Thiruchi Loganathan performs “Yearai Pidithavanum” in the 1960 film Irumbu Thirai, starring Sivaji Ganesan. Kothamangalam Subbu wrote the lyrics and S. V. Venkatraman composed the music. The song’s first lines declare the farmer and the English-educated person are now equal.
Yearai Pidithavanum
Thiruchi Loganathan • From “Irumbu Thirai (1960)”
Irumbu Thirai (1960)’s Yearai Pidithavanum Lyrics Translation
The verses contrast the past with the present using the markers “antha naal” and “intha naal.” It recalls when laborers who built temples were mocked as “coolies.” Now, workers boldly demand fair wages and overtime pay.
Ho Yera Pidichavanum Englishu PadichavanumThe man who holds the plough and the man who’s studied English
Yezhai Panakkaran Ippa OnnungaThe poor and the rich are now one
Ho Yera Pidichavanum Englishu PadichavanumThe man who holds the plough and the man who’s studied English
Yezhai Panakkaran Ippa OnnungaThe poor and the rich are now one
Onnunga Onnunga OnnungaThey are one, they are one, they are one
Nam Ellorum Samaththuvam EndrennungaWe should all consider ourselves equals
Ennunga Ennunga EnnungaThink it, think it, think it
Kovil Katti VachavanaiThe one who built the temple
Kulam Vetti ThanthavanaiThe one who dug the community pond
Kovil Katti VachavanaiThe one who built the temple
Kulam Vetti ThanthavanaiThe one who dug the community pond
Coolieyinnu Keli Senja Antha NalThey mocked him as a ‘coolie’ in those days
Antha Nal Antha Nal Antha NalThose were the days, those were the days, those were the days
Thozhilaliyai Mathikkirathu Intha NalThe laborer is respected in these days
Intha Nal Intha Nal Intha NalThese are the days, these are the days, these are the days
Thozhilaliyai Mathikkirathu Intha NalThe laborer is respected in these days
Intha Nal Intha Nal Intha NalThese are the days, these are the days, these are the days
Kalai Muthal Malai VaraiFrom morning until evening
Kaikadukka Velai SenjuWorking until their hands ached
Kalai Muthal Malai VaraiFrom morning until evening
Kaikadukka Velai SenjuWorking until their hands ached
Kanjikku Thindadiyathu Antha NalThey struggled even for gruel in those days
Antha Nal Antha Nal Antha NalThose were the days, those were the days, those were the days
Thuninju Panjappadi Ketkkirathu Intha NalBoldly demanding a living wage is what happens these days
Intha Nal Intha Nal Intha NalThese are the days, these are the days, these are the days
Thuninju Panjappadi Ketkkirathu Intha NalBoldly demanding a living wage is what happens these days
Intha Nal Intha Nal Intha NalThese are the days, these are the days, these are the days
Ulla Neram Dutykku MelBeyond the designated hours of duty
Oru NimishamachunnalumEven if it’s just for one minute
Over Time Kodukka Solli OrderuThere’s an order that says to pay overtime
Ulla Neram Dutykku MelBeyond the designated hours of duty
Oru NimishamachunnalumEven if it’s just for one minute
Over Time Kodukka Solli OrderuThere’s an order that says to pay overtime
Orderu Orderu OrderuAn order, an order, an order
Intha Uravu Nalla Therinjavaru LeaderuThe one who truly understands this unity is our leader
Leaderu Leaderu LeaderuA leader, a leader, a leader
Adhayam LabamellamAll the income and the profits
Avangale EduththukittuThey used to take it all for themselves
Yedhachum Thantha Undu ChanceuThere was a chance they’d give you something
Adhayam LabamellamAll the income and the profits
Avangale EduththukittuThey used to take it all for themselves
Yedhachum Thantha Undu ChanceuThere was a chance they’d give you something
Chanceu Chanceu ChanceuA chance, a chance, a chance
Ippa Enni Enni Vaikka Vendum BonusuNow they have to count out and set aside the bonus
Bonusu Bonusu BonusuA bonus, a bonus, a bonus
Ippa Enni Enni Vaikka Vendum BonusuNow they have to count out and set aside the bonus
Bonusu Bonusu BonusuA bonus, a bonus, a bonus
Yezhai Eliyavanai Vazh Vaikka VenuminnuTo ensure the poor and the powerless can live
Yezhai Eliyavanai Vazh Vaikka VenuminnuTo ensure the poor and the powerless can live
India Government SolluthuThe Indian government says so
Solluthu Solluthu SolluthuIt says so, it says so, it says so
Idhai Ellorum Kadai Pidicha NallathuIt would be good if everyone followed this
Nallathu Nallathu NallathuIt’s good, it’s good, it’s good
Ho Yera Pidichavanum Englishu PadichavanumThe man who holds the plough and the man who’s studied English
Yezhai Panakkaran Ippa OnnungaThe poor and the rich are now one
Onnunga Onnunga OnnungaThey are one, they are one, they are one
Nam Ellorum Samaththuvam EndrennungaWe should all consider ourselves equals
Ennunga Ennunga EnnungaThink it, think it, think it
Yearai Pidithavanum Music Video
The song moves from documenting historical injustice to celebrating present-day power. It names specific new rights like bonuses and cost-of-living allowances. The result is a clear anthem about workers’ unity and hard-won respect.