Bajanai Pazhakkamilla
From Sugamana Sumaigal · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Details
- Sugamana Sumaigal1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaezhu kundala vaadaa venkataramanaa | Lord Venkataramana of the seven hills |
| Govintho | Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male :Govintho | Male: Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Chorus | |
| Raama raama raama raama raama raama | Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama |
| Male :Govintho | Male: Govinda |
| Chorus :Raama raama raama raama raama raama | Chorus: Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama |
| Male :Govintho | Male: Govinda |
| Male | |
| Bajanai pazhakkamilla paadi vazhakkamilla | Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing |
| Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho | Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male :Sivanae edukkaiyilae ivanum eduththaalenna | Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too? |
| Edhukkum thuninjuvittaen govintho | I am prepared for anything, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male | |
| Manja thuni unnaalaththaan govintho | This yellow cloth is because of you, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male :Panjaththula vuttutiyae govintho | Male: You left me stranded in extreme poverty, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male | |
| Bajanai pazhakkamilla paadi vazhakkamilla | Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing |
| Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho | Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male :Sivanae edukkaiyilae ivanum eduththaalenna | Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too? |
| Edhukkum thuninjuvittaen govintho | I am prepared for anything, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Chorus | |
| Govinthaa govinthaa govinthaa | Govinda Govinda Govinda |
| Male :Govintho | Male: Govinda |
| Chorus :Govinthaa govinthaa govinthaa | Chorus: Govinda Govinda Govinda |
| Male :Govintho | Male: Govinda |
| Male | |
| Pitcha vaangi vaazhaatha periya manushan yaarunga | Who is a great man that hasn't lived by receiving alms? |
| Paramaathmaa pitcha kettaan govintho | Even the Supreme Soul asked for alms, Govinda |
| Chorus :Krishna paramaathmaa pichcha kettaan govintho | Chorus: Lord Krishna the Supreme Soul begged for alms, Govinda |
| Male | |
| Haiyo moonu pakkam kadalirukku | Oh dear, there is ocean on three sides |
| Naalu pakkam kadanirukku | There are debts on all four sides |
| Bharathamae intha kadhi govintho | This is the state of the nation of Bharat, Govinda |
| Chorus :Aamaam bharathamae intha kadhi govintho | Chorus: Yes, this is the state of the nation of Bharat, Govinda |
| Male | |
| Sombu enbathu oru vagai paaththiram | A brass pot is a type of vessel |
| Nambi podunga saamikku maaththiram | Trust me and drop money only for the God |
| Chorus :Sombu enbathu oru vagai paaththiram | Chorus: A brass pot is a type of vessel |
| Male :Aamaam | Male: Yes |
| Chorus :Nambi podunga saamikku maaththiram | Chorus: Trust me and drop money only for the God |
| Male | |
| Pottu vacha pombalainga thuttu podunga | Women wearing bindi, drop some coins |
| Thiruppathikku poyi vanthu laddu tharaenga adadaa | I will visit Tirupati and bring back laddus for you, oh my |
| Male | |
| Bajanai pazhakkamilla paadi vazhakkamilla | Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing |
| Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho | Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male :Sivanae edukkaiyilae ivanum eduththaalenna | Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too? |
| Edhukkum thuninjuvittaen govintho | I am prepared for anything, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male | |
| Naattilulla katchikellaam naanooru chinnamundu | Every political party in the country has hundreds of symbols |
| Naamamthaanae podhu chinnam govintho | Is not the holy mark (Naamam) the common symbol for all, Govinda? |
| Chorus :Patta naamamthaanae podhu chinnam govintho | Chorus: Indeed, the holy mark (Naamam) is the common symbol for all, Govinda |
| Male | |
| Ada vote vaangi ponavanga | Oh, those who went away after taking votes |
| Rate-tu onnu pesikittu | After striking deals on rates among themselves |
| Oorukellam poduvathu yaeh govintho | They dupe (apply Naamam to) the entire town, yeah Govinda |
| Chorus :Aamaam oorukellam poduvathu govintho | Chorus: Yes, they dupe the entire town, Govinda |
| Male | |
| Note-tu illaennaa kaasaa podunga | If you don't have currency notes, drop coins |
| Adhuvum illaennaa govintho podunga | If you have neither, just chant Govinda |
| Chorus :Note-tu illaennaa kaasaa podunga | Chorus: If you don't have currency notes, drop coins |
| Adhuvum illaennaa govintho podunga | If you have neither, just chant Govinda |
| Male | |
| Seththathukku pinnaalae kallarai thaanga | After dying, there is a grave to rest |
| Soththukku vazhiyilla sillarai thaanga adada | Having no food to eat, give me spare change, oh my |
| Male | |
| Bajanai pazhakkamilla paadi vazhakkamilla | Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing |
| Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho | Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male :Sivanae edukkaiyilae ivanum eduththaalenna | Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too? |
| Edhukkum thuninjuvittaen govintho | I am prepared for anything, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male | |
| Manja thuni unnaalaththaan govintho | This yellow cloth is because of you, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
| Male :Panjaththula vuttutiyae govintho | Male: You left me stranded in extreme poverty, Govinda |
| Chorus :Govintho | Chorus: Govinda |
ஏழு குண்டல வாடா வெங்கடரமணா
கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
Lord Venkataramana of the seven hills
Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
Male: Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
ராம ராம ராம ராம ராம ராம
கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
ராம ராம ராம ராம ராம ராம
கோவிந்தோ
Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama
Male: Govinda
Chorus: Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama
Male: Govinda
பஜனை பழக்கமில்ல பாடி வழக்கமில்ல
பசியாலே பிச்சை கேட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
சிவனே எடுக்கையிலே இவனும் எடுத்தாலென்ன
எதுக்கும் துணிஞ்சு விட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing
Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too?
I am prepared for anything, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
மஞ்சத் துணி உன்னாலத்தான் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
பஞ்சத்துல வுட்டுட்டியே கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
This yellow cloth is because of you, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
Male: You left me stranded in extreme poverty, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
பஜனை பழக்கமில்ல பாடி வழக்கமில்ல
பசியாலே பிச்சை கேட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு
: கோவிந்தோ
சிவனே எடுக்கையிலே இவனும் எடுத்தாலென்ன
எதுக்கும் துணிஞ்சு விட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing
Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too?
I am prepared for anything, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
கோவிந்தோ கோவிந்தோ கோவிந்தோ
கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ கோவிந்தோ கோவிந்தோ
கோவிந்தோ
Govinda Govinda Govinda
Male: Govinda
Chorus: Govinda Govinda Govinda
Male: Govinda
பிச்ச வாங்கி வாழாத பெரிய மனுஷன் யாருங்க
பரமாத்மா பிச்ச கேட்டான் கோவிந்தோ
குழு
: கிருஷ்ண பரமாத்மா பிச்ச கேட்டான் கோவிந்தோ
Who is a great man that hasn't lived by receiving alms?
Even the Supreme Soul asked for alms, Govinda
Chorus: Lord Krishna the Supreme Soul begged for alms, Govinda
ஹையோ மூணு பக்கம் கடலிருக்கு
நாலு பக்கம் கடனிருக்கு
பாரதமே இந்த கதி கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
ஆமாம் பாரதமே இந்த கதி கோவிந்தோ
Oh dear, there is ocean on three sides
There are debts on all four sides
This is the state of the nation of Bharat, Govinda
Chorus: Yes, this is the state of the nation of Bharat, Govinda
சொம்பு என்பது ஒரு வகை பாத்திரம்
நம்பி போடுங்க சாமிக்கு மாத்திரம்
குழு :
சொம்பு என்பது ஒரு வகை பாத்திரம்
ஆமாம்
குழு :
நம்பி போடுங்க சாமிக்கு மாத்திரம்
A brass pot is a type of vessel
Trust me and drop money only for the God
Chorus: A brass pot is a type of vessel
Male: Yes
Chorus: Trust me and drop money only for the God
பொட்டு வச்ச பொம்பளைங்க துட்டு போடுங்க
திருப்பதிக்கு போயி வந்து லட்டு தாரேங்க அடடா
Women wearing bindi, drop some coins
I will visit Tirupati and bring back laddus for you, oh my
பஜனை பழக்கமில்ல பாடி வழக்கமில்ல
பசியாலே பிச்சை கேட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
சிவனே எடுக்கையிலே இவனும் எடுத்தாலென்ன
எதுக்கும் துணிஞ்சு விட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing
Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too?
I am prepared for anything, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
நாட்டிலுள்ள கட்சிக்கெல்லாம் நானூறு சின்னமுண்டு
நாமம் தானே பொது சின்னம் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
பட்ட நாமம் தானே பொது சின்னம் கோவிந்தோ
Every political party in the country has hundreds of symbols
Is not the holy mark (Naamam) the common symbol for all, Govinda?
Chorus: Indeed, the holy mark (Naamam) is the common symbol for all, Govinda
அட ஓட்டு வாங்கிப் போனவங்க
ரேட்டு ஒண்ணு பேசிக்கிட்டு
ஊருக்கெல்லாம் போடுவது யேஹ் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
ஆமாம் ஊருக்கெல்லாம் போடுவது கோவிந்தோ
Oh, those who went away after taking votes
After striking deals on rates among themselves
They dupe (apply Naamam to) the entire town, yeah Govinda
Chorus: Yes, they dupe the entire town, Govinda
நோட்டு இல்லேன்னா காசா போடுங்க
அதுவும் இல்லேன்னா கோவிந்தா போடுங்க
குழு :
நோட்டு இல்லேன்னா காசா போடுங்க
அதுவும் இல்லேன்னா கோவிந்தா போடுங்க
If you don't have currency notes, drop coins
If you have neither, just chant Govinda
Chorus: If you don't have currency notes, drop coins
If you have neither, just chant Govinda
செத்ததுக்கு பின்னாலே கல்லறை தாங்க
சோத்துக்கு வழியில்ல சில்லறை தாங்க அடட
After dying, there is a grave to rest
Having no food to eat, give me spare change, oh my
பஜனை பழக்கமில்ல பாடி வழக்கமில்ல
பசியாலே பிச்சை கேட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
சிவனே எடுக்கையிலே இவனும் எடுத்தாலென்ன
எதுக்கும் துணிஞ்சு விட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing
Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too?
I am prepared for anything, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
மஞ்சத் துணி உன்னாலத்தான் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
பஞ்சத்துல வுட்டுட்டியே கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
This yellow cloth is because of you, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
Male: You left me stranded in extreme poverty, Govinda
Chorus: Govinda
பஜனை பழக்கமில்ல பாடி வழக்கமில்ல
பசியாலே பிச்சை கேட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
சிவனே எடுக்கையிலே இவனும் எடுத்தாலென்ன
எதுக்கும் துணிஞ்சு விட்டேன் கோவிந்தோ
குழு :
கோவிந்தோ
Yaezhu kundala vaadaa venkataramanaa
Lord Venkataramana of the seven hills
Govintho
Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Male :Govintho
Male: Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Raama raama raama raama raama raama
Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama
Male :Govintho
Male: Govinda
Chorus :Raama raama raama raama raama raama
Chorus: Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama
Male :Govintho
Male: Govinda
Bajanai pazhakkamilla paadi vazhakkamilla
Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing
Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho
Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Male :Sivanae edukkaiyilae ivanum eduththaalenna
Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too?
Edhukkum thuninjuvittaen govintho
I am prepared for anything, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Manja thuni unnaalaththaan govintho
This yellow cloth is because of you, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Male :Panjaththula vuttutiyae govintho
Male: You left me stranded in extreme poverty, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Bajanai pazhakkamilla paadi vazhakkamilla
Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing
Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho
Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Male :Sivanae edukkaiyilae ivanum eduththaalenna
Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too?
Edhukkum thuninjuvittaen govintho
I am prepared for anything, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Govinthaa govinthaa govinthaa
Govinda Govinda Govinda
Male :Govintho
Male: Govinda
Chorus :Govinthaa govinthaa govinthaa
Chorus: Govinda Govinda Govinda
Male :Govintho
Male: Govinda
Pitcha vaangi vaazhaatha periya manushan yaarunga
Who is a great man that hasn't lived by receiving alms?
Paramaathmaa pitcha kettaan govintho
Even the Supreme Soul asked for alms, Govinda
Chorus :Krishna paramaathmaa pichcha kettaan govintho
Chorus: Lord Krishna the Supreme Soul begged for alms, Govinda
Haiyo moonu pakkam kadalirukku
Oh dear, there is ocean on three sides
Naalu pakkam kadanirukku
There are debts on all four sides
Bharathamae intha kadhi govintho
This is the state of the nation of Bharat, Govinda
Chorus :Aamaam bharathamae intha kadhi govintho
Chorus: Yes, this is the state of the nation of Bharat, Govinda
Sombu enbathu oru vagai paaththiram
A brass pot is a type of vessel
Nambi podunga saamikku maaththiram
Trust me and drop money only for the God
Chorus :Sombu enbathu oru vagai paaththiram
Chorus: A brass pot is a type of vessel
Male :Aamaam
Male: Yes
Chorus :Nambi podunga saamikku maaththiram
Chorus: Trust me and drop money only for the God
Pottu vacha pombalainga thuttu podunga
Women wearing bindi, drop some coins
Thiruppathikku poyi vanthu laddu tharaenga adadaa
I will visit Tirupati and bring back laddus for you, oh my
Bajanai pazhakkamilla paadi vazhakkamilla
Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing
Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho
Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Male :Sivanae edukkaiyilae ivanum eduththaalenna
Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too?
Edhukkum thuninjuvittaen govintho
I am prepared for anything, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Naattilulla katchikellaam naanooru chinnamundu
Every political party in the country has hundreds of symbols
Naamamthaanae podhu chinnam govintho
Is not the holy mark (Naamam) the common symbol for all, Govinda?
Chorus :Patta naamamthaanae podhu chinnam govintho
Chorus: Indeed, the holy mark (Naamam) is the common symbol for all, Govinda
Ada vote vaangi ponavanga
Oh, those who went away after taking votes
Rate-tu onnu pesikittu
After striking deals on rates among themselves
Oorukellam poduvathu yaeh govintho
They dupe (apply Naamam to) the entire town, yeah Govinda
Chorus :Aamaam oorukellam poduvathu govintho
Chorus: Yes, they dupe the entire town, Govinda
Note-tu illaennaa kaasaa podunga
If you don't have currency notes, drop coins
Adhuvum illaennaa govintho podunga
If you have neither, just chant Govinda
Chorus :Note-tu illaennaa kaasaa podunga
Chorus: If you don't have currency notes, drop coins
Adhuvum illaennaa govintho podunga
If you have neither, just chant Govinda
Seththathukku pinnaalae kallarai thaanga
After dying, there is a grave to rest
Soththukku vazhiyilla sillarai thaanga adada
Having no food to eat, give me spare change, oh my
Bajanai pazhakkamilla paadi vazhakkamilla
Unused to singing devotional songs, unused to singing
Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho
Driven by hunger, I begged for alms, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Male :Sivanae edukkaiyilae ivanum eduththaalenna
Male: When Shiva Himself begs, what if this man begs too?
Edhukkum thuninjuvittaen govintho
I am prepared for anything, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Manja thuni unnaalaththaan govintho
This yellow cloth is because of you, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Male :Panjaththula vuttutiyae govintho
Male: You left me stranded in extreme poverty, Govinda
Chorus :Govintho
Chorus: Govinda
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Govintho' from 'Sugamana Sumaigal' (1992) is a satirical street-beggar's song penned by lyricist Vairamuthu. The protagonist, pushed into dire poverty and extreme hunger, reluctantly turns to begging while chanting the name of Lord Govinda. To justify his plight, he humorously cites mythological references where even supreme deities like Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna relied on alms.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Pun / Double Entendre (Siledai)
“Naamamthaanae podhu chinnam govintho”
The word 'Naamam' refers to both the sacred Vaishnavite mark worn on the forehead and the Tamil slang idiom for cheating or duping someone.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Haiyo moonu pakkam kadalirukku / Naalu pakkam kadanirukku”
Contrasts India's physical geography (surrounded by sea on 3 sides) with the citizen's economic plight (surrounded by debt on 4 sides).
Refrain / Emoni
“Pasiyaalae pitchai kettaen govintho”
The word 'Govintho' is repeated continuously as an end-rhyme refrain, symbolizing both a spiritual chant and total ruin/bankruptcy in colloquial Tamil.
Did you know?
Trivia
In Tamil colloquial usage, 'Govinda' or 'Govintho' serves as a slang term meaning 'lost forever' or 'bankrupt', which Vairamuthu cleverly weaponizes in this song to mock both political false promises and personal economic ruin.
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