளிச்சம் தரும்
இருட்டை நீ விரட்டி விட்டால்
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வாழ்க்கை வரும்
ஒரு ஏழ பாழ ஏது நல்ல வேளை வரும்போது
The lit oil lamp
Will give light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
Life will bloom for all of us.
What does a poor person lack when a good time arrives?
ஏத்தி வெச்ச குத்துவிளக்கு
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வெளிச்சம் தரும்
இருட்டை நீ விரட்டி விட்டால்
நம்ம எல்லார்க்கும் வாழ்க்கை வரும்
The lit oil lamp
Will give light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
Life will bloom for all of us.
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
The lit oil lamp
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Will give light to all of us.
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
If you chase away the darkness,
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Life will bloom for all of us.
Oru yaezha paala yaedhu nalla velai varumpothu
What does a poor person lack when a good time arrives?
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
The lit oil lamp
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Will give light to all of us.
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
If you chase away the darkness,
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Life will bloom for all of us.
Melidaththil nee irunthaal
If you are in a high position,
Un aanavaththai pokki vidu
Get rid of your arrogance.
Keezh irukkum manithargalai
The people who are down below,
Konjam kai koduththu thookki vidu
Give them a hand and lift them up.
Bhoomi undu pooppatharkku
The earth exists to bloom flowers,
Saami undu kaappatharkku
God exists to protect us.
Nooru vazhi naattil undu
There are a hundred ways in this land
Neeyum naanum vaazhvathrkku….oo….oo…oo…
For both you and me to live... oo... oo... oo...
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
The lit oil lamp
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Will give light to all of us.
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
If you chase away the darkness,
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Life will bloom for all of us.
Uchchi mala mettulathaan
Right on the peak of the high mountain,
Antha kaaviriyum porakkuthappaa
That river Cauvery is born.
Odi vanthu oorukkellaam
Running down to all the villages,
Konda thaagangalai theerkkuthappaa
It quenches everyone's thirst.
Nallapadi nee irunthaa
If you are living well,
Naalu perkku udhavidanum
You should help a few people.
Ooru sanam un perumai
The town's people should speak of your greatness
Pesi pesi urugidanum oo…oo…oo…
And melt with emotion as they talk... oo... oo... oo...
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
The lit oil lamp
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Will give light to all of us.
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
If you chase away the darkness,
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Life will bloom for all of us.
Oru yaezha paala yaedhu nalla velai varumpothu
What does a poor person lack when a good time arrives?
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
The lit oil lamp
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Will give light to all of us.
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
If you chase away the darkness,
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Life will bloom for all of us.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
"Yaeththi Vechcha Kuththuvilakku" is an uplifting philosophical song from the 1990 movie Vellaiya Thevan, composed and sung by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali. The song uses the traditional standing oil lamp (kuththuvilakku) as a metaphor for hope, enlightenment, and selfless charity, suggesting that dispelling hardship and darkness brings prosperity to the entire community. The lyrics urge those who hold privileged or powerful positions to abandon arrogance and extend a helping hand to the underprivileged. Vaali draws a poetic analogy with the river Cauvery, which originates high up in the mountains but flows down to quench the thirst of everyone in the plains, setting an example for human benevolence and community unity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku / Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum”
The traditional lit lamp serves as a metaphor for wisdom, kindness, and social upliftment that dispels the darkness of suffering.
Analogy / Example (Uvamai)
“Uchchi mala mettulathaan / Antha kaaviriyum porakkuthappaa / Odi vanthu oorukkellaam / Konda thaagangalai theerkkuthappaa”
The river Cauvery originating in high mountains and flowing down to serve humanity is used as a natural analogy for how wealthy or powerful people should serve society.
Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Melidaththil nee irunthaal... Keezh irukkum manithargalai...”
Contrasts high status ('melidaththil') with low status ('keezh irukkum') to emphasize equality and humility.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Bhoomi undu pooppatharkku / Saami undu kaappatharkku”
Lines end with rhyming words ('pooppatharkku' and 'kaappatharkku') creating a rhythmic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vellaiya Thevan' (1990) featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, who also personally lent his rustic voice to this track. Lyricist Vaali was well known for crafting simple yet deeply resonant folk-style songs with high philosophical value for rural backdrop movies starring Ramarajan.
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