Cheri Maari Aalu Maari
From Rajangam · 1981
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Rajangam1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Panakkaara veshamadaa….aa…. | It is a disguise of the wealthy, my friend... |
| Namakku pazhagaatha paashaiyadaa…aa… | It is a language unfamiliar to us, my friend... |
| Mudhaali poonaigalum | Even the capitalist cats |
| Ingu mugamoodi poduthadaa….haei… | Wear masks here... hey! |
| Male | |
| Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae | Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house |
| Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen | Carrying a rented garland, I have come |
| Male | |
| ………………… | ................... |
| Male | |
| Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae | Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house |
| Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen | Carrying a rented garland, I have come |
| Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku | A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside |
| Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku | A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside |
| Male | |
| Naanthaan raajaangam jeyilu enakku poorveegam | I am Rajangam, prison is my native home |
| Ennaikkaikkum paarthathillai panjangam | I have never consulted an astrological almanac in my life |
| Naanthaan raajangam jeyilu enakku poorveegam | I am Rajangam, prison is my native home |
| Ennaikkaikkum paarthathillai panjangam | I have never consulted an astrological almanac in my life |
| Male | |
| Panapiruppavan jaadhagam paakka venum avasiyam | A man born into wealth necessarily needs to check his horoscope |
| Yaezhaikenna josiyam ragasiya…. | What secret astrology exists for a poor man? |
| Panapiruppavan jaadhagam paakka venum avasiyam | A man born into wealth necessarily needs to check his horoscope |
| Yaezhaikenna josiyam ragasiya…. | What secret astrology exists for a poor man? |
| Seerthiruththam saerikkullae | Social reform needs to be learned |
| Irunthu karkanum haei haei | By staying inside the slum itself, hey hey |
| Male | |
| Saeri maari….aah haa… | Changing the slum... ah ha... |
| Aalu maari….yaeh hae | Changing the person... yeah hae |
| Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae | Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house |
| Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen | Carrying a rented garland, I have come |
| Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku | A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside |
| Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku | A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside |
| Male | |
| Veliyae poonthottam | A flower garden on the outside |
| Veetukkullae thaen koottam | A beehive inside the house |
| Kadhava ragasiyaththai kaappaththum | The door keeps the secret hidden |
| Veliyae poonthottam | A flower garden on the outside |
| Veetukkullae thaen koottam | A beehive inside the house |
| Kadhava ragasiyaththai kaappaththum | The door keeps the secret hidden |
| Male | |
| Maadi veettu jannalo | Look at the window of the upstairs mansion |
| Silukku sattai pottirukku | It is draped in a silk shirt |
| Saeri paiyan kovanaththil ottu irukku | While the slum boy's loincloth has a patch on it |
| Maadi veettu jannalo | Look at the window of the upstairs mansion |
| Silukku sattai pottirukku | It is draped in a silk shirt |
| Saeri paiyan kovanaththil ottu irukku | While the slum boy's loincloth has a patch on it |
| Unga veettu kannukutti | Even the calf at your home |
| Rotti ketkuthu….haei haei…. | Is asking for bread... hey hey... |
| Male | |
| Saeri maari….aah haa… | Changing the slum... ah ha... |
| Aalu maari….yaeh hae | Changing the person... yeah hae |
| Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae | Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house |
| Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen | Carrying a rented garland, I have come |
| Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku | A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside |
| Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku | A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside |
| Male | |
| Yaeh hae….uhh hoo….. | Yeah hae... uhh hoo... |
| Male | |
| Kaanum oiyyaaram ellaam ingae viyaabaaram | All the grace and grandeur you see here is merely business |
| Otta vachcha meesaikenna singaram | What real beauty lies in a fake, glued-on mustache? |
| Kaanum oiyyaaram ellaam ingae viyaabaaram | All the grace and grandeur you see here is merely business |
| Otta vachcha meesaikenna singaram | What real beauty lies in a fake, glued-on mustache? |
| Male | |
| Veedu ingae jeyilunga | The house here is a prison, sir |
| Vaazhkkai ingae peyilunga | Life here is like a ghost, sir |
| Viduthalaikku muyalunga vilakunga | Strive for freedom, step aside! |
| Veedu ingae jeyilunga | The house here is a prison, sir |
| Vaazhkkai ingae peyilunga | Life here is like a ghost, sir |
| Viduthalaikku muyalunga vilakunga | Strive for freedom, step aside! |
| Pullaththachchi pullapochchi | The pregnant woman has lost her child / delivered |
| Sonna kelunga….haei haei….. | Listen to what is being said... hey hey... |
| Male | |
| Saeri maari….aah haa… | Changing the slum... ah ha... |
| Aalu maari….yaeh hae | Changing the person... yeah hae |
| Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae | Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house |
| Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen | Carrying a rented garland, I have come |
| Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku | A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside |
| Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku | A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside |
| Male | |
| ………………… | ................... |
பணக்கார வேஷமடா.......ஆ.....
நமக்கு பழகாத பாஷையடா.....ஆ....
முதலாளி பூனைகளும்
இங்கு முகமூடி போடுதடா.....ஹேய்.....
It is a disguise of the wealthy, my friend...
It is a language unfamiliar to us, my friend...
Even the capitalist cats
Wear masks here... hey!
சேரி மாறி ஆளு மாறி மாடி ஏறி வந்தேனே
வாடகைக்கு மாலை ஏந்தி வந்தேனே
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
...........................
...................
சேரி மாறி ஆளு மாறி மாடி ஏறி வந்தேனே
வாடகைக்கு மாலை ஏந்தி வந்தேனே
அலங்கார பல்லாக்கு உள்ளேயிருக்கு புண்ணாக்கு
அலங்கார பல்லாக்கு உள்ளேயிருக்கு புண்ணாக்கு.....
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
நான்தான் ராஜாங்கம் ஜெயிலு எனக்கு பூர்வீகம்
என்னைக்கும் பார்த்ததில்லை பஞ்சாங்கம்
நான்தான் ராஜாங்கம் ஜெயிலு எனக்கு பூர்வீகம்
என்னைக்கும் பார்த்ததில்லை பஞ்சாங்கம்
I am Rajangam, prison is my native home
I have never consulted an astrological almanac in my life
I am Rajangam, prison is my native home
I have never consulted an astrological almanac in my life
பணமிருப்பவன் ஜாதகம் பாக்க வேணும் அவசியம்
ஏழைக்கென்ன ஜோசியம் ரகசியம்......
பணமிருப்பவன் ஜாதகம் பாக்க வேணும் அவசியம்
ஏழைக்கென்ன ஜோசியம் ரகசியம்.....
சீர்த்திருத்தம் சேரிக்குள்ளே
இருந்து கற்கணும் ஹேய் ஹேய்
A man born into wealth necessarily needs to check his horoscope
What secret astrology exists for a poor man?
A man born into wealth necessarily needs to check his horoscope
What secret astrology exists for a poor man?
Social reform needs to be learned
By staying inside the slum itself, hey hey
சேரி மாறி.....ஆஹ் ஹா.....
ஆளு மாறி....ஏஹ் ஹே
சேரி மாறி ஆளு மாறி மாடி ஏறி வந்தேனே
வாடகைக்கு மாலை ஏந்தி வந்தேனே
அலங்கார பல்லாக்கு உள்ளேயிருக்கு புண்ணாக்கு
அலங்கார பல்லாக்கு உள்ளேயிருக்கு புண்ணாக்கு.....
Changing the slum... ah ha...
Changing the person... yeah hae
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
வெளியே பூந்தோட்டம்
வீட்டுக்குள்ளே தேன் கூட்டம்
கதவா ரகசியத்தை காப்பாத்தும்
வெளியே பூந்தோட்டம்
வீட்டுக்குள்ளே தேன் கூட்டம்
கதவா ரகசியத்தை காப்பாத்தும்
A flower garden on the outside
A beehive inside the house
The door keeps the secret hidden
A flower garden on the outside
A beehive inside the house
The door keeps the secret hidden
மாடி வீட்டு ஜன்னலோ
சிலுக்கு சட்டை போட்டிருக்கு
சேரி பையன் கோவணத்தில் ஒட்டு இருக்கு
மாடி வீட்டு ஜன்னலோ
சிலுக்கு சட்டை போட்டிருக்கு
சேரி பையன் கோவணத்தில் ஒட்டு இருக்கு
உங்க வீட்டு கன்னுக்குட்டி
ரொட்டி கேக்குது....ஹேய் ஹேய்
Look at the window of the upstairs mansion
It is draped in a silk shirt
While the slum boy's loincloth has a patch on it
Look at the window of the upstairs mansion
It is draped in a silk shirt
While the slum boy's loincloth has a patch on it
Even the calf at your home
Is asking for bread... hey hey...
சேரி மாறி.....ஆஹ் ஹா.....
ஆளு மாறி....ஏஹ் ஹே
சேரி மாறி ஆளு மாறி மாடி ஏறி வந்தேனே
வாடகைக்கு மாலை ஏந்தி வந்தேனே
அலங்கார பல்லாக்கு உள்ளேயிருக்கு புண்ணாக்கு
அலங்கார பல்லாக்கு உள்ளேயிருக்கு புண்ணாக்கு.....
Changing the slum... ah ha...
Changing the person... yeah hae
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
ஏஹ் ஹே......உஹ் ஹூ....
Yeah hae... uhh hoo...
காணும் ஒய்யாரம் எல்லாம் இங்கே வியாபாரம்
ஒட்ட வச்ச மீசைக்கென்ன சிங்காரம்
காணும் ஒய்யாரம் எல்லாம் இங்கே வியாபாரம்
ஒட்ட வச்ச மீசைக்கென்ன சிங்காரம்
All the grace and grandeur you see here is merely business
What real beauty lies in a fake, glued-on mustache?
All the grace and grandeur you see here is merely business
What real beauty lies in a fake, glued-on mustache?
வீடு இங்கே ஜெயிலுங்க
வாழ்க்கை இங்கே பெயிலுங்க
விடுதலைக்கு முயலுங்க விலகுங்க
வீடு இங்கே ஜெயிலுங்க
வாழ்க்கை இங்கே பெயிலுங்க
விடுதலைக்கு முயலுங்க விலகுங்க
புள்ளத்தாச்சி புள்ளப்பூச்சி
சொன்னா கேளுங்க....ஹேய் ஹேய்
The house here is a prison, sir
Life here is like a ghost, sir
Strive for freedom, step aside!
The house here is a prison, sir
Life here is like a ghost, sir
Strive for freedom, step aside!
The pregnant woman has lost her child / delivered
Listen to what is being said... hey hey...
சேரி மாறி.....ஆஹ் ஹா.....
ஆளு மாறி....ஏஹ் ஹே
சேரி மாறி ஆளு மாறி மாடி ஏறி வந்தேனே
வாடகைக்கு மாலை ஏந்தி வந்தேனே
அலங்கார பல்லாக்கு உள்ளேயிருக்கு புண்ணாக்கு
அலங்கார பல்லாக்கு உள்ளேயிருக்கு புண்ணாக்கு.....
Changing the slum... ah ha...
Changing the person... yeah hae
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
...............................
...................
Panakkaara veshamadaa….aa….
It is a disguise of the wealthy, my friend...
Namakku pazhagaatha paashaiyadaa…aa…
It is a language unfamiliar to us, my friend...
Mudhaali poonaigalum
Even the capitalist cats
Ingu mugamoodi poduthadaa….haei…
Wear masks here... hey!
Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
…………………
...................
Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
Naanthaan raajaangam jeyilu enakku poorveegam
I am Rajangam, prison is my native home
Ennaikkaikkum paarthathillai panjangam
I have never consulted an astrological almanac in my life
Naanthaan raajangam jeyilu enakku poorveegam
I am Rajangam, prison is my native home
Ennaikkaikkum paarthathillai panjangam
I have never consulted an astrological almanac in my life
Panapiruppavan jaadhagam paakka venum avasiyam
A man born into wealth necessarily needs to check his horoscope
Yaezhaikenna josiyam ragasiya….
What secret astrology exists for a poor man?
Panapiruppavan jaadhagam paakka venum avasiyam
A man born into wealth necessarily needs to check his horoscope
Yaezhaikenna josiyam ragasiya….
What secret astrology exists for a poor man?
Seerthiruththam saerikkullae
Social reform needs to be learned
Irunthu karkanum haei haei
By staying inside the slum itself, hey hey
Saeri maari….aah haa…
Changing the slum... ah ha...
Aalu maari….yaeh hae
Changing the person... yeah hae
Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
Veliyae poonthottam
A flower garden on the outside
Veetukkullae thaen koottam
A beehive inside the house
Kadhava ragasiyaththai kaappaththum
The door keeps the secret hidden
Veliyae poonthottam
A flower garden on the outside
Veetukkullae thaen koottam
A beehive inside the house
Kadhava ragasiyaththai kaappaththum
The door keeps the secret hidden
Maadi veettu jannalo
Look at the window of the upstairs mansion
Silukku sattai pottirukku
It is draped in a silk shirt
Saeri paiyan kovanaththil ottu irukku
While the slum boy's loincloth has a patch on it
Maadi veettu jannalo
Look at the window of the upstairs mansion
Silukku sattai pottirukku
It is draped in a silk shirt
Saeri paiyan kovanaththil ottu irukku
While the slum boy's loincloth has a patch on it
Unga veettu kannukutti
Even the calf at your home
Rotti ketkuthu….haei haei….
Is asking for bread... hey hey...
Saeri maari….aah haa…
Changing the slum... ah ha...
Aalu maari….yaeh hae
Changing the person... yeah hae
Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
Yaeh hae….uhh hoo…..
Yeah hae... uhh hoo...
Kaanum oiyyaaram ellaam ingae viyaabaaram
All the grace and grandeur you see here is merely business
Otta vachcha meesaikenna singaram
What real beauty lies in a fake, glued-on mustache?
Kaanum oiyyaaram ellaam ingae viyaabaaram
All the grace and grandeur you see here is merely business
Otta vachcha meesaikenna singaram
What real beauty lies in a fake, glued-on mustache?
Veedu ingae jeyilunga
The house here is a prison, sir
Vaazhkkai ingae peyilunga
Life here is like a ghost, sir
Viduthalaikku muyalunga vilakunga
Strive for freedom, step aside!
Veedu ingae jeyilunga
The house here is a prison, sir
Vaazhkkai ingae peyilunga
Life here is like a ghost, sir
Viduthalaikku muyalunga vilakunga
Strive for freedom, step aside!
Pullaththachchi pullapochchi
The pregnant woman has lost her child / delivered
Sonna kelunga….haei haei…..
Listen to what is being said... hey hey...
Saeri maari….aah haa…
Changing the slum... ah ha...
Aalu maari….yaeh hae
Changing the person... yeah hae
Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae
Leaving the slum and changing my persona, I climbed up to the multi-storey house
Vaadakaikku maalai yaendhi vanthaen
Carrying a rented garland, I have come
Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku
A decorated palanquin outside, but cattle-fodder (worthless) inside
…………………
...................
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a sharp social commentary highlighting the stark economic inequality between the wealthy elite living in high-rise mansions and the impoverished dwellers of the slums. The protagonist, named Rajangam, enters the world of the wealthy in disguise, carrying a rented garland, only to expose the hypocrisy, artificiality, and moral decay hidden behind luxury. He remarks that while the rich wear fake masks and obsess over horoscopes, the poor face daily hardship where even basic necessities are patched together.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Saeri maari aalu maari maadi yaeri vanthaenae”
The second letters 'ri' match across the words 'Saeri' and 'Maari' in the chorus lines.
Contrast / Antithesis
“Alngaara pallaakku ullayirukku punnaakku”
Contrasting external decorative grandeur ('Alngaara pallaakku') with internal worthlessness ('punnaakku').
Metaphor
“Veedu ingae jeyilunga / Vaazhkkai ingae peyilunga”
Comparing affluent homes to prisons ('jeyilunga') and wealthy lives to ghosts/devils ('peyilunga') to symbolize entrapment and artificiality.
Did you know?
Trivia
This rare song features lyrics penned by Vairamuthu early in his career during the 1980s. It uses folk-style rhythms and socio-political themes typical of early 1980s Tamil cinema focusing on urban class struggles.
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