Yezhaiyin Sirippil
From Pattanathu Rajakkal · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Pattanathu Rajakkal1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan | They say God lives in the smile of the poor, |
| Naanthaan paarththathillai | I just haven't seen it myself. |
| Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu | Listen, I will tell you the reason why: |
| Yaezhai sirichchathillai | The poor man has never smiled. |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan | They say God lives in the smile of the poor, |
| Naanthaan paarththathillai | I just haven't seen it myself. |
| Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu | Listen, I will tell you the reason why: |
| Yaezhai sirichchathillai | The poor man has never smiled. |
| Male | |
| Avan sirippathu eppo | When will he smile? |
| Iraivan therivathu eppo | When will God be revealed? |
| Avan sirippathu eppo | When will he smile? |
| Iraivan therivathu eppo | When will God be revealed? |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaigal thirudurathu eppothum | The petty thefts committed by the poor are always |
| Paarvaiyil padugirathu | Caught easily in public view. |
| Yaezhaigal thirudurathu eppothum | The petty thefts committed by the poor are always |
| Paarvaiyil padugirathu | Caught easily in public view. |
| Padichchavan thiruttu padhaviyil irukku | The corruption of the educated sits in high office, |
| Yaar adhai ketkirathu | Who is there to question it? |
| Pollaathavan angae kondaaduraan | The wicked man celebrates over there, |
| Illaathavan ingae thindaaduraan | The destitute man struggles over here. |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan | They say God lives in the smile of the poor, |
| Naanthaan paarththathillai | I just haven't seen it myself. |
| Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu | Listen, I will tell you the reason why: |
| Yaezhai sirichchathillai | The poor man has never smiled. |
| Male | |
| Vote-kku varuvaanga appothu | They will come seeking votes when election time comes, |
| Vaarththaiyai viduvaanga | And carelessly throw around grand promises. |
| Vote-kku varuvaanga appothu | They will come seeking votes when election time comes, |
| Vaarththaiyai viduvaanga | And carelessly throw around grand promises. |
| Kaariyam aanaa kottaikku ponaa | Once their goal is served and they reach the fort of power, |
| Kudisaiyai marappaanga | They completely forget the humble hut. |
| Pollaathavan angae kondaaduraan | The wicked man celebrates over there, |
| Illaathavan ingae thindaaduraan | The destitute man struggles over here. |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan | They say God lives in the smile of the poor, |
| Naanthaan paarththathillai | I just haven't seen it myself. |
| Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu | Listen, I will tell you the reason why: |
| Yaezhai sirichchathillai | The poor man has never smiled. |
| Male | |
| Paayuthu pana thimiru andraadam | Arrogance born of money surges every single day, |
| Pannuthu pala thavaru | And leads to countless wrongdoings. |
| Paayuthu pana thimiru andraadam | Arrogance born of money surges every single day, |
| Pannuthu pala thavaru | And leads to countless wrongdoings. |
| Poonaikku naanthaan mani kattaporaen | I am going to bell the cat myself, |
| Paarunga poruththirunthu | Just wait and watch! |
| Pollaathavan angae kondaaduraan | The wicked man celebrates over there, |
| Illaathavan ingae thindaaduraan | The destitute man struggles over here. |
| Male | |
| Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan | They say God lives in the smile of the poor, |
| Naanthaan paarththathillai | I just haven't seen it myself. |
| Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu | Listen, I will tell you the reason why: |
| Yaezhai sirichchathillai | The poor man has never smiled. |
| Male | |
| Avan sirippathu eppo | When will he smile? |
| Iraivan therivathu eppo | When will God be revealed? |
| Avan sirippathu eppo | When will he smile? |
| Iraivan therivathu eppo | When will God be revealed? |
| Avan sirippathu eppo | When will he smile? |
| Iraivan therivathu eppo | When will God be revealed? |
ஏழையின் சிரிப்பில் இறைவன் இருக்கான்
நான்தான் பார்த்ததில்லை
அதன் காரணம் என்ன சொல்றேன் கேளு
ஏழை சிரிச்சதில்லை
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
I just haven't seen it myself.
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
The poor man has never smiled.
ஏழையின் சிரிப்பில் இறைவன் இருக்கான்
நான்தான் பார்த்ததில்லை
அதன் காரணம் என்ன சொல்றேன் கேளு
ஏழை சிரிச்சதில்லை
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
I just haven't seen it myself.
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
The poor man has never smiled.
அவன் சிரிப்பது எப்போ
இறைவன் தெரிவது எப்போ.....
அவன் சிரிப்பது எப்போ
இறைவன் தெரிவது எப்போ.....
When will he smile?
When will God be revealed?
When will he smile?
When will God be revealed?
ஏழைகள் திருடுறது எப்போதும்
பார்வையில் படுகிறது
ஏழைகள் திருடுறது எப்போதும்
பார்வையில் படுகிறது
படிச்சவன் திருட்டு பதவியில் இருக்கு
யார் அதை கேட்கிறது
பொல்லாதவன் அங்கே கொண்டாடுறான்
இல்லாதவன் இங்கே திண்டாடுறான்
The petty thefts committed by the poor are always
Caught easily in public view.
The petty thefts committed by the poor are always
Caught easily in public view.
The corruption of the educated sits in high office,
Who is there to question it?
The wicked man celebrates over there,
The destitute man struggles over here.
ஏழையின் சிரிப்பில் இறைவன் இருக்கான்
நான்தான் பார்த்ததில்லை
அதன் காரணம் என்ன சொல்றேன் கேளு
ஏழை சிரிச்சதில்லை
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
I just haven't seen it myself.
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
The poor man has never smiled.
ஓட்டுக்கு வருவாங்க அப்போது
வார்த்தையை விடுவாங்க
ஓட்டுக்கு வருவாங்க அப்போது
வார்த்தையை விடுவாங்க
காரியம் ஆனா கோட்டைக்கு போனா
குடிசையை மறப்பாங்க
பொல்லாதவன் அங்கே கொண்டாடுறான்
இல்லாதவன் இங்கே திண்டாடுறான்
They will come seeking votes when election time comes,
And carelessly throw around grand promises.
They will come seeking votes when election time comes,
And carelessly throw around grand promises.
Once their goal is served and they reach the fort of power,
They completely forget the humble hut.
The wicked man celebrates over there,
The destitute man struggles over here.
ஏழையின் சிரிப்பில் இறைவன் இருக்கான்
நான்தான் பார்த்ததில்லை
அதன் காரணம் என்ன சொல்றேன் கேளு
ஏழை சிரிச்சதில்லை
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
I just haven't seen it myself.
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
The poor man has never smiled.
பாயுது பணத் திமிரு அன்றாடம்
பண்ணுது பல தவறு
பாயுது பணத் திமிரு அன்றாடம்
பண்ணுது பல தவறு
பூனைக்கு நான்தான் மணிக் கட்டப்போறேன்
பாருங்க பொறுத்திருந்து
பொல்லாதவன் அங்கே கொண்டாடுறான்
இல்லாதவன் இங்கே திண்டாடுறான்
Arrogance born of money surges every single day,
And leads to countless wrongdoings.
Arrogance born of money surges every single day,
And leads to countless wrongdoings.
I am going to bell the cat myself,
Just wait and watch!
The wicked man celebrates over there,
The destitute man struggles over here.
ஏழையின் சிரிப்பில் இறைவன் இருக்கான்
நான்தான் பார்த்ததில்லை
அதன் காரணம் என்ன சொல்றேன் கேளு
ஏழை சிரிச்சதில்லை
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
I just haven't seen it myself.
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
The poor man has never smiled.
அவன் சிரிப்பது எப்போ
இறைவன் தெரிவது எப்போ.....
அவன் சிரிப்பது எப்போ
இறைவன் தெரிவது எப்போ.....
அவன் சிரிப்பது எப்போ
இறைவன் தெரிவது எப்போ.....
When will he smile?
When will God be revealed?
When will he smile?
When will God be revealed?
When will he smile?
When will God be revealed?
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
Naanthaan paarththathillai
I just haven't seen it myself.
Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
Yaezhai sirichchathillai
The poor man has never smiled.
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
Naanthaan paarththathillai
I just haven't seen it myself.
Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
Yaezhai sirichchathillai
The poor man has never smiled.
Avan sirippathu eppo
When will he smile?
Iraivan therivathu eppo
When will God be revealed?
Avan sirippathu eppo
When will he smile?
Iraivan therivathu eppo
When will God be revealed?
Yaezhaigal thirudurathu eppothum
The petty thefts committed by the poor are always
Paarvaiyil padugirathu
Caught easily in public view.
Yaezhaigal thirudurathu eppothum
The petty thefts committed by the poor are always
Paarvaiyil padugirathu
Caught easily in public view.
Padichchavan thiruttu padhaviyil irukku
The corruption of the educated sits in high office,
Yaar adhai ketkirathu
Who is there to question it?
Pollaathavan angae kondaaduraan
The wicked man celebrates over there,
Illaathavan ingae thindaaduraan
The destitute man struggles over here.
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
Naanthaan paarththathillai
I just haven't seen it myself.
Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
Yaezhai sirichchathillai
The poor man has never smiled.
Vote-kku varuvaanga appothu
They will come seeking votes when election time comes,
Vaarththaiyai viduvaanga
And carelessly throw around grand promises.
Vote-kku varuvaanga appothu
They will come seeking votes when election time comes,
Vaarththaiyai viduvaanga
And carelessly throw around grand promises.
Kaariyam aanaa kottaikku ponaa
Once their goal is served and they reach the fort of power,
Kudisaiyai marappaanga
They completely forget the humble hut.
Pollaathavan angae kondaaduraan
The wicked man celebrates over there,
Illaathavan ingae thindaaduraan
The destitute man struggles over here.
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
Naanthaan paarththathillai
I just haven't seen it myself.
Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
Yaezhai sirichchathillai
The poor man has never smiled.
Paayuthu pana thimiru andraadam
Arrogance born of money surges every single day,
Pannuthu pala thavaru
And leads to countless wrongdoings.
Paayuthu pana thimiru andraadam
Arrogance born of money surges every single day,
Pannuthu pala thavaru
And leads to countless wrongdoings.
Poonaikku naanthaan mani kattaporaen
I am going to bell the cat myself,
Paarunga poruththirunthu
Just wait and watch!
Pollaathavan angae kondaaduraan
The wicked man celebrates over there,
Illaathavan ingae thindaaduraan
The destitute man struggles over here.
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan
They say God lives in the smile of the poor,
Naanthaan paarththathillai
I just haven't seen it myself.
Adhan kaaranam enna soldren kelu
Listen, I will tell you the reason why:
Yaezhai sirichchathillai
The poor man has never smiled.
Avan sirippathu eppo
When will he smile?
Iraivan therivathu eppo
When will God be revealed?
Avan sirippathu eppo
When will he smile?
Iraivan therivathu eppo
When will God be revealed?
Avan sirippathu eppo
When will he smile?
Iraivan therivathu eppo
When will God be revealed?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This social commentary song subverts the famous Tamil proverb 'Ezhaiyin sirippil iraivanai kaanalam' (God is seen in the smile of the poor). The protagonist cynically points out that he has never seen God in a poor man's smile because society and the corrupt political system never give the poor any reason to smile in the first place.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Subversion of Motto
“Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan... Yaezhai sirichchathillai”
The lyrics subvert the famous egalitarian quote popularized by C. N. Annadurai ('Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukaan') by noting that the poor man never smiles.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pollaathavan angae kondaaduraan / Illaathavan ingae thindaaduraan”
The second consonant sound 'll' matches between 'Pollaathavan' and 'Illaathavan'.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Pollaathavan angae kondaaduraan / Illaathavan ingae thindaaduraan”
Contrasting the affluent wicked man celebrating in power with the impoverished man struggling for basic needs.
Idiomatic Allusion / Metaphor
“Poonaikku naanthaan mani kattaporaen”
Uses the common fable idiom 'bell the cat' ('poonaikku mani kattadhal') to mean taking a bold stance against powerful oppressors.
Did you know?
Trivia
The opening line 'Ezhaiyin sirippil iraivanai kaanalam' was a central socio-political slogan of the Dravidian movement coined by former Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai. Lyricist Vaali brilliantly uses it in a sarcastic context to highlight social inequality.
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