K. J. Yesudas delivers ‘Iraivan Ulagathai’ from the album ‘Unakkaga Naan,’ featuring Kannadasan’s lyrics and M. S. Viswanathan’s composition. The song addresses societal inequality through a theological lens.
Iraivan Ulagathai
K. J. Yesudas • From “Unakkaga Naan”
Unakkaga Naan’s Iraivan Ulagathai Tamil Lyrics English Translation
Kannadasan questions why a benevolent god would create poverty. He contrasts palaces with mud huts and golden jewelry with starvation. The lyricist asks listeners to consider the purpose of divinity amid such disparity.
Iraivan Ulagathai PadaiththaanaamThey say God created the world.
Ezhmaiyai Avanthaan PadaiththaanaamThey say he’s the one who created poverty.
Iraivan Ulagathai PadaiththaanaamThey say God created the world.
Ezhmaiyai Avanthaan PadaiththaanaamThey say he’s the one who created poverty.
Ezhaiyai Padaiththavan AvanendraalIf he’s the one who created the poor,
Iraivan Enbavan Edharkaagathen what’s the purpose of a God?
Ezhaiyai Padaiththavan AvanendraalIf he’s the one who created the poor,
Iraivan Enbavan Edharkaagathen what’s the purpose of a God?
Iraivan Enbavan EdharkaagaWhat’s the purpose of a God?
Ponnagai Anintha MaaligaigalPalaces are adorned with golden jewelry.
Punnagai Marantha Mann KudisaiMud huts have forgotten how to smile.
Ponnagai Anintha MaaligaigalPalaces are adorned with golden jewelry.
Punnagai Marantha Mann KudisaiMud huts have forgotten how to smile.
Pasi Vara Angae MaaththiraigalThere, they’ve got pills when hunger strikes.
Pattiniyaal Ingu YaaththiraigalHere, people go on journeys of starvation.
Iru Verulagam IdhuvendraalIf these are two different worlds,
Iraivan Enbavan Edharkaagathen what’s the purpose of a God?
Iraivan Ulagathai PadaiththaanaamThey say God created the world.
Ezhmaiyai Avanthaan PadaiththaanaamThey say he’s the one who created poverty.
Uyarae Parakkum KaaththaadiA kite flies high in the sky.
Udhavum Ezhai Nool PolaeIt’s like the poor string that helps it soar.
Uyarae Parakkum KaaththaadiA kite flies high in the sky.
Udhavum Ezhai Nool PolaeIt’s like the poor string that helps it soar.
Pattam Pol Aval PalapalappaarShe glitters just like a kite.
Nool Polae Ivar IlaiththiruppaarHe’s grown thin and weary like the string.
Iru Veriyakkam IdhuvendraalIf these are two different ways of life,
Iraivan Enbavan Edharkaagathen what’s the purpose of a God?
Iraivan Ulagathai PadaiththaanaamThey say God created the world.
Ezhmaiyai Avanthaan PadaiththaanaamThey say he’s the one who created poverty.
Iraivan Ingae VaravillaiGod hasn’t come here.
Enavae Naan Angu PogindraenSo, I’m going there myself.
Iraivan Ingae VaravillaiGod hasn’t come here.
Enavae Naan Angu PogindraenSo, I’m going there myself.
Varumai Muzhuvathum Theerntha PinnaeOnce all poverty has finally ended,
Marupadi Oru Naal Naan VaruvaenI’ll return one day.
Marupadi Oru Naal Naan VaruvaenI’ll return one day.
Iraivan Ulagathai Music Video
A vow to return only after poverty ends drives the Iraivan Ulagathai lyrics meaning forward. K. J. Yesudas’s vocal performance underscores the demand for human action against injustice.