C. S. Jayaraman’s “Padi Alappen Endru” from the album Kuravanji features lyrics by Kannadasan and music by T. R. Pappa. The song begins with a direct accusation. A leader promised to provide for the people but instead brought a weapon.
Padi Alappen Endru
C. S. Jayaraman • From “Kuravanji”
Kuravanji’s Padi Alappen Endru Lyrics Translation
The story continues by describing the birth of a child. Instead of joy, the singer asks how long it will be before “blood-thirsty vultures” come for the infant. The lyrics later state a body can be seen by the well the next day, a direct consequence of the ruler’s power.
Padi Alappen Endru Parala VandhavanThe one who came promising to provide
Thadieduthanadi MuthammaTook up a club instead, oh Muthamma
Padi Alappen Endru Parala VandhavanThe one who came promising to provide
Thadieduthanadi MuthammaTook up a club instead, oh Muthamma
Avan ThadiyeduthumEven though he raised his club
Adhai Thangi Kondom EndruWe thought we could simply endure it
Kudi Keduthandi MuthammaAnd that’s how our people were ruined, oh Muthamma
Avan ThadiyeduthumEven though he raised his club
Adhai Thangi Kondom EndruWe thought we could simply endure it
Kudi Keduthandi MuthammaAnd that’s how our people were ruined, oh Muthamma
Avan ThadiyeduthumEven though he raised his club
Adhai Thangi Kondom EndruWe thought we could simply endure it
Kudi Keduthandi MuthammaAnd that’s how our people were ruined, oh Muthamma
Thathi Thavazhgindra Muthu ManipillaiA crawling, precious pearl of a child
Pethu Vittanadi SellammaHas just been born, oh Sellamma
Thathi Thavazhgindra Muthu ManipillaiA crawling, precious pearl of a child
Pethu Vittanadi SellammaHas just been born, oh Sellamma
Idhai Ratha Kazhugugal Kothi KudithidaFor the blood-thirsty vultures to peck and feast upon
Ethanai Nalagum SollammaHow many days will it take, tell me, oh Sellamma
Idhai Ratha Kazhugugal Kothi KudithidaFor the blood-thirsty vultures to peck and feast upon
Ethanai Nalagum SollammaHow many days will it take, tell me, oh Sellamma
Ethanai Nalagum SollammaHow many days will it take, tell me, oh Sellamma
Padi Alappen Endru Parala VandhavanThe one who came promising to provide
Thadieduthanadi MuthammaTook up a club instead, oh Muthamma
Palapalappena Valarndhu Vittan Thanga RojaHe has grown up so brightly, a golden rose
Palapalappena Valarndhu Vittan Thanga RojaHe has grown up so brightly, a golden rose
Ivanai ParthuvittalIf our king were to see him
Thoonga Matar Enga RajaOur king would not sleep again
Ivanai ParthuvittalIf our king were to see him
Thoonga Matar Enga RajaOur king would not sleep again
Alanuppi Siraiedukkum Ghoram KanalamWe may see the horror of men being sent to capture him
Alanuppi Siraiedukkum Ghoram KanalamWe may see the horror of men being sent to capture him
Adutha Nalil Kinathu OramThe next day, by the edge of the well
Pinathai ParkalamA body can be seen
Adutha Nalil Kinathu OramThe next day, by the edge of the well
Pinathai ParkalamA body can be seen
Sethu PizhaippadharkeJust to survive this living death
Ival Muthi PazhuthaloHas she weathered and aged so much?
Sethu PizhaippadharkeJust to survive this living death
Ival Muthi PazhuthaloHas she weathered and aged so much?
Indha Pathini VazhvadiyeThis virtuous woman’s life
Innum Ethanai NaladiyoFor how many more days will it last?
Indha Pathini VazhvadiyeThis virtuous woman’s life
Innum Ethanai NaladiyoFor how many more days will it last?
Poovaghi Pinjagi KaithuFirst a blossom, then a bud, then bearing fruit
Poovaghi Pinjagi KaithuFirst a blossom, then a bud, then bearing fruit
Sellum Pozhuthagi Vizhunthayo SaindhuDid you fall, leaning over, as your time arrived?
Sellum Pozhuthagi Vizhunthayo SaindhuDid you fall, leaning over, as your time arrived?
Illai Nadala Vandhavargal KanduOr did the ones who came to rule this land see you
Kai Nadungamal Pottaro KondruAnd strike you down without a tremor in their hands?
Nadala Vandhavargal KanduThe ones who came to rule this land saw you
Kai Nadungamal Pottaro KondruAnd struck you down without a tremor in their hands
Dhanathandhi Dhanathandhi ThanooDhanathandhi Dhanathandhi Thanoo
Indha Sadhigara Pavikku Adhikaram YenoWhy does this treacherous sinner hold all the power?
Dhanathandhi Dhanathandhi ThanooDhanathandhi Dhanathandhi Thanoo
Indha Sadhigara Pavikku Adhikaram YenoWhy does this treacherous sinner hold all the power?
Dhanathandhi Dhanathandhi ThanooDhanathandhi Dhanathandhi Thanoo
Dhanathandhi Dhanathandhi ThanooDhanathandhi Dhanathandhi Thanoo
Dhanathandhi Dhanathandhi ThanooDhanathandhi Dhanathandhi Thanoo
Dhanathandhi Dhanathandhi ThanooDhanathandhi Dhanathandhi Thanoo
Padi Alappen Endru Music Video
Kannadasan’s lyrics move from a broken promise to specific acts of violence. The song presents a community’s experience under a brutal leader without softening the details. The meaning of the ‘Padi Alappen Endru’ lyrics comes from this direct documentation of political cruelty and its impact on families.