Anju Rooba Nottai
From Andhaman Kaidhi · 1952
- Lyricist
- Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthi
- Singer
- T. V. Rathinam
- Music director
- G. Govindarajulu Naidu
- Details
- Andhaman Kaidhi1952
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Anju roobaai notta | A five rupee note, |
| Konjam minna maathi | After changing it a little, |
| Michamilla kaasu michamilla | Not a penny is left, no money is left. |
| Anju roobaai notta | A five rupee note, |
| Konjam minna maathi | After changing it a little, |
| Michamilla kaasu michamilla | Not a penny is left, no money is left. |
| Kathirikkaa vilai kooda | Even the price of eggplant |
| Kattu meeralaachu kaalangkettu pochu | Has gone out of control, time has gone bad. |
| Kathirikkaa vilai kooda | Even the price of eggplant |
| Kattu meeralaachu kaalangkettu pochu | Has gone out of control, time has gone bad. |
| Female | |
| Anju roobaai notta | A five rupee note, |
| Konjam minna maathi | After changing it a little, |
| Michamilla kaasu michamilla | Not a penny is left, no money is left. |
| Female | |
| Kaalanaa vithadhu ippa | What sold for a quarter anna back then |
| Naalanaavaa pochudhu | Has now become four annas. |
| Karuppatti vellathukkum | Even for palm jaggery and sugar, |
| Kadum panjam aachudhu | There is a severe famine. |
| Kaalanaa vithadhu ippa | What sold for a quarter anna back then |
| Naalanaavaa pochudhu | Has now become four annas. |
| Karuppatti vellathukkum | Even for palm jaggery and sugar, |
| Kadum panjam aachudhu | There is a severe famine. |
| Female | |
| Eppadi pizhaippadhu indha naattilae | How to survive in this country? |
| Aeichi pizhaikkum silar | Some who live by deceiving others |
| Yaettramudan vaazhgiraar | Live with prosperity and elevation, |
| Ezhai makkal pattiniyaal | While poor people due to hunger |
| Yengi manam vaaduraar | Long and wither in their hearts. |
| Aeichi pizhaikkum silar | Some who live by deceiving others |
| Yaettramudan vaazhgiraar | Live with prosperity and elevation, |
| Ezhai makkal pattiniyaal | While poor people due to hunger |
| Yengi manam vaaduraar | Long and wither in their hearts. |
| Female | |
| Michamilla kaasu michamilla | Not a penny is left, no money is left. |
| Anju roobaai notta | A five rupee note, |
| Konjam minna maathi | After changing it a little, |
| Michamilla kaasu michamilla | Not a penny is left, no money is left. |
| Female | |
| Maedai paechai kettae | Listening to stage speeches, |
| Maedai paechai kettu kettu | Repeatedly listening to stage speeches, |
| Kaadhadachu pogudhae | The ears are getting blocked. |
| Melae melae thittam pottu | Formulating scheme after scheme, |
| Kaalamum veenaagudhae | Time is being wasted. |
| Maedai paechai kettu kettu | Repeatedly listening to stage speeches, |
| Kaadhadachu pogudhae | The ears are getting blocked. |
| Melae melae thittam pottu | Formulating scheme after scheme, |
| Kaalamum veenaagudhae | Time is being wasted. |
| Female | |
| Vaelaiyindri agadhigal polae | Without jobs, like refugees, |
| Vaelaiyindri agadhigal pol | Without jobs, like refugees, |
| Manadhil yenguraar | They yearn in their hearts. |
| Veedillaamal ezhai makkal | Houseless poor people |
| Veedhiyilae thoonguraar | Sleep on the streets. |
| Vaelaiyindri agadhigal pol | Without jobs, like refugees, |
| Manadhil yenguraar | They yearn in their hearts. |
| Veedillaamal ezhai makkal | Houseless poor people |
| Veedhiyilae thoonguraar | Sleep on the streets. |
| Female | |
| Michamilla kaasu michamilla | Not a penny is left, no money is left. |
| Female | |
| Anju roobaai notta | A five rupee note, |
| Konjam minna maathi | After changing it a little, |
| Michamilla kaasu michamilla | Not a penny is left, no money is left. |
| Kathirikkaa vilai kooda | Even the price of eggplant |
| Kattu meeralaachu kaalangkettu pochu | Has gone out of control, time has gone bad. |
| Anju roobaai notta | A five rupee note, |
| Konjam minna maathi | After changing it a little, |
| Michamilla kaasu michamilla | Not a penny is left, no money is left. |
அஞ்சு ரூபாய் நோட்டக்
கொஞ்சம் மின்ன மாத்தி
மிச்சமில்லக் காசு மிச்சமில்ல
அஞ்சு ரூபாய் நோட்டக்
கொஞ்சம் மின்ன மாத்தி
மிச்சமில்லக் காசு மிச்சமில்ல
கத்தரிக்கா விலை கூட
கட்டு மீறலாச்சு காலங்கெட்டுப் போச்சு
கத்தரிக்கா விலை கூட
கட்டு மீறாலாச்சு காலங்கெட்டுப் போச்சு
A five rupee note,
After changing it a little,
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
A five rupee note,
After changing it a little,
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Even the price of eggplant
Has gone out of control, time has gone bad.
Even the price of eggplant
Has gone out of control, time has gone bad.
அஞ்சு ரூபாய் நோட்டக்
கொஞ்சம் மின்ன மாத்தி
மிச்சமில்லக் காசு மிச்சமில்ல
A five rupee note,
After changing it a little,
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
காலணா வித்தது இப்ப
நாலணாவா போச்சுது
கருப்பட்டி வெல்லத்துக்கும்
கடும் பஞ்சம் ஆச்சுது
காலணா வித்தது இப்ப
நாலணாவா போச்சுது
கருப்பட்டி வெல்லத்துக்கும்
கடும் பஞ்சம் ஆச்சுது
What sold for a quarter anna back then
Has now become four annas.
Even for palm jaggery and sugar,
There is a severe famine.
What sold for a quarter anna back then
Has now become four annas.
Even for palm jaggery and sugar,
There is a severe famine.
எப்படி பிழைப்பது இந்த நாட்டிலே
ஏய்ச்சிப் பிழைக்கும் சிலர்
ஏற்றமுடன் வாழ்கிறார்
ஏழை மக்கள் பட்டினியால்
ஏங்கி மனம் வாடுறார்
ஏய்ச்சிப் பிழைக்கும் சிலர்
ஏற்றமுடன் வாழ்கிறார்
ஏழை மக்கள் பட்டினியால்
ஏங்கி மனம் வாடுறார்
How to survive in this country?
Some who live by deceiving others
Live with prosperity and elevation,
While poor people due to hunger
Long and wither in their hearts.
Some who live by deceiving others
Live with prosperity and elevation,
While poor people due to hunger
Long and wither in their hearts.
மிச்சமில்லக் காசு மிச்சமில்ல
அஞ்சு ரூபாய் நோட்டக்
கொஞ்சம் மின்ன மாத்தி
மிச்சமில்லக் காசு மிச்சமில்ல
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
A five rupee note,
After changing it a little,
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
மேடைப் பேச்சைக் கேட்டே
மேடைப் பேச்சைக் கேட்டு கேட்டு
காதடச்சுப் போகுதே
மேலே மேலே திட்டம் போட்டு
காலமும் வீணாகுதே
மேடைப் பேச்சைக் கேட்டு கேட்டு
காதுடச்சுப் போகுதே
மேலே மேலே திட்டம் போட்டு
காலமும் வீணாகுதே
Listening to stage speeches,
Repeatedly listening to stage speeches,
The ears are getting blocked.
Formulating scheme after scheme,
Time is being wasted.
Repeatedly listening to stage speeches,
The ears are getting blocked.
Formulating scheme after scheme,
Time is being wasted.
வேலையின்றி அகதிகள் போலே
வேலையின்றி அகதிகள் போல்
மனதில் ஏங்குறார்
வீடில்லாமல் ஏழை மக்கள்
வீதியிலே தூங்குறார்
வேலையின்றி அகதிகள் போல்
மனதில் ஏங்குறார்
வீடில்லாமல் ஏழை மக்கள்
வீதியிலே தூங்குறார்
Without jobs, like refugees,
Without jobs, like refugees,
They yearn in their hearts.
Houseless poor people
Sleep on the streets.
Without jobs, like refugees,
They yearn in their hearts.
Houseless poor people
Sleep on the streets.
மிச்சமில்லக் காசு மிச்சமில்ல
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
அஞ்சு ரூபாய் நோட்டக்
கொஞ்சம் மின்ன மாத்தி
மிச்சமில்லக் காசு மிச்சமில்ல
கத்தரிக்கா விலை கூட
கட்டு மீறாலாச்சு காலங்கெட்டுப் போச்சு
அஞ்சு ரூபாய் நோட்டக்
கொஞ்சம் மின்ன மாத்தி
மிச்சமில்லக் காசு மிச்சமில்ல
A five rupee note,
After changing it a little,
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Even the price of eggplant
Has gone out of control, time has gone bad.
A five rupee note,
After changing it a little,
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Anju roobaai notta
A five rupee note,
Konjam minna maathi
After changing it a little,
Michamilla kaasu michamilla
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Anju roobaai notta
A five rupee note,
Konjam minna maathi
After changing it a little,
Michamilla kaasu michamilla
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Kathirikkaa vilai kooda
Even the price of eggplant
Kattu meeralaachu kaalangkettu pochu
Has gone out of control, time has gone bad.
Kathirikkaa vilai kooda
Even the price of eggplant
Kattu meeralaachu kaalangkettu pochu
Has gone out of control, time has gone bad.
Anju roobaai notta
A five rupee note,
Konjam minna maathi
After changing it a little,
Michamilla kaasu michamilla
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Kaalanaa vithadhu ippa
What sold for a quarter anna back then
Naalanaavaa pochudhu
Has now become four annas.
Karuppatti vellathukkum
Even for palm jaggery and sugar,
Kadum panjam aachudhu
There is a severe famine.
Kaalanaa vithadhu ippa
What sold for a quarter anna back then
Naalanaavaa pochudhu
Has now become four annas.
Karuppatti vellathukkum
Even for palm jaggery and sugar,
Kadum panjam aachudhu
There is a severe famine.
Eppadi pizhaippadhu indha naattilae
How to survive in this country?
Aeichi pizhaikkum silar
Some who live by deceiving others
Yaettramudan vaazhgiraar
Live with prosperity and elevation,
Ezhai makkal pattiniyaal
While poor people due to hunger
Yengi manam vaaduraar
Long and wither in their hearts.
Aeichi pizhaikkum silar
Some who live by deceiving others
Yaettramudan vaazhgiraar
Live with prosperity and elevation,
Ezhai makkal pattiniyaal
While poor people due to hunger
Yengi manam vaaduraar
Long and wither in their hearts.
Michamilla kaasu michamilla
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Anju roobaai notta
A five rupee note,
Konjam minna maathi
After changing it a little,
Michamilla kaasu michamilla
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Maedai paechai kettae
Listening to stage speeches,
Maedai paechai kettu kettu
Repeatedly listening to stage speeches,
Kaadhadachu pogudhae
The ears are getting blocked.
Melae melae thittam pottu
Formulating scheme after scheme,
Kaalamum veenaagudhae
Time is being wasted.
Maedai paechai kettu kettu
Repeatedly listening to stage speeches,
Kaadhadachu pogudhae
The ears are getting blocked.
Melae melae thittam pottu
Formulating scheme after scheme,
Kaalamum veenaagudhae
Time is being wasted.
Vaelaiyindri agadhigal polae
Without jobs, like refugees,
Vaelaiyindri agadhigal pol
Without jobs, like refugees,
Manadhil yenguraar
They yearn in their hearts.
Veedillaamal ezhai makkal
Houseless poor people
Veedhiyilae thoonguraar
Sleep on the streets.
Vaelaiyindri agadhigal pol
Without jobs, like refugees,
Manadhil yenguraar
They yearn in their hearts.
Veedillaamal ezhai makkal
Houseless poor people
Veedhiyilae thoonguraar
Sleep on the streets.
Michamilla kaasu michamilla
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Anju roobaai notta
A five rupee note,
Konjam minna maathi
After changing it a little,
Michamilla kaasu michamilla
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Kathirikkaa vilai kooda
Even the price of eggplant
Kattu meeralaachu kaalangkettu pochu
Has gone out of control, time has gone bad.
Anju roobaai notta
A five rupee note,
Konjam minna maathi
After changing it a little,
Michamilla kaasu michamilla
Not a penny is left, no money is left.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic satire song from Andaman Kaidhi (1952) critically highlights post-independence inflation, corruption, and social inequity in Tamil Nadu. It describes how changing a five-rupee note quickly results in total depletion due to sky-rocketing prices of basic commodities like eggplants and jaggery. It contrasts the plight of the poor—who suffer homelessness and hunger—with corrupt exploiters who flourish through deception. The lyricist also mocks empty political speeches and endless unfulfilled government schemes that fail to address unemployment and poverty.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Anju roobaai notta / Konjam minna maathi”
In 'Anju' (அஞ்சு) and 'Konjam' (கொஞ்சம்), the second consonant sound 'nj' (ஞ்) creates a rhythmic rhyme between adjacent lines.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Kathirikkaa vilai kooda / Kattu meeralaachu kaalangkettu pochu”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' in 'Kathirikkaa' and 'Kattu'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Naalanaavaa pochudhu / Kadum panjam aachudhu”
Repetition of 'pochudhu' / 'aachudhu' at the line endings.
Simile (Upamai)
“Vaelaiyindri agadhigal polae”
Comparing unemployed citizens longing for livelihood to refugees ('agadhigal pol').
Did you know?
Trivia
Andaman Kaidhi (1952) was based on a popular play written by M. G. Ramachandran's associate Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthi. The film starred M. G. Ramachandran and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. This song stands out as an early socio-political critique on post-WWII inflation in Tamil cinema.
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