Yetramunna Yetram
From Arasilangkumari · 1961
- Lyricist
- Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Arasilangkumari1961
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yettramunnaa yettram | The water-lift pump is true progress, |
| Ahh…aaaa…aaaa…..aaa… | Ahh…aaaa…aaaa…..aaa… |
| Idhilae irukkudhu munnaettram | Within this lies real advancement. |
| Male | |
| Ellaarum padupattaa aaa…aa…aa… | If everyone works hard, ahh...aa...aa... |
| Idhu inbam vilaiyum thottam | This will become a garden yielding happiness. |
| Ellaarum padupattaa | If everyone works hard, |
| Idhu inbam vilaiyum thottam | This will become a garden yielding happiness. |
| Male | |
| Kinaththu neerai nilathukku thaan | Drawing the well water for the land, |
| Eduththu tharum yettram | That is what the water-lift pump brings. |
| Kilai vedikkum payirgalukku | For the crops that sprout with branches, |
| Uyarvalikkum oottam | It gives nourishing strength that uplifts them. |
| Male | |
| Thandhanatthaanae | Thandhanatthaanae |
| Yaelaelo | Yaelaelo |
| Thandhanatthaanae | Thandhanatthaanae |
| Yaelaelo | Yaelaelo |
| Male | |
| Erumbu pola varisaiyaaga | In a neat line like ants, |
| Edhilum serndhu uzhaikkanum | We must unite and labor in everything. |
| Iduppae valaiyaa manidhar | People whose backs do not bend in hard work, |
| Edhir paarthu pozhaikkanum | Live by depending on others. |
| Namma edhir paarthu pozhaikkanum | Should we live depending on others? |
| Male | |
| Udumbu pola urudhi venum | We need tenacity like a monitor lizard's grip, |
| Onaan nilaimai thirundhanum | The chameleon-like indecisive state must change. |
| Odanji pona namadhu inam | Our community that has been broken, |
| Onnaa vandhu porundhanum | Must come together and unite as one. |
| Male | |
| Thandhanatthaanae | Thandhanatthaanae |
| Yaelaelo…oohhooo | Yaelaelo…oohhooo |
| Thandhanatthaanae | Thandhanatthaanae |
| Yaelaelo | Yaelaelo |
| Male | |
| Odhuvaar thozhuvaarellaam | Those who read scriptures and pray, |
| Uzhuvaar thalai kadaiyilae | Stand behind the hardworking farmer. |
| Ulagham sezhippadhellaam | The prosperity of the whole world, |
| Yaer nadakkum nadaiyilae | Depends on the movement of the plow. |
| Male | |
| Aadhimagal avvai sollai | If we carefully consider in our minds, |
| Alasi paarthaa manasilae | The words of the ancient mother Avvaiyar, |
| Aadhimagal avvai sollai | If we carefully consider in our minds, |
| Alasi paartthaa manasilae | The words of the ancient mother Avvaiyar, |
| Male | |
| Needhi endra nel vilaiyum | The paddy called justice will grow, |
| Nerinji padarndha tharisilae | Even on barren land overgrown with thorns. |
| Male | |
| Podu thandhanatthaanae | Come on, Thandhanatthaanae |
| Yaelaelo | Yaelaelo |
| Thandhanatthaanae | Thandhanatthaanae |
| Yaelaelo | Yaelaelo |
| Male | |
| {Vidhiyai enni | {Thinking about fate, |
| Vizhundhu kidakkum | And lying down helpless, |
| Veenarellaam maaranum | All those useless people must change. |
| Velai senjaa uyarvomendra | The understanding that hard work brings progress |
| Vibaram mandaiyil yeranum} (2) | Must get into their heads} (2) |
| Male | |
| Nidhiyai ennum periyavanga | The wealthy elite who obsess over riches, |
| Nenjil anbum saeranum…mmm | Love must also enter their hearts... mmm |
| Nirandharamaa sagalarumae | Permanently, every single person, |
| Sodhandhiramaa vaazhanum | Must live in freedom. |
| Male | |
| Ohooo…Ohoooo…Ohooo…Oohoo… | Ohooo…Ohoooo…Ohooo…Oohoo… |
| Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo… | Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo… |
| Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo… | Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo… |
ஏற்றமுன்னா
ஏற்றம் ஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ இதிலே இருக்குது
முன்னேற்றம்
The water-lift pump is true progress,
Ahh…aaaa…aaaa…..aaa…
Within this lies real advancement.
எல்லாரும்
பாடுபட்டா ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ இது இன்பம் விளையும்
தோட்டம் எல்லாரும் பாடுபட்டா
இது இன்பம் விளையும் தோட்டம்
If everyone works hard, ahh...aa...aa...
This will become a garden yielding happiness.
If everyone works hard,
This will become a garden yielding happiness.
கிணத்து நீரை
நிலத்துக்கு தான் எடுத்து
தரும் ஏற்றம் கிளைவெடிக்கும்
பயிர்களுக்கு உயர்வளிக்கும்
ஊட்டம்
Drawing the well water for the land,
That is what the water-lift pump brings.
For the crops that sprout with branches,
It gives nourishing strength that uplifts them.
தந்தனத் தானே
ஏலேலோ தந்தனத் தானே
ஏலேலோ
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
எறும்பு போல
வரிசையாக எதிலும்
சேர்ந்து உழைக்கணும்
இடுப்பே வளையா மனிதர்
எதிர் பார்த்து பொழைக்கணும்
நம்ம எதிர் பார்த்து பொழைக்கணும்
In a neat line like ants,
We must unite and labor in everything.
People whose backs do not bend in hard work,
Live by depending on others.
Should we live depending on others?
உடும்பு போல
உறுதிவேணும் ஓணான்
நிலைமை திருந்தணும்
உடைஞ்சு போன நமது இனம்
ஒன்னா வந்து பொருந்தணும்
We need tenacity like a monitor lizard's grip,
The chameleon-like indecisive state must change.
Our community that has been broken,
Must come together and unite as one.
தந்தனத் தானே
ஏலேலோ ஓஹோ தந்தனத்
தானே ஏலேலோ
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo…oohhooo
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
ஓதுவார்
தொழுவாரெல்லாம்
உழுவார் தலைக்கடையிலே
உலகம் செழிப்பதெல்லாம்
ஏர் நடக்கும் நடையிலே
Those who read scriptures and pray,
Stand behind the hardworking farmer.
The prosperity of the whole world,
Depends on the movement of the plow.
ஆதிமகள்
அவ்வை சொல்லை
அலசி பாா்த்தா மனசிலே
ஆதிமகள் அவ்வை சொல்லை
அலசி பாா்த்தா மனசிலே
If we carefully consider in our minds,
The words of the ancient mother Avvaiyar,
If we carefully consider in our minds,
The words of the ancient mother Avvaiyar,
நீதிஎன்ற நெல்
விளையும் நெருஞ்சி
படர்ந்த தரிசிலே
The paddy called justice will grow,
Even on barren land overgrown with thorns.
போடு தந்தனத்
தானே ஏலேலோ
தந்தனத் தானே
ஏலேலோ
Come on, Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
{ விதியை எண்ணி
விழுந்து கிடக்கும்
வீணரெல்லாம் மாறணும்
வேலை செஞ்சா உயர்வோமென்ற
விபரம் மண்டையில் ஏறனும் } (2)
{Thinking about fate,
And lying down helpless,
All those useless people must change.
The understanding that hard work brings progress
Must get into their heads} (2)
நிதியை எண்ணும்
பெரியவங்க நெஞ்சில்
அன்பும் சேரணும்...
நிரந்தரமா சகலருமே
சுதந்திரமா வாழனும்
The wealthy elite who obsess over riches,
Love must also enter their hearts... mmm
Permanently, every single person,
Must live in freedom.
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
தந்தனத் தானே ஏலேலோ
தந்தனத் தானே ஏலேலோ
Ohooo…Ohoooo…Ohooo…Oohoo…
Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo…
Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo…
Yettramunnaa yettram
The water-lift pump is true progress,
Ahh…aaaa…aaaa…..aaa…
Ahh…aaaa…aaaa…..aaa…
Idhilae irukkudhu munnaettram
Within this lies real advancement.
Ellaarum padupattaa aaa…aa…aa…
If everyone works hard, ahh...aa...aa...
Idhu inbam vilaiyum thottam
This will become a garden yielding happiness.
Ellaarum padupattaa
If everyone works hard,
Idhu inbam vilaiyum thottam
This will become a garden yielding happiness.
Kinaththu neerai nilathukku thaan
Drawing the well water for the land,
Eduththu tharum yettram
That is what the water-lift pump brings.
Kilai vedikkum payirgalukku
For the crops that sprout with branches,
Uyarvalikkum oottam
It gives nourishing strength that uplifts them.
Thandhanatthaanae
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
Yaelaelo
Thandhanatthaanae
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
Yaelaelo
Erumbu pola varisaiyaaga
In a neat line like ants,
Edhilum serndhu uzhaikkanum
We must unite and labor in everything.
Iduppae valaiyaa manidhar
People whose backs do not bend in hard work,
Edhir paarthu pozhaikkanum
Live by depending on others.
Namma edhir paarthu pozhaikkanum
Should we live depending on others?
Udumbu pola urudhi venum
We need tenacity like a monitor lizard's grip,
Onaan nilaimai thirundhanum
The chameleon-like indecisive state must change.
Odanji pona namadhu inam
Our community that has been broken,
Onnaa vandhu porundhanum
Must come together and unite as one.
Thandhanatthaanae
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo…oohhooo
Yaelaelo…oohhooo
Thandhanatthaanae
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
Yaelaelo
Odhuvaar thozhuvaarellaam
Those who read scriptures and pray,
Uzhuvaar thalai kadaiyilae
Stand behind the hardworking farmer.
Ulagham sezhippadhellaam
The prosperity of the whole world,
Yaer nadakkum nadaiyilae
Depends on the movement of the plow.
Aadhimagal avvai sollai
If we carefully consider in our minds,
Alasi paarthaa manasilae
The words of the ancient mother Avvaiyar,
Aadhimagal avvai sollai
If we carefully consider in our minds,
Alasi paartthaa manasilae
The words of the ancient mother Avvaiyar,
Needhi endra nel vilaiyum
The paddy called justice will grow,
Nerinji padarndha tharisilae
Even on barren land overgrown with thorns.
Podu thandhanatthaanae
Come on, Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
Yaelaelo
Thandhanatthaanae
Thandhanatthaanae
Yaelaelo
Yaelaelo
{Vidhiyai enni
{Thinking about fate,
Vizhundhu kidakkum
And lying down helpless,
Veenarellaam maaranum
All those useless people must change.
Velai senjaa uyarvomendra
The understanding that hard work brings progress
Vibaram mandaiyil yeranum} (2)
Must get into their heads} (2)
Nidhiyai ennum periyavanga
The wealthy elite who obsess over riches,
Nenjil anbum saeranum…mmm
Love must also enter their hearts... mmm
Nirandharamaa sagalarumae
Permanently, every single person,
Sodhandhiramaa vaazhanum
Must live in freedom.
Ohooo…Ohoooo…Ohooo…Oohoo…
Ohooo…Ohoooo…Ohooo…Oohoo…
Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo…
Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo…
Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo…
Thandhanatthaanae…yaelaelo…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Yettramunnaa Yettram' is a socialist folk-inspired song from the 1961 movie Arasilangkumari, written by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram. Using the metaphor of the traditional agricultural water-lift pump ('Yettram'), the song celebrates human effort, unity, and hard labor as the true engines of progress. It urges society to reject fatalism ('vidhi'), laziness, and political indecision, encouraging people to work systematically like ants and hold on to their resolve like a monitor lizard. The song highlights the dignity of labor, pointing out that even priests and scholars ultimately depend on the humble farmer whose plow feeds the world. Referencing classical Tamil wisdom from Avvaiyar, the lyricist envisions a egalitarian society where justice flourishes, the wealthy develop empathy, and all working people live in freedom and dignity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Erumbu pola varisaiyaaga”
Compares human disciplined labor to ants marching in an orderly line.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Udumbu pola urudhi venum”
Compares firm determination to the unshakeable grip of a monitor lizard ('Udumbu').
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Needhi endra nel vilaiyum / Nerinji padarndha tharisilae”
Equates justice to paddy that can grow even on thorn-filled, neglected barren land through labor.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Odhuvaar thozhuvaarellaam / Uzhuvaar thalai kadaiyilae / Ulagham sezhippadhellaam”
Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('O' / 'U') across lines 29-31 creates melodic flow.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Vidhiyai enni / Vizhundhu kidakkum / Veenarellaam maaranum”
Repetition of the second consonant sound 'dhi'/'zhu'/'na' across related structural lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was famous for embedding Marxist ideals, working-class solidarity, and anti-fatalistic themes into Tamil film songs. His songs in M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) films like Arasilangkumari (1961) played a vital role in building MGR's screen persona as a champion of the poor and oppressed.
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