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Vellaiya Thevan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Yethi Vacha Kuthuvilakku

From Vellaiya Thevan · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Vellaiya Thevan
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
28 Feb 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Oru yaezha paala yaedhu nalla velai varumpothu
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Melidaththil nee irunthaal
Un aanavaththai pokki vidu
Keezh irukkum manithargalai
Konjam kai koduththu thookki vidu
Bhoomi undu pooppatharkku
Saami undu kaappatharkku
Nooru vazhi naattil undu
Neeyum naanum vaazhvathrkku….oo….oo…oo…
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Uchchi mala mettulathaan
Antha kaaviriyum porakkuthappaa
Odi vanthu oorukkellaam
Konda thaagangalai theerkkuthappaa
Nallapadi nee irunthaa
Naalu perkku udhavidanum
Ooru sanam un perumai
Pesi pesi urugidanum oo…oo…oo…
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
Oru yaezha paala yaedhu nalla velai varumpothu
Yaeththi vechcha kuththuvilakku
Namma ellaarkkum velichcham tharum
Iruttai nee viratti vittaal
Namma ellaarkkum vaazhkkai varum
An oil lamp, once lit,
gives light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
a good life will dawn for all of us.
No one remains poor and helpless when good times arrive!
An oil lamp, once lit,
gives light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
a good life will dawn for all of us.
If you hold a high position,
let go of your pride.
To the people struggling down below,
lend a helping hand and lift them up.
The earth is here to bloom,
God is here to protect us,
and there are a hundred ways in this land
for you and me to live well, oh... oh... oh...
An oil lamp, once lit,
gives light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
a good life will dawn for all of us.
High up on the mountain top,
the river Cauvery is born.
She rushes down to every village
and quenches everyone's thirst.
If you are blessed with a good life,
you must help those around you.
The villagers should talk about your goodness
with deeply touched hearts, oh... oh... oh...
An oil lamp, once lit,
gives light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
a good life will dawn for all of us.
No one remains poor and helpless when good times arrive!
An oil lamp, once lit,
gives light to all of us.
If you chase away the darkness,
a good life will dawn for all of us.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

"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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