Demonetization Anthem
From Thatrom Thookrom · 2018
- Lyricist
- Kabilan Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Silambarasan
- Music director
- Balamurali Balu
- Details
- Thatrom Thookrom2018
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Gandhi note-u rendum | Both the Gandhi notes (500 and 1000 rupees) |
| Ambel aaghi poyaachu | Have gone completely useless. |
| Bank-u atm-mil | At banks and ATMs, |
| Askku buskku aayachu | It has all become empty and zero. |
| Male | |
| Soka sokka matti | Dressed up impeccably, |
| Nadu theruvukku vandhaachu | We have ended up on the middle of the street. |
| Kaththu kedantha sanam | The common people who gathered in crowds, |
| Kakka kootam pol aachu | Have become like a flock of crows. |
| Male | |
| Nadutharathaa | To the middle class, |
| Nalla vechu senjaachu | They served it real good (ruined them). |
| Sillaraiukku thaan | Just for small change, |
| Dangguvaaru anthaachu | Their belts have snapped. |
| Male | |
| Mala malayaa | The scammers who committed massive fraud, |
| Mosam senja moodevinga | Made mountains of scams, |
| Foriegn-u thaan | And escaped to foreign countries... |
| Poyaachuuu…. | They have gone... |
| Chorus | |
| No cash | No cash! |
| Male :Card-ah swipe panni | By swiping cards, |
| Naam vazhalaam | Let us survive. |
| Chorus :No cash | No cash! |
| Male :Kelvi ketkaama | Without asking any questions, |
| Kondadalaam….. | Let us celebrate... |
| Chorus | |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash, |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash. |
| Male :Panda parimaatram | Barter system of trading, |
| Pazhagikalaam | Let us get used to it. |
| Chorus | |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash, |
| No no no cash cash | No, no, no cash cash. |
| Male :Kanna thirakaama | Without opening our eyes, |
| Padam paakalaam | Let us watch this movie/farce. |
| Chorus | |
| {Ya ya ya ya ya… | {Ya ya ya ya ya… |
| Ya ya ya yaa | Ya ya ya yaa |
| Ya ya ya ya ya… | Ya ya ya ya ya… |
| Ya ya yaa} (2) | Ya ya yaa} (2) |
| Male | |
| Fake-u note-ah pola | Like a counterfeit note, |
| Vaazhka maari poyaachu | Life has changed completely. |
| Breaking news paathu | Watching the breaking news, |
| Loose motion aayaachu | We got loose motions. |
| Male | |
| Vella manasu saetha panam | Money saved with a pure heart, |
| Sellamalae poyaachu | Became invalid and useless. |
| Karutha manasu saetha panam | Money hoarded with a dark heart, |
| Vella color aayaachu | Turned into pure white color. |
| Male | |
| Kudimaganaa | As a dutiful citizen, |
| Oththuzhaipa thandhachu | We extended our full cooperation. |
| Kandapadikku | Blindly and recklessly, |
| Nambikkaiya vechaachu | We placed our trust. |
| Male | |
| Varisaiyila perusu sirusu | In the queue, young and old, |
| Ellarumae ninaachu | Everyone stood together. |
| Mudinjuthunnu nenachaakaa | Just when we thought it was finally over, |
| GST vanthaachu….. | GST arrived... |
| Chorus | |
| No cash | No cash! |
| Card-ah swipe panni | By swiping cards, |
| Naam vazhalaam | Let us survive. |
| No cash | No cash! |
| Kelvi ketkaama | Without asking questions, |
| Kondadalaam….. | Let us celebrate... |
| Chorus | |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash, |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash. |
| Panda parimaatram | Barter system of trading, |
| Pazhagikalaam | Let us get used to it. |
| Chorus | |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash, |
| No no no cash cash | No, no, no cash cash. |
| Kanna thirakaama | Without opening our eyes, |
| Padam paakalaam | Let us watch this movie/farce. |
| Chorus | |
| Ezha veetil irupadhellaam | Whatever exists in a poor person's home, |
| Sivappu panamadaa | Is hard-earned red blood money, man! |
| Kuruvi pola saetha kaasil | In the money saved bit-by-bit like a sparrow, |
| Kallam illadaa | There is no deceit, man! |
| Chorus | |
| Naata maatha venumunnu | If you want to change the country, |
| Neenga nenachaa | And if you truly believe that, |
| Coat-tu potta gundargalin | Grab the throats of the suit-wearing goons, |
| Sanga pudingadaa | And choke them, man! |
| Chorus | |
| Cash cash cash cash | Cash cash cash cash, |
| Cash cash cash cash | Cash cash cash cash. |
| Chorus | |
| No cash | No cash! |
| Card-ah swipe panni | By swiping cards, |
| Naam vazhalaam | Let us survive. |
| No cash | No cash! |
| Kelvi ketkaama | Without asking questions, |
| Kondadalaam….. | Let us celebrate... |
| Chorus | |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash, |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash. |
| Panda parimaatram | Barter system of trading, |
| Pazhagikalaam | Let us get used to it. |
| Chorus | |
| No cash no cash | No cash, no cash, |
| No no no cash cash | No, no, no cash cash. |
| Kanna thirakaama | Without opening our eyes, |
| Padam paakalaam | Let us watch this movie/farce. |
| Male | |
| Demonetization | Demonetization! |
| Chorus :Demonetization | Demonetization! |
| Male :Marumaa namma nation | Will our nation ever change? |
| Chorus :Marumaa namma nation | Will our nation ever change? |
| Male | |
| Kelvi ketta police station | If we ask questions, we are dragged to the police station! |
| Chorus :Ithu golu maalu globalization | This is shady globalization! |
| Ithu golu maalu globalization | This is shady globalization! |
| Ithu golu maalu globalization | This is shady globalization! |
| Male | |
| Orae confusion | Total confusion! |
| Enna vazhka daa idhu | What kind of life is this, man? |
காந்தி நோட்டு
ரெண்டும் அம்பேல் ஆகி
போயாச்சு பேங்கு ஏ.டி.எம்
மில் அஸ்க்கு புஸ்க்கு
ஆயாச்சு
Both the Gandhi notes (500 and 1000 rupees)
Have gone completely useless.
At banks and ATMs,
It has all become empty and zero.
சோக்கா சோக்கா
மாட்டி நடுத்தெருவுக்கு
வந்தாச்சு காத்து கிடந்த
சனம் காக்கா கூட்டம்
போலாச்சு
Dressed up impeccably,
We have ended up on the middle of the street.
The common people who gathered in crowds,
Have become like a flock of crows.
நடுத்தரத்த நல்லா
வெச்சு செஞ்சாச்சு
சில்லறைக்கு தான்
டங்குவாரு அந்தாச்சு
To the middle class,
They served it real good (ruined them).
Just for small change,
Their belts have snapped.
மலை மலையா
மோசம் செஞ்ச மூதேவிங்க
பாரீனுதான் போயாச்சு
The scammers who committed massive fraud,
Made mountains of scams,
And escaped to foreign countries...
They have gone...
நோ கேஷ்
கார்டை ஸ்விப்
பண்ணி நாம் வாழலாம்
குழு :
நோ கேஷ்
கேள்வி கேட்காம
கொண்டாடலாம்
No cash!
By swiping cards,
Let us survive.
No cash!
Without asking any questions,
Let us celebrate...
நோ கேஷ்
நோ கேஷ் நோ
கேஷ் நோ கேஷ்
பண்ட
பரிமாற்றம் பழகிக்கலாம்
No cash, no cash,
No cash, no cash.
Barter system of trading,
Let us get used to it.
நோ கேஷ்
நோ கேஷ் நோ
நோ நோ கேஷ்
கேஷ்
கண்ண
திறக்காம படம்
பாக்கலாம்
No cash, no cash,
No, no, no cash cash.
Without opening our eyes,
Let us watch this movie/farce.
.......................
{Ya ya ya ya ya…
Ya ya ya yaa
Ya ya ya ya ya…
Ya ya yaa} (2)
ஃபேக்கு நோட்ட
போல வாழ்க்கை மாறி
போயாச்சு பிரேக்கிங்
நியூஸ் பாத்து லூஸ்
மோஷன் ஆயாச்சு
Like a counterfeit note,
Life has changed completely.
Watching the breaking news,
We got loose motions.
வெள்ள மனசு
சேத்த பணம்
செல்லாமலே போயாச்சு
கருத்த மனசு சேத்த பணம்
வெள்ள கலர் ஆயாச்சு
Money saved with a pure heart,
Became invalid and useless.
Money hoarded with a dark heart,
Turned into pure white color.
குடிமகனா
ஒத்துழைப்ப தந்தாச்சு
கண்டபடிக்கு நம்பிக்கைய
வெச்சாச்சு
As a dutiful citizen,
We extended our full cooperation.
Blindly and recklessly,
We placed our trust.
வரிசையில
பெரிசு சிறுசு எல்லாருமே
நின்னாச்சு முடிஞ்சுதுனு
நெனச்சாக்கா ஜிஎஸ்டி
வந்தாச்சு
In the queue, young and old,
Everyone stood together.
Just when we thought it was finally over,
GST arrived...
நோ கேஷ்
கார்ட ஸ்விப் பண்ணி
நாம் வாழலாம் நோ
கேஷ் கேள்வி கேட்காம
கொண்டாடலாம்
No cash!
By swiping cards,
Let us survive.
No cash!
Without asking questions,
Let us celebrate...
நோ கேஷ்
நோ கேஷ் நோ
கேஷ் நோ கேஷ்
பண்ட பரிமாற்றம்
பழகிக்கலாம்
No cash, no cash,
No cash, no cash.
Barter system of trading,
Let us get used to it.
நோ கேஷ்
நோ கேஷ் நோ
நோ நோ கேஷ்
கேஷ்
கண்ண திறக்காம
படம் பாக்கலாம்
No cash, no cash,
No, no, no cash cash.
Without opening our eyes,
Let us watch this movie/farce.
ஏழை வீட்டில்
இருப்பதெல்லாம்
சிவப்பு பணமடா
குருவி போல சேத்த
காசில் கள்ளம் இல்லடா
Whatever exists in a poor person's home,
Is hard-earned red blood money, man!
In the money saved bit-by-bit like a sparrow,
There is no deceit, man!
நாட்ட மாத்த
வேணுமுன்னு நீங்க
நெனச்சா கோட்டு
போட்ட குண்டர்களின்
சங்க புடிங்கடா
If you want to change the country,
And if you truly believe that,
Grab the throats of the suit-wearing goons,
And choke them, man!
கேஷ் கேஷ்
கேஷ் கேஷ் கேஷ்
கேஷ் கேஷ் கேஷ்
Cash cash cash cash,
Cash cash cash cash.
நோ கேஷ்
கார்ட ஸ்விப் பண்ணி
நாம் வாழலாம் நோ
கேஷ் கேள்வி கேட்காம
கொண்டாடலாம்
No cash!
By swiping cards,
Let us survive.
No cash!
Without asking questions,
Let us celebrate...
நோ கேஷ்
நோ கேஷ் நோ
கேஷ் நோ கேஷ்
பண்ட பரிமாற்றம்
பழகிக்கலாம்
No cash, no cash,
No cash, no cash.
Barter system of trading,
Let us get used to it.
நோ கேஷ்
நோ கேஷ் நோ
நோ நோ கேஷ்
கேஷ்
கண்ண திறக்காம
படம் பாக்கலாம்
No cash, no cash,
No, no, no cash cash.
Without opening our eyes,
Let us watch this movie/farce.
டீமானிடைசேஷன்
குழு :
டீமானிடைசேஷன்
மாறு மா நம்ம நேஷன்
குழு :
மாறு மா நம்ம நேஷன்
Demonetization!
Demonetization!
Will our nation ever change?
Will our nation ever change?
கேள்வி கேட்டா
போலீஸ் ஸ்டேஷன்
குழு :
இது கோலுமாலு
குளோபலிசேஷன் இது
கோலுமாலு குளோபலிசேஷன்
இது கோலுமாலு
குளோபலிசேஷன்
If we ask questions, we are dragged to the police station!
This is shady globalization!
This is shady globalization!
This is shady globalization!
ஒரே கன்பியூஷன்
என்ன வாழ்க்கைடா இது
Total confusion!
What kind of life is this, man?
Gandhi note-u rendum
Both the Gandhi notes (500 and 1000 rupees)
Ambel aaghi poyaachu
Have gone completely useless.
Bank-u atm-mil
At banks and ATMs,
Askku buskku aayachu
It has all become empty and zero.
Soka sokka matti
Dressed up impeccably,
Nadu theruvukku vandhaachu
We have ended up on the middle of the street.
Kaththu kedantha sanam
The common people who gathered in crowds,
Kakka kootam pol aachu
Have become like a flock of crows.
Nadutharathaa
To the middle class,
Nalla vechu senjaachu
They served it real good (ruined them).
Sillaraiukku thaan
Just for small change,
Dangguvaaru anthaachu
Their belts have snapped.
Mala malayaa
The scammers who committed massive fraud,
Mosam senja moodevinga
Made mountains of scams,
Foriegn-u thaan
And escaped to foreign countries...
Poyaachuuu….
They have gone...
No cash
No cash!
Male :Card-ah swipe panni
By swiping cards,
Naam vazhalaam
Let us survive.
Chorus :No cash
No cash!
Male :Kelvi ketkaama
Without asking any questions,
Kondadalaam…..
Let us celebrate...
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash,
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash.
Male :Panda parimaatram
Barter system of trading,
Pazhagikalaam
Let us get used to it.
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash,
No no no cash cash
No, no, no cash cash.
Male :Kanna thirakaama
Without opening our eyes,
Padam paakalaam
Let us watch this movie/farce.
{Ya ya ya ya ya…
{Ya ya ya ya ya…
Ya ya ya yaa
Ya ya ya yaa
Ya ya ya ya ya…
Ya ya ya ya ya…
Ya ya yaa} (2)
Ya ya yaa} (2)
Fake-u note-ah pola
Like a counterfeit note,
Vaazhka maari poyaachu
Life has changed completely.
Breaking news paathu
Watching the breaking news,
Loose motion aayaachu
We got loose motions.
Vella manasu saetha panam
Money saved with a pure heart,
Sellamalae poyaachu
Became invalid and useless.
Karutha manasu saetha panam
Money hoarded with a dark heart,
Vella color aayaachu
Turned into pure white color.
Kudimaganaa
As a dutiful citizen,
Oththuzhaipa thandhachu
We extended our full cooperation.
Kandapadikku
Blindly and recklessly,
Nambikkaiya vechaachu
We placed our trust.
Varisaiyila perusu sirusu
In the queue, young and old,
Ellarumae ninaachu
Everyone stood together.
Mudinjuthunnu nenachaakaa
Just when we thought it was finally over,
GST vanthaachu…..
GST arrived...
No cash
No cash!
Card-ah swipe panni
By swiping cards,
Naam vazhalaam
Let us survive.
No cash
No cash!
Kelvi ketkaama
Without asking questions,
Kondadalaam…..
Let us celebrate...
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash,
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash.
Panda parimaatram
Barter system of trading,
Pazhagikalaam
Let us get used to it.
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash,
No no no cash cash
No, no, no cash cash.
Kanna thirakaama
Without opening our eyes,
Padam paakalaam
Let us watch this movie/farce.
Ezha veetil irupadhellaam
Whatever exists in a poor person's home,
Sivappu panamadaa
Is hard-earned red blood money, man!
Kuruvi pola saetha kaasil
In the money saved bit-by-bit like a sparrow,
Kallam illadaa
There is no deceit, man!
Naata maatha venumunnu
If you want to change the country,
Neenga nenachaa
And if you truly believe that,
Coat-tu potta gundargalin
Grab the throats of the suit-wearing goons,
Sanga pudingadaa
And choke them, man!
Cash cash cash cash
Cash cash cash cash,
Cash cash cash cash
Cash cash cash cash.
No cash
No cash!
Card-ah swipe panni
By swiping cards,
Naam vazhalaam
Let us survive.
No cash
No cash!
Kelvi ketkaama
Without asking questions,
Kondadalaam…..
Let us celebrate...
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash,
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash.
Panda parimaatram
Barter system of trading,
Pazhagikalaam
Let us get used to it.
No cash no cash
No cash, no cash,
No no no cash cash
No, no, no cash cash.
Kanna thirakaama
Without opening our eyes,
Padam paakalaam
Let us watch this movie/farce.
Demonetization
Demonetization!
Chorus :Demonetization
Demonetization!
Male :Marumaa namma nation
Will our nation ever change?
Chorus :Marumaa namma nation
Will our nation ever change?
Kelvi ketta police station
If we ask questions, we are dragged to the police station!
Chorus :Ithu golu maalu globalization
This is shady globalization!
Ithu golu maalu globalization
This is shady globalization!
Ithu golu maalu globalization
This is shady globalization!
Orae confusion
Total confusion!
Enna vazhka daa idhu
What kind of life is this, man?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'No Cash' (or 'Demonetization song') from 'Thatrom Thookrom' serves as a sharp satirical commentary on the impact of the 2016 Indian banknote demonetization and the subsequent introduction of GST. Written by Kabilan Vairamuthu, the lyrics express the frustration, hardship, and confusion experienced by the common working-class and middle-class people who stood in long ATM queues while big-ticket financial fraudsters escaped abroad.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Kakka kootam pol aachu”
Comparing the common people standing helplessly in queues to a flock of crows ('Kakka kootam pol aachu').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Vella manasu saetha panam / Sellamalae poyaachu”
Rhyming of the second character 'll' in 'Vella' and 'Sellamalae'.
Metaphor / Contrast (Muran)
“Vella manasu saetha panam... Karutha manasu saetha panam”
Contrasting 'Vella manasu' (pure heart/white heart) money losing value with 'Karutha manasu' (black heart) money turning white.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Marumaa namma nation / Kelvi ketta police station / Ithu golu maalu globalization”
Matching end sounds across consecutive lines ('nation', 'police station', 'globalization').
Did you know?
Trivia
This track from the film 'Thatrom Thookrom' gained widespread social media attention upon release due to its bold social satire addressing real-world economic issues like Demonetization and GST in India.
Keep listening
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