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Isaimozhi
Desiya Geetham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Appan Veettu

From Desiya Geetham · 1998

Lyricist
Vasan
Singer
Pushpavanam Kuppusamy
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Desiya Geetham
Movie release year
1998
Lyrics added on
20 Sept 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Appan veetu soththai pola
Anubavikka paakureegha
Aththanaikkum poi kanakku
Ezhuthi ezhuthi kaatureegha
Appan veetu soththai pola
Anubavikka paakureegha
Aththanaikkum poi kanakku
Ezhuthi ezhuthi kaatureegha
Thuppu ketta pozhappu idhu
Thappu senjae vaazhureegha
Ekkuthappa kelvi ketkka
Aalillainu nenaikkureegha
Roadu poda othukki vechadha
Veetukunnu pathukureegha
Naatu nilai marandhu
Unga paatukkuthaan alaiyureegha
Naayi padura paadu
Namma naadu padudhu paaru
Vottu pottadhu ooru
Ungala thooki poduvadhu yaaru
Hydher ali kaalathula
Potta roadu maaralaiyae
Eththanaiyo katchi vandhum
Enga kora theeralaiyae
Kundukuli onna renda
Kanakkedukka mudiyalaiyae
Tenderukku vittuputta
Kelvi ketka vazhi illaiyae
Kuththam kurai solla vanthaa
Ezhaiya thaan yesureenga
Maththapadi mandhiri vanthaa
Thaareduthu poosureegha
Thooki podudhu roadu
Atha maathi poduvadhaaru
Karbini ponnunga paadu
Paththu maasa kanakka
Theekuthu roadu
Yaaru potta roadu
Namma sarkar potta roadu
Yaaru potta roadu
Namma sarkar potta roadu
As if it were your father's property,
You try to enjoy and loot it all.
For every single expense,
You cook up and show false accounts.
As if it were your father's property,
You try to enjoy and loot it all.
For every single expense,
You cook up and show false accounts.
What a shameless way to live,
Surviving only by doing wrong!
To corner you and question you,
You think there is nobody around.
The money set aside to lay roads,
You stash away for your own home.
Forgetting the plight of the country,
You just roam around as you please.
Suffering worse than a stray dog,
Look at the misery our country endures!
The whole town gave you their votes,
Now who is going to throw you out?
The road laid back in the days of Hyder Ali
Has not changed even now.
Though so many political parties came,
Our grievances have never been resolved.
Are the bumps and potholes just one or two?
It is impossible to count them all!
Once the work is handed out on tender,
There is no way left to question anyone.
If we come forward with our complaints,
You only scold and curse the poor.
Otherwise, when a minister visits,
You quickly smear on a coat of tar.
This road tosses and jolts everyone around,
Who is going to rebuild and replace it?
Look at the misery of pregnant women—
Their full ten-month pregnancy
Is cut short by this bumpy road!
Who laid this road?
It is the road laid by our government!
Who laid this road?
It is the road laid by our government!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a biting political satire highlighting corruption, bad infrastructure, and administrative negligence in public works, specifically focusing on poorly maintained roads in Tamil Nadu. The narrator criticizes corrupt politicians and contractors who embezzle funds intended for public development while presenting fabricated accounts and ignoring public grievances. The song paints a vivid picture of public suffering, where even pregnant women face life-threatening situations due to terrible road conditions, yet quick cosmetic repairs are only done when ministers visit. Ultimately, it serves as a powerful call for political accountability and social awareness among citizens.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

“Thuppu ketta pozhappu idhu / Thappu senjae vaazhureegha”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Th' in 'Thuppu' and 'Thappu' in consecutive lines.

Edhukai (Assonance)

“Appan veetu soththai pola / Thuppu ketta pozhappu idhu”

Rhyming of second letter 'pp' in 'Appan' and 'Thappu' / 'Thuppu' across lines.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Anubavikka paakureegha / Ezhuthi ezhuthi kaatureegha”

Repetition of the verbal suffix '-eegha' at the end of multiple lines to create a rhythmic chant.

Metaphor

“Naayi padura paadu / Namma naadu padudhu paaru”

Comparing the suffering of the country's citizens directly to the miserable life of a stray dog.

Did you know?

Trivia

Desiya Geetham (1998) is a political drama film directed by Cheran, starring Murali and Rambha. The film features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics for this satire song written by lyricist Vasan.

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