Delhikku Rajanaalum
From Paatti Sollai Thattathe · 1988
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Manorama
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Details
- Paatti Sollai Thattathe1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Delhikku rajanaalum | Even if you become the king of Delhi, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Patta padippu padichu vandhalum | Even if you return after earning a degree, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Kumarikku azhagundu kezhavikku arivundu | A young woman has beauty, an old woman has wisdom; |
| Azhagula arivai nee marakkadhey | Do not forget wisdom in pursuit of beauty! |
| Female | |
| Delhikku rajanaalum | Even if you become the king of Delhi, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Patta padippu padichu vandhalum | Even if you return after earning a degree, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Female | |
| Katchi unna thaerndheduthaalum | Even if a political party selects you, |
| Thaai kulangal aadharithaalum | Even if womenfolk support you, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Butti vaangi virundhu vachaalum | Even if you buy liquor bottles and host a feast, |
| Potti pannatha thorandhu vachaalum | Even if you open a trunk full of money, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Female | |
| Vaazhkai inga aniyaayam | Life here is full of injustice, |
| Periyaar sonna venkaayam | Nonsense (venkaayam), as Periyar used to say! |
| Vaazhkai inga aniyaayam | Life here is full of injustice, |
| Periyaar sonna venkaayam | Nonsense (venkaayam), as Periyar used to say! |
| Female | |
| Moothoar sonna vaarthai adhu | The wisdom spoken by the elders, |
| Kadalil vitta perunkaayam | Is like asafoetida dissolved in the ocean. |
| Female | |
| Delhikku rajanaalum | Even if you become the king of Delhi, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Patta padippu padichu vandhalum | Even if you return after earning a degree, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Female | |
| Saertha panatha selavazhichaalum | Even if you spend all your saved money, |
| Sotha maathi ezhudhi vachaalum | Even if you rewrite and transfer property, |
| Paati sollai thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Female | |
| Mandhiriyaga osandhu ninnaalum | Even if you rise high to become a minister, |
| Mandhaiyoram odhungi ninnalum | Even if you stand marginalized near the herd, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Female | |
| Azhudha pilla jeyikkaadhu | A crying child will not win, |
| Avicha nellu molaikkaadhu | Parboiled paddy will not sprout, |
| Thangam vachu thechaa kooda | Even if scrubbed with gold, |
| Erumai niram velukkaadhu | A buffalo's color will not turn white! |
| Female | |
| Delhikku rajanaalum | Even if you become the king of Delhi, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Patta padippu padichu vandhalum | Even if you return after earning a degree, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Female | |
| Binaami peril nelam irundhaalum | Even if land is held under a benami name, |
| Swiz bank-il panam irundhaalum | Even if money is stashed in a Swiss bank, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Female | |
| Thalaivanendru kodi kattumpodhum | Whether flying high as a leader with a flag, |
| Satta sabaiyil adi pata podhum | Or getting beaten up in the legislative assembly, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Female | |
| Vaazhkai verum saapaadaa | Is life merely about eating food, |
| Pulla perum yaerpaada | Or an arrangement to produce children? |
| Veedum indha naadum nalam | Come, live in such a way that both your home, |
| Kaanumpadi nee vaada | And this country prosper! |
| Female | |
| Delhikku rajanaalum | Even if you become the king of Delhi, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Patta padippu padichu vandhalum | Even if you return after earning a degree, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Kumarikku azhagundu kezhavikku arivundu | A young woman has beauty, an old woman has wisdom; |
| Azhagula arivai nee marakkadhey | Do not forget wisdom in pursuit of beauty! |
| Female | |
| Delhikku rajanaalum | Even if you become the king of Delhi, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
| Patta padippu padichu vandhalum | Even if you return after earning a degree, |
| Paati solla thattaadhey | Do not disobey grandmother's word. |
டெல்லிக்கு ராஜானாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
பட்ட படிப்பு படிச்சு வந்தாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
குமரிக்கு அழகுண்டு கெழவிக்கு அறிவுண்டு
அழகுல அறிவை நீ மறக்காதே
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
A young woman has beauty, an old woman has wisdom;
Do not forget wisdom in pursuit of beauty!
டெல்லிக்கு ராஜானாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
பட்ட படிப்பு படிச்சு வந்தாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
கட்சி உன்ன தேர்ந்தெடுத்தாலும்
தாய் குலங்கள் ஆதரித்தாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
புட்டி வாங்கி விருந்து வச்சாலும்
பொட்டி பணத்த தொறந்து வச்சாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Even if a political party selects you,
Even if womenfolk support you,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Even if you buy liquor bottles and host a feast,
Even if you open a trunk full of money,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
வாழ்க்கை இங்க அநியாயம்
பெரியார் சொன்ன வெங்காயம்
வாழ்க்கை இங்க அநியாயம்
பெரியார் சொன்ன வெங்காயம்
Life here is full of injustice,
Nonsense (venkaayam), as Periyar used to say!
Life here is full of injustice,
Nonsense (venkaayam), as Periyar used to say!
மூத்தோர் சொன்ன வார்த்தை அது
கடலில் விட்ட பெருங்காயம்
The wisdom spoken by the elders,
Is like asafoetida dissolved in the ocean.
டெல்லிக்கு ராஜானாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
பட்ட படிப்பு படிச்சு வந்தாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
சேர்த்த பணத்த செலவழிச்சாலும்
சொத்த மாத்தி எழுதி வச்சாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Even if you spend all your saved money,
Even if you rewrite and transfer property,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
மந்திரியாக ஒசந்து நின்னாலும்
மந்தையோரம் ஒதுங்கி நின்னாளும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Even if you rise high to become a minister,
Even if you stand marginalized near the herd,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
அழுத பிள்ள ஜெயிக்காது
அவிச்ச நெல்லு மொளைக்காது
தங்கம் வச்சு தேச்சாக்கூட
எருமை நிறம் வெளுக்காது
A crying child will not win,
Parboiled paddy will not sprout,
Even if scrubbed with gold,
A buffalo's color will not turn white!
டெல்லிக்கு ராஜானாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
பட்ட படிப்பு படிச்சு வந்தாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
பிணாமி பேரில் நெலம் இருந்தாலும்
சுவிஸ் பேங்கில் பணம் இருந்தாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Even if land is held under a benami name,
Even if money is stashed in a Swiss bank,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
தலைவனென்று கோடி கட்டும்போதும்
சட்ட சபையில் அடி பட்ட போதும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Whether flying high as a leader with a flag,
Or getting beaten up in the legislative assembly,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
வாழ்க்கை வெறும் சாப்பாடா
புள்ள பெறும் ஏற்பாடா
வீடும் இந்த நாடும் நலம்
காணும்படி நீ வாடா....
Is life merely about eating food,
Or an arrangement to produce children?
Come, live in such a way that both your home,
And this country prosper!
டெல்லிக்கு ராஜானாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
பட்ட படிப்பு படிச்சு வந்தாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
குமரிக்கு அழகுண்டு கெழவிக்கு அறிவுண்டு
அழகுல அறிவை நீ மறக்காதே
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
A young woman has beauty, an old woman has wisdom;
Do not forget wisdom in pursuit of beauty!
டெல்லிக்கு ராஜானாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
பட்ட படிப்பு படிச்சு வந்தாலும்
பாட்டி சொல்ல தட்டாதே
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Delhikku rajanaalum
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Patta padippu padichu vandhalum
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Kumarikku azhagundu kezhavikku arivundu
A young woman has beauty, an old woman has wisdom;
Azhagula arivai nee marakkadhey
Do not forget wisdom in pursuit of beauty!
Delhikku rajanaalum
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Patta padippu padichu vandhalum
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Katchi unna thaerndheduthaalum
Even if a political party selects you,
Thaai kulangal aadharithaalum
Even if womenfolk support you,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Butti vaangi virundhu vachaalum
Even if you buy liquor bottles and host a feast,
Potti pannatha thorandhu vachaalum
Even if you open a trunk full of money,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Vaazhkai inga aniyaayam
Life here is full of injustice,
Periyaar sonna venkaayam
Nonsense (venkaayam), as Periyar used to say!
Vaazhkai inga aniyaayam
Life here is full of injustice,
Periyaar sonna venkaayam
Nonsense (venkaayam), as Periyar used to say!
Moothoar sonna vaarthai adhu
The wisdom spoken by the elders,
Kadalil vitta perunkaayam
Is like asafoetida dissolved in the ocean.
Delhikku rajanaalum
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Patta padippu padichu vandhalum
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Saertha panatha selavazhichaalum
Even if you spend all your saved money,
Sotha maathi ezhudhi vachaalum
Even if you rewrite and transfer property,
Paati sollai thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Mandhiriyaga osandhu ninnaalum
Even if you rise high to become a minister,
Mandhaiyoram odhungi ninnalum
Even if you stand marginalized near the herd,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Azhudha pilla jeyikkaadhu
A crying child will not win,
Avicha nellu molaikkaadhu
Parboiled paddy will not sprout,
Thangam vachu thechaa kooda
Even if scrubbed with gold,
Erumai niram velukkaadhu
A buffalo's color will not turn white!
Delhikku rajanaalum
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Patta padippu padichu vandhalum
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Binaami peril nelam irundhaalum
Even if land is held under a benami name,
Swiz bank-il panam irundhaalum
Even if money is stashed in a Swiss bank,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Thalaivanendru kodi kattumpodhum
Whether flying high as a leader with a flag,
Satta sabaiyil adi pata podhum
Or getting beaten up in the legislative assembly,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Vaazhkai verum saapaadaa
Is life merely about eating food,
Pulla perum yaerpaada
Or an arrangement to produce children?
Veedum indha naadum nalam
Come, live in such a way that both your home,
Kaanumpadi nee vaada
And this country prosper!
Delhikku rajanaalum
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Patta padippu padichu vandhalum
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Kumarikku azhagundu kezhavikku arivundu
A young woman has beauty, an old woman has wisdom;
Azhagula arivai nee marakkadhey
Do not forget wisdom in pursuit of beauty!
Delhikku rajanaalum
Even if you become the king of Delhi,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Patta padippu padichu vandhalum
Even if you return after earning a degree,
Paati solla thattaadhey
Do not disobey grandmother's word.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Delhikku Rajanaalum' emphasizes the eternal importance of traditional wisdom, family elders, and moral character over power, wealth, or political position. It humorously and firmly asserts that regardless of how influential, educated, or wealthy a person becomes—whether becoming the ruler in Delhi, holding degrees, owning Swiss bank accounts, or serving as a government minister—one must never ignore the practical advice and wisdom of an elder, specifically the grandmother. Through witty Tamil proverbs and colloquial metaphors, lyricist Vairamuthu highlights that superficial beauty, wealth, and status are temporary, whereas moral duty and respecting elders lead to true purpose in life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Monostich / Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kumarikku azhagundu kezhavikku arivundu”
Repetition of second consonant sound across adjacent lines, such as 'Kumarikku' / 'Azhagula' or 'Delhikku' / 'Patta'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Paati solla thattaadhey”
Consistent rhyming at line endings, notably the refrain ending with 'thattaadhey'.
Proverbial Metaphor (Pazhamozhi)
“Avicha nellu molaikkaadhu”
Using traditional proverbs like 'Avicha nellu molaikkaadhu' (boiled grain will not germinate) to express immutable natural truths.
Hyperbole / Satire
“Delhikku rajanaalum”
Exaggerating political power ('Delhikku rajanaalum') and extreme wealth ('Swiss bank-il panam irundhaalum') to underline that wisdom supersedes material success.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Paatti Sollai Thattathe' (1988) starred veteran actress Manorama as the central grandmother character alongside Pandiarajan. The song became a iconic comedy-philosophical anthem in Tamil pop culture, popularizing the phrase 'Delhikku Rajanaalum Paatti Solla Thattaadhey'.
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