Yezhai Jathi Kozhai Jathi Illai
From Ezhai Jaathi · 1993
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Jayachandran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ezhai Jaathi1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella | For us to bow and yield while we live |
| Male | |
| Hey maanidanae maanidanae | Hey human being, O human being |
| Ondru serndhu koodu | Unite and gather together as one |
| Oru por parani pudhu parani | A war ballad, a brand new ballad |
| Pudhiya geetham paadu | Sing a new anthem |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella | For us to bow and yield while we live |
| Male | |
| Vellaiyan aalgira nerathilum | Even during the era when the British ruled us |
| Chorus :Adimaigalaai irundhom | Chorus: We remained as enslaved people |
| Male :Viduthalai vaangiya podhinilum | Male: Even when we attained independence |
| Chorus :Vidiyum endrae irundhom | Chorus: We lived believing a new dawn would come |
| Male | |
| Aatchiyil yeriya nammavargal | Our own people who ascended to political power |
| Avar vazhi paarthukondaar | Looked out only for their own paths and gains |
| Female Chorus :Avadhiyil vaazhgira ezhaigalo | Female Chorus: While the poor living in constant suffering |
| Avar mugam paarthu nindraar | Stood waiting and looking up at their faces |
| Male | |
| Mudhalvargal thaan ingu maarugiraar | Only the Chief Ministers keep changing here |
| Mudivugal maaravillai | The actual outcomes never change |
| Aatchigal thaan ingu maaruthaiyaa | Only the ruling governments change, my friend |
| Nam avathigal maaravillai | Our sufferings never change |
| Chorus | |
| Mudhalvargal thaan ingu maarugiraar | Only the Chief Ministers keep changing here |
| Mudivugal maaravillai | The actual outcomes never change |
| Aatchigal thaan ingu maaruthaiyaa | Only the ruling governments change, my friend |
| Nam avathigal maaravillai | Our sufferings never change |
| Male | |
| Ini poruthirunthaal thaduppatharku | If you remain silent and patient any longer, to stand up for you |
| Unakkena yaarum illai | There will be no one left for you |
| Idhai purindhu kondaal therindhu kondaal | If you comprehend this and realize this truth |
| Veredhum thevai illai | Nothing else is required |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella | For us to bow and yield while we live |
| Male | |
| Hey maanidanae maanidanae | Hey human being, O human being |
| Ondru serndhu koodu | Unite and gather together as one |
| Oru por parani pudhu parani | A war ballad, a brand new ballad |
| Pudhiya geetham paadu | Sing a new anthem |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella | For us to bow and yield while we live |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………. | (Interlude) |
| Male | |
| Jana thogaiyil naam valuthavargal | We are strong in terms of population size |
| Chorus :Panathinil ilaithavargal | Chorus: But depleted and weak in terms of wealth |
| Male :Manadhalavil naam uyarndhavargal | Male: On a mental and spiritual level, we are noble |
| Chorus :Manidharil siranthavargal | Chorus: We are the finest among humanity |
| Male | |
| Nilangalai nesithu kalam vilaithom | We loved the lands and cultivated crops in the fields |
| Namakkena nilangal illai | Yet we own no lands of our own |
| Chorus :Valangalai boomikku varavazhaithom | Chorus: We brought wealth and prosperity to the earth |
| Namakkoru valangal illai | Yet we possess no riches for ourselves |
| Male | |
| Varumaigal parambarai thalaivithiyaa | Is poverty a hereditary decree of fate? |
| Ezhuthirathevarum illai | No one has written it down as such |
| Vazhigalai maatrida therindhu kondaal | If we learn how to change our approaches |
| Ezhuvathil thavarum illai | There is nothing wrong with rising up in revolution |
| Chorus | |
| Varumaigal parambarai thalaivithiyaa | Is poverty a hereditary decree of fate? |
| Ezhuthirathevarum illai | No one has written it down as such |
| Vazhigalai maatrida therindhu kondaal | If we learn how to change our approaches |
| Ezhuvathil thavarum illai | There is nothing wrong with rising up in revolution |
| Male | |
| Nam thavarugalai thiruthi kondaal | If we correct our own shortcomings and mistakes |
| Thadaigalum yedhum illai | No obstacles will stand in our way |
| Nam thalai ezhuthai maatriduvom | We shall rewrite our own destiny |
| Idhai vida needhi illai… | There is no justice greater than this... |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella | For us to bow and yield while we live |
| Hey maanidanae maanidanae | Hey human being, O human being |
| Ondru serndhu koodu | Unite and gather together as one |
| Oru por parani pudhu parani | A war ballad, a brand new ballad |
| Pudhiya geetham paadu | Sing a new anthem |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella | For us to bow and yield while we live |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
| Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla | The working class is not a cowardly class |
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
The working class is not a cowardly class
The working class is not a cowardly class
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
வாழும் போது வளைந்து நாங்கள் செல்ல
The working class is not a cowardly class
For us to bow and yield while we live
ஏ மானிடனே மானிடனே
ஒன்று சேர்ந்து கூடு
ஒரு போர் பரணி புதுப் பரணி
புதிய கீதம் பாடு
Hey human being, O human being
Unite and gather together as one
A war ballad, a brand new ballad
Sing a new anthem
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
வாழும் போது வளைந்து நாங்கள் செல்ல
The working class is not a cowardly class
For us to bow and yield while we live
வெள்ளையன் ஆள்கிற நேரத்திலும்
குழு :
அடிமைகளாய் இருந்தோம்
விடுதலை வாங்கிய போதினிலும்
குழு :
விடியும் என்றே இருந்தோம்
Even during the era when the British ruled us
Chorus: We remained as enslaved people
Male: Even when we attained independence
Chorus: We lived believing a new dawn would come
ஆட்சியில் ஏறிய நம்மவர்கள்
அவர் வழி பார்த்துக் கொண்டார்
பெண் குழு :
அவதியில் வாழ்கிற ஏழைகளோ
அவர் முகம் பார்த்து நின்றார்
Our own people who ascended to political power
Looked out only for their own paths and gains
Female Chorus: While the poor living in constant suffering
Stood waiting and looking up at their faces
முதல்வர்கள் தான் இங்கு மாறுகிறார்
முடிவுகள் மாறவில்லை
ஆட்சிகள் தான் இங்கு மாறுதையா
நம் அவதிகள் மாறவில்லை
Only the Chief Ministers keep changing here
The actual outcomes never change
Only the ruling governments change, my friend
Our sufferings never change
முதல்வர்கள் தான் இங்கு மாறுகிறார்
முடிவுகள் மாறவில்லை
ஆட்சிகள் தான் இங்கு மாறுதையா
நம் அவதிகள் மாறவில்லை
Only the Chief Ministers keep changing here
The actual outcomes never change
Only the ruling governments change, my friend
Our sufferings never change
இனி பொறுத்திருந்தால் தடுப்பதற்கு
உனக்கென யாரும் இல்லை
இதை புரிந்து கொண்டால் தெரிந்து கொண்டால்
வேறெதும் தேவை இல்லை....
If you remain silent and patient any longer, to stand up for you
There will be no one left for you
If you comprehend this and realize this truth
Nothing else is required
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
வாழும் போது வளைந்து நாங்கள் செல்ல
The working class is not a cowardly class
For us to bow and yield while we live
ஏ மானிடனே மானிடனே
ஒன்று சேர்ந்து கூடு
ஒரு போர் பரணி புதுப் பரணி
புதிய கீதம் பாடு
Hey human being, O human being
Unite and gather together as one
A war ballad, a brand new ballad
Sing a new anthem
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
வாழும் போது வளைந்து நாங்கள் செல்ல
The working class is not a cowardly class
For us to bow and yield while we live
..........................
(Interlude)
ஜனத் தொகையில் நாம் வலுத்தவர்கள்
குழு :
பணத்தினில் இளைத்தவர்கள்
மனத்தளவில் நாம் உயர்ந்தவர்கள்
குழு :
மனிதரில் சிறந்தவர்கள்
We are strong in terms of population size
Chorus: But depleted and weak in terms of wealth
Male: On a mental and spiritual level, we are noble
Chorus: We are the finest among humanity
நிலங்களை நேசித்து கலம் விளைத்தோம்
நமக்கென நிலங்கள் இல்லை
குழு :
வளங்களை பூமிக்கு வரவழைத்தோம்
நமக்கொரு வளங்கள் இல்லை
We loved the lands and cultivated crops in the fields
Yet we own no lands of our own
Chorus: We brought wealth and prosperity to the earth
Yet we possess no riches for ourselves
வறுமைகள் பரம்பரை தலைவிதியா
எழுதியதெவரும் இல்லை
வழிகளை மாற்றிடத் தெரிந்து கொண்டால்
எழுவதில் தவறும் இல்லை
Is poverty a hereditary decree of fate?
No one has written it down as such
If we learn how to change our approaches
There is nothing wrong with rising up in revolution
வறுமைகள் பரம்பரை தலைவிதியா
எழுதியதெவரும் இல்லை
வழிகளை மாற்றிடத் தெரிந்து கொண்டால்
எழுவதில் தவறும் இல்லை
Is poverty a hereditary decree of fate?
No one has written it down as such
If we learn how to change our approaches
There is nothing wrong with rising up in revolution
நம் தவறுகளை திருத்திக் கொண்டால்
தடைகளும் ஏதும் இல்லை
நம் தலை எழுத்தை மாற்றிடுவோம்
இதை விட நீதி இல்லை.....
If we correct our own shortcomings and mistakes
No obstacles will stand in our way
We shall rewrite our own destiny
There is no justice greater than this...
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
வாழும் போது வளைந்து நாங்கள் செல்ல
ஏ மானிடனே மானிடனே
ஒன்று சேர்ந்து கூடு
ஒரு போர் பரணி புதுப் பரணி
புதிய கீதம் பாடு
The working class is not a cowardly class
For us to bow and yield while we live
Hey human being, O human being
Unite and gather together as one
A war ballad, a brand new ballad
Sing a new anthem
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
வாழும் போது வளைந்து நாங்கள் செல்ல
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
ஏழை ஜாதி கோழை ஜாதி அல்ல
The working class is not a cowardly class
For us to bow and yield while we live
The working class is not a cowardly class
The working class is not a cowardly class
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella
For us to bow and yield while we live
Hey maanidanae maanidanae
Hey human being, O human being
Ondru serndhu koodu
Unite and gather together as one
Oru por parani pudhu parani
A war ballad, a brand new ballad
Pudhiya geetham paadu
Sing a new anthem
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella
For us to bow and yield while we live
Vellaiyan aalgira nerathilum
Even during the era when the British ruled us
Chorus :Adimaigalaai irundhom
Chorus: We remained as enslaved people
Male :Viduthalai vaangiya podhinilum
Male: Even when we attained independence
Chorus :Vidiyum endrae irundhom
Chorus: We lived believing a new dawn would come
Aatchiyil yeriya nammavargal
Our own people who ascended to political power
Avar vazhi paarthukondaar
Looked out only for their own paths and gains
Female Chorus :Avadhiyil vaazhgira ezhaigalo
Female Chorus: While the poor living in constant suffering
Avar mugam paarthu nindraar
Stood waiting and looking up at their faces
Mudhalvargal thaan ingu maarugiraar
Only the Chief Ministers keep changing here
Mudivugal maaravillai
The actual outcomes never change
Aatchigal thaan ingu maaruthaiyaa
Only the ruling governments change, my friend
Nam avathigal maaravillai
Our sufferings never change
Mudhalvargal thaan ingu maarugiraar
Only the Chief Ministers keep changing here
Mudivugal maaravillai
The actual outcomes never change
Aatchigal thaan ingu maaruthaiyaa
Only the ruling governments change, my friend
Nam avathigal maaravillai
Our sufferings never change
Ini poruthirunthaal thaduppatharku
If you remain silent and patient any longer, to stand up for you
Unakkena yaarum illai
There will be no one left for you
Idhai purindhu kondaal therindhu kondaal
If you comprehend this and realize this truth
Veredhum thevai illai
Nothing else is required
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella
For us to bow and yield while we live
Hey maanidanae maanidanae
Hey human being, O human being
Ondru serndhu koodu
Unite and gather together as one
Oru por parani pudhu parani
A war ballad, a brand new ballad
Pudhiya geetham paadu
Sing a new anthem
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella
For us to bow and yield while we live
…………………….
(Interlude)
Jana thogaiyil naam valuthavargal
We are strong in terms of population size
Chorus :Panathinil ilaithavargal
Chorus: But depleted and weak in terms of wealth
Male :Manadhalavil naam uyarndhavargal
Male: On a mental and spiritual level, we are noble
Chorus :Manidharil siranthavargal
Chorus: We are the finest among humanity
Nilangalai nesithu kalam vilaithom
We loved the lands and cultivated crops in the fields
Namakkena nilangal illai
Yet we own no lands of our own
Chorus :Valangalai boomikku varavazhaithom
Chorus: We brought wealth and prosperity to the earth
Namakkoru valangal illai
Yet we possess no riches for ourselves
Varumaigal parambarai thalaivithiyaa
Is poverty a hereditary decree of fate?
Ezhuthirathevarum illai
No one has written it down as such
Vazhigalai maatrida therindhu kondaal
If we learn how to change our approaches
Ezhuvathil thavarum illai
There is nothing wrong with rising up in revolution
Varumaigal parambarai thalaivithiyaa
Is poverty a hereditary decree of fate?
Ezhuthirathevarum illai
No one has written it down as such
Vazhigalai maatrida therindhu kondaal
If we learn how to change our approaches
Ezhuvathil thavarum illai
There is nothing wrong with rising up in revolution
Nam thavarugalai thiruthi kondaal
If we correct our own shortcomings and mistakes
Thadaigalum yedhum illai
No obstacles will stand in our way
Nam thalai ezhuthai maatriduvom
We shall rewrite our own destiny
Idhai vida needhi illai…
There is no justice greater than this...
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella
For us to bow and yield while we live
Hey maanidanae maanidanae
Hey human being, O human being
Ondru serndhu koodu
Unite and gather together as one
Oru por parani pudhu parani
A war ballad, a brand new ballad
Pudhiya geetham paadu
Sing a new anthem
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella
For us to bow and yield while we live
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla
The working class is not a cowardly class
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful socio-political anthem from the film 'Ezhai Jaathi' serves as a clarion call for the working class and underprivileged to unite and rise against systemic oppression. Written by lyricist Vaali and set to Ilaiyaraaja's evocative score, the song highlights the historical exploitation of the poor—noting that whether under British colonial rule or post-independence democratic governments, political leadership changes frequently while the plight of the working class remains unchanged.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Ethukai (Second-letter agreement)
“Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla / Vaazhumbothu valaindhu naangal sella”
The second letters of 'Ezhai' (ழ) and 'Vaazhum' (ழ) share consonant similarity, creating a traditional Tamil rhythm.
Monaai (Alliteration / Initial Rhyme)
“Ezhai jaathi kozhai jaathi alla”
Repetition of the 'E' sound at the beginning of adjacent words in the refrain.
Metaphor / Literary Allusion (Parani)
“Oru por parani pudhu parani”
The term 'Parani' traditionally refers to a classical Tamil war literature genre praising heroic victories; here it is repurposed as a revolutionary war song for social justice.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Mudhalvargal thaan ingu maarugiraar / Mudivugal maaravillai”
Contrasting political change ('Chief Ministers change') with social stagnation ('Outcomes do not change').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ezhai Jaathi' (1993), starring Vijayakanth and directed by Liaquat Ali Khan, was named after this central theme of working-class empowerment. Vaali's lyrics in this film echoed classic M.G. Ramachandran-style socio-political songs, designed to awaken political consciousness among common citizens.
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