It is a little known fact that the first May Day celebration in India, which was organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan in 1923 took place in Chennai (then Madras). So it was only fitting for us this year to pay tribute to the blue collar with Tamil songs from over the years that celebrates this working force.
Listed below are 5 Tamil tracks which lyrically uplifts, sings significance or indirectly pays homage to labourers everywhere.
1. Uzhaippalli Illatha (Lyrics: Vaali)
Probably the first song that comes to everyone's mind when they think of Labour Day, this track from Rajinikanth starrer 1993 movie Uzhaippali speaks of the indispensability of workers to this world.
2. Vaa Velaikkara (Lyrics: Vivek)
A new addition to the songs celebrating labourers, this number from Sivakarthikeyan starrer 2017 movie Velaikkaran not only sings praises of their importance but declares that workers should be celebrated all year long instead of just May.
3. Ulaikum Kaigale (Lyrics: Kannadaasan)
A 1966 MGR movie titled Thanipiravi had this song sung by T.M. Soundararajan. This K.V. Mahadevan composed number celebrated "workers" as "makers" thus becoming a perfect anthem for Labour day.
4. Devuda Devuda (Lyrics: Vaali)
This intro number from Rajinikanth starrer Chandramukhi has a whole stance dedicated to workers and how they are required for our existence everyday. From farmers to drainage cleaners, barbers to launders, every facet of working is referenced and concluded that no job is too small.
5. Nilamellam (Lyrics: Uma Devi)
Pa. Ranjith produced Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu featured this song, dedicating it to the labourers, their economic state in our country and how much it needs improvement.
Special Mention - Red Red (Lyrics: Vairamuthu)
"Every colour has a significance, But the best among them is Red" - This is a repetitive line in the song which appears in the 2002 Ajith movie Red. When May day was first celebrated in India, a 'red flag' was used tying it to labour movements for the first time (later adapted by communist parties) and even today the colour is closely associated with labourers and labour day everywhere.
The song which has also has a line that goes "The palm of a working hand is red" is themed around revolution.